Rosemary Beach Celebrates Twenty Years!!

Rosemary Beach is twenty-years-old this year. It’s easy to see why it’s the best family beach community in the United States.

Time spent at Rosemary Beach is all about sunshine days full of love, laughter and leisure. Cool coastal colors can’t help but put vacationers in a laid-back frame of mind…the whole reason (no matter the season) for coming to the beach. It’s impossible to resist the pull of the timeless architecture and the easy-going attitude of the stretch of the Florida Panhandle known fondly as Scenic 30A. The colorful emerald coast offers the perfect backdrop for unforgettable days along the Gulf of Mexico.

This was the year of the pretzel float and sand mermaids. My sister and I couldn’t stop laughing when we pretended that we were mermaids with my daughter.

It’s exciting to take in the sights and smells of Rosemary Beach just as the sun rises and everyone begins to wake up to a brilliant blue sky, soft clouds and an endless emerald coast shimmering before you…the day is filled with an endless possibility of fun! What should you do? Maybe rent a catamaran, take a family bike ride, look for dolphins, take tennis lessons, stroll through a gallery, yoga class, sandcastle lessons, enjoy a delicious ice cream cone from the Sugar Shak or a refreshing cocktail from the Havana Beach Bar…you can’t go wrong. It has the perfect balance of the serene residential area and a lively Town Center.

One of my best memories of this trip was standing in front one of my favorite Chagall paintings in a bikini and flip flops…only at Rosemary Beach! New River Fine Art and Tommy Crow Studios hosted a very special exhibition: MASTERS Modern to Contemporary featuring original works by Picasso, Miro, Dali, Chagall, Warhol, Stella and more. I visited the gallery every day…it was impossible to pass by so many of my favorite artists and not say hello.

Rosemary Beach is a tennis lovers paradise. The staff is knowledgeable and ready to help you and your children with great instruction.

This special community is organized around keeping people happy and it’s easy to do with the places and events that thrill you around every corner. It’s how I imagine the 1950’s were…picture the kind of vacations your grandparent’s may have taken when they were children. Rosemary has a West Indies feel but also a mix of Charleston and Europe (think Italy and Austria) to make the perfect relaxing atmosphere.

Rosemary Beach has a low-key sophistication and charm that blends well with it’s high-style coastal living. The houses are bright, airy and cheerful for big family get-togethers like ours. This was the second year our whole family met at Rosemary for our summer vacation…coming from California, North Carolina and Texas, Rosemary felt like home.

Rosemary has selected the concept of New Urbanism…the sense of community that encourages friendliness. The special residential structures of the courtyards, Town Hall, carriage houses and pools all contribute to a harmonious experience.

My children always look forward to movie night under the stars (face painting and popcorn included). This year we watched The Muppets. Adults could also enjoy cocktails at “Dive in classic cinema” at The Pearl with movies like Sabrina and Rebel without a Cause.

This sense of community is especially strong celebrating Independence Day. It’s a dream for a family with young children. The fun begins in the morning and last until it’s firework time! Imagine bike decorating contests, parades, family field day, NOLA-style jazz band and a star spangled fireworks display on the beach..the best on 30A.

The 30A Farmers Market features locally-grown vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey, cheese, preserves, sauces and much more. The Florida tomatoes at the 30A farmer’s market were bursting with juicy flavor…freshly harvested in the sunshine state to brighten your day.