Between the popular (read: overcrowded) vacation destinations of Destin and Panama City Beach lies a more tranquil strip of Florida coastline along East County Highway 30A. Planned communities and deserted beaches are the norm, and the laid-back way of life is a throwback to simpler times. Stay with your family in Seaside or WaterColor to give everyone a much-needed break from the urban hustle and bustle.
Where to Stay:
Seaside (seasidefl.com) is a cheery collage of private homes, cottages and condos available for rental through three rental services. As a standard for New Urbanism, Seaside is a walkable town in miniature that feels like an idealized Main Street USA.
WaterColor (watercolorresort.com), Seaside’s neighbor to the north, is composed of seven distinct neighborhoods of elegant homes, townhomes and cottages, plus the luxurious, 60-room WaterColor Inn that fronts the Gulf.
Both Seaside and WaterColor offer a variety of sports; Seaside boasts several swimming pools, tennis courts and a croquet lawn, while WaterColor offers tennis, swimming, golf packages and water sports, including Kayak Tours of neighboring Western Lake. WaterColor also has a program for children ages 3–12 – including Kid’s Night Out – so that you can have a little away time without the tykes.
What to Do:
First, rent a bike (your rental may include one, or you can inquire from your rental agency). Everything is so close together along 30A that bikes are the way to travel. Besides, if the weather’s nice, you’ll want to be outdoors as much as possible.
Just up the coast from WaterColor is Grayton Beach State Park (floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach), known for its pristine beaches, brackish lake fishing, water sports and nature trails. Bring a picnic to enjoy under one of the spacious pavilions and spend the day exploring the natural coastal habitat. Stay for sunset.
Drive north on Highway 395 to reach Eden Gardens State Park (floridastateparks.org/edengardens), whose central attraction is the elegant Wesley House, a two-story mansion supported by columns and a wraparound verandah. Live oaks bedecked in Spanish moss surround the 110-year-old property – can’t get more Southern than that. Wander through the ornamental gardens and eat lunch at one of the picnic tables scattered throughout.
If a rain shower (yes, those do exist elsewhere in the world) pushes you indoors, head for shelter at Central Square Records and Sundog Books (sundogbooks.com), the upper and lower floors of a pale green building on Seaside’s central square. Central Square Records houses a collection of music memorabilia, CDs and vinyl that will take you straight back to the ’90s (though the employees are up on today’s music too) and prove to your kids that music existed before iPods.
Every Monday night throughout spring and summer, the Seaside Repertory Theater puts on a special performance for children of all ages in their intimate, 75-seat auditorium. On the first Friday evening of every month, hit up the galleries and shops of Ruskin place and the Central Square for the First Friday ArtWalk, and on Friday nights during the summer, spread out your blankets in the amphitheater for a family movie viewing under the stars. Seaside hosts other family events throughout the year, including kids camps, wine and arts festivals and the famous 30A Songwriters Festival, featuring 150 artists. WaterColor also puts on family activities, concerts and sunset movies in the summer months; check the event calendars of both resorts for updated listings.
Where to Eat:
Don’t miss Meltdown on 30A (facebook.com), a beloved food truck serving up creative variations on the classic grilled cheese in Seaside’s Central Square. Just order something with bacon.
For a more upscale experience and a view of the Gulf, dine on the verandah at WaterColor’s Fish Out of Water. The restaurant caters to adults more than to kids, but your littles do eat free from 5:30–6pm on Tuesday–Saturday.
For lunch with the kiddos or an adults’ night out, ride your bikes to The Red Bar (theredbar.com) in Grayton Beach just a few miles up the coast. Almost every night a jazz band plays for the laid-back, eclectic crowd at this funky joint. Try the Blackened Grouper or the Crab Cakes. Bring cash.
Since you’ll likely have a kitchen, you can also make your own meals with ingredients from the Seaside Farmers Market. Every Saturday from 9am–1pm, local farmers offer fresh Florida fruits, vegetables and meats, along with cooking demonstrations you can put into practice when you return to your cottage.
Published April 2014
