Best Things to Do in Rosemary Beach Florida

Want to find a quaint European town in the heart of Florida? Look no further, and head to Rosemary Beach, that is an answer for you! This charming town along the Florida Panhandle offers gorgeous white-sand beaches, fabulous dining, and stunning architecture! In fact, there are so many things to do in Rosemary Beach, making it an ideal spot for a perfect beach vacation! 

Whether you’re seeking sun-kissed days on the beach, exhilarating water activities, or a taste of the local culture, Rosemary Beach has something for everyone. This blog is your one-stop guide to unlocking the magic of this Florida 30A.

I’ll be covering the best things to do in Rosemary Beach, Florida — including where to eat, shop, and stay — so you can plan your perfect vacation be it with family, couples, or girls trip. This post is guaranteed to leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

So, pack your bags, grab your swimsuit, and get ready to discover the magic of Rosemary Beach, Florida. Stay tuned as we uncover the best activities, hidden gems, and insider tips to make your trip unforgettable!

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Where Is Rosemary Beach? 

Rosemary Beach is one of the beach towns along Florida’s “Emerald Coast” known as Scenic Highway 30A. This area is named after the highway name that runs along it. It connects various beach communities of the Florida Panhandle between major towns Panama City Beach and Destin.

Specifically, locals and tourists know Florida 30A, with charming towns between Inlet Beach and Miramar Beach. The most notable beach towns within 30A (from east to west) include Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seagrove Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach. You can read more about FLORIDA 30A here.

If you’re driving the scenic 30A stretch from Destin, Rosemary Beach is the last town! There are so many amazing things to do in Florida 30A, so if you’re in this area, it is worth checking it out for a day! There are so many things to do in Rosemary Beach, including shopping, dining, biking, kayaking, admiring the gorgeous architecture, and much more!

History of Rosemary Beach

Nestled along the stunning Florida Panhandle, Rosemary Beach exudes a timeless charm. But beneath its pastel facades and cobblestone streets lies a fascinating history, one that transformed untouched dunes into a vibrant coastal community.

Rosemary Beach was designed in 1995 to mimic the “look and feel” of old historic towns with the inspiration of Urbanism.

So, the town’s design draws heavily from historic towns like New Orleans, Charleston, and St. Augustine, with European Colonial influence of the Caribbean.

The shops, restaurants, hotels, and vacation rentals in Rosemary Beach are much easier to access by foot or bike since the community is filled with cobblestone streets, quaint alleyways, and winding streets. The town lives up to the spirit of urbanism with a connection to nature! 

As Rosemary Beach continues to evolve, its history serves as a reminder of its vision: to create a place where residents and visitors can connect with nature, community, and the simple joys of coastal living.

Best Things to Do in Rosemary Beach 

Let’s discover the fun things to do in Rosemary Beach. The weather in Rosemary Beach remains beautiful around the year! That makes sense to indulge in activities in Rosemary Beach that involve hiking, biking, paddleboarding, kayaking, and tons of walking! So read on more about the Popular things to do in Rosemary Beach!

Natural Places around Rosemary Beach

Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen State Park is one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida, and it’s only a five-minute drive from Rosemary Beach. The 185-acre Park is surrounded by water on three sides and it forms as Coastal Lake dunes which is extremely rare and only exists in a few places on the earth!

You can spend your day here by fishing, hiking, kayaking, or paddleboarding at or around this lake, one of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach! 

Admission to Camp Helen State Park is $4 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian, and the hours are 8 AM until sunset daily. Kayaking and paddleboarding are some of the best things to do at Camp Helen State Park. You can hire it from the Friends of Camp Helen company. Whether you want to observe the wildlife, indulge in activities, or simply want to relax on gorgeous white sands, you’ll love it here! 

Timpooche Trail & Deer Lake State Park

The Timpooche trail runs along the Florida 30A. It is an 18.6-mile bike trail that is paved and fairly flat trail stretching from Inlet Beach to Dune Allen. If you’re biking from Rosemary Beach, you’ll need to see the Deer Lake State Park on the way.

Deer Lake State Park contains the Coastal Dune Lake. You can bike along the boardwalk that crosses over the sand dunes until you reach the beach. You’ll need to pay a $3 entrance fee to visit the Park and $2 for cycling.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Located near Santa Rosa Beach on Scenic Florida 30A, there are so many things to do here. It covers 1640 acres in area and borders 3 miles of ocean with beautiful sand dunes, as high as over 25 feet! It is one of the best places to visit near Rosemary Beach.

Topsail Hill has lakes, sand dunes, and biking trails with amenities like a gazebo, snacks shop, picnic areas, and even a tram service to reach the beach.

If you love camping, this state park offers 209 campsites and 32 cabins, making it one of the best camping experiences in Florida.

The Park remains open from 8 AM to sunset and there is a $6 entry fee per vehicle.

Eden Gardens State Park

If you’re looking for the vibes of Savannah in Florida, look no further and visit the Eden Gardens State Park. Spanish moss-covered branches of the live oak trees that live on 163 acres of this park, look so beautiful.

Built in the 1800s, the Stately Wesley House is the main attraction in Eden Garden State Park. You can take the tour of the house from Thursday to Monday between 10 AM to 3 PM.

The Park remains open from 8 AM until sunset. You’ll need to pay $4 per vehicle for parking.

Conservation Park

If you want the change in scenery from the beaches, head over to Conservation Park! The scenes will be more around nature than the Rosemary Beach Florida. The park is spread over 2912 acres with cypress trees around.

You’ll find 12 different hiking trails with varying lengths. You can choose it according to the time in your hand. They are perfect for hiking, biking, or just taking a stroll. And the best part is, the Park has no entrance fee!

Fun Things to Do in Rosemary Beach Florida

Enjoy Beach Day

Rosemary Beach is stunningly gorgeous with turquoise waters and white sand. Obviously, heading to the beach is one of the must-do activities. But you’ll be surprised to know that Rosemary Beach is actually closed to the general public! You are allowed to visit it only if you are staying at a hotel or vacation rental with a private beach access code.

Wherever you’re staying should provide an access code and/or a wristband for access to your communities’ amenities. That said, you’ll need to stay at an approved accommodation in Rosemary Beach. 

If you are permitted to go to the beach, spend the day soaking up the sun. You can bring your chairs and umbrellas or you can rent them at the beach.

Tip: If you are not staying in Rosemary Beach but still want to go to the beach, head a bit further to Inlet Beach, where you’ll be able to find public beach access. You can visit Laguna Beach for the best beach experience.

Visit the Main Street

The Main Street in Rosemary Beach is jam-packed with fun shopping, fabulous dining, and picture-perfect photo opportunities. You can spend your time just popping in and out of shops, and admiring the gorgeous architecture! The area is so much green, perfect for a day out!

Biking 

Biking is one of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach and is the best way to explore the neighboring beach communities in Florida 30A. You can say biking is a mode of transportation here.

If you’re planning to visit more than one community, consider renting a bike. There is a safe, wide, and flat bike trail that runs for nearly 20 miles from Inlet Beach to Dune Island and traces the entire length of 30A! 

You can rent a bike for day use or as long as you want from Bamboo Bicycle Company. So, rent a bike and begin exploring 30A on your own two wheels!

30A Farmer’s Market at Rosemary Beach

If you’re visiting Rosemary Beach on Sunday, 30A Farmer’s Market is a fun event to attend on the weekend. This farmers’ market takes place in Barrett Square and starts at 9 AM and ends at 1 PM. 

At the market, you’ll find tons of local vendors selling grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, local honey, fresh vegetables, delicious cheeses, fresh artisan bread, and more. You’ll also find natural bath and body products, pet treats, juices, and more! 

Beach Bonfire at Rosemary Beach

Did you know you can rent a bonfire at Rosemary Beach?

A bonfire is a great way to end your day especially a great way to celebrate your vacation with friends and family. You can take a beautiful stroll through the white sands with the crashing sounds of waves at the beach while dipping your toes in the water with the warmth of a bonfire! It is perfect to celebrate the evening with your loved ones.

The Beach Bonfire at Rosemary Beach is perfect to create a memorable night when you visit! You can rent it from Shoreline Services, or the rental Shop 30A.

Shopping

Rosemary Beach is extremely walkable and is adorned with so many cute shops all over the place. From bookstores and clothing boutiques to toy stores and even dog shops — there are plenty of places to shop in Rosemary Beach. 

Stop at one of the many shops to browse for swimwear, beachwear, toys, home decor items, souvenirs, and other fun stuff. Most of the stores are involved in local business, so it is best to support them!

Since shopping is one of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach, check out the following shops while you’re exploring this quaint town! 

• Rosemary Beach Trading Company
• Exvoto for Women’s clothing
• Disco for fun dresses and accessories
• Gigi’s Fabulous Kids Fashions + Toys
• The Hidden Lantern Bookstore
• Huck and Harlowe for dog lovers

Visit the Nearby Alys Beach

Alys Beach is located right next to Rosemary Beach, just a few minutes from a bike ride. Alys Beach is a premier luxury beach town that looks more like Greek Towns- Santorini or Mykonos.

Think picture-perfect upscale luxury white cottages with cobblestone streets, that is Alys Beach in Florida for you! Just visit the beautiful cafes, bike around, or eat at any of the food trucks.

Indulge in Water activities

When you’re vacationing at the beach, it is best to check out a few water sports activities. From swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or Jet skiing, there is no shortage of Water Sports activities at Rosemary Beach.

You can check out The Rental Shop 30A in Rosemary Beach for more.

Watch the Sunset

Whenever I visit the Beach, one of the best ways to end the day is by watching Sunset! Don’t forget to stop and relax on your beach Vacation!

Head down to the beach in the evening, watch the sky change colors, and enjoy the glorious nature when the sun sets on the horizon.

Drive along the Highway 30A

While you visit Rosemary Beach, it is highly recommended to take a drive through scenic Florida 30A. As I mentioned earlier the whole highway of 30a is very scenic with beautiful beach towns along it. So rent a car, drive around the beautiful towns, stop wherever you like, and just enjoy the beautiful views around you.

My favorites from the drive are Crab Island and Navarre Beach on Gulf Island National Seashore. Another best thing to do on Highway 30a is to visit the beautiful beaches around Destin. The coastline is so much beautiful here!

Best Places to Dine in Rosemary Beach

One of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach is to dine at all the fabulous cafes and restaurants. Although there are dozens of fabulous places to eat at Rosemary Beach and in the nearby areas, these are highly favorites in Rosemary Beach and around. 

Amavida Coffee Roasters 

Amavida Coffee Roasters is hands down the best coffee shop in Rosemary Beach, so it’s the perfect place to start your day. This local coffee shop serves up delicious craft coffee and roasts its own single-origin coffee, coffee blends, decaf beans, and espresso beans. Stop by Amavida Coffee Roasters to grab a drink before walking around and exploring Rosemary Beach! 

Playa Bowls 

Playa Bowls is a popular chain that specializes in acai bowls, smoothies, juices, and cold brew coffees. Grabbing a refreshing treat from Playa Bowls is a great way to cool down after spending a morning biking or laying out at the beach. 

They offer different bases, like coconut, mango, and standard acai. The Coco Craze Bowl (coconut base) is delicious here. It is refreshing to eat on a hot day! 

La Crema Tapas & Chocolate 

La Crema Tapas & Chocolate is a Spanish restaurant and one of the best places to eat in Rosemary Beach for a cozy and fun dining experience.

At La Crema Tapas & Chocolate, you can order tapas to share, as well as delicious appetizers and paellas. But the desserts here are delicious! La Crema Tapas & Chocolate also has an extensive wine list and serves beer, handcrafted cocktails, and batched cocktails. 

Havana Beach Bar & Grill

Havana Beach Bar & Grill is located in The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach — one of the most sought-after hotels along 30A. If you want an upscale dining experience with the best rooftop views, Havana Beach Bar & Grill is your option. It is the only restaurant with Beach views in Florida 30A.

This upscale restaurant offers three dining venues – the main indoor dining room, the rooftop with gorgeous views of Rosemary Beach, and the beautiful bar. It is recommended to make reservations at this restaurant as it fills up quickly, especially on the weekends.  

You will love their seafood options with Cuban cuisine. They also offer all-day brunch. Don’t forget to visit their rooftop lounge for a cocktail with gorgeous beach views! They are very delicious here.

Cowgirl Kitchen 

Cowgirl Kitchen is another one of the best restaurants on Main Street in Rosemary Beach. They serve breakfast and lunch, with delicious, no-frills menu items with a southern flair. 

Kilwins Rosemary Beach 

Beach Vacation always calls for an ice cream, right? Kilwins Rosemary Beach isn’t exactly local, but it’s still worth listing as one of the best things to do in Rosemary Beach. After all, who doesn’t love ice cream?

Try their Superman Ice Cream and thank me later! Kilwins is a delicious ice cream and dessert shop and is a great place to stop in Rosemary Beach for a sweet treat.

Best Places to Relax & Stay at Rosemary Beach

There aren’t many hotels in Rosemary Beach as the majority of accommodations in the area are spacious vacation homes. There are many properties nearby that are excellent for a stay in Rosemary Beach and here are the best recommendations.

The Pearl Hotel

The Pearl Hotel is the most popular hotel for a stay in Rosemary Beach, and arguably one of the most popular places to stay in 30A. 

The Pearl Hotel is located on Main Street and this award-winning hotel overlooks the turquoise waters and white sands of Rosemary Beach. With its top-notch services and beautiful architecture, this hotel offers endless luxury! It offers access to Rosemary Beach, a rooftop pool, a spa, and a popular restaurant – Havana Beach Bar and Grill.

If you stay at The Pearl Hotel, you’ll be walking distance from all the best things to do in Rosemary Beach. This hotel is a popular spot for couples!

Rent a Vacation Home

If you’re not staying at The Pearl Hotel, the most common thing to do in Rosemary Beach is to rent a house.

The cottages/vacation homes in Rosemary Beach are straight out of Architecture Digest magazine! With gorgeous pastel colors and, remarkable architecture, every vacation rental in Rosemary Beach and around is picture-perfect!

There are so many vacation rentals, that you can book according to your budget through Rosemary Beach cottage rental. If it is expensive to stay in Rosemary, you can check out nearby Seacrest.

FAQs: Best Things to Do at Rosemary Beach 

Is Rosemary Beach worth visiting?

Rosemary Beach is one of the best beach towns on 30A for travelers who enjoy upscale dining, boutique shopping, beautiful architecture, and adventure, such as kayaking, biking, and paddleboarding. Rosemary Beach is the perfect luxury beach town, If you’re seeking a quiet and upscale peaceful getaway, it is a good fit.

Are 30A and Rosemary Beach the same?

Rosemary Beach is one of the most popular beach town communities of Florida 30A. This is along the Florida Panhandle — including Alys Beach, Seaside, and Grayton Beach. Florida 30A lies between the larger cities of Panama City Beach and Destin. Rosemary Beach is part of Florida 30A.

Is Seaside and Rosemary Beach the same?

While Seaside and Rosemary Beach are both planned beach towns in 30A, they are not the same. Seaside is located about 15 miles from Rosemary Beach and offers a different “look and feel” than Rosemary Beach, with pastel-colored beach houses and beautiful pavilions and pathways leading to the beach.

What beach in Florida looks like Greece?

Alys Beach is known for its white-washed buildings and charming cottages with ocean views. These remind travelers of the buildings overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on the islands in Greece. Alys Beach is a 15-minute walk and five-minute bike ride from Rosemary Beach.

What is the best month to visit Rosemary Beach FL?

April and May are often considered the best time to visit this special area of the Florida coast. The sun is shining and the temperatures are comfortable while avoiding the Peak summer months and high prices for vacation rentals.

I hope you can see how incredible is this slice of paradise! If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay on Florida’s Panhandle that offers romance, and coastal charm, head to Rosemary Beach. With plenty of shopping, dining, and things to do in Rosemary Beach, it’s a perfect Vacation destination. You will love to visit this stunning beach town in Florida!