Florida - Eastern USA - page 985

DON'T MISS
SCENIC DRIVE: THE EMERALD COAST

Along the Panhandle coast between Panama City Beach and Destin, skip the main
highway (Hwy 98) in favor of one of the most enchanting drives in Florida: Scenic
Hwy 30A . This 18-mile stretch of road hugs what's referred to as the Emerald Coast
for its almost fluorescent, gem-colored waters lapping brilliant white beaches of
ground-quartz crystal.
Leading off Scenic Hwy 30A are pristine, wild parklands like Grayton Beach State
Park ( www.floridastateparks.org/graytonbeach ; 357 Main Park Rd; car $5) , considered one of
Florida's prettiest, most pristine strands. About 15 quaint communities hug the
coast, some arty and funky, and some master-planned resorts with matchy-
matchy architectural perfection. Of these, the most intriguing and surreal is the
little village of Seaside ( www.seasidefl.com ), a Necco Wafer-colored town that was
hailed as a model of New Urbanism in the 1980s.
Seaside is such an idealized vision that, unaltered, it formed the setting for the
1998 film The Truman Show,about a man whose 'perfect life' is nothing but a TV
show. Other variations on this theme are WaterColor, Alys Beach and Rosemary
Beach.
Good online resources are www.30a.com and www.visitsouthwalton.com .

Eating & Drinking

Pineapple Willy's CARIBBEAN$$$
( www.pwillys.com ; 9875 S Thomas Dr; mains $10-26; 11am-late) Ask for a table on the res-
taurant pier for breezy beachside dining. Famed for its signature drinks and its house spe-
cial: Jack Daniels BBQ ribs.

Firefly MODERN AMERICAN$$$ $$$

( 850-249-3359; www.fireflypcb.com ; 535 Richard Jackson Blvd; mains $23-42; 5-10pm)
This uber atmospheric, fine dining establishment beckons with clever seafood dishes and
its cool Library Lounge. It's good enough for the US president - Obama ate here in 2010.

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge HONKY TONK
( www.tootsies.net ; 700 S Pier Park Dr; 10am-late) Lacks the dusty character of the
Nashville original, but the nonstop live country music is still plenty boot stompin'.