Hey there, Mama! If you’re reading this, then you’re entertaining the idea of traveling south to the Florida Panhandle for a beach vacation. I’m here to tell you this: do it! You really can’t go wrong with any beach along the Panhandle (I grew up there and went to college there, so I’m not biased at all), but a family favorite for most people looking for a relaxing beach vacation is 30A.
Destin, Pensacola, Panama City, and even Orange Beach in Alabama all have their pros and cons, but once kids got into the picture for us, 30A really became the beach we gravitate toward. 30A is a slower-paced beach area. The beach is almost always within walking distance from wherever you stay and so are multiple smaller shopping areas and restaurants. There is nothing worse than loading sunscreen and sand-covered children in and out of a car for a week, so having almost everything you need within walking distance is a huge plus of staying along 30A!
Stops Along The Way To 30A
My family still lives in the Panhandle, so I have been making the trip south for years with kids (and usually a dog or two) in tow. Here are a few of my tried and true places to stop along the way:
- Ooltewah – They have a great Chick-fil-A with a play place and a large parking lot. The new Little Debbie Park is also a great way to burn off some energy!
- Chattanooga – You can’t go wrong with adding an aquarium or science museum visit to your trip.
- Birmingham – The Birmingham Zoo is a great pitstop for animal lovers.
- Clanton – Peach Park is a great marketplace to stop at and grab some ice cream.
- Montgomery – Just outside of Montgomery is the Alabama Safari Park, a drive-thru zoo experience.
- Fort Deposit – Our family’s favorite stop along I-65 is Priesters!
A general rule of travel I stick to when traveling solo with my kids along the interstate is this: any exit with a Chick-fil-A is a good place to stop. Laugh at my logic if you want, but these exits are always well-lit and highly traveled, and there are plenty of stores, gas stations, and restaurants.
Favorite Places Along 30A
When you say 30A people think of one place, but 30A is actually a 20-something mile long highway littered with beach towns. There are numerous quaint places along 30A that offer various activities for people of all interests and ages, and they’re all worth visiting! You won’t find many high-rise condos and hotels along the highway, no large shopping centers, and no “tourist traps.” When we visit we usually rent through VRBO or AirBnb.
- Seaside – When you say “30A,” this is the place most people think of. It’s the town The Truman Show was filmed in, and it’s probably the busiest town along 30A. There are too many food options to list here, including multiple food trucks and sit-down options. You can’t go wrong with any of the shopping here either! I’m a huge fan of Sun Dog Books and my kids love Duckies. Seaside almost always has something going on, from movies and music to yoga. Even if you don’t stay in Seaside, it’s worth visiting!
- Rosemary Beach – If you’re looking for a higher-end shopping experience, there are lots of options here. You might recognize The Pearl Hotel from Instagram. A favorite place of ours here is The Sugar Shak.
- Seagrove – If I had to pick my favorite spot on 30A, it would be here. You’re a quick trip to Seaside and near the coastal dune lakes, but out of the chaos of the “larger” 30A beach towns. Old Florida Fish House is a great spot to grab dinner, Brozzinni Pizza has a great lunch menu, and Donut Hut is our favorite breakfast spot.
With these pit stops and places to visit, your trip from Knoxville to 30A is bound to be filled with laughter, exploration, probably a few meltdowns (because no vacation is complete without some), and cherished memories.
