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As an Airbnb host on 30A, one of the questions I get asked most is what are some of the top things to do on 30A with kids and without kids. Today, I want to share a brief overview of what days on 30A look like and why you don’t need to plan as much as you may think. Then, I’ll share some of my favorite activities on 30A!
Popular Things To Do On 30A
30A is unique compared to other popular beach vacation spots because it does not have many of the tourist attraction-type activities that you see in other Florida travel destinations.
In fact, days on 30A look more like this:
- beach
- pool
- biking
- eating
- relaxing
- live music
Most visitors to 30A appreciate the laid-back days and don’t schedule too much for their trip. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t fun things to do on 30A or nearby communities.
I’d like to pause here and give a quick overview of 30A. This will help you understand where activities are located. You can also read my in-depth post What Is 30A?
Overview of 30A Florida
If you are not familiar with 30A, it’s a two-lane highway located along the Gulf of Mexico in the Florida panhandle. It’s bordered by Destin on the West and Panama City Beach on the East.
Over a dozen small communities are nestled along 30A, the most notable being Seaside (and Watercolor) at the center and Rosemary Beach, Seacrest Beach & Alys Beach on the Eastern end.
Each area has its own unique vibe, and the ones listed above tend to be the most walkable. Many shops and restaurants are accessible by foot or by bike. There are also a few incredible Florida state parks located on 30A.
You may often see the entire 30A area referred to as South Walton, as it’s located in Walton County. Additionally, people often refer to most of the area as Santa Rosa Beach because that is the zip code for a good portion of the community.
There are not many 30A hotels, so most visitors stay in vacation rentals, such as our top-rated 30A rentals when visiting 30A. Before you plan your trip to the 30A Gulf Coast, it’s important to understand the public and private beaches on 30A, as it is unique to this area and can catch many first-time visitors off guard.
Family Activities on 30A
Now that you know what 30A is, let’s talk about things to do on 30A!
As I mentioned above, most 30A days are spent at the beach and the pool, with bike rides in between. During the cooler months (October-April), you want to look for rentals with a heated pool. If yours doesn’t have one, check out ResortPass for other options.
There are plenty of places to rent bikes, and a bike path/pedestrian sidewalk called the Timpoochee Trail runs the entire length of 30A. Biking to get ice cream is a very popular activity.
Lastly, as mentioned above, most evenings end with a nice family dinner and live music. Most places on 30A close by 9 PM or 10 PM, allowing visitors to rest up for another fun day in the sun.
I am sure that all sounds nice, but perhaps you are looking for more structured activities and things to do on 30A with your kids. So, I will share some ideas next!
30A Activities
Besides biking, shopping, swimming, and eating, there are a few other fun things to do on 30A with or without kids.
Kayaking & Paddleboard
The 30A area is unique because it is home to rare coastal dune lakes found in very few places. These lakes are popular spots for kayaking and paddleboarding.
You can put in right here at a lake access in some places. However, my favorite places are Camp Helen State Park (rentals) and Grayton Beach State Park (rentals). Guests staying near Watercolor can also rent and head out from the Watercolor Boat House.
Fishing Around 30a
While there is no marina or docks on the Gulf of Mexico side of 30A, there are options on the bay side, north of Hwy 98. Many fishing charters leave from there. You can also find fishing options in Grayton Beach.
The Shard Shop
On days when you need a break from the sun, check out The Shard Shop in Grayton Beach for fun glass art. This is a really great option for red-flag days when the Gulf of Mexico is not safe to swim in and one of the more popular things to do on 30A when it rains.
Schedules: Family Events on 30A
I didn’t give you many options, right? Well, most of the fun family activities outside of the pool and beach are local seasonal programming put on by various communities. Generally, these are held during Spring Break, Summer break, and Fall Break, and oftentimes, Thanksgiving weekend and the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
For example, Rosemary Beach often offers magic shows, concerts, and face painting. Seaside has outdoor plays, storytime, live kid’s music, and more. The best place to find out about events like these is on each community’s website. Also, these are often free things to do on 30A, too. I will include some below!
30A Events Calendars:
- Seaside Events
- Rosemary Beach Events
- Alys Beach Events
- The Big Chill Events
- 30A Events
- South Walton Events
- SoWal Events
As you can see, there are many fun activities on 30A, and they’re not limited to just these. Many other fun activities are planned in community green spaces and at individual establishments. For example, Peddler’s Pavillion at the Village of South Walton has live music every night during peak summer season and school breaks! Local bookstores often offer storytime, too.
You can easily fill your vacation with everything listed so far in this 30A travel blog post. However, if you are looking for even more to do, especially those tourist activities, you have hundreds of additional options in neighboring communities. Depending on where you stay on 30A, you can get to the activities below in as little as 15 minutes. Although most average a 30-60-minute drive, you will need to account for traffic and parking.
That said, during peak travel windows, such as summer on 30A, both parking and traffic can be tricky. This is why most people like to just stay in one place and enjoy those easy days on 30A. Nonetheless, sometimes you just want to get out and explore the area!
READ: When is the Best Time to Visit 30A?
Panama City Beach Activities
If you are staying in the central or eastern end of 30a, Panama City Beach is generally the most convenient option for venturing off 30A.
In Panama City Beach, you can do everything from parasailing to dolphin encounters. My favorite activities include renting a pontoon boat, visiting Shell Island, and sunset sailing with Paradise Adventures.
The following blog posts share complete lists and full details on Panama City Beach activities.
Destin Activities
On the other hand, from the western side of 30A, you may find better options in the Destin area. However, traffic tends to be more congested when heading in this direction.
In Destin, you can visit Harborwalk Village, go dolphin watching, explore the fishing museum, and so much more. For a complete list, check out my blog post about Things to do in Destin and Fort Walton Beach.
Sandestin Activities
One other place worth mentioning is Sandestin. The Village of Baytown Wharf is a great half-day outing option. Here, you will find playgrounds, ropes courses, ziplines, shopping, dining, and more. This area is located just west of 30A before you get to Destin, making it a more manageable outing.
Baytown Wharf is also the home to many festivals and live music, and they usually shoot off fireworks on Tuesdays during the summer.
Click here to view the Baytown Wharf website!
30A Day Trips
There are a variety of other day trips from 30A that your family may enjoy. We love kayaking and canoeing in the cold Florida springs, and places like Florida Caverns State Park will amaze your kids!
READ: 6 Day Trips From 30A
Great Places to Eat on 30A with Kids
Before wrapping up, I want to mention that a handful of restaurants offer more than just a sit-down dinner. These either have sandy areas or children’s play sections to help make dinner a little more exciting.
Honestly, for most kids, these fun dinners are one of their favorite things to do on 30A family vacations. I am specifically pointing these out because many dining options on 30A are more adult-oriented.
Here are some 30A kid-friendly dining options:
- North Beach Social
- The Bay
- Old Florida Fish House
- The Big Chill
- The Donut Hole
- Seaside’s Airstream Food Trucks
More 30A Travel Guides
If you enjoyed this post, you will enjoy my other 30A Travel Guides!
I cover everything from 30A Airports to Golf Carts on 30A. It’s a good idea to read through these before your family trip to 30A Florida!
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