Beach Bound

Dining

Coastal fare and global flavors come together inside a quaint beach cottage at George’s at Alys Beach. Choose from two menu categories: Behave, featuring organic spa-inspired dishes, and Misbehave, touting traditional beach fare such as fried seafood baskets. 

If it’s good music you want to listen to while chowing down, visit The Red Bar in Grayton Beach. The Red Bar Jazz Band plays almost nightly. Be sure to try the pasta with crawfish and shrimp and the stuffed eggplant. 

And for a fun evening out with no frills, visit Cowgirl Kitchen in Rosemary Beach. Stop by for afternoon happy hour to sample the smoked tuna dip or the Cowgirl salsa and queso.

Shopping

Whether you are looking for a beach souvenir or the perfect swimsuit coverup, you’ll find it among the many shops in South Walton. Like its name implies, Uniquely Chic offers a distinctive shopping experience. Located in the Shops at Baytowne Wharf in Destin, the store offers handcrafted jewelry, home accents, and apparel. Be sure to pick up a locally-made Seagrass 100% Soy Candle. 

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If you’re looking for the perfect gift, stop by Hissyfits Boutique at Rosemary Beach to view their selection of purses, jewelry, and home décor items. Show your team spirit with one of the new burlap bags in your school colors. 

For the smaller set, take them to Duckies Shop of Fun. With an array of toys, clothing, and baby gifts, the shop is tailor-made for kids. For high style home décor, don’t miss Tracery, Pizitz
Home & Cottage, and Bohlert Massey Interiors
-—all located between Rosemary Beach and Seaside.

Outdoor Adventure  

Fish, swim, or boat in one of the 15 fresh and saltwater lakes, zipline across the Village of Baytowne Wharf, bike through miles of paved trails, or explore nature trails throughout the area’s four state parks. South Walton also offers 207 holes of championship golf and more than 30 public tennis courts. Of course, the water activities beckon. Try paddle with Yolo Bike and Board in Santa Rosa Beach. If paddleboarding isn’t your thing, they also offer bike rentals. 

For a more relaxing experience, quietly drift in your own kayak across a dune lake. Emerald Reef Beach Services offers kayak rentals, as well as beach umbrella and chair rentals.

Amazing Spas

What better way to top off your beach escape than with a refreshing spa treatment? Try the diamond peel or deep pore cleansing treatment at Spa 98 in Miramar Beach. Or design your own personalized beauty enhancement program at Spa Sandestin located in the Sandestin Resort. And if you are in the WaterSound Beach area, check out the new state-of-the-art facility at Sanabella Spa and Salon.

Festivals and Events 

There’s always something on the calendar. Coming Up:  Art in the Park at Watercolor on March 21st offers a mixture of art mediums, including acrylic, oil, photography, furniture, and fashion design. Take the grownup crowd to the Sandestin Wine Festival, April 16-19. Sample international wines while learning from the winemakers themselves. ArtsQuest, May 8-10, features more than 125 fine artists exhibiting their work in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin’s Town Center. The event also includes over 40 musical performances

For information on all of these restaurants, shops, spas, and event: visitsouthwalton.com


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