12 Best Things To Do In And Near Seaside, Florida

1. Panama City Beach Zoo

If you are traveling to Seaside with your children, make the drive to Panama City Beach and visit ZooWorld! Take a break from the beaches for a moment and squeeze in a day at the zoo with your loved ones. Here you will get to introduce exotic animals to your little ones. They can pet a sloth and meet animals like a lemur, a giraffe, an alligator, and a porcupine. Not only is it a zoo, there are a few attractions as well, such as the hatchet throwing experience. The zoo isn’t only meant for the kids; the adults can have just as much fun!

Panama City Beach Zoo

Address: 9008 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, United States

Website: Panama City Beach Zoo

2. Destin History & Fishing Museum

If you’re a fishing enthusiast and you find yourself around Seaside, particularly Destin, see to it that you add Destin History & Fishing Museum to your itinerary. You may learn a fascinating thing or two from your visit that you can take with you on your own fishing adventures. It details the humble origins of the town, especially how the fishing industry was a big part of Destin’s culture. You will get to see a time in history when modern rods and reels did not exist yet.

Destin History & Fishing Museum

Address: 108 Stahlman Ave, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: Destin History & Fishing Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

3. Professional sand castle lessons on 30A

How about a professional sandcastle lesson if you don’t know what to do in Seaside, Florida? That might be fun! Beach Sand Sculptures has experts that can create astonishing sand castles and sand sculptures. When they finish teaching you, there’s a good chance you may be as good as they are eventually. These artists can take your sand castle game from wimp to champ. They will even meet you at numerous different beaches, including beaches in Seaside, Florida.

Professional sand castle lessons on 30A

Address: Beaches of South Walton, 32459 Seaside, FL

Website: Professional Sand Castle Lessons on 30A

4. Austin Magee's Surf School at Seaside

Seaside Florida has pristine and phenomenal waves, so of course, you have to take a surfing lesson while you’re there. Luckily, there are plenty of seasoned pros to help you. Austin Magee’s surf school at Seaside can teach beginners of all ages. Whether you’re seven or 70, you can enjoy the waves at Seaside.

Austin Magee's Surf School

Address: 2236 E County Highway 30-A, 32459 Seaside, Florida

Website: Austin Magee’s Surf School

5. Beach Ready Spa

This popular spa has a plethora of relaxing and soothing treatments. Pamper yourself and treat yourself to a day of tranquility at the Beach Ready Spa. You will certainly look stunning when you walk along the Seaside beaches. Beach Ready Spa offers massages, pedicures, manicures and more.

Beach Ready Spa

Address: 29 Quincy Cir, 32459-0831 Seaside, FL

Website: Beach Ready Spa

6. Eden Gardens State Park

This former estate of the William Henry Wesley family features lush and elegant moss-covered lawns and stunning flora unique to Florida. It’s a short drive away from Seaside in Port Washington. Tours of the mansion are available and you can even sit on the dock and go fishing. The large oak trees are truly a sight to behold. For a laid-back activity and thing to do near Seaside, Florida, come down to Eden Gardens!

Eden Gardens State Park

Address: 181 Eden Gardens Road, 32459 Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Website: Eden Gardens State Park

7. Seaside Beach

Where should the fun things to do in Seaside, Florida, be? The beach, of course! Seaside Beach has soft white sand and crystal clear waters. It’s a picturesque setting for simply sitting in the sand and watching the tide come in. Cinephiles will get a kick out of visiting Seaside Beach because it’s where the Jim Carrey film “The Truman Show” was filmed.

Seaside Beach

Address: 2235 E. County Hwy. 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, 32549 Seaside, FL

Website: Seaside Beach

8. Fusion Art Glass Gallery

Why not take in some local art and culture when you visit Seaside? The Fusion Art Glass Gallery features stunning glass sculptures. The prices are a little steep, but Seaside is a luxury community, so you wouldn’t expect to get high-class art like this for cheap. The staff at the gallery are very friendly and accommodating, so browsing is perfectly fine.

Fusion Art Glass Gallery

Address: 55 Central Square, 32459 Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Website: Fusion Art Glass Gallery

9. Sundog Books

For bookworms out there, one of the best activities in Seaside, Florida, is coming to this place. If you are looking for a good read while you relax on the beach and listen to the waves come in, you should visit Sundog Books. This shop specializes in books, but you can also get other items like music and greeting cards. The family owned shop has a friendly staff who are extremely helpful when it comes to helping you find the perfect book. The shop has a large selection and the owners often hold events like book signings.

Sundog Books

Address: 89 Central Square, 32459 Seaside, FL

Website: Sundog Books

10. Seaside bike rentals

A great way to explore the stunning and vibrant community of Seaside, Florida is to rent a bike and take a leisurely roll throughout the area. There is a large selection of bike rental shops for you to choose from, including Big Daddy’s Bike, Sunny Day Bike, Seaside Transit Authority and Yolo Board and Bike. Most of these bike shops are located in Santa Rosa Beach, but it’s so close you could bike from Seaside to Santa Rosa Beach in no time. Yolo Board and Bike in Santa Rosa Beach goes a step further and offers rentals for paddle boards, kayaks and longboards skim boards and skate boards. Definitely, check out Yolo if you have an adventurous side and want to explore this fascinating part of Florida with a bit of extreme style.

Yolo Board and Bike

Address: 95 Laura Hamilton Blvd, Ste C-3, 32459-4398 Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Website: Yolo Board and Bike

11. Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park has pristine sand dunes and beautiful landscapes perfect for camping. There are cabins available to rent and kayaking is a popular activity. The beaches here are calm and relaxing and they offer a welcome respite from the crowded beaches in other parts of Florida. You can even bring your dog to this beach, which isn’t allowed at many other beaches. Grayton Beach State Park is just a 5-minute drive from Seaside.

Grayton Beach State Park

Address: 357 Main Park Road, 32459 Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Website: Grayton Beach State Park

12. Deer Lake State Park

Deer Lake State Park in nearby Santa Rosa Beach is worth visiting if you are in the Seaside area. The beaches here are not crowded and the park has a serene boardwalk. The white sand dunes are absolutely beautiful. There are great fishing spots in this state park, too. Hopefully, the bass will be biting when you visit Deer Lake State Park.

Deer Lake State Park

Address: 6350 E County Road 30-A, 32459 Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Website: Deer Lake State Park

Enjoy a day at the beach in Seaside

Seaside, Florida, and the surrounding communities offer beautiful beaches and lots of fun activities. Relax with a book on the beach or head out for a fishing trip. You can explore the area and the many state parks quite easily on foot or by bicycle.

To complete your getaway, make sure to get yourself accommodation in the area or check out some charming cabins in the nearby Panama City Beach.