The Emerald Coast is like home with a beach

By Robert J. Nebel

Editor, Men's Traveler

Florida's Emerald Coast is such a popular destination among folks who live in the Southeastern United States, chances are if you're from these parts, you'll run into someone you know while on a visit there.

Not that it's such a bad thing to see your neighbors in this beautiful setting of pristine white sand beaches. Once known as Florida's best-kept secret, the Emerald Coast has become a bustling place that attracts everyone from sun-worshippers and kayakers to volleyball players and snorkelers. "It's a natural choice for family vacations, romantic getaways and family reunions," said Tracy Louthain, public relations manager for the Beaches of South Walton Tourist Development Council.

Getting around

Although a visit to the Emerald Coast is a definite change of pace from our hectic lives, don't expect to leave Atlanta's traffic woes behind. The coast's main drag, known as Florida's 30-A, is a busy artery that feeds into the beaches of South Walton. The two-lane road can be jam-packed with minivans and SUVs, making a simple jaunt from Santa Rosa Beach to Seaside a daunting task-especially if you have children in the car.

If fighting the Panhandle traffic is too much for you, do what many adventurous guests do: get around by bike. The wide, user-friendly bike path along 30-A is a gem. You can easily navigate around the traffic while getting a great workout.

What's more, nothing beats the coastal breeze as you bike along the corridor, which offers stops along the way such as Miss Lucille's Ice Cream Parlor. I do miss Nick's Seafood Restaurant which was on this path.

The biggest downside to biking is that the path doesn't run the entire length of 30-A. You can cycle from the gorgeous community of Rosemary Beach to Blue Mountain, but you'll have to share the road after that to reach the even busier Highway 98.

Beyond the Beach

If the Emerald Coast's sunshine gets to be too much for you, head down to Destin to shop, play and explore. The city is about 10 minutes from the Beaches of South Walton on Highway 98 and offers shopping options including Shoreline Village Mall or Silver Sands Factory Stores, where you can find shops such as Laura Ashley, Anne Klein and Brooks Brothers.

At Destin Commons, upscale shopping is yours for the taking. A city in and of itself, Destin Commons contains scores of stores and restaurants including Benetton, Hollister and even a Hard Rock Café. Even more growth is planned for the facility.

"They have already announced plans for a 200,000-square-foot expansion, with more shops and restaurants, as well as underground parking, a hotel and condos included in the expansion," said Kay Phelan, co-owner of Phelan and Lowry Ltd., a public relations firm that represents Destin Commons.

When the kids get restless from shopping, hit Big Kahuna's, an adventure park in the center of Destin that boasts it has a first-rate miniature golf course and more than 40 water attractions. Cool off in the world's largest man-made waterfall or check out the vertical accelerator and raceway.

Fort Walton offers varied attractions

Heading out of Destin toward Fort Walton Beach, you'll find Eglin Air Force Base, which has quite a showcase outside its main gates. The Air Force Armament Museum boasts an impressive display that includes a B-17 Flying Fortress and SR-71 Blackbird spy plane. There's an F-80 Shooting Star from the Korean War and a P-51 Mustang from World War II. Armament such as the GBU-28 bunker buster from Operation Desert Storm is also on display.

Fort Walton Beach is also home to Florida's Gulfarium. Visitors are wowed by sea lion, dolphin and multi-species shows as well as animal feeding demonstrations. For a fascinating interactive program, visit the Spotted Dolphin Encounter, where you can jump in the water and "converse" with Kiwi and Daphne, dolphins. Even children ages 4 and up are invited to participate. Those who are 4 to 6 must have a paying adult in the water with them.

Florida's Gulfarium is located on Fort Walton's Miracle Strip and is open most of the year.

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