Florida’s year-round sun and warmth are what make it the ideal getaway no matter what time of year you need a getaway, and the summer pumps up the heat. Time on the beach, whether it’s a leisurely stroll or you’re setting up for a day of basking in the sun, taking a dip in the Gulf of Mexico is a must. There are also ways to beat the heat with indoor activities and adventures that are sure to please. Enjoy a fun-filled 30A vacation that includes activities for young and old, on water, or for land lovers this summer.
30A Bike Trail
While you likely hopped in the rental car to cruise the historic route or rented a golf cart for a different experience, there’s fun to be had exploring on two wheels as well. The 19-mile paved bike path, also known as the Timpoochee Trail, runs parallel to the historic and scenic route you came to experience. Keep your eyes peeled for coastal wildlife, take in water views, and experience other natural beauty you won’t get from the road. Aim for more adventure and turn off onto Point Washington State Forest’s Eastern Lake Trail, which consists of a system of three, five, and ten-mile loop trails for an extended workout.
Airboat Tours
Many people leave the airboat tour to the Everglades, but you can tour the waters surrounding 30A in the unique vessel, too! Explore the backwaters of the area, including rivers, bays, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Keep an eye out and your camera ready for glimpses of local wildlife. Companies offer daytime tours and select companies offer nighttime exploration as well.
Beaches
No matter how long you’re here, choosing the beach towns of 30A means plenty of time on the beach. Pack the cooler and your beach gear and prepare for fun! On land or sea, there’s an activity for everyone. Sunbathe on the beach, read, have a picnic, or take a walk. Take a swim or explore the underwater world with a mask and snorkel. Take a lesson or rent some gear for fun things to do in 30A like stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, too. For something truly unique, gather loved ones for a horseback ride down the beach!
Coastal Biplane
The Coastal Biplane, better known as the Spirit of 30A, was built in 2010. Despite the modern build, it reflects the timeless look and feel of a classic 1930s biplane aircraft design. The Ferrari-red colored open cockpit design of the Waco YMF-5 biplane seats the pilot and two side-by-side passengers – perfect for a romantic ride for you and your sweetest in the summer sun. See the whole 30A area as the birds do. Opt for a short 20-minute cruise or choose one of their packages for more time in the sky. No matter which package you choose, you’re in for a thrill you’ll never forget.
Dining
When you hear your stomach rumble after a day of activity or looking to take a break and let someone else handle the cooking, look no further than the many culinary selections the restaurants of 30A have to offer. Go for a taste of Havana, local seafood, American fare, or another tasty treat. Take your taste buds along on your journey to fun and excitement along 30A. Many restaurants offer children’s menus, gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian offerings to fit everyone in the group.
Dune Lakes
You came to 30A for the beach and crashing waves of the Gulf of Mexico. But there’s a different kind of water experience waiting for you here as well. Florida is just one of two states in the U.S. and five total places around the world where coastal dune lakes are a natural geographic feature. These lakes are typically shallow, irregularly shaped permanent bodies of water that are brackish and dark-colored due to a mix of saltwater and freshwater sources. Make one of the dune lakes of 30A a part of your experience! Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard for some fun on the water, purchase a combo freshwater/saltwater fishing license, or just relax and enjoy the day on the shore.
Emerald Coast Science Center
Beat the heat and drum up some fun and educational experiences without the kids noticing this summer. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, including interactive robotic units, engineering, physics, electricity, color, light, sound, and so much more. Learn about space or the Emerald Coast ecosystem, conduct an experiment in the lab, or make a creation in the maker space. Step outside to the marine exhibit – an exhibit in a boat that shows you what it takes to keep a craft afloat, how radio communication at sea is possible, and the engineering behind boat building. Stop by the Dino Dig Pit to dig up something of mammoth proportions!
Escape Rooms
Escape the heat and spend time in the air conditioning while having plenty of summer fun. As one of the most popular things to do in 30A in the last several years, escape room facilities are everywhere, including along 30A. Rooms are rated by difficulty and even come with age suggestions, so you can choose the right adventure for your group. Escape Zone 60 features stories like Death Row, Navy SEALs, Mummy’s Tomb, and Mystic Mansion, depending on the location you choose. You and your family have 60 minutes to solve all the clues to break out to win.
Farmer’s Market
Each community along 30A has its own personality, including art, architecture, and activities. Each town along the historic route offers a farmers’ market with an array of local arts and crafts, fresh produce, and more. Because each community is different, each has its own schedule. Check out community postings to see when the next one is happening.
Fishing
There are several experiences to choose from along 30A, including inshore, nearshore, and deep-sea fishing. Some charter companies even take you to the flats, inlets, feeder creeks, bayous, and other inland areas for fly fishing. Most companies welcome young anglers and beginners and even offer lessons before an excursion. Cast a line in search of redfish, tarpon, speckled trout, flounder, snapper, and more.
Gator Beach
If you run into a gator on the beach, you’ll probably want to turn around and walk briskly the other way. Located inside Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill in Destin, the park is open from 11 a.m. to just before closing (hours vary by season). You can walk around, ask questions, and attend an alligator show. Feed the gators, get your picture taken holding a live gator, or browse through the Crocodilia Discovery Zone – an area with exhibits and displays which includes 3D underwater scene of an alligator habitat – all free of charge. Guests 7 years old and older can also book a private, ‘behind the scenes’ experience with a professional gator handler.
Hiking
There’s no better way to go “off the beaten path” or find something a little under the radar than with a hike! The area around 30A is dotted with state parks and hiking trails that offer hours of outdoor fun – and a different way to experience the outdoors of the beach destination. Pack your sun gear, water, and trail snacks and head out to experience the land-based natural beauty of 30A this summer. While you’re out in the wild, keep a lookout for local wildlife, including black bears, coyotes, deer, and osprey, just to name a few.
Jet Ski Tour
Cool off and feel the need for speed. Several companies offer jet ski tours of the area where you can pilot your own craft to points of interest along 30A. Double up or choose to cruise on your own. Guests born after January 1, 1988, who are looking to take the controls must obtain a Florida boater safety certificate before the adventure.
Kitchenique
For a different way to spend some time indoors with loved ones this summer, try a cooking class. Kitchenique Cooking School offers cooking classes taught by some of the best local chefs. Sharpen your home chef skills or learn new crowd-pleasing recipes. They even offer hands-on lessons for the kids. Book in advance and choose the class that tickles your taste buds.
Parasailing
Take the adventure above the waves! Parasailing is a fun and exhilarating way to see the sights of 30A from a bird’s eye view. Strap into the harness and take off from the deck of a specially designed and USCG-approved parasailing boat for an unforgettable ride. Stay dry for the whole flight or take a refreshing dip in the water before soaring up high again and landing safely on the boat deck. Ask about camera and GoPro packages that allow you to record the trip from your view in the harness. The harness can take up to three riders at a time, so you can brave the skies alone or convince two of your loved ones to come up with you.
Pirate Cruise
Gather your group and experience the sea as the pirates of old did. Join Captain “Fearless” Phil and his crew aboard the Sea Dragon for a swashbuckling good time! The two-hour cruise is fun for the whole family and includes sea life sightings, music, and plenty of pirate fun. There will be plenty of cold drinks, snacks, t-shirts, and other pirate booty available on board, too. Kids will love learning sword fighting, reading a treasure map, getting pirate tattoos, pirate face painting, firing the “Kid Cannon,” and the many other activities that take place throughout the ship. Adult pirates can partake in various alcoholic beverages, including many rum-based drinks for a pirate feel throughout the cruise.
Private Catamaran Cruise
There are plenty of ways to spend time in and on the water during a summer trip to 30A. Enjoy a private cruise with just you and your loved ones or join new friends and soak up the sun and enjoy of a catamaran cruise. Embark on a daytime or sunset sail. You might even spot pelicans or other sea birds flying overhead, or bottlenose dolphins or manatees out for a swim. Ask about champagne or dining options aboard the vessel.
Scenic Drives
While you’ve cruised up and down 30A, there are a few other paths to follow. Travel through wetlands and more for a glimpse of Florida fauna and flora at its best. Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway hosts a variety of natural resources including trees, waterways full of marine life, and clay deposits that were historically used for making bricks. The visitor-dubbed “Sunday afternoon drive” puts on a great moonrise show at Bay Bluff Park overlooking Escambia Bay. U.S. Route 98 runs parallel to 30A and passes many of the same landmarks and scenic areas, but from a different perspective.
Scenic Highway 30A
It’s in the name! Start your scenic drives right where you decided to call home while you explore the area. The 24-mile corridor hugs the Northwest Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is full of beach towns, one of which houses your vacation rental. Stretching from Panama City Beach to Destin, the route is dotted with beach towns ripe for shopping, dining, and just hanging out on the sand for a lazy beach day.
Snorkel and SCUBA Tours
Experience the water below the waves on a SCUBA or snorkeling tour. Get close to sea life like bottlenose dolphins, manatees, rays, sea turtles, a variety of fish species – even sharks can be seen. Ask about daytime or sunset tours, as well as gear rental for when you’ve built your confidence and want to strike out on your own. Make sure you’re SCUBA certified before going it alone.
Ultimate Summer Fun on Your 30A Vacation
Begin and end every day of summer fun in a vacation rental by 30A Beach Properties. Enjoy the privacy of bedrooms, private patios, or balconies. There is plenty of space for adults and kids to enjoy time together or make their own fun. We have units up to 6 bedrooms to gather the entire family for a 30A summer adventure. Simplify your stay with fully equipped kitchens, beautiful and comfortable rooms, and more to bring the feeling of home away from home. Choose a premium rental for upgrades like stainless steel appliances, sprawling master suites, wood floors, and much more.
Contact us today to start planning your summer 30A vacation!
