Set against the backdrop of Florida’s Emerald Coast, the festival is affectionately called the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.â€
Beach Vacation Giveaway
Random drawing will be held at the end of March BeachGuide.com is giving away a free 2-night stay valued around $500 at your choice of hundreds of resorts along the Gulf Coast at the end of March. All you have to do is subscribe to our Gulf Coast Vacation Deals newsletter, if you haven’t already, […]
So When is Spring Break?
Want to know when students will be on the loose for Spring Break 2012? Here’s a list of spring break dates 2012 for colleges and universities across the South. All of the beaches in Northwest Florida are popular Spring Break destinations for families and college students across the Southeast. This year is no exception, as […]
I’m not a golfer, but for one of my best friends, a good round of golf is practically a religious experience (He claims that a big bucket of gently used golf balls was one of the best presents I ever gave him.) So when I saw the great packages being offered for 2012 at […]
Just a Little Beach Lovin’
I welcome each month as if it were a new beginning and in particular, February. Why, you ask? Well, it’s the month of love!! For those of you that criticize Valentine’s Day as being a Hallmark-holiday, steer clear of me because on this day, and pretty much for the next week and a half, I […]
Hooks, Lines, and Singers
It’s back and bigger and better than ever! The 30a Songwriters Festival will host over 300 musical performances and 125 artists during the weekend of January 13-15. I really enjoy music but I feel a little insecure about my music knowledge (or shall I say, lack-there-of). That said, I recognized one of the groups on […]
BeachGuide’s Performing Arts Guide
Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College: Broadway Series, Artist Series, and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. A collection of professional and student productions. You won’t believe this venue and the incredible works of art. Sinfonia Gulf Coast- Just celebrating it’s 5th season, Sinfonia Gulf Coast combines traditional orchestral with modern and imaginative techniques. […]
Labor{less} Days on the Emerald Coast
It’s about that time again. One last day to say adios, sayonara, and adieu to another fantastic summer. Time to fire up the grill after a long day at the beach and watch some fireworks. I won’t be your hometown tourist this weekend as I’ll be spending my holiday with my favorite people, the […]
Here Fishy, Fishy
I’ve never been much of a fisherman (fisherwoman??) although I’ve always wanted to go deep sea fishing just to experience the Gulf from a different angle other than my beach chair. I admit that I’ve only held a fishing rod twice in my adult life. To my surprise, I got a rush each time I […]
I was a huge Amy Grant fan back-in-the-day (I wonder how old something has to be before one can use the phrase back-in-the-day???). I just Googled Baby Baby and it was in 1991. Wow, twenty years. My daughter and I heard a local commercial regarding this concert last week. She turned to me and asked […]
We always want what we can’t have. We have curly hair, we want straight hair. We don’t have enough time, we have too much time. Is there ever a happy medium? I may contemplate these thoughts til the end of time, but, on Saturday, I found my answer to the ongoing debate of whether it’s […]
Here Comes the {beach} bride
The Emerald Coast is famous for sunny beach days, great seafood, and creating lifelong family memories. But what better memory is there than two families uniting in marriage? Here at the beach, weddings are a common occurrence. From Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Panama City Beach, Pensacola Beach, and every beach and bay and state park […]
Eglin Welcomes F35
For those of you that may not be military savvy, Eglin Air Force Base is one of the largest Air Force’s bases in the world covering 724 square miles of reservation and 97,963 square miles of water ranges in the Gulf of Mexico. Last year, Eglin AFB celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary. It is a vital […]
Run Tourist Run
I have yet to write a post about this (although I may have mentioned it from time to time) that I enjoy a good run. Last year, I ran my first half marathon and have 2 slated for 2012. The other day, I jogged down hwy 30A exploring the scenery. I glanced over to my […]
Escape the Beach
I would be remiss if I did not mention one of my most favorite attractions for locals and tourists in Destin. Why have I not mentioned this before? Is it because it has become such an interglacial part of my summer days that I have overlooked it due to it’s familiarity? If you’re looking for […]
Sandestin Music Festival
Just when you think summer is almost over, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is throwing a party. Not just any party, a collection of country and rock songwriters and performers including Jeffrey Steele, Rhett Akins, Lari White, James Slater, The Pernikoff Brothers, and Joanna Cotton. The Sandestin Music Festival kicks off August 12, 2011 at […]
See our Shining Sea
If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you know that I am a holiday junkie: food, friends and family, and themed decorations. It makes me want to find something to celebrate every single day. I can’t think about the 4th without thinking of all the cookouts, watermelon eating, and sparklers that have become associated […]
Essentials to Pack for the Beach
Rental condos and houses often only supply the bare essentials. Thankfully these days, you’ll almost always find a coffee maker and blender! To meet your needs during your vacation, consider packing or buying the following items to make your stay more comfortable. Coffee filters Salt, pepper, staples, and favorite condiments Dishwashing liquid and a sponge […]
The Heat Is On!
Is it hot out here or is my credit card burning a hole in my pocket? I realize that for most, Spring Fever means getting that “itch” to blow off work and hit the beach. To me, the itch is in the form of a little bite from the shopping bug. I have found that […]
Vision Airlines announced it’s new hub will be none other than…..{drum roll please}…Northwest Florida Regional Airport! Starting June 1, 2011, Vision Airlines will add 100 new flights to it’s roster. Vision targets the leisure traveler and aims to connect more cities in the southeast. Keep an eye out (get it?? vision…eye..? I tried!) for promotional […]
TripAdvisor recently named Destin, FL in the top 25 destinations in the U.S. The “beautiful, clear green water” and “extremely fine, soft sand” make Destin, FL a must-see beach destination. No surprise to all the visitors who frequently visit the beaches of Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast! And it’s certainly no surprise to locals! Way to […]
Time to Wine Down on the Emerald Coast
Finally, after all these years, I was able to attend the Sandestin Wine Festival at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. I admit that I know very little about wine (and saying that I know “little” is giving myself a lot of credit). But I enjoy it, and more importantly, enjoy the social aspect of […]
Fine and Dandy, Just a Wee Bit Sandy
This year on April 20, 2011, marked the one year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It’s hard to believe that it was just this time last year that our pristine waters and wildlife of the Emerald Coast were in critical danger. A year later, residents and businesses are […]
The Seabreeze Jazz Festival is back this weekend, April 14-17, at Pier Park in Panama City Beach, FL. One of the biggest drawls to the beaches of Northwest Florida in the Spring, the Seabreeze Jazz Festival host an amazing line-up of artists, sure to please an array of musical pallets. Get your tickets online or […]
Not Just Another Beach Bunny
In the next couple weeks, we’ll be seeing quite a few beach bunnies, and I’m not talking about the tourists! Easter is right around the corner and Peter Cottontail has his swim trunks packed, his SPF 100 ready (he’s kind-of on the fair side, you know?!) and ready to visit all the kids along Northwest […]
If you find yourself looking for a great beach-weekend getaway in Gulf Shores, AL, filled with fun folks and exciting music, get your tickets now (I mean, seriously, stop reading this and buy them right now) for the Hangout Music Festival May 20-22, 2011. An action packed lineup including Widespread Panic, Foo Fighters, and Paul […]
This has been the second year that our family has “celebrated” spring break–we have a 3rd grader and twins that are in kindergarten. Last year, we went to Atlanta for the first weekend of spring break and then to our family farm for the second weekend. This year my husband, Cory, surprised us with a […]
Spring Break 2011 Schedules
Wondering when the busiest weeks for Spring Break will be this year? Here are the spring break 2011 dates for many K-12 schools, colleges and universities. ALABAMA March 14â€18: Auburn University, Birmingham Kâ€12, Montgomery Kâ€12, University of Alabama, University of South Alabama March 21â€25: Samford April 11â€15: Dothan Kâ€12, Huntsville Kâ€12 April 18â€22: Mobile County […]
Art in the Park
On Saturday, March 19, 2011, the WaterColor Community Association will be hosting their 6th Annual Art in the Park from 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. in WaterColor’s Cerulean Park and Town Center! This event is open to WaterColor residents, guests and the public and is free of charge. Whether you’re staying in your 30-A Vacation […]
Seaside, Fl along Scenic Highway 30-A is celebrating thirty years of simple life, thirty years of vacation memories, and thirty years of community. As a salute to Seaside, you can post your very own stories and photos of Seaside, FL at MySeasideStory. As the Hometown Tourist, I’ve seen Seaside grow and have so many fond […]
