Fort Walton Beach Blog Posts

Find Adventure Worth Flipping Over At Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Monday, September 2, 2024

Easter Happenings Will Soon Be Hopping on the Gulf Coast!

All along the Alabama and Florida Gulf coasts, communities are getting ready to celebrate Easter with live music, egg hunts, bunny visits, and more â and visitors of all ages are welcome to join in! Following is a list of several Gulf Coast Easter events!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival Spotlights Composers

The Flora-Bama Lounge, on the Orange Beach, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida line, is one of many venues where songwriters perform in the Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival.   Photo by Beth Childs   International Songwriters' Festival's 39th Year   The Gulf of Mexico and its white-sand beaches are the backdrop every fall

Monday, November 13, 2023

Emerald Coast Poker Run: Playing Cards for a Cause

Annual Event Making a Difference for a Quarter Century You don’t have to own a boat to have plenty of fun during the Emerald Coast Poker Run. Participants and party-goers alike are sure to have a blast at the annual boating and fundraising event, presented by the Emerald Coast Foundation as part of Boat Week. History shows this event -- which

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Birds of the Gulf Coast

Discover the hidden gem of birdwatching along the Gulf Coast — where turquoise waters and diverse wildlife provide the ideal setting for your next outdoor excursion! Learn more about some of the Gulf Coast birds you'll see on your next vacation.     The Gulf Coast’s emerald-blue surf, sparkling beaches, sunny skies, balmy temperatures

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Make a Splash! --- See some of the coolest pools on the coast!

Welcome to some of the best resort pools on the Gulf Coast!     Let’s face it, even though many of us take a beach vacation because of the beach, there’s a lot to be said for enjoying a long day lounging by a cool pool while sipping an even cooler drink, and watching the ones you love frolic in the soothing waters and warm sun

Friday, January 20, 2023

Escape to Waterscape!

The pools, lazy river, lush landscaping and family-friendly beachfront location make Waterscape Resort one of the most popular destinations on the Gulf Coast.   Imagine the sound of the crashing waves and the feel of warm sunshine on your skin. You take a deep breath and you’re intoxicated with the smell of coconut sunscreen and salt in

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Enjoy the Beach With a Bang!

Free Fireworks Every Wednesday Night on Okaloosa Island     If you like the sight and sounds of fireworks over the water, you’ll definitely enjoy the weekly summer spectacle put on at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island . This dazzling display takes place every single Wednesday night along the beautiful beaches of Okaloosa Island, and is

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

10 Fun Things To Do in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

There’s no doubt that a stay in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, can be great for recharging the batteries. However, while spending a few days relaxing in a beach chair with the world-famous sugar-white sands between your toes is a great way to pass your time, there are many other family-friendly and couples’ activities to be found here. The

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Billy Bowlegs Festival Pirates Invade Fort Walton Beach

Visitors and residents – beware! Fort Walton Beach is bracing for trouble when that infamous pirate, Captain Billy Bowlegs, and his band of merry men stage the invasion of the 65th annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Torchlight Parade this spring. But the resulting skirmishes should be fun, not mayhem, when Billy and his Krewe come ashore

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Biking Along the Gulf Coast — a Winter Wonderland

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Gulf Coast Fishing in Northwest Florida and Alabama â A Year-Round Affair

Itâs a fact that the sugar-white sands and blue-green waters of the Northwest Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts attract millions of visitors each year. But did you know that these locations also offer some of the best fishing in the world? In fact, the fishing fun is just as bountiful as sunshine here. And you donât have to sign up for a charter and

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Gulf Coast Fishing in Northwest Florida and Alabama – A Year-Round Affair

It’s a fact that the sugar-white sands and blue-green waters of the Northwest Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts attract millions of visitors each year. But did you know that these locations also offer some of the best fishing in the world? In fact, the fishing fun is just as bountiful as sunshine here. And you don’t have to sign up for a

Thursday, August 16, 2018

10 Not-To-Miss Things To Do Along Highway 30A

[caption id="attachment_3379" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Campbell Lake, one of the area's rare dune lakes, is in Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.[/caption] While most visitors are naturally drawn to the beautiful beaches when booking a stay on Highway 30A , they quickly realize that there is much more fun and adventure to be had

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Travel Insurance: Keep Your Money, Even If You Can’t Keep Your Plans

When given a choice, most of us would opt out of paying for travel insurance. Who wants to spend money to guard against something that most likely won’t happen? Most of us, though, have experienced instances when our plans have gone awry, making us feel like a member of the Griswold family from National Lampoon’s Vacation . That’s when

Monday, September 12, 2016

Beach Safety Tips for an Amazing Vacation

BE SAFE SWIMMING Make sure everyone in the family knows how to swim. Swim where there’s a lifeguard, and don’t swim alone. When swimming in the ocean, avoid getting into water that is more than waist-deep. Young and/or inexperienced swimmers should wear U. S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. If you're planning on going boating

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Hit the Beach Getaway Jackpot at Seaspray Condos

Looking for a Florida vacation spot where you can park the car and leave the keys on the counter for the duration of your stay? Seaspray Condominiums Fort Walton on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach is all about convenience and accommodation – which makes it the perfect destination for your next family vacation or group getaway, such as a family

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Days and Nights of Holiday Cheer in Destin and Fort Walton Beach

[caption id="attachment_4049" align="alignleft" width="636"] Holiday lights at the Village of Baytowne Wharf[/caption] With mild temperatures and a sunny disposition, winter on Florida's Emerald Coast is delightful. And if trading your shovel and snow boots for a bathing suit and flip-flops doesn’t seem festive enough, there are

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Sterling Resorts Fall Break Special â Get 15 Percent Off on a Northwest Florida Vacation!

At a time when much of the country is experiencing falling temperatures, Northwest Florida is experiencing falling rates on fall getaways to the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. And while the temperatures might be very pleasant â in the 70s and 80s â the festivals and special events really begin to heat up along the Emerald Coast. Of course, youâll

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Sterling Resorts Fall Break Special – Get 15 Percent Off on a Northwest Florida Vacation!

At a time when much of the country is experiencing falling temperatures, Northwest Florida is experiencing falling rates on fall getaways to the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. And while the temperatures might be very pleasant — in the 70s and 80s — the festivals and special events really begin to heat up along the Emerald Coast. Of

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Aquatic Adventures Aplenty at Navarre Beach Marine Park

Colorful fish swim around a section of artificial reef at Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary. Photo by Sandi Kemp. If you like your beach getaway to be equal parts relaxation and adventure, then Navarre Beach Marine Park is the place for you. Located on a barrier island and surrounded by Santa Rosa Sound on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other,

Friday, October 9, 2015

Set Sail for a Free Night at Pirates' Bay

On a quest to score some serious booty in the form of vacation condos in Fort Walton Beach? Well, set a course for the Emerald Coast of Florida and sail into Pirates’ Bay Guest Chambers and Marina  — a location that is a treasure trove of vacation fun and adventure. Amenities like a balcony or patio with water views, kitchens equipped

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Get more for your money with complimentary guest package from Brooks and Shorey

We all love getting more value for our money, but everyone knows all too well how rare it is to find a deal in which you truly get more for less. So when the opportunity to combine a dream vacation with getting great value for your money comes along, it’s hard to pass up. Brooks and Shorey Resorts Vacation Rentals  specializes in making dreams

Friday, May 22, 2015

Special Events Lure Visitors to Gulf Coast Year-Round

[caption id="attachment_2566" align="alignleft" width="461"] Anglers of all ages are welcome to compete in the Destin Fishing Rodeo.[/caption] Warm weather, emerald waters, and beaches so white that they dazzle the eyes are the major attractions for most visitors to the Florida and Alabama Gulf coasts. But the region also plays host to music festivals

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Trade in your snow shoes for flip flops!

With warmer temperatures just around the corner, now is the time to start getting into a Spring state-of-mind. And what better way to get into the spirit than with a spring break beach deal in Northwest Florida? Luckily, ResortQuest By Wyndham Vacation Rentals is currently offering hot deals like 15 percent off your vacation rentals, through April 12

Saturday, February 28, 2015

How To Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

The best way to ensure a relaxing day at the beach is to start with a little planning. Giving some thought to what to pack in a beach bag means you won’t get settled on the sand only to discover that your bottled water and sunscreen are back at your condo or hotel room. Following are some tips on how to pack the perfect beach bag, along with some

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Pranzo Serves Seafood Italian Style

We’ve enjoyed a few memorable meals at Pranzo on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach , and each one has somehow been better than the last.   The challenge is to order anything new because our past selections have been so amazing, such as the Seafood Canneloni. The chef stuffs homemade pasta with fresh Gulf shrimp, sea scallops and lobster

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Find Family Vacation Fun at Sterling Shores Destin

A top-rated resort, Sterling Shores is just minutes away from everything Destin has to offer, from fishing charters and golf to shopping and restaurants . Sterling Shores Destin is the ideal base for a family vacation on Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast. "It's a great place to spend quality time with your family," said one recent guest. "It's

Friday, June 13, 2014

Turn Your Sandcastle Creations Into Cash!

Enter our Sandcastle Facebook Photo Contest this summer, and you could win CASH and a FREE sandcastle-building lesson! The grand prize is $200 plus a two-hour lesson from beachsandsculptures.com , owned by professional sand sculptors Rick and Capri Mungeam. The lesson (good through the end of 2015) includes a demonstration of proper sand-sculpting tools

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Enter Our Gulf Coast Getaway Giveaway TODAY!

During the month of May, we’re offering one of our lucky Facebook fans the chance to win a three-day, two-night stay in a deluxe two-bedroom condo on the beautiful Gulf Coast, from Gulf Shores to Panama City Beach. To enter, just visit us at https://www. facebook .com/ Beachguide ‎ and click on the contest link. Be sure to ‘share

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Easter Happenings on the Gulf

All along the Alabama and Florida Gulf coasts, communities are getting ready to celebrate Easter this weekend with live music, egg hunts, bunny visits, and more — and visitors of all ages are welcome to join in! Following is a (partial) list of what’s going on. Destin and South Walton — The Village of Baytowne Wharf, Sandestin, April

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

The Gulf Coast Welcomes Spring With Food, Wine, Music, and Fun

[caption id="attachment_1922" align="alignleft" width="960" caption="The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is coming to PCB's Pier Park April 23-27."] [/caption] With a lineup of events that includes music festivals and food festivals, plus the iconic Flora-Bama’s annual Mullet Toss, folks along the Gulf Coast are gearing up to have fun this spring. Following

Monday, March 31, 2014

Sandestin Wine Festival Promises Food, Wine, and Fun in the Sun

Get ready to “Uncork Some Fun in the Sun” at this year’s Sandestin Wine Festival, scheduled for April 10-13. Now in its 28th year, the annual festival offers wine lovers the rare opportunity to sample hundreds of wines from around the world, interact with top wine makers, learn what foods and wines go best together, and buy favorite

Friday, March 7, 2014

Gulf Coast Food Festivals Warm Chilly Winter Days

Winter is prime time for food festivals along the Gulf Coast. Following are details on some of the most popular, coming up in the next few weeks. Apalachicola Oyster Cook-off — Friday, January 17, 6 - 8 p.m., and Saturday, January 18, noon - 5 p.m., Riverfront Park On Friday evening, there will be a preview of oyster-related silent auction items

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Happening in November in Destin

Saturday, November 9 Habitrot for Humanity Half Marathon and 5K Run Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 6 a.m. to noon Course features spectacular scenery ranging from beach to bay. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. www.sandestin.com/events Saturday, November 16 Sandestin Wine Festival presents Sparkling Wine and Holiday Nights Village of Baytowne

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Beer Fest This Weekend at Baytowne Wharf

More than 200 international and craft beers from 40-plus breweries are the stars at the sixth annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest in Sandestin. Known as “the Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast,” the celebration kicks off on Friday night, October 18, with a beer and barbecue pairing presented by Marlin Grill on the Village of Baytowne Wharf&

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

October Means Month-long Seafood Celebration in Destin

“The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” is counting down the days till the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Described as “the ultimate tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages,” the popular competition — a magnet for fishermen since 1948 — annually attracts more than 30,000 participants. The fishing is free for everyone

Monday, September 23, 2013

Any Timeâs a Good Time for Fishing in the Gulf

As home to more than 200 species of fish, the Gulf of Mexico attracts thousands of anglers every year. In fact, thereâs something biting year-round, all the way from Destin â known as âThe Worldâs Luckiest Fishing Village❠and boasting one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the U.S. â Â  to Gulf Shores â which annually hosts the popular

Monday, September 9, 2013

Any Time’s a Good Time for Fishing in the Gulf

As home to more than 200 species of fish, the Gulf of Mexico attracts thousands of anglers every year. In fact, there’s something biting year-round, all the way from Destin — known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and boasting one of the largest charter fishing fleets in the U.S. —   to Gulf Shores

Monday, September 9, 2013

Pool Parties, Picnics, Fine Art, and More for Labor Day

[caption id="attachment_1788" align="alignleft" width="1936" caption="Folk art at last year's Baytowne Art Walk"] [/caption] Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is gearing up for its annual Labor Day Weekend Celebration, August 29 through September 4. This year’s lineup of special events includes an art show, live music, pool parties, picnics, beach

Friday, August 23, 2013

A Prosperous Past Enriches the Present in Apalachicola

The spirit of Old Florida is still alive along the wide, tree-lined streets of Apalachicola. Situated between river and bay, the town has been a busy commerce center since the 1830s and was once the third largest shipping port on the Gulf Coast. Before the Civil War, cotton grown in the surrounding areas was stored in Apalachicola warehouses until it

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

What To Pack for the Beach

While you don’t need a whole lot of stuff for a trip to the beach, it still pays to put a little thought into what you’re packing. Otherwise, you’ll either end up lugging too many pairs of shoes or discovering when you arrive that you’ve forgotten something basic like suntan lotion or your bathing suit. Following are our suggestions

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

SunQuest Solaris Serves Up Dadâs Day Treat

Still looking for something to give Dad for his special day? Even if heâs one of those guys who already has it all, heâll appreciate being treated to the Fatherâs Day lunch and cruise aboard the SunQuest Cruises Solaris. Sailing from Sandestinâs Baytowne Marina, the Solaris will depart at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, for a two-hour trip that includes

Monday, June 10, 2013

SunQuest Solaris Serves Up Dad’s Day Treat

Still looking for something to give Dad for his special day? Even if he’s one of those guys who already has it all, he’ll appreciate being treated to the Father’s Day lunch and cruise aboard the SunQuest Cruises Solaris. Sailing from Sandestin’s Baytowne Marina, the Solaris will depart at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, for a two-

Monday, June 10, 2013

Get Ready to Enjoy a Great New Sport – Paddleboarding

One of the most popular new sports to hit the Gulf Coast is stand-up paddleboarding. Itâs fun, itâs safe, and itâs relatively simple to learn, so itâs a great activity the whole family can enjoy. Paddleboarding offers a whole new way to enjoy the water – lakes, canals, and other inland waterways as well as the Gulf. Similar to a surfboard but

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Get Ready to Enjoy a Great New Sport - Paddleboarding

One of the most popular new sports to hit the Gulf Coast is stand-up paddleboarding. It’s fun, it’s safe, and it’s relatively simple to learn, so it’s a great activity the whole family can enjoy. Paddleboarding offers a whole new way to enjoy the water - lakes, canals, and other inland waterways as well as the Gulf. Similar to

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Fort Walton Beach Braces for Bowlegs Invasion

Visitors and residents alike, beware! Fort Walton Beach is bracing for trouble when that infamous pirate, Captain Billy Bowlegs, and his band of merry men stage their annual invasion. The resulting skirmishes though, will be fun, not mayhem, when Billy and his crew come ashore at Fort Walton Beach Landing Park and parade through the city streets in

Friday, May 24, 2013

Summer Happenings at HarborWalk Village

Pardi Gras The good times never stop rolling at Pardi Gras. The annual HarborWalk Village celebration, billed as “a little bit of New Orleans every Tuesday night all summer long,” kicks off this year on May 28. Festivities include parades, live jazz by the Village Brass Band, jugglers, dancers, street performers, stilt walkers, floats,

Monday, May 20, 2013

Art, Music, and More in Santa Rosa Beach

The landscaped grounds of WaterColor Inn and Resort in Santa Rosa Beach are the setting for the 25th annual ArtsQuest Fine Art and Music Festival. Scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend, May 10, 11, and 12, ArtsQuest includes a juried competition showcasing 40 artists from the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, plus the work of hundreds of

Monday, April 29, 2013

Cycling for a Good Cause at Sandestin

You’ll be cycling for a good cause as well as the fun of it when you sign up for the Sandestin Beach Bicycle Tour, scheduled this year for May 17, 18, and 19. Proceeds from this popular event, which draws hundreds of bikers to Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast each spring, are donated to the Alaqua Animal Refuge, a non-profit, no-kill shelter

Monday, April 15, 2013

Contest-Winning Beach Photography Tips

If you think all shots of sand and surf have to look the same, think again. By following a few simple  beach photography tips from the pros, you’ll be able to create prize-winning photos that capture memorable moments you and your family will enjoy again and again. Following are some (nontechnical) suggestions for better beach photos: - Look...

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Learn How to Set Sail Safely

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s first boating safety class of the season will be held Saturday, March 30, at the Coast Guard Station Destin. Every year, the Auxiliary holds classes designed to qualify individuals to operate a boat legally and safely in Florida waters. Topics to be covered include a general introduction to boating, boating law

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

It's All About Wine

Tickets for the Sandestin Wine Festival are selling faster than the proverbial hot cakes, so it’s a good idea to order now. According to special events manager Lanier Motes, current ticket sales are well ahead of those for previous festivals. “The demand is a testament that there is no substitute for this longstanding Sandestin tradition

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Annual Song Fest Brings Stars to Highway 30-A

Lucinda Williams, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Jeffrey Steele top an exciting line-up of more than 125 performers participating in this weekend’s Highway 30-A Songwriters Festival. Williams penned “Passionate Kisses” in the 1980s, a song later recorded and made popular by Carpenter. The title earned Williams the Grammy for Best Country

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Gulf Coast Boat Parades Light Up Local Waters

All along the Gulf Coast, ‘tis the season when captains and crews wrap their vessels in Christmas lights and take to the water for the annual holiday boat parades. Pensacola Beach will put on a dazzling spectacle of decorated vessels on Friday, December 7, with in its popular Lighted Boat Parade. The procession starts at Pensacola Beach Marina

Friday, November 30, 2012

Fall Festival Has French Accent

Unlike wines made to improve with age, Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young. Bottled quickly to celebrate the end of the grape harvest, this light, fruity red debuts every year on the third Thursday in November, just in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And its annual arrival makes a great excuse to throw a party. To celebrate

Monday, October 29, 2012

Sandestin Holiday Season Gets Off to Sparkling Start

What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a glass or two of bubbly? That’s what the Sandestin Wine Festival is doing with its “Sparkling Wines and Holiday Lights,” a festive weekend that begins with food and drink and ends with a Christmas tree lighting and a glitzy holiday light show. Baytowne Wharf Village is the setting

Monday, October 29, 2012

Free Food for the Kids, and Fun for All!

Pompano Joe’s is teaming up with the Emerald Coast Surfriders  Foundation to bring beach-going guests treats rather than tricks this  Halloween. Ghouls, ghosts, goblins, and just plain folks are invited to the  popular Destin restaurant for its big Beach Spooktacular, scheduled for  Saturday, October 27,

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Pumpkinpalooza Serves Up Spooktacular Fun

There will be ghosts, ghouls, and goblins galore at Destin’s HarborWalk Village for this year’s Pumpkinpalooza Party Weekend, planned for October 26, 27, and 28. The fun starts Friday, October 26, with a viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. And in the best midnight movie tradition, audience participation is strongly encouraged. Show

Monday, October 22, 2012

Noshing for a Good Cause

Historic Magnolia Grill in Fort Walton Beach is the setting for the fourth annual wine and cheese reception, 2 — 4 p.m., Sunday, July 22,   benefitting the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge. Guests will enjoy snacks, wine, and cheese while listening to live music and animal rescue stories told by refuge staff and volunteers. There will also

Friday, July 6, 2012

Get Certified to Boat in Florida

If your Florida vacation fun includes boating, here’s something you need to know. State law requires anyone born after January 1, 1988 operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more to pass a boating safety class and get a boating safety identification card from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. But not to worry &mdash

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Pirates Set to Run Amok in Annual Invasion

Will Fort Walton Beach be overrun, or will Mayor Mike Anderson and his loyal pirate allies successfully defend the city from the dastardly Billy Bowlegs and his motley Krewe? That’s the question guaranteed to bring the crowds to Fort Walton Beach’s annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, to be held this year from May 31 to June 2. Started

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Knowing the Rules Means Safer Water Fun

A little knowledge goes a long way toward making sure that fun on the water is also safe.   That’s why the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Fort Walton Beach is offering a boating safety course, to be held at the Fort Walton Yacht Club on Saturday, May 19. This is an approved boater safety course, which means that it satisfies Florida law

Friday, April 27, 2012

BeachGuide's Performing Arts Guide

Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College:   Broadway Series, Artist Series, and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.   A collection of professional and student productions.   You won't believe this venue and the incredible works of art. Sinfonia Gulf Coast- Just celebrating it's 5th season, Sinfonia

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Labor{less} Days on the Emerald Coast

It's about that time again.   One last day to say adios, sayonara, and adieu to another fantastic summer.    Time to fire up the grill after a long day at the beach and watch some fireworks.   I won't be your hometown tourist this weekend as I'll be spending my holiday with my favorite people, the Chicago Cubs (oh, and

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Emerald Coast Convention Center Hosts Amy Grant

I was a huge Amy Grant fan back-in-the-day (I wonder how old something has to be before one can use the phrase back-in-the-day???).   I just Googled Baby Baby and it was in 1991.   Wow, twenty years.   My daughter and I heard a local commercial regarding this concert last week.   She turned to me and asked "who

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Eglin Welcomes F35

For those of you that may not be military savvy, Eglin Air Force Base is one of the largest Air Force's bases in the world covering 724 square miles of reservation and 97,963 square miles of water ranges in the Gulf of Mexico.   Last year, Eglin AFB celebrated it's 75th Anniversary.   It is a vital part of our local economy, employing...

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Fine and Dandy, Just a Wee Bit Sandy

This year on April 20, 2011,   marked the one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.   It's hard to believe that it was just this time last year that our pristine waters and wildlife of the Emerald Coast were in critical danger.   A year later, residents and businesses are still recovering

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Not Just Another Beach Bunny

In the next couple weeks, we'll be seeing quite a few beach bunnies, and I'm not talking about the tourists!   Easter is right around the corner and Peter Cottontail has his swim trunks packed, his SPF 100 ready (he's kind-of on the fair side, you know?!) and ready to visit all the kids along Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast.   If

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Spring Fever

Hot flashes?   Hallucinations?   Not to worry.   No need to pick up the phone and call the Doc.   It's a mild case of Spring Fever but, be warned, it's more contagious and severe with every day that goes by.   The cure?   Pack your bags and visit the beaches of Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Santa's Gettin' Sandy

The Holiday's are back!   If it wasn't for the calendar, I would have a hard time believing that to be true after sitting on the beach this past weekend.   I mean, really?   Thanksgiving is next weekend?!   I've probably gained 5 pounds just typing the word Thanksgiving!   Hopefully the ongoing list

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Sounds of the Beach

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about one of my favorite series of events that takes place here at the beach .   All along the coast from October-May, the orchestral sounds of Sinfonia Gulf Coast ring through the air.   Kicking off the season is Mary Wilson of the Supremes followed by Orchestral Holiday (one of my most favorite

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

When the beaches are rockin', please come a'knockin'

As if you need another reason to visit the beach, check out these amazing concerts coming to a beach near you. Amazing deals on accommodations are available in the Destin, FL , South Walton area , Fort Walton Beach, FL, or Panama City Beach, FL .   Free concerts and lodging deals?   Why aren't you down here yet?! Seaside Concert Series

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Cool for a Cause

Life on the Emerald Coast can be very rewarding.   I'm not just speaking of our the beautiful beaches, dining, and shopping.   I'm talking about the real things in life that are rewarding.   The small gifts that make a big impact.   I'm talking about the gift of giving.   I've come across a few do-gooder...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Abrakadoodle

I'm trying to figure out how I can rewind time.   I'd like to be a kid again.   I can think of many reasons why being a kid is fantastic (eating cookies and not gaining an ounce, playing until I pass out, not paying bills, etc.) but if I were anywhere between the ages of 5-12 in the year 2010 living on the beach (dang, that really

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

aaargg

[gallery link="file"] Last weekend was the 55th Annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival in Fort Walton Beach, FL .   Celebrated by locals and visitors alike, Billy Bowlegs hosts a fun party on the water (think Mardi Gras on the beach; I'd keep the kids home for this one) and family-friendly activities including a pirate parade and fireworks (both

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Driving Directions to Destin

I-65 to The Beach: (Updated June 2015)  This route below is the best and quickest drive we've found to Destin, SanDestin or Fort Walton Beach from any city that goes past Montgomery or Georgiana.

Take I-65 South through Montgomery Exit I-65 at #114, turn left to Georgiana, AL (from B’ham 145 miles / 2hr10min) onto Highway 106 (New for

Wednesday, March 4, 2009