Summertime! And the living in Seaside, FL, is pretty easy. Guests in the town soon turn into locals, and enjoy the town as we all do. We stroll along from venue to venue, from event to event, making sure to eat, drink, shop, play, swim, sunbathe, listen to the live music or just chill with a coffee and a book, and watch all the other people doing approximately the same. Time may slow down here in Seaside, but there's always a buzz in the air.
If it's Friday night, there's the movie under the stars at the Amphitheater. We're not necessarily here for the movie, but who wants to miss a chance to sit under the night sky in the ocean air and the company of friends and have somebody entertain you?
If it's Saturday morning, we go rugged and live off the land, grazing from the Farmers Market - a very gourmet experience, with exotic foods and meals from foreign lands, and with snacks and hand-foods and artisanal wares for sale. We may be planning lunch on the beach, or dinner and dessert to take home to the cottage, and all the while listening to the live music playing at the Amphitheater. And if it's Tuesday, we can do exactly the same too - in Seaside, who needs a weekend?
If it's July 4th - and it will be soon - there's a whole day packed with events that you will find it well worth getting out of the porch hammock to enjoy. And for any other days or nights, the Amphitheater always delivers with outdoor concerts and events, and our very own Repertory Theatre offers world-class live performances you won't get on an ordinary beachside vacation.
Sunset on the Beach
Nature plays a large hand in this game too, with its awe-inspiring sunsets over the Gulf that are legendary along the Emerald Coast. If you want to roll like a local, grab a beach towel or blanket and get your pizza to go from Bud and Alleys, load up with a favorite cocktail and head to the beach for your perfect summer sunset 'n' pizza.
Summer sunsets are around 8:30 pm in June and July, but remember the best sunset is 15 minutes after sunset - you may just miss the most amazing sunset ever if you leave too soon! The sun sets to the south side of the beach over Seaside, and the views are amazing with cotton candy clouds - magical, and impossible really, but there it is anyway :)
Where to Stay in Seaside
From hundreds of lovely vacation homes in Seaside, which one are you going to pick? Here are some family favorites that we note currently have some summer availability, categorized to suit your taste:
- Room with a View: it's hard to beat the coastal views from @the Beach, Sea Sabella and Dragonfly.
- Outdoor Living:Timeless, Poppy House, My Three Sons, Oasis - all with great porches, patios and balconies.
- Family Friendly:Saratoga, Whatcha Dune, Belle Vernon - walk to all things Seaside, the parks, the forest, Ruskin Park, and the family pools.
And if you can't decide, call us and let us help you find the perfect place to hang up the car keys for your stay in Seaside.
Let's Go Shopping!
Seaside has the best shopping anywhere on Hwy 30A (as well as the best dining, but that's another story). Even for the locals, there's always some treasure to find in the eclectic and unique shops of the town. If you're in town with small children, take them to the magical Duckie’s Shop of Fun early in your stay: they have toys galore and some really cool beach and pool toys if you forgot to pack them. On any rainy day, jump in some puddles and head there!
Let's get back to the Art of Simple. On the west side corner of 25 Central Square, this quaint retail and gift store was voted one of Southern Living's Best Shops of the South! Get traditional with Sun Dog Books, open late in Seaside during summer, which means, don't bring a book, grab one here once you're unpacked. Get the perfect read for the beach or for rainy days on your porch from this a classic bookstore - it curates wonderful recommendations, offers puzzles, a kids reading section, and lots more.
Central Square Records, above the bookstore, offers new and used Vinyl records and CDs, so introduce your teens to a retro record store - follow the funky painted stairs at the rear of the bookstore. Pick up a rock t-shirts from a huge selection, and all kinds of other swag, including gag gifts, posters, guitar accessories and even amps. The best kept local secret is the open-air porch at the front that overlooks the Seaside Amphitheater. Grab a coffee or gourmet soda at Modica Market next door and enjoy the best people-watching to be found while you enjoy the upper deck coastal breezes.
Don' forget the shops of Ruskin Park, filled with hidden gems if you walk back through the park - ladies, check out Whitewash Boutique for accessories, jeans, clothes, jewelry, fragrance, art accents and general pampering to add more softness into your stay. And do keep strolling in this area, where the shops offer an endless stream of serendipity.
Tired from shopping - for the moment at least? Reward the family and kids with Nigel’s Bananas or Heavenly’s Ice Cream Shop. And we didn't mention all the food treats here in Seaside, but stay tuned and we'll enlarge on this next time, talking food and beverage, and Happy Hour too!
Out of Town
Sometimes even the locals want a day trip out of town, and Grayton Beach State Park just down the road is the first and easiest destination. Explore the park's trails, camp, fish or rent kayaks. Also, Timpoochee Trail is a name to know, a great way to enjoy the two bikes that come with each home. This paved trail parallels the entire length of Scenic Hwy 30A from Dune Allen to Inlet Beach and is a safe, wide and flat bike and walking trail. You can rent more bikes from Seaside Transit in town, and now you can even rent an Ebike for the day to explore the area. After one ride on the Timpoochee trail, this may become your preferred way to get around!