Excellent restaurants
Here is a list of some of the places right nearby where I like to eat, all within 30 minutes' bike riding distance, most much less.
If you like dive bars, this place is for you. Redd, the owner, is such a fantastic character, and when there isn't live music, she sings and takes requests all while waiting tables and bartending. I highly recommend the bacon gouda mac and cheese, and she'll throw a fried egg onto basically any menu item.
17 locals recommend
Redds Fueling Station
2320 W County Hwy 30AIf you like dive bars, this place is for you. Redd, the owner, is such a fantastic character, and when there isn't live music, she sings and takes requests all while waiting tables and bartending. I highly recommend the bacon gouda mac and cheese, and she'll throw a fried egg onto basically any menu item.
Such an awesome savory and sweet bakery, with great coffee and fresh bread. If you're lucky enough to catch them on a day when they have the olive-rosemary-goat cheese focaccia bread, snatch it right up!
87 locals recommend
Black Bear bread co.
325 Grand BlvdSuch an awesome savory and sweet bakery, with great coffee and fresh bread. If you're lucky enough to catch them on a day when they have the olive-rosemary-goat cheese focaccia bread, snatch it right up!
They have live music almost every night, and a great place to get a fish sandwich overlooking the gulf, right across from the beach! They have happy hour every day from 3-5 with $5 appetizers and cheap drinks.
162 locals recommend
Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
1875 S Co Hwy 393They have live music almost every night, and a great place to get a fish sandwich overlooking the gulf, right across from the beach! They have happy hour every day from 3-5 with $5 appetizers and cheap drinks.
This is a great spot to grab some coffee in the morning before exploring the beach and the rest of the bike path--it's the closest spot for a nice cup of coffee, and they have some tasty sandwiches too. Also a spot I like to ride my bike down to with my laptop to hang out and get some work done.
34 locals recommend
Sunrise Coffee Co.
45 Town Center LoopThis is a great spot to grab some coffee in the morning before exploring the beach and the rest of the bike path--it's the closest spot for a nice cup of coffee, and they have some tasty sandwiches too. Also a spot I like to ride my bike down to with my laptop to hang out and get some work done.
Trivia every Thursday at 6:00, and great beer....need I say more??
39 locals recommend
Grayton Beer Brewpub
170 E County Hwy 30ATrivia every Thursday at 6:00, and great beer....need I say more??
4:00-6:00 PM every day they have buy 1, get 1 free entrees. Delicious, seafood entrees. And it is right nearby.
62 locals recommend
Goatfeathers Seafood Restaurant
3865 W County Hwy 30A4:00-6:00 PM every day they have buy 1, get 1 free entrees. Delicious, seafood entrees. And it is right nearby.
This has fantastic small plates, BBQ, and cocktails, and is a casual atmosphere. The crabcake is one of the best I've had!
56 locals recommend
Blue Mabel Smokehouse & Provisions
2260 W County Hwy 30AThis has fantastic small plates, BBQ, and cocktails, and is a casual atmosphere. The crabcake is one of the best I've had!
Ok, so this one is more than 30 minutes' bike ride--but it is only about a 15-20 minute drive. Rosemary Beach is gorgeous, and this third-floor rooftop cocktail bar/restaurant, while a bit pricey, has a stunning view with delicious food and drink.
95 locals recommend
Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar
74 Town Hall RdOk, so this one is more than 30 minutes' bike ride--but it is only about a 15-20 minute drive. Rosemary Beach is gorgeous, and this third-floor rooftop cocktail bar/restaurant, while a bit pricey, has a stunning view with delicious food and drink.
This is my go-to spot for delicious Thai food--a very short drive up highway 98, only about a mile, for fantastic Thai take-out or dine-in.
8 locals recommend
Thai Elephant Authentic Thai Cuisine
3906 US-98This is my go-to spot for delicious Thai food--a very short drive up highway 98, only about a mile, for fantastic Thai take-out or dine-in.
If you want to get legitimate Mexican food, this is the place to go. It is a small restaurant attached to a modest Mexican grocery right next to highway 98 within 5 minutes by car.
La Chalupita Mexican Market
3422 US-98If you want to get legitimate Mexican food, this is the place to go. It is a small restaurant attached to a modest Mexican grocery right next to highway 98 within 5 minutes by car.
Entertainment, not necessarily food
Here are some places to go for a drink, some have some food but mainly just to hang out!
This is one of the few places to go if you're looking to be out past midnight--they have a stage with music, and they'll keep the party going until 2!
58 locals recommend
AJ's Grayton Beach
63 Defuniak StThis is one of the few places to go if you're looking to be out past midnight--they have a stage with music, and they'll keep the party going until 2!
Had this on the food list, but it deserves to be on the entertainment list too--this place is one of the best dive-y places to enjoy the theatrics of the owner, and to hear live music. Just show up early in the summer, because the place isn't huge!
17 locals recommend
Redds Fueling Station
2320 W County Hwy 30AHad this on the food list, but it deserves to be on the entertainment list too--this place is one of the best dive-y places to enjoy the theatrics of the owner, and to hear live music. Just show up early in the summer, because the place isn't huge!
Public Beach access
The nearby beach hangouts!
This is the closest beach access--1 mile down the road, 6 minutes on the bike (faster if you ride fast!), gorgeous and right next to all the restaurants of Gulf Place Town Center.
33 locals recommend
Ed Walline Public Beach Access
4447 W County Hwy 30AThis is the closest beach access--1 mile down the road, 6 minutes on the bike (faster if you ride fast!), gorgeous and right next to all the restaurants of Gulf Place Town Center.
Awesome beach community with a couple of restaurants right next to the beach.
106 locals recommend
Grayton Beach
Awesome beach community with a couple of restaurants right next to the beach.
There are so many places to eat, shop, and hang out on the beach here. About 30 minutes when I ride my bike here, longer if you meander, but a short drive and worth checking out if you have time!
359 locals recommend
Seaside
There are so many places to eat, shop, and hang out on the beach here. About 30 minutes when I ride my bike here, longer if you meander, but a short drive and worth checking out if you have time!
Hiking trails
Here are some spots to go for a day hike nearby!
Longleaf Pine Trailhead
399 Satinwood DrThis is very close to here, and is an easy, very pretty out-and-back hike.
There are a few different loops that start here, ranging from a short hike to several miles, perfect for a day hike--I just don't recommend this after a heavy rain, as some of the trails can flood at those times.
6 locals recommend
Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake Trailhead
South County Highway 395There are a few different loops that start here, ranging from a short hike to several miles, perfect for a day hike--I just don't recommend this after a heavy rain, as some of the trails can flood at those times.
There are some nature trails as well as a beach here, and while I've heard good things I actually haven't explored this yet, so if you check it out please let me know how you like it!
108 locals recommend
Grayton Beach State Park
357 Main Park RdThere are some nature trails as well as a beach here, and while I've heard good things I actually haven't explored this yet, so if you check it out please let me know how you like it!