DD
SoWal Expert
...I like dd's plan. But, why not just crash at my effing place?
I figured you'd be sick of me by the end of the day....
Seriously, though....I can't think of a better place to crash.
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SoWal as a day trip - need your input
- Thread starter Kurt
- Start date
I figured you'd be sick of me by the end of the day....
Seriously, though....I can't think of a better place to crash.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
You are at the beach. Showers are optional if you swim in the Gulf.
TreeFrog
Beach Fanatic
Lots of good ideas already.
For me, the Red Bar is fun, but a grouper sandwich at the Seagrove Market is the classic 30A lunch.
You could start a major war over the dinner recommendation. There are too many good choices.
I've got to agree with a trip to either Topsail or Deer Lake S.P. See the beach as it was before condos and beach houses.
A bicycle tour of Seaside is always entertaining.
The reality is, each visitor has different interests. Some might prefer hiking to drinks at B&A (the horror
). Some might just want to lounge on the beach instead of packing in a day. Fine dining is wonderful, but not with a SUV load of kids. To each his or her own.
For me, the Red Bar is fun, but a grouper sandwich at the Seagrove Market is the classic 30A lunch.
You could start a major war over the dinner recommendation. There are too many good choices.
I've got to agree with a trip to either Topsail or Deer Lake S.P. See the beach as it was before condos and beach houses.
A bicycle tour of Seaside is always entertaining.
The reality is, each visitor has different interests. Some might prefer hiking to drinks at B&A (the horror
). Some might just want to lounge on the beach instead of packing in a day. Fine dining is wonderful, but not with a SUV load of kids. To each his or her own.
Miss Kitty
Meow
...I am surprised you didn't ask for the address!
Matt J
SWGB
This is a "perfect" world right?
Coming from PCB I would start with a light breakfast at Wild Olives and then head over to Starbucks for a giant cup of coffee to keep me going all day. Then it is down to Villages of South Walton to play in the fountains. This is where I run into a wonderful sowaller who offers me a shower and towel at there Seacrest house. After this move on to Alys Beach and walk thru all the open homes, marveling at the craftsmenship, design, and price. After this a slow leisurely drive thru old Seacrest on our way to Flip Flops for a milkshake. Then down to the Seagrove Market for lunch followed by parking at Seaside and wandering thru the shops. Instead of jumping in the car we would rent bikes and quickly tour thru WaterColor interrupted only breifly by some lady on a balcony yelling the F word. 
After picking the car up we would head to Grayton for an afternoon cocktail at Red Bar and a leisurely afternoon stroll down the beach. Once back from the beach a quick glass of wine and an appetizer at D&K's before shopping at Zoo Gallery. By this point the sun is starting to set so we head over to Ed Walline park and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Strolling thru the Art shops at Gulf Place we would work up an appetite and enjoy a wonderful dinner at Amore. Even though we are enjoying Waco we are pulled away to Stinky's to watch Dread and enjoy more wine. We would then return to our home on the far west end of 30A and marvel at all we had experienced in just one day.
Coming from PCB I would start with a light breakfast at Wild Olives and then head over to Starbucks for a giant cup of coffee to keep me going all day. Then it is down to Villages of South Walton to play in the fountains. This is where I run into a wonderful sowaller who offers me a shower and towel at there Seacrest house. After this move on to Alys Beach and walk thru all the open homes, marveling at the craftsmenship, design, and price
. After this a slow leisurely drive thru old Seacrest on our way to Flip Flops for a milkshake. Then down to the Seagrove Market for lunch followed by parking at Seaside and wandering thru the shops. Instead of jumping in the car we would rent bikes and quickly tour thru WaterColor interrupted only breifly by some lady on a balcony yelling the F word. After picking the car up we would head to Grayton for an afternoon cocktail at Red Bar and a leisurely afternoon stroll down the beach. Once back from the beach a quick glass of wine and an appetizer at D&K's before shopping at Zoo Gallery. By this point the sun is starting to set so we head over to Ed Walline park and enjoy a beautiful sunset. Strolling thru the Art shops at Gulf Place we would work up an appetite and enjoy a wonderful dinner at Amore. Even though we are enjoying Waco we are pulled away to Stinky's to watch Dread and enjoy more wine. We would then return to our home on the far west end of 30A and marvel at all we had experienced in just one day.
1. Leave that which is not Paradise in the morning wearing swimsuit under your shorts and t-shirt. Preferably on a Sunday. Drive to the ramp at Western Lake down the street from the Red Bar. If you're early, parking shouldn't be a problem. Your kayaks, which you've rented and had delivered, will be waiting for you.
2. Spend morning kayaking and swimming in the lake and the gulf (if the water's smooth enough). This should be a real treat because there are no dune lakes anywhere but SoWal. Grayton Beach has a shower at the boardwalk to rinse the salt off yourself.
3. When you've had enough and are hungry enough, walk down to the Red Bar and have a wonderful lunch while listening to DC, if you're lucky to be enjoying SoWal on a Sunday & they're playing.
4. After lunch, spend some time shopping.* There's no end of shopping so go as far as you feel like driving.** Strictly my preference but I'd send you to the art galleries and craft/artisan shops so you can buy something you won't get anywhere else in the world. There's a lot of talent in SoWal.
5. When you've had enough and are thirsty enough, stop at Seaside and get a drink, preferably at B&A so you can admire the view of the Gulf. (Winter scenario: time the end of your shopping expedition with the setting of the sun so you can watch it go down. This is really easy to do since it gets dark fairly early. Summer scenario: buy a lemonade and stroll through Seaside, especially the sandy paths between the cottages, and then go to B&A for the sunset.)
6. Dine; like the shopping, there's no end of dining in SoWal no matter what you feel like eating.
7. If you've checked schedules for Seaside and Rosemary Beach, you might be able to go to an outdoor movie or concert, in season.
8. Head back to that which is not Paradise, exhausted but happy.
* You can change out of your swimsuit during lunch. Or later at Seaside in the public restroom.
** Mermaid and Merman would also recommend that you bring your bikes with you so you can cycle around rather than drive around. There's plenty of shopping and eating between Grayton and Seaside (which are the parameters of this day trip) so that it's not likely you're going to wipe yourself out by "over-exercising."
2. Spend morning kayaking and swimming in the lake and the gulf (if the water's smooth enough). This should be a real treat because there are no dune lakes anywhere but SoWal. Grayton Beach has a shower at the boardwalk to rinse the salt off yourself.
3. When you've had enough and are hungry enough, walk down to the Red Bar and have a wonderful lunch while listening to DC, if you're lucky to be enjoying SoWal on a Sunday & they're playing.
4. After lunch, spend some time shopping.* There's no end of shopping so go as far as you feel like driving.** Strictly my preference but I'd send you to the art galleries and craft/artisan shops so you can buy something you won't get anywhere else in the world. There's a lot of talent in SoWal.
5. When you've had enough and are thirsty enough, stop at Seaside and get a drink, preferably at B&A so you can admire the view of the Gulf. (Winter scenario: time the end of your shopping expedition with the setting of the sun so you can watch it go down. This is really easy to do since it gets dark fairly early. Summer scenario: buy a lemonade and stroll through Seaside, especially the sandy paths between the cottages, and then go to B&A for the sunset.)
6. Dine; like the shopping, there's no end of dining in SoWal no matter what you feel like eating.
7. If you've checked schedules for Seaside and Rosemary Beach, you might be able to go to an outdoor movie or concert, in season.
8. Head back to that which is not Paradise, exhausted but happy.
* You can change out of your swimsuit during lunch. Or later at Seaside in the public restroom.
** Mermaid and Merman would also recommend that you bring your bikes with you so you can cycle around rather than drive around. There's plenty of shopping and eating between Grayton and Seaside (which are the parameters of this day trip) so that it's not likely you're going to wipe yourself out by "over-exercising."