re: What is there to do along the FLA Panhandle?

I'll support the red bar. One of my favorite restaurants anywhere. Cash only unless they have changed it in the last 5 years

Rosemary Beach is amazing. We stayed at the Pearl in October and it was incredible. Didn't even need a car as everything we needed was within walking distance. I'd highly recommend it.

We used to stay at Watercolor but started staying at Rosemary 3 years ago. I like the way the village area is set up and the little entertainment street that goes down to the greens. Plus, North Seacrest is right next door and they usually have some pretty good live music in the evenings on their village lawn. Seaside is still fun to hang out at but it is just many people and bikes on the sidewalk to want to ever stay at a place there again.

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Bayou Bills Crab Shack

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This is my cousin's restaurant. He's got good chargrilled oysters

Go to Cuvee Bistro when you're in Destin

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Any places in that area you would recommend see/visit? any shops?

From what I can tell that area looks very nice and friendly and is one of the reasons why I looked into visiting that area. I don't believe we'll spend a night at the pearl as I think we'll continue our day trekking west, but that hotel looks like it has a French quarter feel near the beach.

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We never left the Rosemary Beach/Seaside area for 5 days so I couldn't tell you about anything outside that area. Spent the days at the beach and the evenings eating, window shopping or walking around town. The architecture of the houses is impressive as well. It has a throwback 1960s feel to the entire area and was the most relaxing 5 days I've ever had and worth every penny.

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Inlet Beach (Donut Hole)

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Man, I remember when that location first opened. No wait at all. Not many tourists knew it was there. Now, it's wait is just as long as the other two.

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We used to stay at Watercolor but started staying at Rosemary 3 years ago. I like the way the village area is set up and the little entertainment street that goes down to the greens. Plus, North Seacrest is right next door and they usually have some pretty good live music in the evenings on their village lawn. Seaside is still fun to hang out at but it is just many people and bikes on the sidewalk to want to ever stay at a place there again.

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We used to go to Seaside but it is basically like gameday there during warm weather. It has gotten too crowded and parking is a bitch. Which is a shame because I grew up going there and it was always my favorite place. Still love Bud & Alleys though.

Like you, we started going to Rosemary as well. Not as crowded and its just a nicer, more laid back scene. Great restaurants too.

If you are going to 30A (as the most mentioned area here), and you like sushi, eat at Basmati's. They have incredible sushi.

30A is extremely crowded now...so, be warned. Port St. Joe, Apalachicola, St. George's Island and Cape San Blas are all really great, less crowded areas on the Panhandle.

Plus, if you are into fishing, you can catch tarpon within site of the beach and can scallop in the summer time. I am talking 100 lb plus tarpon by the way.

Bud and Alley's Tarpon Club Bar in Seaside for drinks.

Cafe 30A in Seagrove Beach for food.

The Red Bar in Grayton Beach for both.