Two nights ago, my family and I went to listen to live music at the Village of Baytowne in Sandestin. We knew that local Matt Lyons was playing in one of the charming courtyard settings. We forgot that it was Tuesday and wondered why the main public space at Baytowne was swarming with families. Then it dawned on me - Boomin Tuesdays.

Every Tuesday night at the Village of Baytowne, Kid’s Mini Mardi Gras is celebrated with fun activities, culminating in an incredible fireworks display.

What a fantastic mix of events and activities offered there. One minute we were in a cozy setting listening to the acoustic sounds of Matt and the next we were at a huge, fun party. Everyone  appeared to be having a great evening. Restaurants were busy, including one of Southern Resorts’ favorite partners - the Marlin Grill.

Everyone cheered as the last fireworks soared through the air. I only captured a few minutes of the show that went on for quite some time.

If you plan on spending your beach vacation in Destin or the Beaches of South Walton, you have so much right here. It is even worth the drive from Fort Walton Beach! Schedule Tuesdays at Baytowne!

If you’re like me and need to make vacation plans in the nick of time for the 4th of July there are great last minute Independence Day specials @ Southern Resorts.  However, those of you coming the following weekend are in for an amazing show that will leave you breathless.
   
The Blue Angels, officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, are preparing for their July 11th show in Pensacola beginning at 12:00pm.  Based out of Pensacola, the talented and fearless pilots spend most of the year performing across the U.S. in amazing shows featuring unbelievable stunts that are sure to impress the young and the young at heart.  You can find your perfect vacation spot to put you near the air show and the beach at Southern Resorts.

What better place to spend your 4th of July than at the Beach? Incredible fireworks shows are planned all up and down the beach from Pensacola Beach to Port St. Joe. Most of them over the water, either the Gulf of Mexico or Bay or Harbor as in Destin. Spectacular sights as the lights reflect off the water and thousand of people gather to celebrate our country’s independence. Here is a schedule of some of the Fireworks Shows along the Beach.

If you have not planned your beach vacation, there is actually still time. With a little availability still in our beach homes, cottages and condos, you can really get a Hot Deal. Call Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals today and let us find the perfect spot for you!

Pensacola Beach - One of the biggest events at the Beach, this family-oriented, patriotic celebration is the largest Fourth of July celebration on the entire Florida Gulf Coast. The day-long activities begin at 10 a.m. in Seville Square and culminate in a huge fireworks display over Pensacola Bay at 9pm

Fort Walton Beach - Spend the 4th at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach and  enjoy food and vendor booths, children’s activities, live entertainment, and 4th of July fireworks.

Destin - The City of Destin’s Annual 4th of July fireworks celebration will begin promptly at 9pm and is sure dazzle you! Enjoy FM 105.5’s “The Wolf” broadcasting the soundtrack for this year’s fireworks.

Panama City Beach - Join us at the new and exciting Pier Park for a live concert and fireworks display!

The Forgotten Coast - Protect yourself from pirates as they attack passing ships in the waters off Frank Pate Park in Port St. Joe. Make this Independence Day one to remember with the fun-in-the-park party moves to Port St. Joe Marina for a fireworks display, live band and party.

Following up on the subject of history, I happened upon this HisTOURical Video of Okaloosa County, which includes our Destin and Fort Walton Beach seaside communities. Presented by the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, it is a wonderful reflection on the history and development of one of the top beach destinations in the United States.
Spend a few minutes; it is worth the time. While our beach is the main draw, our Emerald Coast really has so much to offer guests. A Destin vacation or Fort Walton Beach getaway can be fun, relaxing and informative. We have it all!

Get HisTOURical in Okaloosa County from Shawna Osborn on Vimeo.

I was at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce this afternoon and learned of this unique experience at the Emerald Coast Conference Center on beautiful Okaloosa Island. Intrigued by history, especially our presidential history, I stopped in to see the exhibit. Aptly named the American Presidential Experience, it allows visitors an up close and personal look at the highest office in our United States.

Upon entering, I was amazed with an exhibition of the inaugural gowns worn by First Ladies from years past. Moving through the gallery, the full size replica of the White House Oval Office was impressive. I could envision the President there.  Even better, you can sit behind yet another replica and take the Oath of Office and be sworn in as President before getting your photo taken behind the desk. Being a plane lover, I enjoyed boarding the full-scale replica of the fuselage of Air Force One. There was so much to see and do. I breezed through there wishing I had more time.  Next time I will bring my children and make an afternoon of it. It has been so sunny and hot (I am not complaining!!), that some time spent inside and learning would do us all good. What a great thing to do on vacation, too. With the Emerald Coast Conference Center being on Okaloosa Island, visitors to both Destin and Fort Walton Beach are within a short drive.
Spend your Fort Walton Beach and Destin vacation with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals.

Scallop season is one of my favorite times of year on The Forgotten Coast. It begins July 1st and lasts until September 10th. Every year my family plans a trip over to Port St. Joe and the Barefoot Cottages. We used to stay on Cape San Blas and loved every minute, but found the Cottages and fell in-love with this area of Port St Joe and are hooked. Launching our boat at the Port St Joe Marina proves wonderfully easy and stopping for a bite or drink at the Dockside Grill right on-site is always fun.

This year our trip will have to wait until the first of August, but we have family going over there to kick off scallop season next week. We hope to have a video to post and some great shots, too. Our trip will coincide with the 13th Annual Scallop Festival August 1st and 2nd. I have yet to attend, but hear it is a funfilled weekend! Only a 1.5 - 2 hour drive from Destin, Florida and with Southern Resorts offering locals discounts of up to 20%,  it is so worth the trip!

If you have not planned your getaway to the Forgotten Coast, visit www.SouthernResorts.com to find your perfect place to stay. We are almost full for the first weekend in July, but have availbility here and there throughout July and August. For charming cottages stay at the Barefoot Cottages in Port St. Joe. For chic loft accommodations and beautiful beach homes, WindMark Beach is your spot. For delightful vacation condos in Mexico Beach, visit Sail-A-Way (with boat dock), Summerhouse or Starline.

Summer is definitely here along Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast in Destin, Florida and surrounding beach communities. The temperature got pretty hot this past weekend at around 95 degrees, but with the water temperature only 78 degrees in the crystal clear Gulf, it was definitely bearable.
Here at James Lee Park in Destin, beach chairs await beach-goers and YOU.
Stay with Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals at the Beach and take advantage of FREE beach chair service in many of our properties along the 150 mile stretch of beach we call home. To see which properties offer complimentary beach chair service in season, visit our Advanced Search. 

There is still time to plan your next beach vacation. With over 600 properties in Destin, Ft Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach, Panama City Beach, the Beaches of South Walton and the Forgotten Coast, Southern Resorts has the beach covered.

One of the things I really enjoy getting every week is a newsletter from Sunset Coastal Grille. This restaurant, a favorite partner of Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals sends out “Patti’s Ramblings and Sunset Specials” each week focusing on a little about the area and a lot about the menu for the week. Sunset Grille is located in Port St Joe overlooking St.Joseph’s Bay.

This week, Patti “rambled” on about kayaking to cool off, approaching scallop season on July 1st and which fish are jumping. New t-shirts are in at the restaurant too. She also gives a play by play of each day’s specials. Some of the dreamy dishes are:  Soft Shell Crab BLT with Fried Green Tomatoes, Curried Chicken Salad on Croissant,  Fish Ruebens, Oyster and Artichoke soup and so much more. Fresh fish is always at the top of the list.
Sunset Coastal Grill  is open 7 days a week – Lunch 11am – 3pm and Dinner 5pm – 10pm.

I highly recommend stopping by there whenever in the Forgotten Coast, including Mexico Beach, WindMark Beach, Port ST. Joe and Cape San Blas. And, if you need a place to stay, while you are there, visit our Northwest Florida vacation rentals at www.SouthernResorts.com/bre

To sign up for the e-newsletter from Sunset Grille, visit here http://www.sunsetcoastalgrill.com/signup.cfm

Shakespeare by the Bay presents Shakespeare in the Park, free performances in several locations along the coast and all open to the public. This show is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and begins tomorrow night, June 19th at the Gulf Coast Community College Amelia Center Theatre. It plays there again Saturday, the 20th and moves to Carillon Beach in the Carillon Market Square on the Wednesday June 24th. Carillon is a beautiful community where Southern Resorts Vacation Rentals manages the Dreamcatcher home.

Completing the series are shows in the Pier Park Amphitheatre in Panama City Beach, Florida on June 26th and 27th. If you are in Panama City Beach for vacation, you really should stop by Pier Park to see the performance. It is a lovely venue with so much for everyone in the family.

This past weekend, my brother-in-law took my nephew and friends fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin, Florida.

They caught black grouper and some red snapper. They had to be quick because hot after the fish were dolphins. While most of us love to cruise around looking for the beautiful, intelligent mammals, many fishermen think of them as pests. If you look close enough in the video, you can see the dolphin in the water after the grouper and later just lingering around the boat.

These guys are locals, but Florida’s Panhandle gets many visitors here that love to fish. Destin and surrounding beach communities offer so much for the fishermen. We have charter boats, private and party for rent at the Destin Harbor. It is an incredible site to see at the break of dawn all the fishing boats leave the Harbor through the Pass with the deep blue Gulf as their destination. Likewise, watching the fishing boats come in at the end of the day is another beautiful site. Tired and suntan, fisherman proudly display their catch along the Harborwalk in downtown Destin.

For information on Destin vacation rentals and fishing Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, visit www.SouthernResorts.com.

Our Gulf Coast Guide can direct you to some favorite fishing trips and our Search can direct you to the best vacation rentals at the beach!