8 Lovely Small Towns to Visit on Florida's Emerald Coast This Summer
The water along the Emerald Coast has its own color. A green so distinct that the coastline took its name from it. The eight stops below trade on that color in different ways. Some are pastel-cottage planned communities built around boardwalks and porches. One served as the on-screen set for a Hollywood blockbuster. All of them are made for a slow trip this summer.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach, or PCB to locals, is best known as a Spring Break magnet, but the white sand and clear water work just as well in any other season. Two state parks back the city up. St. Andrews and Camp Helen offer hiking and biking trails, kayak launches, and chances to spot native wildlife in their habitat.
For families, Hidden Lagoon Golf and Racetrack offers a one-mile go-kart track and mini-golf, while Shipwreck Island Waterpark adds a wave pool and slides built for kids. Plenty of dining and lodging within walking distance of the beach makes it easy to anchor a longer stay here.
Niceville
Niceville sits next to Eglin Air Force Base, just inland on Boggy Bayou where it opens to Choctawhatchee Bay. The town is about ten minutes from the beach, which makes it a relaxed alternative to staying right on the coast. Niceville traces its roots to the late 1800s and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the area.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is a strong stop for saltwater fishing and sunsets over the bayou. In town, breweries and restaurants like 3rd Planet Brewing make a good cap for a hiking afternoon. Turkey Creek Nature Trail is the local favorite, a boardwalk loop through cypress and tupelo right inside the city.
Destin
Known as the World's Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin is an angler's town. White sand beaches and clear water draw beachgoers from across the country, and the Destin Harbor Boardwalk is the natural gathering spot for sunset hours.
Beyond the water, the Destin History and Fishing Museum holds dozens of fish species and exhibits on the town's commercial fishing past. While in town, head to Harborwalk Village for shopping, dining, and boat rentals along the waterfront.
Seaside
Seaside is the small resort town of pastel cottages and white picket fences that helped launch the New Urbanist movement in American design. The town and the beach were photogenic enough that the 1998 Peter Weir film The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, was filmed here. The downtown around Central Square has a walkable mix of shops and restaurants.
Airstream Row, a strip of converted Airstream food trailers under a tree-canopied sidewalk, serves gourmet food at lunch and dinner. Walking and biking are the way to get around. The 18-mile Timpoochee Trail runs along the edge of town. Bud and Alley's Waterfront Restaurant is a long-running local pick for sunset dinner with a view.
Rosemary Beach
About 24 miles east of Destin along Highway 30A, Rosemary Beach is a small planned town with a cobbled grid and a downtown that punches above its size. The mood is sophisticated but unfussy, and it earns its reputation as a romantic escape. Pescado Seafood Grill and Rooftop Bar is a top sunset spot for both food and view, and La Crema Tapas and Chocolate covers small plates and dessert.
The Rosemary Beach Inn is a European-style boutique hotel right in the middle of town. The Pearl, on Main Street, is the luxury option for travelers who want immediate access to the shops and restaurants from their room.
Navarre
Navarre locals call their town Florida's most relaxing place. The community on Santa Rosa Island offers outdoor recreation, low-density beaches, and seaside dining. The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier, at 1,545 feet, is the longest in Florida and ranks among the longest public piers in the country.
The Navarre Beach Marine Science Center opened in 2009 and runs seminars and classes for visitors and area residents. The shoulder months from April to May and September through November tend to be the best time to visit, with daytime highs running from the 70s into the 80s.
Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach, or FWB to locals, is a small town whose main beachfront sits across the Santa Rosa Sound on adjacent Okaloosa Island, an unincorporated stretch of white sand. The main attraction for visitors is the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, with dolphins, alligators, and even penguins.
FWB has solid cultural attractions too. The Indian Temple Mound Museum holds a prehistoric Native American mound and a strong collection of artifacts. The Camp Walton Schoolhouse is a historic one-room schoolhouse built in 1912 and used as a school until 1936. After visiting the sites, stop at Dewey Destin's Seafood for a meal on the water.
Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe is a bayfront town with a laid-back atmosphere, a hub for anglers and boaters, and a walkable downtown. The St. Joseph Peninsula stretches roughly 20 miles into the Gulf of Mexico just across St. Joseph Bay.
The historic Cape San Blas Lighthouse was relocated to Port St. Joe in 2014 to save it from beach erosion, and visitors can climb it for a small fee. There are plenty of solid restaurants like Sisters Bistros and Krazyfish Grille. Port St. Joe still feels like the older, slower side of Florida, and that is the appeal.
Where to Land Along the Emerald Coast
The Emerald Coast covers some of the prettiest beaches and clearest water in Florida. The eight towns above are all worth a summer visit for the sand, the outdoor activities, and the dining. Seaside is the town to choose for a polished, walkable getaway. Panama City Beach is the high-energy option, but the smaller beaches at Navarre and Port St. Joe are better picks for a slower stay.
