What's New in Walton County Summer Roundup 2023

Summer is around the corner, and we are getting ready for the season with several new businesses, events and other happenings in Walton County. Whether you’re looking for a new restaurant, a new place to grab a drink with friends or a new place to stay during your next visit, there’s something for everyone in Walton County. 

Havana Beach Bar and Grill new menu and brunch happy hour

For brunch happy hour, we welcome you to join us for half-priced bloody mary's and mimosas, $4 beers and half priced select wines. The new brunch and dinner menus are an ode to Hemingway’s Havana, celebrating the joy of living, eating and drinking well. The new menus debut this spring and draw inspiration from Ernest Hemingway’s favorite oldtown Havana haunt, El Floridita, after which the Havana Bar & Grill itself was modeled.

• Website: thepearlrb.com/dining/havana-beach-bar-and-grill
• Address: 62 Main St., Rosemary Beach
• Phone: (850) 588-2882

Scratch Biscuit Kitchen unveils new menu

Scratch Biscuit Kitchen is excited to announce the premiere of our new menu on Wednesday, April 12. We've expanded our breakfast and lunch offerings so you can customize your biscuits, sandwiches and melts with selections ranging from bacon, ham, or turkey to Andouille sausage, grilled chicken, portobello mushroom and more!

• Website: scratchbk.com
• Address: 1777 E. 30A, Unit 101, Santa Rosa Beach
• Phone: (850) 231-6550

T's Catch Seafood Market opens in Freeport 

Destin native Trent Wallace opened a fresh seafood market in Freeport. This market serves local seafood, steamed fresh shrimp, steaks and grab-n-go items. 

• Website: tscatch.com
• Address: 16469 Hwy. 331 S., Suite 104, Freeport
• Phone: (850) 880-2175

Summer By The Half-Shell: Paddle Boil 

Join Distillery 98 for the 3rd Annual Paddle Boil June 3-4. Summer by the Half Shell festivities begin on Saturday, June 3, with a morning paddle board race in Grayton Beach on Western Lake from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by a Sip & Shop at the Tribe Kelly Surf Company. The party continues on Sunday, June 4, with their infamous Crawfish Boil & Distillery Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

• Website: distillery98.com
• Address: 835 Serenoa Road, Santa Rosa Beach
• Phone: (850) 919-2400

Gather Kitchen + Bar Dive in Movie Nights

We are excited to announce new Dive in Movie Nights at Gather Kitchen + Bar now through August. Guests of the WaterColor Inn, as well as Lifestyle Members of Watersound Club may join this exceptional fusion of family dining and film entertainment. Sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the magic of the big screen while savoring gourmet cuisine and delightful libations served by Gather Kitchen + Bar. Showings begin at 7 p.m. with concessions available at 6 p.m. 

• Website: watercolorresort.com/gather-special-events-offerings
• Address: 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach
• Phone: (850) 534-5025

Home2 Suites by Hilton opening this summer

This summer will be the opening of the Home2 Suites by Hilton Santa Rosa Beach. The hotel is in close proximity to the iconic Scenic Highway 30A corridor, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and the area's pristine white-sand beaches. The hotel features 107 guest rooms including some one-bedroom suites and offers a wide range of amenities, including a business center, a pool, a fitness center and an outdoor lounge with fire pits.

• Website: hilton.com/en/hotels/vpssrht-home2-suites-santa-rosa-beach
• Address: 100 W. Hewett Road, Santa Rosa Beach 
• Phone: (850) 641-0010

The Lodge 30A is now open

The newest boutique hotel to come to the famed 30A area is now open. Guests began checking in to The Lodge 30A on Wednesday, Feb. 22, slightly ahead of the scheduled opening date. Already ranked among the Top 12 Most Anticipated New Family Resorts and Hotels of 2023 by USA Today, the new hotel offers a laid-back and coastal-inspired experience for guests visiting the town of Seagrove Beach in South Walton.

• Website: thelodge30a.com
• Address: 4721 E. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach 
• Phone: (850) 345-1986

Pecan Jacks new location on 30A

New Pecan Jacks Ice Cream and Candy Kitchen location will open soon in Seagrove at Greenway Station. Now our famous homemade ice cream and candies will be available in Seagrove Beach!

• Website: https://www.facebook.com/pecanjacks/
• Address: 4771 E. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach 
• Phone: (850) 622-0011

Summer Programming at Hotel Effie 

Musician Ron Adams has scheduled performances at Hotel Effie every Friday during the month of June. Additionally, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has Boomin' Tuesday's every Tuesday from May 23 to Aug. 8 at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. Turn your eyes on the sky and watch as we light up the night with a breathtaking fireworks show over the Lagoon at 9:15 p.m. Hotel Effie's Ara Rooftop and Pool Lounge will have a Boomin' Tuesday watch party every Tuesday this summer, with panoramic views, cocktails and live entertainment. Finally, Jarod Herzog from The Voice will perform at Ara Rooftop and Pool Lounge on Thursdays and Saturdays this summer.

• Website: hoteleffie.com
• Address: 1 Grand Sandestin Blvd., Miramar Beach 
• Phone: (850) 434-1908

Royal Palm Grille free beach bonfire

Join Royal Palm Grille for a free beach bonfire every Friday and Monday at sunset all year. Beach chairs are provided, free parking at Surfside Resort and no offside food or beverage is allowed. 

• Website: royalpalmgrille.com
• Address: 1096 Scenic Gulf Drive, Miramar Beach 
• Phone: (850) 424-7300

New Watersound Club Amenities open at Camp Creek 

New Watersound Club amenities opened in Spring 2023 include an 11,000 square foot Wellness Center, complete with three group exercise rooms, a cardio and strength training area, men’s and women’s steam rooms and saunas, a hot tub and a 19-meter adults-only lap pool. Other new amenities include a tennis pro shop, eight new tennis courts, eight new pickleball courts, a family-friendly pool with a slide, lazy river and a poolside dining venue called Bark ‘N Brine. Watersound Camp Creek amenities are available to guests staying at Camp Creek Inn and members and guests of Watersound Club.

• Website: watersoundclub.com
• Address: 684 Fazio Drive, Watersound 
• Phone: (850) 213-5181

Camp Creep Inn is now accepting reservations 

Camp Creek Inn is a 75-room, three story boutique inn located near Watersound Club’s Camp Creek Golf Course and is now accepting reservations. For more information or to book a room, please visit the website below. 

• Website: campcreekinn.com
• Address: 684 Fazio Drive, Rosemary
• Phone: (877) 648-4144

Gather Kitchen + Bar new menu

Guests of WaterColor Inn, as well as Lifestyle Members of Watersound Club, are invited to experience a newly launched menu at Gather Kitchen + Bar, WaterColor Inn’s private dining venue. Whether you choose to dine beside the pool or enjoy the elegant indoor seating, the ambiance is sure to elevate your dining experience. To view the full menu, please visit the website below. 

• Website: watercolorresort.com/dining/gather-kitchen-bar
• Address: 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach
• Phone: (850) 534-5025

Palm Folly Brewery 

The Folly Club at the Palm Folly Brewery is an upscale taproom inspired by the beauty of the Emerald Coast’s sugar sand beaches and clear blue-green waters. Located in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach just north of beautiful 30A. Bring your family and friends for a tasting of our sparkling seltzers by a fire pit or out on the lawn with a picnic box from our grab and go fridge.

• Website: palmfolly.com
• Address: 2602 Highway 98, Santa Rosa Beach  
• Phone: (850) 420-9741

V Pho

Introducing the vibrant world of Vietnamese cuisine and delightful boba tea. At V Pho, we bring the authentic flavors of Vietnam to you in DeFuniak Springs.

• Website: facebook.com/V-Pho
• Address: 30 S. 8th St., DeFuniak Springs 
• Phone: (850) 892-2005

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