One of South Walton’s planned New Urbanist communities, Rosemary Beach is an architectural treasure trove, boasting influences from the West Indies, New Orleans, Charleston and St. Augustine, among others.
The grand homes (many with adjoining carriage houses that are just as extraordinary) are interconnected by a discreet network of pedestrian paths and boardwalks, which become even more charming at night, basked in the soft flicker of gas-lit lanterns.
Like most Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs), the best way to explore Rosemary Beach’s 107 acres is on foot (or on a beach cruiser). Wood-plank pathways meander through the town’s striking architecture, often revealing hidden amenities such as playgrounds, bubbling fountains, tennis courts or one of the community’s several cosmopolitan swimming pools. Meander your way through until you find the town’s 2,500 feet of glorious white sand beach.
The Merchants of Rosemary Beach
Referred to as “The Long Green,” the pleasant grassy stretch along Scenic Highway 30-A is frequently host to a variety of outdoor festivals, markets, concerts and charity events. The popular farmers and crafts markets feature open-air booths filled with delicious food, paintings, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, wood carvings and other handcrafted items.
Music event venues include: the Town Hall, St. Augustine Green, Eastern Green and Western Green.
Encompassing the lush greens is the community’s town center where The Merchants of Rosemary Beach, a wonderful collection of quaint shops, boutiques and restaurants, are located. Grab a good read from Hidden Lantern Book Store and then treat yourself to a drink from Amavida Coffee where you can also shop for 30A Gear. Soon enough, you’ll stumble upon that idyllic hidden park bench in the shade, where your afternoon will just kinda melt away.
