Seaside
Jul 7th, 2004, 09:39 AM
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Seaside
My family will be staying soon at a cottage in Seaside named the Secret Garden. Would appreciate any comments you have about this cottage if you've stayed there. Also, any recommendations about places to go or eat, and things to do would be appreciated!
Jul 12th, 2004, 05:10 PM
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I've been to Seaside many times and can never get enough. Be sure to rent bikes as it is a very bike friendly community. For a really nice restaurant travel about 3 miles down Hwy. 30A for dinner at Cafe 30A. It has seafood, steaks, etc. Try the Banana Beignets for dessert. Right beside it there's also an inexpensive pizza place thats very family friendly. I can't remember the name. For more action travel to Panama City Beach or Destin. Destin has lots of great shopping and resaurants, goofy golf, go carts, etc. In Destin I would eat at Pompano Joes which sits right on the beach. I agree with the other post that Hamilton's is a great place to eat in Panama City.
Jul 15th, 2004, 10:39 AM
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I love Seaside. We've been going for the last 10 years and go almost every year for our laid back, do nothing vacation. The town is an artist planned community and is very quaint. Building code requires each house must have an uniquely styled picket fence. The town square has many shops and eateries (including delis, candy shops, ice cream, etc). On Saturday nights they have a band play in the grassy park area. Watch the Truman Show -- it was filmed there. But keep in mind, there is not a lot to do in Seaside itself -- why we like it. There are several really good restaurants, music in the park, and fun galleries and shops, and of course miles of soft white sand. Now if you want more "things to do", there is Destin to the east 25 minutes and Panama City to the west. Destin is fun and has tons of great places to eat or shop. That is also where the marina is. Personally, I'd skip Panama City unless you are under 25 or wanting a tattoo -- hey, just my opinion. Here are some options between Destin and Seaside:
Destin
Donut Hole I -- On route 98 on the main drag. Awesome donuts, muffins, cookies, etc. If you don't go here then you haven't been to Destin!
Back Porch -- On the beach. Sandwiches to entries. Very good, cheap and casual. Open windows overlook the beach.
Crab Trap -- On the beach. Similar to Back Porch but perhaps a tad more upscale. Has an ice cream shop attached.
Pampano Joe's -- On the beach just east of Crab Trap. Much like the other two but a little more fun. Great sandwiches and grilled Amberjack. This is our favorite place to eat and hang out. We go here a couple times per visit. There is also a large parking lot with beach access adjoining the restaurant. Great for sunset watching.
Expect a bit of a wait at most restaurants in Destin if you're going anywhere near prime time. Our favorite places are on the beach though, so we just hang out on the beach until our table is ready.
Goatfeathers -- Old 98 near Blue Mountain Beach (just west of Grayton). You can eat inside in the a/c or outside on the large deck. Prices are pretty good -- at least for lunch. They have a great fish market attached.
Santa Rosa Beach (near Seaside)
Donut Hole II -- On route 98 (the highway between Destin and Panama City) just past San Destin. This is the main bakery for both restaurants and caters to other places. This is great alternative to Donut Hole I which may be hard to get into. This is seems to be somewhat of a local breakfast place where you can get eggs, toast and coffee and not have to pay 10 bucks -- BUT STILL GET SOME DONUTS TO GO!
Grayton Beach
Quaint little beach side town. One store, one restaurant, one ice cream shop, and a really nice beach! Grayton Beach was rated as #1 beach in the nation according to some travel magazine a few years back. It really is nice. Grayton Beach Rec. They have rest rooms and drinking fountains I believe at the beach. Grayton and the Red Bar was also featured on the Travel Channel.
Red Bar -- This is the coolest and most overlooked restaurant around Destin/Seaside -- or at least it was before The Travel Channel made a visit. They have live music on the weekends and excellent inexpensive food. Don't let the decor scare you.
Seaside/Seagrove Beach
Modica's Market -- great deli take out and baked items.
Watercolors at Seaside is the newest area which was under construction when we went last. They were building some shops so we're not sure what is there. The had just finished a market which also had some great desserts and coffee. A bit pricier than Modica's though.
Shades -- Seaside in the center of town. Very casual and good food. Sandwiches, salads, etc. You can eat outside and watch watch TV (if you want).
Bud and Ally's -- Seadside near the beach. Expensive but good. You'll need reservations. They're been on AAA's top dinning list I believe and for good reason, but most everything is around $30 if I remember correctly.
Rosemary Beach
This is another planned community and was featured on HGTV and written up in all the architectural magazines. It is about 10 minutes east of Seagrove. There isn't much to do here as it is primarily for the guests, but they did have an ice cream stand and the beach is really nice. If you're looking for a side drive, it is worth it.
Oh and the other neighboring towns -- Panama City Beach and Fort Walton Beach. I didn't care for either. They both seemed like your typical over developed with no central plan Florida tourist towns.... again just MY opinion.
Destin
Donut Hole I -- On route 98 on the main drag. Awesome donuts, muffins, cookies, etc. If you don't go here then you haven't been to Destin!
Back Porch -- On the beach. Sandwiches to entries. Very good, cheap and casual. Open windows overlook the beach.
Crab Trap -- On the beach. Similar to Back Porch but perhaps a tad more upscale. Has an ice cream shop attached.
Pampano Joe's -- On the beach just east of Crab Trap. Much like the other two but a little more fun. Great sandwiches and grilled Amberjack. This is our favorite place to eat and hang out. We go here a couple times per visit. There is also a large parking lot with beach access adjoining the restaurant. Great for sunset watching.
Expect a bit of a wait at most restaurants in Destin if you're going anywhere near prime time. Our favorite places are on the beach though, so we just hang out on the beach until our table is ready.
Goatfeathers -- Old 98 near Blue Mountain Beach (just west of Grayton). You can eat inside in the a/c or outside on the large deck. Prices are pretty good -- at least for lunch. They have a great fish market attached.
Santa Rosa Beach (near Seaside)
Donut Hole II -- On route 98 (the highway between Destin and Panama City) just past San Destin. This is the main bakery for both restaurants and caters to other places. This is great alternative to Donut Hole I which may be hard to get into. This is seems to be somewhat of a local breakfast place where you can get eggs, toast and coffee and not have to pay 10 bucks -- BUT STILL GET SOME DONUTS TO GO!
Grayton Beach
Quaint little beach side town. One store, one restaurant, one ice cream shop, and a really nice beach! Grayton Beach was rated as #1 beach in the nation according to some travel magazine a few years back. It really is nice. Grayton Beach Rec. They have rest rooms and drinking fountains I believe at the beach. Grayton and the Red Bar was also featured on the Travel Channel.
Red Bar -- This is the coolest and most overlooked restaurant around Destin/Seaside -- or at least it was before The Travel Channel made a visit. They have live music on the weekends and excellent inexpensive food. Don't let the decor scare you.
Seaside/Seagrove Beach
Modica's Market -- great deli take out and baked items.
Watercolors at Seaside is the newest area which was under construction when we went last. They were building some shops so we're not sure what is there. The had just finished a market which also had some great desserts and coffee. A bit pricier than Modica's though.
Shades -- Seaside in the center of town. Very casual and good food. Sandwiches, salads, etc. You can eat outside and watch watch TV (if you want).
Bud and Ally's -- Seadside near the beach. Expensive but good. You'll need reservations. They're been on AAA's top dinning list I believe and for good reason, but most everything is around $30 if I remember correctly.
Rosemary Beach
This is another planned community and was featured on HGTV and written up in all the architectural magazines. It is about 10 minutes east of Seagrove. There isn't much to do here as it is primarily for the guests, but they did have an ice cream stand and the beach is really nice. If you're looking for a side drive, it is worth it.
Oh and the other neighboring towns -- Panama City Beach and Fort Walton Beach. I didn't care for either. They both seemed like your typical over developed with no central plan Florida tourist towns.... again just MY opinion.
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