I’m planning my next trip. To where? I’m not sure yet but I can plan easily to multiple destinations thanks to the opening of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. With non-stop flights as well as international flights provided by Delta and Southwest, Beaches International will provide easy access to the most beautiful beaches in […]
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
I’d like to take some time to address an issue here on the Emerald Coast, or should I say a non-issue. Since you are not here (and you should be) you wouldn’t know the beaches are unaffected by the oil spill. You wouldn’t know that the beaches are just as pristine and clean as they […]
Why not Spend a Day in the Everglades?
The Florida Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands make up one of North America’s most intriguing and beautiful untouched wilderness areas. This rugged subtropical landscape is everything you’d expect it to be and more! Grass prairies, distant marshes, remote lakes and pristine tropical forests stretch as far as the eye can see. You’ll be truly […]
YOLO your way across the bay
There is a new activity sweeping the beaches of Northwest Florida and I had to test it out for myself. I borrowed a YOLO Board and headed to the bay. I could count on the water in the bay being shallow and I feared a dramatic wipe out the first time I tried to stand […]
A Beach Staycation on the Emerald Coast
I took myself on a beach vacation this weekend. Yes, I live here on the beautiful beaches of Northwest Florida but how often does a local gal vacay like a tourist? I contacted Sandcastle Escape Vacation Rentals and they suggested a two bedroom beach condo near the Sandestin area. It’s tucked into a neighborhood right […]
Healthy Guide to Beach Vacations
Today I talked to Colleen, my friend/personal trainer/nutritionist about fun, family activities to do while on vacation at the beach. Sure, we all love the beach, but there is so much to see and do on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. We came up with this idea to write today’s posting on how to incorporate family […]
Giving back to the kiddo’s
This Mother’s Day weekend was filled with goodness! Aside from the fact that this was an amazing beach weekend, we (myself and my daughter) made our way to Rosemary Beach to volunteer at the annual Cottages for Kids fundraiser. Taking place every weekend in May, the Cottages for Kids raises money for the Children’s Volunteer […]
My mother always said that a good day starts with a good breakfast! I put this proverb to the test with a homemade breakfast at the Hibiscus House in Grayton Beach, Florida. Although the menu only contains approximately ten items, I was feeling a little overwhelmed by my options. By overwhelmed, I mean everything on […]
Greetings from the Hometown Tourist
Greetings from the sunshine-y Gulf Coast of Northwest Florida. I’m your Hometown Tourist and I’ll be your hosting your e-tours (“e” for exciting, of course!). Together we’ll explore the coast up and down the beaches of Northwest Florida from Fort Walton Beach to Inlet Beach and every stop in between. Unpack your mental suitcase and […]
Kicking Back on Fort Myers Beach
The best thing about Ft. Myers Beach is that you can choose to do everything or nothing at all! If you’re feeling adventurous, there is always plenty of activity to be found in the Times Square entertainment district at the north end of the island. Just follow the green and white “Fort Meyers Beach” signs […]
Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park located just east of Destin, Florida on U.S. 98 has something for everyone! Whether you enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming or spending a peaceful day at the beach, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting than this. With more than 6,000 feet of shoreline facing the emerald green waters of the […]
Grayton Beach State Park
If you’re looking for the “The Real Florida”, Grayton Beach is the ideal place for you. Located near the town of Grayton Beach on County Road 30A south of U.S. 98, you’ll find award-winning beaches, campgrounds, and cabins here along with vacation fun for the whole family! Grayton Beach State Park has been consistently ranked […]
Camp Helen State Park
Camp Helen is a day park located west of Panama City Beach just inside Bay County on U.S. 98 at the west end of the Phillips Inlet Bridge. The park is bordered on three sides by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Named after an […]
Lovers Key
Lovers Keys is a natural undeveloped barrier island between nearby Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach which offers outdoor enthusiasts excellent opportunities for shelling, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, fishing, boating and much more! Once a courting site for young couples prior to the construction of Bonita Beach Causeway, the island is best known today for […]
Gasparilla Island
Gasparilla Island is a scenic barrier island located just off the southwest coast of Florida between Fort Myers and Sarasota. Separated from the mainland by Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor, this idyllic tropical island boasts recreational opportunities for swimming, sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and nature viewing along with world-renowned fishing! If you enjoy saltwater […]
Caledesi Island State Park
Caledesi Island is the only natural island on Florida’s Gulf Coast where you can enjoy the nation’s #1 rated beach, take a hike, go kayaking, have a picnic, and visit the island’s snack bar and gift shop–all in the same day! Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. Not only that, but the island […]
Driving Directions to Perdido Key
Directions to Perdido Key Beach: Take I-65 South from Birmingham Take Exit 69, Flomaton/Wallace (@180 miles from Homewood) From Exit ramp, turn left on Hwy 113 Go 14 miles, then turn right on Hwy 29 South Go 1 mile, then turn left just past Hardee’s Go 38 miles, then take I-10 West toward Mobile Go […]
Last-minute Family Beach Vacations
Conditions are perfect on the Emerald Coast for a last-minute family beach vacation. Emerald green waters are crystal clear — in Destin there is no sea weed and no jelly fish in sight — a nice improvement over the past few weeks. Summer has finally warmed the water to a pleasant, relaxing temperature. Some of […]
Sight Fishing on the Flats
Sight casting for permit and bonefish on the flats in the Florida Keys is like no other fishing experience you’ll ever have. The fishing guide is paid to expertly maneuver one or two anglers across the flats in a specially designed shallow water skiff. Standing on a raised platform so that he can spot tailing […]
Let’s Go Fishing in Marco Island!
Welcome to Marco Island, located on the Gulf of Mexico in sunny Southwest Florida, where you can enjoy saltwater fishing at its finest. As the largest of the 10,000 Islands chain which stretches south all the way to Florida Bay and the Florida Keys, Marco Island is the northern gateway to a unique pristine coastal […]
Fishing Adventures in Boca Grande
When you come to Boca Grande in Southwest Florida, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy guided fishing adventures in some of the most famous fishing waters in the state! The backwater habitat surrounding Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island, Matlacha Pass and Gasparilla Sound has been referred to as an angler’s paradise and for good reason. Within […]
A Taste of Spain in Sunny Florida
Since 1905, Columbia Restaurant has been serving up authentic Spanish cuisine in beautiful open-air Mediterranean-style surroundings. As Florida’s oldest and most time-honored Spanish restaurant, Columbia Restaurant has been family-owned and operated for five generations. Serving up a long list of delicious recipes in the classic Spanish tradition, it is little wonder that Columbia has been […]
Vacation shopping is paying off big time for families looking to make the most of their vacation dollars. Many resorts are offering 10% to 25% or more off regular rates. Others offer fun packages, free nights, complimentary admissions to area attractions, free dinners, anything to entice beachgoers into making plans for a special trip to […]
Island Living in the Florida Keys
Imagine a lifestyle so sublime and so removed you’ll swear you’re on a deserted isle somewhere in the middle of the Caribbean. Throw in some “R & R”, snorkeling, palm trees, and reggae music and you’ll have all the ingredients for fun in the sun in the Florida Keys! From the time you arrive in […]
Driving Directions to Destin
I-65 to The Beach: (Updated June 2015) This route below is the best and quickest drive we’ve found to Destin, SanDestin or Fort Walton Beach from any city that goes past Montgomery or Georgiana. Take I-65 South through Montgomery Exit I-65 at #114, turn left to Georgiana, AL (from B’ham 145 miles / 2hr10min) onto Highway […]
The innkeepers are all fond of saying “My pleasure” in this corner of Southwest Florida, and believe me, after you visit Naples and Marco Island the pleasure will be all yours. The Mediterranean influences are evident everywhere you look in this luxurious corner of the state which is known as “Florida’s Last Paradise”, and certainly […]
If you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime, there’s no better time to start than right now! Sarasota, Florida has everything you’d expect–haute couture, fabulous dining, and a charming mix of Mediterranean and Southwest Florida influences. There are beautiful harbors, majestic condominiums, modern high-rises and gleaming yachts of just about every size and description […]
Clearwater & St. Pete Always On My Mind
One visit to the Clearwater-St. Pete area is normally all it takes to make this a regular stop on your annual vacation itinerary. There’s so much to do, it’s hard to know where to begin. For starters, I would suggest taking the Courtney Campbell Causeway east over the Tampa Bay to Pinellas County, then following […]
January on the Gulf Coast
This photo says it all! We love to go to the beach during the off-season. September and October are the best months for enjoying great weather, fishing and fun without the summer crowds and heat, but we also love to go just after Christmas. We spend so much of the holiday season indoors as the […]
It’s so easy to eat great food in Destin. If you’re here once or twice a year for a vacation, that’s great news! For us frequent visitors, the temptation to simply head out to a great restaurant is always, literally, right around the corner. So we often take advantage of the opportunities. We love to […]
