10 Things to Do in Santa Rosa Beach

Are you thinking of moving to Santa Rosa Beach, Florida? If so, you have a host of fun-filled Santa Rosa Beach attractions in store once you relocate. As one of the most stunning communities in Walton County, Santa Rosa Beach spans across 26 glorious miles of the renowned Emerald Coast in the northwestern part of Florida.

 

Santa Rosa Beach has so much to offer, including state parks, theaters, fine dining, and art galleries. There are endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in Grayton Beach State Park and the Point Washington State Forest. So, if you’re looking for adventure and amenities, here are some of the top ideas.

 

Grayton Beach is ranked as one of the most gorgeous beaches in the whole country, and Grayton Beach State Park has even more to offer. The Western Lake is the perfect place for a fishing or paddling expedition, and the miles upon miles of trails provide you with the chance to hike and explore the coastal expanse of scrub oaks and magnolia trees. Head out for a day of biking along the scenic paths, get out your binoculars for some bird-watching, or enjoy a swim among the waves. You can even camp in the state park in the outfitted cabins or on the campgrounds.

The Grayton Beer Company Taproom is found inside the Grayton Beer Company’s incredible 30,000-square-foot production facility. The taproom includes a tap wall featuring more than 20 unique brews. There’s even a game space where you can enjoy a round of darts, cornhole, or life-size Jenga. The beer company is both kid-friendly and pet-friendly.

 

Santa Rosa Beach shopping is perfect for an afternoon of retail therapy. The Workshop is a wonderful place for truly unique presents for your friends and family. Here, you can find elegantly crafted wood pieces, along with paintings, flags, stationery, delicate ornaments, and soy candles with natural scents. The workshop has friendly, helpful employees and is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. Artwork by Ginger Leigh Designs is also sold in multiple shops and locations across the United States and online.

With more than 27 miles of trails and 15,000 acres, Point Washington State Forest has no shortage of adventure. The region is replete with various ecosystems, including wet prairie, basins, swamplands, coastal scrub, sandhills, and longleaf pine forests. Don’t miss the looping trails of the Eastern Lake Trail System, the perfect spot for a hiking expedition, where you just might catch a glimpse of the rare flatwoods salamander or a kestrel. The forest is a popular spot for off-road biking. You can also camp near mile marker four of the Eastern Lake Trail at the Eastern Lake Campgrounds.

The Underwater Museum of Art is considered the first underwater sculpture garden in the United States. It is an eco-tourism attraction and a truly one-of-a-kind museum that lies deep under the surface of the ocean, nearly one mile off the shores of the Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach.

 

Sculpture works are selected carefully every year by artists from all over the globe to be installed in the underwater museum. The sculptures attract multiple kinds of marine life and eventually turn into a living reef. Keep in mind that you need to be a certified diver if you want to explore the site.

If you want to catch a show, you’ve come to the right place. The Repertory Theatre was founded in 2001 and has become a highly esteemed professional theater company in Northwest Florida. The theater has now been open for over 20 seasons and offers top-tier productions in Santa Rosa Beach from some of the most talented professionals in the United States. Don’t miss shows like Cinderella, The Adventures of Hansel & Gretal, and an improvisation program for kids.

Searching for Santa Rosa Beach fine dining? Blue Mabel Smokehouse & Provisions is a locally owned smokehouse that makes everything from scratch, with a delightful menu of smoked meats, house made sauces, and endless flavor. The atmosphere is casual, but the architecture is stunning, with both indoor and outdoor dining options. Don’t skip out on the wood-fired jumbo Gulf shrimp, the big Mabel burger, the oak-grilled filet mignon with steak butter, or the smokehouse pappardelle with brisket burnt ends.

 

Don Pedro’s Mexican Restaurant serves some incredible Mexican fare. This family-owned eatery has a full menu of excellent options, as well as daily specials and catering. You can find delicious salsa, several breakfast choices, and familiar Mexican dishes. Menu standouts include the breakfast burger with fresh avocado and fried eggs, the club sandwich, carne asada, ribeye ranchero, chorizo tacos, seafood chimichangas, and so much more.

Justin Gaffrey has created his own voice in the art world by combining his unique style with painting methods used by some of his favorite artists. The self-taught artist now displays his artwork at the Justin Gaffrey Gallery in Santa Rosa Beach, a home he built himself. The contemporary artist paints incredible landscape paintings, as well as artwork displaying florals and plants.

Here you’ll find impressive art pieces by Mary Hong, an award-winning artist from the Emerald Coast. Mary Hong creates glass mosaics and recycled glass artwork, and many of her works have taken center stage in design showrooms across the nation. The artist opened the gallery over five years ago and has since added a studio, allowing patrons to make their own art.

If you’re intrigued by everything that this amazing community has to offer, team up with a professional to find you a fantastic new home in Santa Rosa Beach real estate. Whether you’re seeking a primary residence or vacation home, reach out to the trusted team at the Bremer Group for expert guidance every step of the way.

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