Spring Travel in South Walton
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – January 18, 2018– Warm temperatures and a plethora of activities and entertainment make spring the perfect time to visit South Walton. Visitors can kick back and warm up on our white-sand beaches, try paddleboarding on one of our rare coastal dune lakes or sip and savor at a local wine festival. There’s something for the whole family to enjoy during South Walton’s spring.
The Sandestin Wine Festival, April 12-15, is known as the “Kentucky Derby of Wine Festivals.” This four-day event features seminars, dinners, tasting and over 500 domestic and international wines all nestled in the picturesque Village of Baytowne Wharf. Not only does this festival host some of the best wine and dining options in the area, it benefits two different charities, The Fisher House and Sandestin Kids, making this a festival that’s about much more than just enjoying great wine. To learn more visit their website, http://www.sandestinwinefestival.com/
Another festival for the food and wine lover is the South Walton Beaches Food and Wine Festival, hosted at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin April 26-29. This event features a special craft beer and spirits event, 2 days of grand tastings featuring over 800 wines, Nosh pavilions offering an array of fine foods, world-class tasting seminars, live music from national artists, culinary celebrities and more. The festival benefits a charity dedicated to benefitting children in Northwest Florida. To learn more visit their website, https://sowalwine.com/ .
For a more art-centric festival, visit Digital Graffiti May 18-20 in Alys Beach. Host to digital artists, filmmakers, producers, celebrities and guests from all over the world, this astounding arts festival is truly one-of-a-kind. The pristine, white-washed walls of Alys beach come alive with color as digital art is displayed on them. Enjoy live music, self-guided curated tours, a la carte food and drinks, and family-friendly entertainment during the main event, or take part in one of the adults-only all-inclusive food and drink experiences. However you choose to participate, this unique event is sure to be the highlight of your visit. To learn more visit their website, https://www.digitalgraffiti.com/.
For a more active visit to South Walton, spring is the perfect time to take advantage of the ease of biking, hiking and water activities offered. In Walton County you’ll find 200-plus miles of hiking and biking trails with varied levels of difficulty. Whether you are looking for a leisurely ride on a paved path or a heart-pounding, sweat-inducing run along forest trails, there are many options to keep you occupied.
Rent a new e-bike from local vendors Pedego (https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/) or Green E Bikes (http://www.greenebikes.com/). E-bikes can be manually peddled or electronically assisted to help get you farther along your trails or to bring family members along who need a little boost! Recent upgrades to the Timpoochee Trail (an 18.5 mile paved path connecting the neighborhoods along 30A) will make any biking adventure easier with wider pathways, new bridges and stopping points along the way for a quick water or selfie break.
Canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding on one of the area’s rare coastal dune lakes offers families a glimpse of the area’s stunning natural beauty up-close and personal. The 15 coastal dune lakes that dot the coastline are the largest concentration of these unique geological features in the world. These fragile ecosystems are an important source of freshwater to migrating birds and other marine life.
You can also get a guided paddleboard and snorkel tour of one of South Walton’s four artificial reef systems with Rent Gear Here (http://rentgearhere.com/) or explore the dune lakes and nature trails together on a hike and paddle through Grayton Beach State Park.
Seascape Towne Center in Miramar Beach hosts multiple attractions for the family after you’re done with hiking and biking or if you need a break from the sun and sand. Aerial Entertainment ropes course is perfect for a family challenge or try Thrills Laser Tag & Arcade with a 2-level laser tag arena and over 70 arcade player stations the whole family can enjoy. For more information on these and other activities at Seascape Towne Center visit: https://www.seascape-resort.com/towne-centre.
March also kicks off the Wednesday Night Concert Series at the Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin with free, live music from local bands every Wednesday throughout the month, or catch a family-friendly movie on the Events Plaza lawn during Sunday Cinema in March. With the Adventure Land Playground, Baytowne Adventure Zone (featuring a zipline across the lagoon), Baytowne Carousel and BLAST Laser Maze there is entertainment and fun for the whole family available at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. For more information on these activities and events, and more going on at Baytowne Wharf visit: http://www.baytownewharf.com.