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Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
This list is from some folks I e-mailed a couple of years ago. Feel free to add to this post. Describe your favorite things to do or see. You don't have to have ten - one will do.
1. Fishing in the Gulf or the Bay
2. Scuba Diving
3. Scuba Diving for Lobsters & Stone Crabs in season
4. Watching the Stars & Moon on the beach on a clear night
5. Bonfires on the Beach with Friends
6. Camping
7. Cooking Classes
8. Fine Dining
9. Sunbathing on the beach with a good book
10. Shopping Art Galleries
Diving East ( Grayton Beach Area ) is the best for lobsters & less
crowded.
Diving the Jetties in Destin for stone crabs ( Around October 3 - 6
season begins ) .
Diving Pt. St. Joe Bay for scallops is a blast.
Vortex Springs is fun to dive ( caves ).
You can find out from any dive shop in the area all the different seasons
( I can't remember them all ) .
My favorite restaurants are Basmati's , Fish Out of Water for sushi , Cafe
30 A, Seagrove Village Market for lunch , Smiling Fish Cafe , Capos for
pizza , D & K's in Grayton for raw oysters , Tango's ( fine dining ) , Lake
Place, Pepitos for Mexican food, Cuvee Beach....to name a few.
Favorite place to camp is Port St. Joe & Mexico Beach.
Eat at Cancun's
Sunset at the beach
Sunrise at the beach with coffee
Festivals at Eden State Park
Sit on my porch and take in Peach Creek and its mullet and ducks and pelicans and herons and gators and dolphins.
Spend a whole day in and out of local antique and junk shops.
Drink wine and smoke cigarettes at Borago's bar.
Hike through the dunes at Deer Park.
Shop at Seaside.
1. Have a wine tasting at Fermentations
2. Go to performances by the Seaside Rep theatre
3. Go to a potluck dinner with friends in the winter
4. Have a picnic at Eden State Gardens
5. Ride bikes along the 30A bike path
6. Canoe on Eastern Lake
7. Have margaritas at Borago
8. Plan trips to Europe with the “group”.
9. Since I can’t say “go to the beach”, I’ll say investigate the geologic formations located along the coastal boundary of Walton County with drink in hand
10. Eat at Bloom’s Cafe
Do an early morning 2-mile walk-jog along the bike path in Seagrove Beach.
Walk on the beach at dawn or sunset.
Hike the Eastern Lake trail from 395 to Cassine Garden.
Go kayaking when my grandson visits from Hawaii.
Drive south over the 331 bridge and see the vast Choctawhatchee Bay on either side.
Ride the little Marsh Hen skiff along the Choctawhatchee River while listening to Richard Davis's commentary.
Eat Sunday brunch at the Blue Luna restaurant with my honey.
Meet friends for lunch at any of a dozen restaurants along 30-A.
Explore trails in the state forest I have not been on before.
Hold or attend meetings in the library's beautiful meeting room.
1. Ride my bicycle down 30-A
2. Go eat Thai Food
3. Walk to Seaside from Grayton, get a Key Lime Soda, and walk back
4. Browse in SunDog Books in Seaside
5. Sit on the screen porch at the beach house
6. See all my friend's babies I never met.
7. Stick my feet in Econfina
I enjoy:
Our warm sunny days in Jan/Feb.
Playing golf.
Eating and drinking w/friends in "our" establishments along 30A.
Driving 30A and seeking out new developments (public walkovers, art
centers, hospitals, etc.).
Window shopping in new merchandise and novelty stores.
My favorite: I love the idea raising three children in the area with a 0
crime rate and knowing my grandchild will be raised in the same
environment. This allows me to feel blessed and fortunate in which I
appreciate every single day.
-People watching at Seaside. Or go during one of the larger events like Via Colori, or the Wine Fests and observe the crowds.
-An early morning kayak along the coast . If you're out before 9am you can expect to see dolphins, turtles or even a shark.
-Walk through Rosemary Beach and peek into courtyards.
-Walk along the beach on the Fourth of July or any other time there are fireworks and enjoy the reflections in the water.
-Hop on you bike and go from place to place along 30-A. The local shop owners love it when you stop in and chat with them. You will spend more time socializing than riding.
-In Autumn; grab a blanket, some food wine and some friends and sit out under the stars to watch foreign movies at Seaside's Ruskin Place.
-Don't miss the Fourth of July Grayton parade. Better yet -be in the parade! All it takes are some vehicles, roudy people and a few super soakers.
-Go to the Eglin Open House airshow. Don't miss the F-15 flight demonstration.
-Go to Panama City with the goal of finding the tackiest souvenir. Revel in the charms of the Redneck Riviera.
-Canoe the Econfina river.
-Dance to cheesy disco hits of the 70's at the Red Bar. Be sure to order Panne Chicken first.
-visit all the area art galleries
-eat and listen to Pt Washington Folk Lore at James Foley's
-Drive/bike the length of 30A at sunrise and/or sunset
-boatride through black creek in the afternoon ending in the bay for sunset
-picnic and pictures at Eden
-Tuesday concerts in summer with wine, friends, kids @ Seaside
-Go see the thesbians @ Seaside Theatre bunch
-kayak/canoe Peach Creek @ sunrise or Tucker Bayou @ sunset
surf
canoeing western lake
mountain bike the state forest
bicycling the bike path
bon fire on the beach, any beach
surf fishing for pompano
free concerts in the summer
solitude of winter time
picnic at Eden State Park
Sunday brunch at Red Bar
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11-16-2004, 12:22 PM #2
ok, I'm packing, can't stand to read those great things knowing winter's on it's way to the Nooga
I've never lived there so haven't experienced most of that, but my favs are riding bikes to/through Rosemary....going to Angelina's the first night we arrive...sitting outside for a great meal/wine at Smiling Fish...loading up the beach stuff & tunes & driving out onto Grayton.
It's goona be a loooong winter.
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11-16-2004, 12:46 PM #3
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11-16-2004, 12:51 PM #4
Oh, yeah....
And also shopping at Percsipacity (darnit, I can't say it OR spell it)
And Fusion Art glass
And lunch at D & K's.
And if you asked my kids, the # 1 reason to go to the beach is....GIGI's![/quote]
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11-16-2004, 01:04 PM #5
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11-16-2004, 01:08 PM #6
oh, yeah......I forgot they like Sugar Shak the best....they take after their dad :)
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11-17-2004, 12:33 PM #7
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11-20-2004, 08:09 PM #8
As locals call it..."TEATIME" on the beach at sunset! You simply can't beat it. Your favorite beverage and friends on the most beautiful beach in the world. I wish I was there now.
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11-28-2004, 08:13 AM #9
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02-17-2005, 12:24 PM #10
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Bump
With all the new members signing on, I thought we might want to revisit the Top 10 list
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03-22-2005, 12:26 PM #11
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
I just found this thread and thought I would add my top 10 to the list.
1. The first look at the ocean after year of being away from it for a year. There is no other feeling in the world. Looking out at that great blue miracle with my twin sister, and my wonderful son. We watch for the dolphins that sometime greet us upon our arrival. :)
2. Smelling the fresh "ocean scent", I like to call it that.
3. Meeting my friends, that I have not seen for a year, to spend a glorious week with them at Seagrove Village and Motel.
4. Opening up our sliding door and listening to that wonderful "sea sound" early in the morning.
5. Rising with a warm cup of coffee to enjoy on the beach in the wee morning hours.
6. Spending time at the beach with my friends and family.
7. Watching the most beautiful sunsets of anywhere in this world.
8. "Happy Hour" at the pool with all my friends and family.
9. Eating breakfast at the Wheel House restaurant.
10. Eating our last meal at Seagove Village Market the day we leave, not to return for another year.
I really need to live here !!!!~If Life is a journey....the BEACH should be the destination!~
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
You make me want to move away.
Originally Posted by kathydwells
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03-22-2005, 12:57 PM #13
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Why do you say that Kurt??? Because all of us foreigners come and decend upon your peace and quiet? I hope that we don't bother you "locals" that much !!!!
~If Life is a journey....the BEACH should be the destination!~
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
No, because every now and then I remember when I was younger and didn't live at the beach, and what a thrill it was to plan, journey, arrive, stay, and then sadly leave. It's just a millisecond of nostalgia that you reminded me of. I'm sure you won't shed any tears for me.
Originally Posted by kathydwells
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03-22-2005, 01:23 PM #15
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
No, Kurt I won't shed a tear for you, as I am sure you didn't for me. :) I do envy you because you can, everyday, see the things that I can only dream about until that yearly visit. I hope I never take it for granted that I am able to enjoy this special place in the world, and I hope that you always remember and be thankful that you are actually "living" in the most special place in the world. I am glad that I could take you back to that place when you were younger. I hope that I am giving my son the same precious memories. He is 11 now and we have been coming to your area since he was 3. He loves it as much as I do! Take Care !!! Oh, and drink a cold one for me tonight as you are watching the most beautiful sunset, breathing the "ocean smell" and listening to the "sea sounds"....See you in June !!!! YEAH !!!!!!!
Originally Posted by kurt
~If Life is a journey....the BEACH should be the destination!~
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03-22-2005, 01:48 PM #16
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Awww-Kurt-we all want to be in YOUR shoes!!!!! That is My plan one day-to LIVE at the beach and become a LOCAL!!!!!!! That is some kind of HEAVEN!!! Hey my husband is a nurse and sometimes goes on assignments-we are thinking of living at the beach next summer-don't know which one though-Is there a hospital close by? I am really serious!!
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Yes there is a new hospital in Sandestin - Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast.
Originally Posted by taterbaby
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Crappy sunset tonight, rain, and red flag day. However, a crappy day at the Beach I will take. Not really a crappy day, just not a good sunset. Somewhere on this board is a thread for fun things to do on a rainy day at the Beach. Let's just say I did a few of those today.
Originally Posted by kathydwells
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
You the man!
Originally Posted by Smiling JOe
:laughing1
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03-23-2005, 06:39 AM #20
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03-23-2005, 07:17 AM #22
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
One of my favorites is watching the little kids chase crabs in that "lake?" that runs into the ocean. (by the way, what is that lake called?) Last time we were there it turned blood red. We were told it was from the pine needles dropping into it or something like that.
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03-28-2005, 10:06 PM #24
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
I like to eat, so here's my list:
A latté and a warm banana nut muffin, along with a greeting from Mr. Modica, in the morning.
Adult beverages at sunset at my house.
Watching sports (especially college football and March Madness) at the bar at Shades with a good fish sandwich or catch salad.
Bud & Alley's on one of their good nights, or fresh fish from Goatfeathers grilled at my house with my daughter's bruschetta on the side.
A sugar-free, fat-free frozen yogurt from Dawson's - assuming that the employees aren't too surly to stay open past 7 PM.
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Who does the cooking classes?
Originally Posted by kurt
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Thay have very good ones at Kitchenique at the Market Shops of Sandestin.
Originally Posted by lenzoe
http://www.kitchenique.com/sched.htm
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Riding the bike paths at WaterColor.
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Oh, and one other thing -- visiting the Gulfarium over in
Fort Walton. We did it before Ivan and had a great time. I hear it shut down after Ivan but re-opened recently.
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06-19-2005, 12:14 PM #29
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
1) Sunsets in February
2) Walking the beach on a full moon night when the phospherus is present in the fall.
3) The Champagne Candle Light Tour for Atrs Quest
4) Grabing dinner at Coccoon's (usually an assortment of his phoenominal salads) and "coccooning"
5) Friday night wine at The Larder
6) Dinner parties with friends
7) Telling others about SoWal and all it has to offer
8) Meeting new and interesting people continuously
9) Seeing the stars at night
10) Learning new things about this area daily
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10-05-2005, 09:03 AM #30
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
One of our favourite ways to spend Friday evenings in South Walton is to go for Friday wine tastings at Chan's in Sandestin, then buy a couple of bottles of wine to drink along with some shrimp, previously steamed by the nice folks at Goatfeathers.
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11-07-2005, 05:49 PM #31
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
If you've never been, add Mountainfilm at Watercolor to your list. We have been to most of the events in South Walton and it is our favorite by a long shot.
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11-07-2005, 06:04 PM #32
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Agree! We went Sat. night for the first time. It was first class all the way and the food prices were reasonable. It was quite cold though!!!
Originally Posted by Santiago
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
i love the film festival! i am so sad i missed it this year
"Nice parking. I guess they didn't have you in mind when they painted these lines." note left on Whiteyfunn's car
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30A Funn Facebook
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12-08-2005, 06:43 PM #34
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
i like surfing and skateing and rock musi
Originally Posted by kurt
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12-08-2005, 06:45 PM #35
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Ya i know the people who run the thing and one of the guys who did a film i love filmfest and yes it was cold
Originally Posted by Sueshore
what night were you there?
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12-08-2005, 07:32 PM #36
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
I went on Saturday night! I LOVED cooking marshmallows over the fire pits!!
Originally Posted by grayton kid
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02-13-2006, 01:41 PM #37
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
i have been to grayton beach before but i am going again here during march 4-8 2006 for college spring break and i want to go scuba diving. i am a certified diver and want to go on a charter one day and someother day go diving for lobsters does anyone have any information or know where i can find information. thanks alot
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02-13-2006, 02:02 PM #38
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Call Scuba Tech in Destin...850-837-2822..have fun and
Originally Posted by Garth
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Originally Posted by Garth
You should start a new thread.
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04-27-2006, 06:13 AM #40
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
How do i let folks know about Blue Dolphin Tour, its 20 minutes from Rosemary beach @ www.bluedolphintour.com
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04-27-2006, 06:24 AM #41
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Sounds great to me - this is a great way of spreading the word and being at 6 in a boat seems fantastic! I already am going to gather my kids and 2 of their friends and plan a tour! My daughter will go nuts for this!
Originally Posted by melodiagrand
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Hi MG - feel free to start a new thread in this forum. Click on the "new thread: button, fill in your title and message and click "submit new thread button".
Originally Posted by melodiagrand
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
I'm so glad this thread was revived! I'm sending around the Top 10 list to my beach buddies today! Time to start getting fired up about vacation!
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06-18-2006, 12:35 AM #44
Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Ok-let's bring it to the top!!!!!!!!!!! We are about to make our first trip to South Walton on the 8th of July and are very excited!!
We will be there until the 15th. Queston is-there seems to be soo many wonderful things to do-who can decide!!!! Once and for all-taking into consideration this summer and what is going on so far-what are the ten best, no miss, gotta do it, gotta eat there-things to do. heheheheheheh
Come on and give me your best ideas from the veterans to the newbies like me!!! Thanks for all your ideas in advance!!
P.S. It will be my husband and I and our three children who are 8 (boy), 10 (boy), and 12 (girl).
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06-18-2006, 08:11 AM #45
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
All the things on this board, and if you're at the east end of 30A, go to Villages of South Walton Seacrest Cafe and get Carvel Ice cream and watch the fountain "dance" to music sometime between 8:00 - 9:00 in the evening. People can run through the fountain. Someone on this board can let us know the exact time the fountain dances to music (with lights). It's not Las Vegas style, though, which I like -- more subtle.
We have kids, too, and we like to get take-out from Angelina's (seafood linguini for adults and pizza or something for kids) and then eat at the cottage inside or on the porch to avoid the crowds. Call ahead.
Get skim boards for the kids and remember to get the wax for the boards as well. Keeps the kids close to shore and having fun. You can get the boards at publix and I don't know where you pick up the wax along 30A.
Make "drip" sandcastles: http://avant-gareth-studios.com/me/sandcastle.html
Have a funn time!Paula
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06-18-2006, 08:28 AM #46
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Donna, very cool sandcastle!gives me an idea for august. thanks!
Originally Posted by Paula
I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys
DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty
"You're my fun, drunk aunt" ~~Layla to Vanessa 2011
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Be sure to teach your kids to fill in the holes they dig. This is a Top Ten must.
There are good reasons as to why, number one being so that people like me who are walking on the beach while looking over their shoulder talking, won't step in the hole and fall down, potentially breaking something. :oops:
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06-18-2006, 10:23 AM #48
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Well, it'll probably be me building the castle, but I promise I won't leave no holes.
Originally Posted by Smiling JOe
I love Jesus, but I drink a little. ~Gladys
DD, I toad you it was pucking hot.~~Kitty
"You're my fun, drunk aunt" ~~Layla to Vanessa 2011
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06-18-2006, 01:35 PM #49
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Re: Top Ten Things to do in SoWal
Thanks for the reminder, SJ! In Michigan, we get so many potholes from the ice and snow that we take holes in the ground for granted!
Paula
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06-18-2006, 08:23 PM #50
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If you ask "her" kids they'll say going to the Sugar Shack. :mrgreen:

Hmmmmm..... Could you be more specific?








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