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The Emerald Coast in Florida is renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and charming small towns. Here are six picturesque towns in the region that are highly walkable, each offering unique landmarks and a lively atmosphere. Seaside, an example of the "new urbanism" movement, boasts pastel-colored homes, a vibrant town square, and iconic landmarks like Airstream Row. In Rosemary Beach, enjoy quaint shops, delicious eateries, and the convenience of the Turtle Express trolley. Blue Mountain Beach invites visitors to explore its rare coastal dune lakes, while the seaside towns of Inlet Beach, Dune Allen, and Seagrove offer a walkable, idyllic escape along the stunning Emerald Coast.

Seaside

Seaside is known for its pastel-colored homes and iconic architecture, inspired by the emergence of the 鈥渘ew urbanism鈥� design movement of the early 1980s. New Urbanism advocates the development of walkable neighborhoods where most amenities are within 5-10 minutes of home and mixed-use areas where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are also within close proximity of each other. The beachfront town of Seaside epitomizes new urbanism.

Spend time in Seaside strolling along the sugar sand beaches with the stunning turquoise waters on one side and the pretty little beach cottages on the other. Stop along the way at Seaside鈥檚 most famous landmark, Airstream Row, and have a bite to eat from any of the Airstream trailers-turned-food-trucks like Wild Bill鈥檚 Beach Dogs, the Meltdown for gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches or burgers from Barefoot BBQ. Wander back into town to Seaside鈥檚 central square of boutique shops like Whitewash Boutique, Sundog Books, The Seaside Style, and restaurants like Pickles Beachside Grill. In the evenings, head back down to the beach to the picturesque Seaside Amphitheater, which hosts live music, outdoor movies, annual celebrations, and other fun events. In Seaside, everything is an easy walk from town to the beach, bar, and shops.

Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach is a highly walkable community along Florida鈥檚 Emerald Coast. The Town Center of this pretty little Gulf Coast town is never more than five minutes away from anywhere else. Full of quaint, one-of-a-kind shops, the Town Center is where it all happens in Rosemary Beach. For coffee lovers, there鈥檚 Amavida; chocolate lovers will enjoy La Crema Tapas & Chocolate and Kilwins鈥� Sea-Salt Collection of chocolates and caramels while picking up high-quality sweatshirts and t-shirts from Rosemary Beach Apparel.

One of the perks of visiting Rosemary Beach is that if visitors are ever tired or have mobility issues, The Turtle Express is a free local trolley that operates within Rosemary Beach, offering convenient access to shopping centers and restaurants.

Blue Mountain Beach

Named after the flowering plants that burst into colors of lavender and blue, the small town of Blue Mountain Beach is known for its rare coastal dunes covered in blue lupines. The town offers a peaceful, walkable environment with local caf茅s, dive bars, and shops all within walking distance. Pick up coffee and a cinnamon roll at Blue Mountain Bakery, head down to the beautiful white sand beach, and watch the turquoise blue waters lapping on the shore.

Get in some exercise on a stand-up paddleboard with a direct-to-beach delivery from 30a Paddle Board Rentals. Feeling more energetic? Rent a beach cruiser, a townie, or an e-bike at Big Daddy鈥檚 Bike Shop and head out on the 19-mile paved Timpoochee Trail, which parallels scenic Highway 30A. Pick up a well-earned treat at the Blue Mountain Beach Creamery for homemade ice cream, sorbets, or fro-yo.

Inlet Beach

At the eastern end of Highway 30A, Inlet Beach is a tranquil, less crowded town than other 30A beaches. The quiet, laid-back town is renowned for its wide, open sandy shores, pristine beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Scenic bike paths connect Inlet Beach to the beautiful 180-acre Camp Helen State Park. The park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell鈥攖he largest coastal dune lake in Florida, and it is the perfect way to spend a day hiking, beachcombing, and both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Visitors looking to explore Lake Powell can rent single or tandem kayaks, paddleboards, or BYOB (bring-your-own-boat/board). If visitors have a valid Florida fishing license, try kayak fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and bass. The lake also attracts an active wildlife population, so be on the lookout for egrets, wild herons, river otters, and osprey.

In Inlet Beach, visit the Shoppes at Inlet for breakfast or brunch at The Donut Hole Cafe & Bakery, or head over to Shades Bar & Grill for lunch, dinner, or Happy Hour appetizers and house cocktails.

Dune Allen

Outdoor enthusiasts will love Dune Allen, which has miles of trails to explore on foot or bicycle, stunning beaches, and five coastal lakes (Allen, Campbel, Morris, Oyster, and Stallworth). Beach access is a breeze in Dune Allen, with two accesses, one at Fort Panic and the other at the Dune Allen Regional Beach Access. Topsail Hill Preserve State Park also has a 3-mile stretch of white sand beaches, which visitors can reach by walking along a paved nature trail under towering pine trees. The park encompasses 1,640 acres of beautiful landscapes, including over seven miles of hiking trails, three dune lakes, and sand dunes as far as the eye can see. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available at the park.

Despite the town鈥檚 reputation as a quiet, tranquil escape, Stinky鈥檚 Fish Camp, along Allen Lake, is a veritable hotspot where both visitors and locals go for Cajun-inspired seafood and drinks. The restaurant has oysters all day, all Way, and a raw bar, and it serves po鈥檅oys, crawfish, and gumbo.

Seagrove Beach

Seagrove, located next to Seaside, combines natural beauty with modern amenities, offering visitors a relaxed setting for dining and shopping. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the popular The Perfect Pig serves upscale Southern cooking and is a short walk from the public beach access at One Seagrove Place.

To spend an active day on the beaches in Seagrove, visitors can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, beach cruisers, beach carts, and fishing gear from Yellowfin Ocean Sports. The company also provides Surf Fishing Charters to get the whole family fishing quickly. Visitors looking to unwind in an indoor setting can drop in for a yoga session at Balance Health Studio, who offer classes in Vinyasa Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Total Body Yoga Fusion, or take a short drive to tour Distillery 98 in nearby Santa Rosa Beach, a homegrown micro-distillery famous for its Half Shell Vodka that uses oyster shells during the distilling process.

Discover the Walkable Gems of Florida's Emerald Coast

Discover the charm and beauty of Florida鈥檚 Gulf Coast through its enchanting beach towns filled with pastel-colored cottages, vibrant town squares, and iconic landmarks like Airstream Row. Explore rare coastal dune lakes and scenic trails in a peaceful, walkable environment. Enjoy pristine shores and access to a beautiful state park in a tranquil, less crowded destination. Lastly, find a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern amenities, with opportunities for dining, shopping, and outdoor adventures. Each town will provide a walkable, idyllic escape along the stunning Emerald Coast.