Things to Do in Rosemary Beach: The Best Of 30A

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Last Updated on December 2, 2023 by sydabroad

If you are looking for the best things to do in Rosemary Beach, Florida, then keep reading!

Rosemary Beach is a picturesque beach town in Walton County, Florida along the the famous route of 30A. It’s the perfect location for a family getaway or a beach weekend with the girls. 

In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know before visiting Rosemary Beach. Everything including the best restaurants in Rosemary Beach, when to visit, a packing list, and a free map with all the spots mentioned in this article. 

You might be familiar with Seaside, Florida also located on 30A – well there are many cute beach towns along 30A such as Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, and more. Although you could spend weeks exploring all of these little towns, I’ll be highlighting Rosemary and all of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach in this travel guide. 

Looking for more Florida guides? 

• How to Spend a Weekend in Sarasota, Florida
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This post is all about the best things to do in Rosemary Beach, Florida. 

Where is 30a Rosemary Beach? 

Rosemary Beach is located on Florida’s northwest Gulf coast between Panama City Beach and Destin. It’s at the eastern end of the popular route, 30A. 

If you are visiting from a nearby state such as Alabama, Georgia, or Florida – it’s not too long of a drive to Rosemary Beach. My friends and I drove here from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the road trip was just under five hours. 

How Much Time to Spend in Rosemary Beach

If you’re a beach person, you could easily spend a week here. However, the long weekend is the perfect amount of time to enjoy the town, and the beach, and even visit Alys Beach – a nearby town. I’d suggest planning a 3 to 4 day trip. 

Budget Breakdown: Rosemary Beach, FL

Rosemary Beach is not a cheap destination. Here are some budget travel tips for visiting Rosemary Beach. 

• Travel in a group and split the cost of your accommodation and Uber costs. 
• Grocery shop and cook most of your meals at home.
• Spend time at the beach, it’s free! 

 If you choose to travel in a group and spend most of your time at the beach, traveling here is very doable on a budget. Once we arrived, we went straight to the grocery store and stocked up on the basics. 

Every morning my friends and I would cook breakfast and have coffee at our house. We made tacos for dinner and cocktails at home. This was so much fun and saved us a lot of money. 

During the day, we spent most of our time at the beach (which is free!). We would pack snacks and sandwiches to bring with us which also was a great way to avoid paying for lunch each day. And what’s better than a homemade beach sandwich?  

The Best Things to Do in Rosemary Beach, Florida 

1. Rent bikes for the day

Biking is the perfect way to get around Rosemary Beach. The town itself is super walkable which is nice. You can rent bikes from Bamboo Bicycle Company and bike around Rosemary or go to Alys Beach nearby.

2. Explore Alys Beach or Seaside 

Alys Beach (pronounced “Alice”) is a short walk or bike ride away from Rosemary. This is seriously the most charming little town. Alys Beach gives all the Santorini, Greece vibes. 

I’d suggest going solely to admire the beautiful architecture. A majority of buildings here are all white – Alys Beach is a photographer’s dream. 

Seaside, Florida is a short drive away and another quaint beach town to explore. However, be prepared for larger crowds. Especially, if you are visiting during summer or spring break. Seaside is bigger and much more touristy compared to Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach. 

3. Eden Gardens State Park 

Eden Gardens State Park is a Florida state park and historic site located in Point Washington. Find it at, 181 Eden Gardens Road, Santa Rosa Beach. It’s open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. 

4. Shop on the Main Street

The main street of Rosemary is a great place to wander around and browse. Do some shopping or simply just window shop around town. These boutiques are certainly not cheap but super fun to look around. You’ll find some unique souvenirs too. 

5. Curate30a 

Curate 30a is an art gallery located along Rosemary Beach Main Street. If you’re into art, this is a fun activity to add to your Rosemary Beach itinerary. 

6. Beach Activities 

You’ll find all sorts of water activities on Rosemary Beach such as paddle boarding, kayaking, boat rentals, and more. Find water rentals at The Rental Shop 30a and Surf Sup. You can even rent a bonfire! 

7. Relax at The Beach 

This is a must to add to your list of things to do in Rosemary Beach. There is truly nothing better than having no plans but to lie on the beach.

8. 30a Farmers Market 

Pick up fresh fruits and veggies or a few souvenirs at the 30A farmers market. The farmer’s market is in Rosemary Beach every Sunday from 9 AM to 1 PM.

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9. Peddlers Pavilion 

Peddler’s Pavilion is a charming little area located within walking distance of Rosemary Beach. Here, you will find great shopping, lunch spots, and live music.

10. Shell Island

Shell Island is located near Panama City Beach known for its pristine beaches and many activities. Here you can explore the many untouched beaches, snorkel, collect shells, go kayaking, and more. Shell Island is only accessible by boat so keep this in mind. 

11. Pier Park in PCB

You can take a short drive (about 20 minutes) from Rosemary Beach to Pier Park in Panama City. Pier Park is located near the beach and offers a variety of different stores, restaurants, and entertainment activities. 

Pier Park hosts all sorts of festivals throughout the year. So check to see what may be going on during the time of your visit. 

12. Beach Bonfire

You can book a beach bonfire in Rosemary Beach so you don’t have to worry about setting up anything yourself. Bonfires are hosted by a Rosemary Beach service attendant who will set up, service, and clean up after the bonfire. They include chairs, cocktail tables, skewers, bonfires with wood, and more. 

This is the perfect way to spend an evening in Rosemary. There’s nothing better than a beach bonfire and smores. Book a beach bonfire here.  

13. Dolphin Tours

Rosemary Beach and Panama City Beach are the perfect places to spot dolphins. There are a variety of dolphin-watching tours you can book. This makes for a fun afternoon on the water!

14. Vivo Spa and Salon 

If you want a break from the sand and the sun, visit Vivo Spa 30A. This is a boutique spa in Rosemary Beach offering a variety of spa services such as massages, facials, and body treatments.  

15. Origins Golf Club

If you are into golf, head to Origins Golf Club for the day. 

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16. Deer Lake State Park 

Deer Lake State Park is a natural coastal dune lake located along the coast of 30A. Visitors can explore different hiking trails and appreciate nature and the scenic views. This is also a great photography spot. 

Where to Stay in Rosemary Beach, Florida

Rosemary Beach is pricey, but if you are splitting with a big group, it’s doable. If you are looking for a house to rent there are plenty on Airbnb and Booking.com. 

Alternatively, you can book a hotel in Rosemary Beach. See recommended hotels below. 

Budget: The Village of South Walton Beach. Book here. 

Boutique: Rosemary Beach Inn. Book here. 

Luxury: The Pearl Hotel. Book here.  

Where to Eat in Rosemary Beach 

When we did go out to eat – the food was incredible. Rosemary Beach seriously has some of the best restaurants! I recommend having dinner at La Crema at least once. It’s a Rosemary Beach staple! La Crema is a tapas restaurant located right in town. 

I also suggest Cowgirl Kitchen for lunch. I had the most amazing grilled shrimp caesar salad. If you are looking for a cafe, Amavida Coffee is a great spot. They have a tasty oat milk latte. 

The Best Restaurants in Rosemary Beach

• Raw and Juicy in Alys Beach.  
• La Crema Tapas & Chocolate: An incredible tapas spot. One of the best meals I’ve ever had. 
• Cowgirl Kitchen: A delicious place for lunch. They have an amazing shrimp caesar salad. 
• Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar
• Havana Beach Bar & Grill 
• Amicis & Amigos: These are two sister restaurants. One is Italian and the other is Mexican 
• The Sugar Shak: For a sweet treat. 
• Amavida Coffee: For a delicious latte. 
• Crabby Steve’s: A bar and grill accessible on the beach. They have great drinks to enjoy at the beach. 
• The Pearl: This luxury hotel in Rosemary Beach is a fun spot to have a cocktail. 

Map of The Best Things to Do in Rosemary Beach 

Rosemary Beach Packing List

• Beach tote
• Portable speaker
• Sunscreen
• Face sunscreen
• Beach coverup
• Turkish towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Deck of cards
• Bikinis
• Disposable camera
• Book

All and all Rosemary Beach needs to be on your bucket list. It’s the most serene destination. This town feels like you are in a small European town – not in the USA. It’s the perfect girls trip destination and the beaches are perfect. If you have any questions feel free to comment below, DM me on Instagram, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com. 

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