A Walking Guide To Seaside, Florida From a Local

 

How to get here:

If you are flying in – your best bet is to fly into ECP (Panama City Beach) but, if that airport doesn’t work for your airline; VPS (Valparaiso) isn’t that much further. The only thing is that in the summer the traffic will be much worse getting here via VPS vs ECP. I don’t think I have ever sat in traffic coming from ECP. Ideally, you want to get here and not have to get back in your car again until you sadly have to leave, which is what this guide is all about!

Where to Stay:

We LOVE renting through The Cottage Rental Agency (CRA) for our staycations in Seaside or Watercolor! If you stay in either of these locations you can walk or ride your bike to both of them. You also could rent a golf cart too!

With CRA you also get access to a private beach access, the Seaside pool, the Seaside fitness center, 2 complimentary bike rentals (you can rent more). I also have a map that CRA provided for me to share with you. I will put it at the bottom of the post so that I can refer to a few times during this post. It shows you where some of the places I have ^^ and will mention are that you may need to find!

The house we stayed in was Lolo’s Patience Paid Off and it was located right off of Ruskin Place. It was truly so convenient (Less than 1 min walk to the square) yet quiet (faced away from the square) – ideal for families!

Head to this exact link to see CRA’s current specials. Right now you can also stack my code with their offers – use code JESS to get your 3rd night free until February 26th!

Where to Eat:

To be 100% honest, you truly can’t go wrong. But I want to make sure you know a few of our favorites lol!! Mind you, these are our favorites from Seaside only (not Watercolor or Seagrove). We have SO many favorites along 30a. Also, sharing my favorite thing at each!

Great Southern – amazing southern seafood

Taco Bar – Baja Bowl with carnitas

Pizza Bar – We like to get it to-go now that they finished the boardwalk and eat watching the sunset! We get pepperoni or cheese for kids and cheese with jalapeños for us.

Barefoot BBQ – Ryan gets the BBQ Chicken sanwhich and I get the BBQ Nachos (nachos feed myself and all three kids! They are huge)

Meltdown on 30a – ANYTHING grilled cheese obvi! I like to get the one with basil and tomato though!

Wild Bill’s Hot Dogs – My parents love this one and get the Chicago Dog.

Five Daughters Bakery – my kids love these. We get the strawberry cronut

Ji Shi (45 Central)  – Sushi!

Amavida – It is a coffee shop but they secretly have the BEST Mexican food!!

Where to Drink:

Coffee:

Amavida – I love their iced coffee

Modica – also can get coffee to brew at your house

Bar Scene or Best Drinks:

Great Southern – lively & flavored mojitos + good happy hour

BFF – EVERYTHING – it’s like ice cream with alcohol!

Bud & Alleys – best view, try one of their dessert martinis (key lime)

Taco Bar – margaritas

Pizza Bar – wine (sit outside to people watch, inside for cozy feel)

Ji-Shi – wine + good happy hour

Barefoot BBQ – Bloody Mary – ask for extra spicy!

Where to Shop:

Modica – groceries, amazing meats and in house made desserts.

Willow – Home of my #30ababe shirt! Cutest trendy and designer store.

Ophelia – Amazing swimwear.

The Seaside Style – They have Bump and Baby, for babies obvi. And then for children and adults and also home decor!!! They are spread out all around the square and on both sides of 30a!

Where Kids Play:

Trick question. Everywhere! One of the most kid friendly places on earth in my opinion. But –

The Seaside Square (Amphitheater) – Kids are everywhere! Bring a ball or fun outdoor game!

Ruskin Place / de Bicci Park – when there isn’t a wedding or event. My kids love to climb the oak trees.

The Seaside Playground – this one is typically pretty quiet.

The Beach – In the evenings, Ryan and I even sit at the bottom of the stairs at either of the public entrances and have a cocktail while the kids run around like crazy people!