Emerald Coast Hidden Gems
Most visitors are familiar with the Emerald Coast’s beautiful beaches, popular restaurants and well-loved attractions, but there are multiple off-the-beaten-path locations throughout the region that are just as worthy of your time as the popular items on your must-visit list. Here are a few hidden gems that we suggest you explore on your next vacation to Florida’s Emerald Coast.
Air Force Armament Museum A perfect activity for a rainy day, the Air Force Armament Museum is often overlooked by visitors. Displaying the rich military history in our region, the museum is home to more than 29 different air crafts and hundreds of pieces or armament from the WWII era to the present day. If you are wanting to experience some educational activities during your vacation, a trip to the armament museum is the perfect itinerary addition. Admittance to the museum is completely free of charge!
State parks Best known for its most beautiful natural resource, the white sand beaches, the Emerald Coast’s other sources of natural beauty are often overlooked. The region is home to multiple state parks including Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach State Park, Eden Gardens State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. While some of these are situated along the Gulf of Mexico, they all have so much more to offer than just the beach. For example, Eden Gardens is a great place to enjoy a picnic, take family photos, fish, tour a historic mansion or stroll through beautiful gardens. Next time you are on your beach vacation, we challenge you to step outside of your usual routine and check out some of the region's other beautiful natural resources!
Underwater Museum of Art Have you heard of South Walton’s underwater museum? Literally hidden underneath the Gulf of Mexico, this hidden gem is this first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the United States. Made of artificial reefs, the art pieces not only tell a story, but they also provide a home to a variety of marine life. Visitors who wish to experience the site at-depth must be certified divers who are comfortable swimming in open water. Emerald Coast Scuba offers regularly scheduled trips to the dive site, but they can also schedule personal charters if you prefer a private trip.
790 on the Gulf This delicious restaurant serves up tasty, fresh Gulf seafood, but because of its off-the-beaten-path location, many visitors don’t know it exists! If you are looking for a nice dinner out, without having to fight crowds of other visiting families, this is the restaurant for you. If you are just looking for a place to enjoy drinks, 790 on the Gulf has a fantastic daily happy hour featuring specials on food and drinks. The best part? If you are staying at The Inn at Crystal Beach, you won’t need to travel far because this delicious restaurant is on-site!
Published on Monday, September 30, 2019