Embrace the beauty of the Seaside community in Florida by breathing in the fresh sea breeze and soaking up the sun. Seaside beckons you to relax and unwind with breathtaking surroundings where you can go swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, and bicycling. Furthermore, don’t forget to explore nearby lakes and rivers via kayak and canoe. This quaint Floridian community also provides plenty of opportunities to embark on family adventures, as well as check out historical landmarks, museums, antique stores, collectibles shops, and unforgettable restaurants. Book your vacation rental at Seaside to enjoy easy access to some of the finest golf courses and amusement parks that the Florida panhandle has to offer. That said, here are the most exciting places in and around Seaside.

1. Seaside, Florida

She sells seashells down by the seashore, but you and the kids can look for your own for free as you stroll through the refreshing surf in lovely Seaside. Make this your ideal getaway from the pressures of daily living where romantics, nature lovers, honeymooners, or families with children can find their oasis. Your vacation rental puts you within a few steps of the Gulf of Mexico for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and just splashing around on the shoreline. Book your exciting vacation on this little slice of paradise where the white sand, aquamarine waters, and brilliant sunlight invite you outdoors to frolic on the beach or explore local nature preserves.

2. Miramar Beach, Florida

When you stay in the town of Miramar Beach, take advantage of the many opportunities to play in the sand just outside the door of your vacation rental. Help the kids build a sand castle or just take pictures while they show you how it’s done. Engage the whole family in spotting and identifying aquatic life, including sea turtles, sand crabs, dolphins, clams, and maybe even a starfish or two. Take the kids to the Gulf Breeze Zoo to see over 800 animals, including a rhino. Check ahead of time for giraffe feeding times to get in on the fun.

3. Destin, Florida

If you need a break from the doldrums of summer, go fly a kite; or upstage that by flying the kite in Destin in the ride of a lifetime on a parasailing adventure. Expect incredible panoramic views of the area, get chummy with the seagulls, give in to the thrills, and give into a tranquility, unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. When you come back to earth, chill out in your vacation rental by the sea for awhile as you plan your next big adventure. Visit the Air Force Armament Museum where the kids can crawl into cockpit simulators and see the SR-71 Blackbird, one of the fastest planes ever built.

4. Grayton Beach, Florida

Find everything you need for a vacation on Grayton Beach. Whether you want a week of family fun or a romantic get-a-way, enjoy the best nature has to offer where you can just relax or charge full-speed ahead toward outdoor adventures. The gulf waters teem with fish, and the town is home to a state park that features a beautiful lake. Enjoy access to hiking and swimming just minutes from the door of your vacation rental. Take a ride on a tour boat to look for dolphins or whales and enjoy sightseeing along the way. Teach the kids how to have some major fun on boogie boards or take them kayaking on the bay.

5. Panama City, Florida

One might think that a Panama City vacation is all about water sports, and that is quite true to a great extent. Visitors who flock to this beach wonderland find access to more than swimming and fishing, though. Local attractions beckon you to spend a day hiking in nearby parks or visiting museums. Use a metal detector to search for buried treasure on the beach, toast some marshmallows over a fire at night, or pet some dolphins at Gulf World World Marine Park. It’s your Florida, so enjoy it your way.

6. Panama City Beach, Florida

Picture the end of an energetic day of touring and shopping around Panama City Beach. You step out the door of your vacation rental and slip into the inviting surf for a refreshing swim, letting all of your stress float away. Your vacation schedule includes an exciting visit to Panama City Beach Pier Park recreation area, where the rides are thrilling and the lights are colorful. Enjoy the variety of casual and upscale restaurants on the beach, or cross the bridge to the mainland for more.

7. Seacrest, Florida

In a vacation state of mind? When you can almost taste the salty air of Seacrest, it’s time to book your vacation. Stash the golf clubs in the trunk with the suitcases and plan to play a round of 18 holes, or enjoy the driving range at Camp Creek Golf Course, located less than five minutes from town. If you want some easy transportation, rent some bikes, including accommodations for little kids and babies. Seacrest is home to a beautiful state park that features hiking trails through scenic sand dunes.

8. Okaloosa Island, Florida

Gear up for a great big vacation in the tiny little town of Okaloosa Island. Book your vacation here for the ambiance, the food, the fishing, and the view of the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico. Be sure to put the Okaloosa Island Pier on your itinerary. It features 1,262 feet of space for fishing or sightseeing and is known as one of the largest piers in the area. You can fish off the pier for redfish, flounder, tarpon, and more, and maybe even see some dolphins. Seagulls love to hang out on the pier and keep you company. Give the entire family a total thrill when you make reservations for MAXIMUM Magic dinner theater. Of course, show-only tickets are also available. Another amazing attraction nearby is the Emerald Coast Science Center, where the kids can interact with robots and give instructions the robots follow.