10 Best Things to Do in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

By VacationIdea Staff on January 2, 2023 - Updated

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Spanning across a 26-mile stretch of the famed Emerald Coast of Northwest Florida, Santa Rosa Beach is one of South Walton County’s sixteen distinct beach neighborhoods and its own unique charms and traditions, as well as numerous things to do. The area has even been named one of the "Best Beaches on Earth.” With art galleries, great dining, a brewery, theatre, state parks, and more, there’s a little bit of something for everyone in the town of Santa Rosa Beach. There are numerous outdoor recreation opportunities in the Point Washington State Forest and Grayton Beach State Park.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Grayton Beach has consistently been ranked as one of the country's most pristine and beautiful beaches, but the Grayton Beach State Park has much more to offer than its beach. The Western Lake provides opportunities for paddling and fishing, while the miles of trails offer hiking and a chance to explore the coastal forest of magnolias and scrub oaks, twisted and bent by the salt winds. Camping in Grayton Beach State Park in the campgrounds or outfitted cabins offers its own experience as well. With over fifty campsites, each site includes water and electricity, with a few offering sewer hook-ups.

357 Main Park Rd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-267-8300

2.Grayton Beer Company, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Housed inside the brewing company's state-of-the-art, 30,000 square-feet production facility, the Grayton Beer Company Taproom in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida features a tap wall consisting of more than twenty unique brews. Guests will also find a variety of games to play during their time at the Taproom, such as life-size jenga, cornhole, and darts. Grayton Beer Company is also both a pet-friendly and kid-friendly taproom. Visitors can also contact the brewery to join a tour led by a Grayton Beer Ambassador of the Grayton Beer Company brewing process.

217 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-399-7007

3.The Workshop by Ginger Leigh Designs, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

The Workshop by Ginger Leigh Designs in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. The majority of the works of art created by Ginger Leigh are painted wood and very well done. Other works available include ornaments, stationary, flags, soy candles with pleasant natural scents, and more. The Workshop has helpful and friendly staff and is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon. Ginger Leigh Designs are also sold in many other shops across the country, as well as online.

416 S N County Hwy 393, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-231-2849

4.Point Washington State Forest, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Encompassing approximately fifteen thousand acres and over twenty-seven miles of trails, the Point Washington State Forest features longleaf pine flatwoods, swamplands, wet prairie, and coastal scrub. Visitors are able to explore three different systems of trails, along with a horse trail off of Bay Drive. A variety of outdoor recreational activities are possible within the boundaries of the Point Washington State Forest, including hiking, off-road biking,and hunting. Trail loops consist of a 3.5-mile, 5-mile, and 10-mile trail. Camping is also possible at the Eastern Lake Campground along the Eastern Lake Trail near mile marker 4.

5865 E. U.S. Hwy. 98, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459-6046, Phone: 850-267-8325

5.The Underwater Museum of Art, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Located off the shore of Walton County in the Gulf of Mexico, The Underwater Museum of Art is the country’s first “permanent underwater sculpture garden.” This one-of-a-kind museum and eco-tourism attraction lies 58-feet deep under the ocean surface and almost one mile off the shores of Santa Rosa Beach’s Grayton Beach State Park. Every year, sculpture works are carefully selected from artists from all over the world to be installed in The Underwater Museum of Art. These sculptures attract various marine life and transform into a living reef over time. To explore the site at-depth, visitors should be certified divers.

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-622-5970

6.Justin Gaffrey Gallery, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

Named “Artist of the Year” in 2005, Justin Gaffrey learned how to paint through exploring new techniques that had been used by several of his favorite artists. Combining his own unique artistic style with these methods, Gaffrey has established his own distinct artistic voice. Today, this talented self-taught artist’s works can be seen by art lovers in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida at the Justin Gaffrey Gallery. Gaffrey’s contemporary works are displayed in a home that the restaurateur-turned-artist built himself.

21 Blue Gulf Dr, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-267-2022

7.Mary Hong Gallery, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

The Mary Hong Gallery and Studio showcases the works of art by Mary Hong, a successful and award-winning entrepreneur and artist from northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast. With a life of travel and Midwestern roots behind her, the artist found a niche of recycled glass and glass mosaic artwork. After developing a devoted base of followers and fans, Mary opened her own gallery in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida more than five years ago and added an art-making studio around three years later. The Mary Hong Gallery now attracts both visitors and locals alike, and has received the "Perfect in South Walton" award.

26 Logan Ln, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-231-1416

8.Things to Do in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida: The Repertory Theatre

Established in 2001, The Repertory Theatre has become the leading professional theater company in Northwest Florida. With more than eighteen seasons under its belt, the theater provides quality theatre productions in Santa Rosa Beach and attracts some of the country’s most talented professionals. The Repertory Theatre boasts a mission to provide productions and programs that offer a lasting and essential contribution to the area's quality of life and entertain audiences of all ages. The theater also has a reputation of constantly broadening horizons, bringing new programming, as well as venues, to the community to better reach an expanding audience base.

216 Quincy Cir, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-231-0733

9.Blue Mabel Smokehouse & Provisions, Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Blue Mabel Smokehouse and Provisions is a locally owned and operated smokehouse full of carefully sourced provisions. The restaurant boasts a "from-scratch mentality" in everything it does, from its house-made sauces to its smoked meats. Blue Mabel Smokehouse is open Wednesday to Monday from 11:00am until 8:00pm. While the restaurant itself is set up to be casual, the architecture is beautiful and the food is a more elevated take on the smokehouse, with many delicious options. While guests can dine indoors in the dining room, the outdoor seating at Blue Mabel Smokehouse is great during nice weather.

2260 W County Hwy 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-744-0040

10.Things to Do in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida: Don Pedro's Mexican Restaurant

Don Pedro's Mexican Restaurant serves authentic Mexican fare to the Santa Rosa Beach community along Florida’s Emerald Coast. In addition to its full menu, the local family-owned and operated dining establishment offers daily specials, as well as catering options. Customers will find simple but delicious food, such as familiar Mexican dishes, several breakfast choices, and excellent salsa. Don Pedro's is open Sunday from 7:00am until 2:00pm and Monday to Saturday from 7:00am until 9:00pm. The Mexican restaurant is also known for providing a nice cantina atmosphere with great service and affordable prices.

4942 US-98 W, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, Phone: 850-267-0009