If you are looking at a list of the best things to do in 30A Florida, we have you covered!
In recent years 30A has become more popular than ever, and rightfully so! This 20 mile stretch in the panhandle of Florida is both family-friendly and also a retreat for couples and bachelorette parties.
Known for its sugary white sand beaches with warm turquoise water it is the perfect place to spend a few days. While the picturesque small towns like Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, and Santa Rosa Beach provide plenty of restaurants and places to explore.
Don’t forget about all the State Parks, and Florida Springs, that make the perfect place to spend a day, whether you want to hang on the beach, go on a hike or bike ride, or try paddle boarding and kayaking!
15 Best Things To Do In 30A Florida
Grayton beach state park
Grayton Beach State Park is so much more than its pristine beaches, it is one of the best things to do on 30A.
Consistently a nationally ranked beach, the sugar sand, and gentle waters are perfect for swimmers. The water from the Gulf of Mexico’s emerald green color makes it the perfect backdrop year-round. Don’t miss the sunsets here!
Just west of Seaside lies Grayton Beach State Park, with over 2,000 acres to explore, swim, paddle board, and bike! It will feel like you have a semi-private beach! Just don’t walk on the dunes themselves!
Explore Seaside
Seaside is home to beautiful pastel-colored houses with manicured lawns and white picket fences. You might feel like you walked onto a movie set, but it’s very real! This was the filming location for the 1998 Jim Carrey film, The Truman Show.
This Americana allure extends to all of the fun things to do in Seaside. From browsing the farmer’s market to visiting the beach to an annual dachshund race, there are plenty of things to do in Seaside. You’ll enjoy the laid-back feeling and sense of community in Seaside, it is one of the best things to do on 30A, Florida.
Check out our suggestions for the best things to do in Seaside, Florida! Don’t forget to head to the beach here!
I also love grabbing food from “Airstream Row” in Seaside! It is a super cute little line up of Airstream food trucks and there is always something for everyone to enjoy!
Eden Gardens State Park
Eden Gardens State Park is not only one of my favorites but also one of the best 30A activities! I just loved this place!
It is one of the Florida Historical sites that includes a plantation, and Welsley Mansion. Just think Bridgeton vibes!! Built in 1897, with sweeping moss-covered oak trees, the two-story mansion with white columns, and its large porch will transport you back in time, as you wander the grounds!
For those lucky enough to visit between November and April,l make sure to visit the Azaleas and Camellias bushes that explore with color! This is just one garden located on the grounds.
You can even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy after exploring the grounds, under the shade from the trees. The entry fee is $4 for a car, and it is open 8 am until sunset year-round. The Welsey Mansion is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but otherwise, it costs $4 for a 45-minute tour!
Visit Rosemary Beach
No trip to 30A is complete without a visit to one of the area’s beaches. Rosemary Beach is located on Florida’s Emerald Coast along 30A and has a European vibe. We think Rosemary Beach is one of the best things to do on 30A if looking for beaches in Panama City FL.
In the last few years, Rosemary Beach became a private beach, for those who are residents or renting in the area! Meaning, it is far less crowded than other area beaches during a busy holiday and summer.
There are plenty of restaurants and shops in the area. The town center is very walkable with restaurants, boutiques, and galleries. The European flare comes in with narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautiful homes, public spaces, and courtyards in a very walkable way.
For those who are not staying in the area, head to the public beach – Inlet Beach is just one mile away!
Rent bikes and explore
While many homes in the area come with golf cart rentals, and I enjoy that, I also enjoy renting bikes and exploring. There are tons of bike shops to rent from, and many of the homes also include bike rentals ( including electric bikes, bikes with baby sets, and more!).
The 30A area is extremely bike-friendly, and one of the best things to do in 30A! There is a 19-mile paved bike path that takes you along all the beach communities. It is called the Timpoochee Trail. I love that the bikeway is its only area, as it is very family-friendly, and safe! This is a great way to spend the day exploring each of the little beach towns near you!
There are plenty of places to stop along the way if you decide to do an entire bike ride to grab a coffee, a bite to eat, or enjoy the views!
Visit Alys Beach
I think of Alys Beach as the Greece of Florida. Once you are here it is easy to make the comparison. Architecturally designed to be stunning with white buildings nestled in the upscale beach community showcasing the blue skies and water. The palm tree-lined entryways and courtyards are all picture-perfect!
I think this is a great place to stroll in the morning with a coffee and enjoy the tranquility away from the busier towns along 30A! This area truly does feel like you are in a different country. I always suggest this area for couples wanting a more upscale getaway. Just expect the prices to reflect this!
Grab Coffee And Pastries
People know the 30A area for its local coffee shops and bakeries!! This is one of the best things to do on 30A if looking for a relaxing way to spend a morning. Some of my favorite places are:
- Fonville Press – Alys beach
- Black Bear Bread co – Seaside and Grayton beach
- Sunrise Coffee – Seagrove
- Modica Market – Seaside
- Blue mountain bakery– Santa Rosa Beach
- Raw and Juicy – Alys Beach – great for families as play area
- Donut Hole – numerous locations
- Amavida – tried them on my last trip delicious and provide coffee to many in areas
Relax At The Big Chill
The Big Chill, formerly known as the Hub30, is a great spot for live music, shopping, food, and drinks. It is the perfect spot to enjoy for families, couples, or bachelorette party trips. Plus, it is pet-friendly.
Check out their website for a list of events as they have tons! I think this is one of the best things to do in 30A for kids!
Choose from food options like pizza, seafood, tacos, burgers, BBQ, and tons of other options!
For kids there is an arcade, for adults, there is a spa and tons of local boutiques to enjoy.
I love the outdoor space, with artificial grass and covered areas to listen to live music or watch the jumbotron in the evenings. During cooler months, there are fire pits to cozy up to.
Camp Helen State Park
Camp Helen State Park Beach probably isn’t the first beach on your list to visit when heading to 30A. But, I think it should be! Camp Helen is one of the attractions along 30A Florida that is worth the trip.
Not only is it one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida is one of the rarest in the world. To find others like it you would need to travel to Australia! Stop at Publix and grab subs so you can have a picnic here!
Other activities here include paddleboarding and kayaking, hiking, and wildlife spotting. While the lake is brownish, it is clean water.
It costs $4 per vehicle to enter, and opens from 8 am to sunset every day! There is a tour on Saturdays that is free at 10 am.
Paddle Boarding or Kayaking
Being out on the water along the beaches in the panhandle offers so many options for paddleboarding and kayaking. It is one of the many fun things to do on 30A, for those wanting to be more active.
From state parks like Grayton Beach or Camp Helen to Florida Springs, and Ocean. If you love kayaking, you can paddle the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
Another of our favorite spots to kayak and paddle board is Park West’s southside calm waters.
There are tons of rental shops along 30A!
Day trip to Crab Island in Destin
Crab Island, Florida is one of the most infamous attractions in Destin. If you’ve ever been to the area, you’ve probably heard locals talking about it. If you are visiting during a holiday weekend, or busy summer weekend, the traffic to get here can be bad!
Don’t let the name fool you, Crab Island isn’t an island. It was created by the Army Corps of Engineers as a man-made island however over time and with hurricanes it is now a giant underwater sandbar.
It is only accessible by boat, you can rent a boat or take a tour. Let us tell you the waters here are just divine. And very shallow averaging just 1 to 4 feet.
Here are our best tips for visiting Crab Island.
Day trip to the Florida Panhandle Springs
If you are looking for the best things to do on 30A, that don’t include the typical spots, why not visit a Florida Panhandle Spring? Two of our favorites are Morrison Springs and Ponce De Leon Spring, both about an hour’s drive away!
Morrison Springs is a great option for those who dive! This state park in Walton County is home to a 250-foot pool, with an underground aquifer and caves that are over 300 feet deep! For those who don’t dive, it is still a wonderful spring to explore with a sandy “beach” area and a wooden platform to explore. Best of all, it is one of the FREE things to do in 30A!
Ponce de Leon Springs costs $4 per vehicle to enter, as it is a Florida State Park. The water here stays a constant 68 degrees, and is named after explorer Ponce de Leon. Here you can swim, explore, picnic, and explore the sandy creek spring run!
Deer Lake State Park
Deer Lake State Park, in Santa Rosa Beach, has it all! From coastal dunes to lush foliage, picnic areas, and turquoise waters! This pristine State park is a must-visit on 30A and costs just $3 per car to enter. This park reaches capacity quickly during busy summer months and holidays so arrive as close to 8 am as possible!
Head down the boardwalk if you want to spend the day at the beach, where you can swim and picnic on the sugar sand under the warm Florida sun. Or explore hiking trails! Oh did I mention it is one of the pet-friendly parks in the area?
Have a beach bonfire
One of the quintessential fun things to do on 30A is have a beach bonfire. There are two ways to do so legally. It is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening during a trip to 30A, watching the sunset and hanging out with my friends or family.
First, is to apply for a temporary beach bonfire permit for $50 for one night – you must provide your container and clean up. If you are a planner and want to save money this is the best option.
Second, the most popular is to hire one of the many companies that offer bonfire services in the area. We did this on a recent family vacation, and while more expensive than the DIY option, everything was taken care of for us including set up and clean up! We just showed up and enjoyed a fun evening!
Attend a Festival
One of the best things to do on 30A Florida is attend a festival. There is ALWAYS something going on in this area! From amazing music festivals like 30A Songwriters Festival to the Pensacola Seafood Festival there are so many events held each month to enjoy.
Make sure to checkout the 30A website for a list of all the events! There are wine festivals, seafood festivals, music festivals, beer festivals, and arts and crafts festivals!
Just make sure to plan in advance for large festivals!
Have you visited 30A in the Florida Panhandle?? What thing to do have I missed?!
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