Discover the Top 10 Must-Do Activities in Seaside, Florida: Your Ultimate Guide to Beachside Bliss!
Looking for an idyllic vacation by the sea? Simply head to Seaside, Florida! No, we’re not talking about any old place along the coast – that’s actually the name of our state’s most beautiful town!
Seaside is cozily situated between Destin and Panama City Beach (two other amazing vacay spots!), and offers plenty to do in a quiet, laid-back atmosphere. This little town is so picturesque, it looks like it could be from a movie. In fact, it’s where The Truman Show was filmed!
While The Truman Show followed Truman’s oblivious adventures through a fake town, we can assure you Seaside is 100% real! No startling or existential epiphanies here, only the bright inspiration a day at the beach might bring.
Are you ready to plan your perfect vacation?
Top 10 Things to do in Seaside
Although Seaside is ideal for lazy days, there’s plenty to do. Shop, sightsee, and even surf! With pretty buildings and natural wonders surrounding the area, there’s a great mix of indoor and outdoor fun – and practically all of it is Instagrammable.
1. Enjoy a Day at the Beach
Obviously, we know, but oh-so-necessary!
Seaside certainly lives up to its name as it’s situated alongside soft white sands and those epically clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. At times, the scene almost looks more Caribbean than Floridian! In other words, a tropical paradise.
The beaches here are great for swimming and sand sculpting, but they’re also prime locations for kayaking, paddle boarding, shelling, fishing, and surfing lessons, too! Whether you’re looking to sunbathe or scamper in the waves, Seaside is the best place to be!
There are several beaches in the area, but one of the best-loved is Grayton Beach State Park. Nationally ranked as one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in the US, Grayton Beach is a gorgeous getaway that also offers 4 miles of hiking trails through a coastal scrub forest, campgrounds and cabins for overnight excursions, and the most stunning sunsets over the Gulf.1
2. Explore a State Park
If Grayton Beach State Park wasn’t enough, Seaside is also right next to Eden Gardens State Park.
Encompassing 163 acres, Eden Gardens houses a mansion from 1897 – the main attraction of the park – as well as lush ornamental gardens. The Wesley House is a two-story home with elegant white columns and a wrap-around porch. It’s nestled away in a cluster of towering live oaks draped in swaying moss. Guided tours of this historic home are available, so you can enjoy the painstakingly renovated property and admire the many well-preserved original pieces (like the glass pocket windows) throughout.
Lovers of both history and nature will appreciate why the home’s last private owner, Lois Maxon, said she had “found her Eden.”2
3. Pose by the Post Office
Although fairly modern (1985), the Seaside Florida post office looks like a meticulously crafted structure from the 1800s. With its professional white facade and dazzling red door, it’s the kind of building that would fit in perfectly with those on Main Street, USA, in Walt Disney World.
That exterior charm has lured many photographers to the premises; so many, in fact, it’s the most photographed post office in the United States.3 With a style that’s both cute and chic, we wouldn’t be surprised if it took the world record someday.
P.S. Check inside for commemorative stamps!
4. Venture through Point Washington State Forest
Seeking some more outdoorsy adventure in the Seaside area? Take to the trails at Point Washington State Forest! Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the chance to spot rare or endangered wildlife such as the American kestrel, gopher tortoise, and flatwoods salamander.4
Available to the public from sunrise to sunset, you can hike or bike along the various trails and take in the cypress swamps and unique sandhill ecosystems.
5. Buy Your Next Beach Read
If you’re planning a beach day at Seaside (and who wouldn’t?), then you’ll surely be in need of a fantastic beach read!
Thankfully, Seaside is home to a great little shopping scene that includes a wonderful bookshop called Sundog Books. This indie bookstore is incredibly cozy, and the staff can help you find your next novel in a snap! We love a literary twist to any vacation and are especially pleased when that means supporting lovely local and independent bookshops.
More Seaside Shopping (if you didn’t already spend all of your money on books)
While books are the most important acquisition one can make on a shopping trip, you may also have fun foraging at the Seaside Farmer’s Market, which is open every Saturday morning. You’ll find all sorts of locally grown produce as well as hot food and fresh-baked goods. The perfect beach days snacks. Yum!
6. Grab a Bite at Airstream Row
Food is one of the most important parts of any vacation, and at Airstream Row, there’s an entire line-up of vintage Airstream trailers-turned-food trucks! Offering up everything from barbeque to crepes, there’s something delicious to satisfy every craving. Pick a different truck to try every day, or come hungry and sample a bit of everything in one go!
By the way, when we say they offer barbeque, we mean barbeque of national acclaim! Barefoot BBQ was listed as one of two reps for the state of Florida in an article about barbeque across America!5
Kid-approved fun for all!
Experience Endless Fun and Thrills at Big Kahuna’s Water Park in Destin, Florida.
Get ready to beat the heat and explore over forty thrilling water slides, rides, and play areas at Big Kahuna’s water park in Destin! From heart-pumping water slides to relaxing pools, this park has everything to keep you and your loved ones entertained all day long.
7. Check Out the Chapel
The Seaside Chapel is a quaint but beautiful church where services are actually held every Sunday! Welcoming folks of all faiths, anyone is invited to pop in and attend. Like the post office, it’s also a lovely photo spot for any day of the week!
And, if you’re in the market for a wedding venue, this gorgeous Seaside wedding chapel might just be your perfect place to say “I do!”
8. See a Show at the Amphitheater
One of the most popular things to do in Seaside is frequent the Amphitheater. Unlike your average theater, this establishment asks that your bring your own seating – in the form of lawn chairs and blankets! The outdoor Seaside Amphitheater plays movies (usually on Friday nights) and also hosts live music and various performances. Simply check the schedule on Seaside’s website to see what’s happening! Visiting the Amphitheater is a great activity for the whole family.
9. Count to Nine
Doing math? On vacation?! Yeah, I know – typically, I would also be appalled, but you’ll want to play a counting game just this once.
Seaside is home to nine unique pavilions that serve as fun architectural gateways to the beach. In addition to being prominent landmarks throughout the area, the pavilions also serve as community gathering areas and even help protect the dune system. Collectively known as “The Nine Seaside,” going on a photo-taking scavenger hunt is a popular (and Instagrammable) pastime for visitors!
For your scavenger hunt reference, here are the nine pavilions:
- Tupelo Beach Pavilion
- Savannah Beach Pavilion
- East Ruskin Beach Pavilion
- Seaside Beach Pavilion
- Coleman Beach Pavilion
- West Ruskin Beach Pavilion
- Pensacola Beach Pavilion
- Odessa Beach Pavilion
- Natchez Beach Pavilion
We should note that the pavilions lead to Seaside Beach, which is privately owned. You can pay for a beach pavilion entry code or specifically use the Coleman Pavilion, which is the only pavilion open to the general public.6
10. Take a Trip to The Truman Show House
“Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!”
-Truman, The Truman Show
Truman (played by Jim Carrey) wakes up every day and steps out into the world via a Sherbert-green front door. His cottage is white and pastel yellow. So picture-postcard-perfect, it’s almost too good to be true…
While Truman’s world gets called into question throughout the course of the movie, that adorable little cottage is actually real, and you can walk right by it! Located at 31 Natchez Street, you’ll definitely want to take a snap of this charming place. Just keep it mind it’s a real residence, so please be courteous and respectful!
Fans of The Truman Show will have a blast as they recognize several iconic setting throughout Seaside (including Modica Market), but this house is generally the top destination for Truman groupies. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, it’s interesting to pass by and know the quaint little house was in a Hollywood blockbuster!
Now that you know some of the best things to do here, all that’s left to do is decide the best time to visit Seaside! Most folks prefer Seaside in the spring (mid-April through May) as the weather is bright and sunny, and temperatures are comfortable. However, for those with a swimming-heavy schedule, summer can also be a great option! If you can’t make that post-spring break prime time, not to worry – autumn in Seaside is also beautiful, with nice weather throughout September and October. Basically, there is no “bad” time to visit!
Whenever you choose to drop on by, we hope you’ll enjoy doing one or all of these top ten things to do in Seaside!
Have you been to this sweet beach town? What was your favorite thing to do? Let us know in the comments below!
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