Kids & Family

SoWal goes all out to celebrate the Fourth! It's the busiest and brightest weekend of the year, and this year carries extra meaning as our beach towns celebrate America's 250th birthday. 

The beach is a wash and the sun is taking a vacation - what to do on a rainy day in South Walton, Florida when the kids are restless and you're looking for indoor activities?

In the glitzy world of coastal dining, it is easy to get caught up in high-end expectations, minimalist plating, and steep checks. But as many families discover when vacationing in SoWal, nothing quite compares to the comforting embrace of a true mom-and-pop landmark that locals love.

Summer is officially upon us, and Alys Beach invites locals & visitors to celebrate the season with upcoming events inspired by wellness, connection, and the magic of summer. Whether you're looking to reset and recharge through movement or gather with family and friends for an evening of coastal traditions, we hope you'll join in welcoming the season ahead. 

Flow Into Summer

June 20, 8-10AM | Town Center

North Beach on the bay is the place for Live Music this summer at North Beach Social, at the foot of the 331 bridge. Chef Jim Shirley brings live music along with excellent dining, white-sand beaches, and full bars on both side of Hwy 331.

If you walk down the pastel-colored, picture-perfect streets of Seaside, Florida, for the first time, you might get a strange sense of deja vu. That is because nearly three decades ago, our quiet 80-acre coastal town transformed into "Seahaven Island"—the fictional, hyper-idyllic town built inside a giant Hollywood dome for Peter Weir’s 1998 satirical creation, The Truman Show.  

The South Walton Fire District Junior Lifeguard Program returns this summer with more than 200 participants preparing to dive into a season of beach safety education, lifesaving skills, and hands-on surf rescue training along the Emerald Coast.

The program kicks off Tuesday, June 2, and once again features both Foundations and Advanced curriculum tracks, allowing first-time and returning Junior Lifeguards to learn at a pace tailored to their experience level.

The Paper Bear, a feature-length film and conservation initiative by The Paper Bear nonprofit, will air in as part of Central Square Cinema Series on June 7, July 12 & 24.

Grab your blankets & chairs and head to the Seaside Lyceum Lawn for a family movie under the stars. The movie begins at 8:00 PM, weather permitting. 

It's nearing the time of year when being entertained indoors with air conditioning is a desirable activity. After you've soaked up some sun, after a hard day's work or play, we've got you covered. This July you can catch the latest production from Grit & Grace, our beloved community theater with roots in local history and events from Walton County's colorful past.  

Camp Helen State Park invites you to go beyond your park visit, joining a Park Ranger for a nature hike held each first Thursday of the month at 10AM on Camp Helen's user-friendly trail system. Learn about the park's flora and fauna and the larger ecosystem of the Florida Panhandle. The hike lasts about an hour and is great for all experience levels and requires moderate endurance.