Photo courtesy of The St . Joe Company hard at work with buckets and shovels , but all ages can enjoy a plethora of beach activities . Relaxing Gulf groupies can be found under the Inn ’ s blue umbrellas and chairs for a front row seat to the greatest show on earth . I strongly recommend you reserve your beach set up in advance . Be sure to ask about the beach bonfire services — a memorable family favorite .
Pools Galore , Dining and Activities : WaterColor Inn boasts the most pool accesses on Scenic Highway 30-A , as well as an array of casual dining restaurants . There are 10 pools in all . Next door , the WaterColor BeachClub features a main pool with expansive seating and lounge areas , a second infinity pool with lounge seating , and a third pool with zero entry — all with unobstructed views of the Gulf . Kids will enjoy weekly events , such as golf games and other activities . Guests also have access to six WaterColor Community pools . The Inn provides two complimentary adult bike rentals per room ( based on availability ) and access to tennis and golf at Shark ’ s Tooth Golf Club . For outdoor and boating fun , there is complimentary kayak / canoe rental at WaterColor BoatHouse ( 2 rentals for 1 hour per day ) and discounted stand-up paddleboard rentals . Guests can also enjoy the brand-new Cardio Room overlooking the pool deck . Hungry ? Indulge in one-of-a-kind resort dining venues , including Costa Chica , WaterColor Grill , and the Beach Cow .
Camp WaterColor is the ideal recreational destination for families featuring the main Butterfly Pool with Monarch Slide , the Caterpillar Pool , a zero-entry pool , and a small children ’ s area with slide . The popular Lazy Lizard Pool is a zero-entry lazy river . Designed with kids in mind , this area is a family favorite complete with a lifeguard on duty . Camp WaterColor also features a playground , basketball court , and the Canteen Restaurant conveniently offers a walk-up counter .
As one the area ’ s largest family-style restaurants overlooking the Gulf , Fish Out of Water is my favorite place to dine . The restaurant ’ s impressive Gulf view had me the second I spied the outdoor deck , an open-air celebration of the freshest delights from the Gulf . I enjoyed the amazing Fish Basket ( Grouper was in season ) and the Heirloom Tomato Salad , while my husband had the Shrimp Basket and fruit for lunch . Fresh local fish is best ! The zero-proof Georgia Peach at the Beach was our favorite drink .
One of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten was at Scratch Biscuit Kitchen . Located in the WaterColor Town Center , the enormous , fluffy scratch-made biscuits with house-made jams ,
jellies , and butters were delectable . Ask for the Old Southern Breakfast , and I promise you will not leave hungry . My husband raved about the Biscuits and Gravy . Try the Biscuit Doughnuts , with chocolate gravy , strawberries , and powdered sugar … it is a Southern delight !
Before you leave , visit the WaterColor Store and Water- Color Kids located at Town Center . The stores offer exclusive branded WaterColor merchandise and renowned brands and jewelry as well . Of course , the entire family will want a colorful WaterColor T-shirt to take home to remind them of a beach oasis where complete contentment and happiness thrive …. WaterColor Inn and Resort . South Walton : Add nature treks to your vacation at Watercolor Inn . With more than 200 miles of famed beaches , hiking and biking trails , four state parks , and the Point Washington State Forest , this idyllic place is one of the few places in the world where coastal dune lakes exist . Challenge the kids to conduct an internet search on coastal dune lakes , and then explore the geologic wonders . Ask the questions : Are the lakes fresh water , salt water or both ? What animal and plant species are found here ? Why is the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park identified as the most pristine piece of coastal property in Florida ? Western Lake is our favorite dune lake where paddle boards glide smoothly by majestic pines along this intricate ecosystem . Eden State Park is always our last stop . We have been coming here for decades where our children ran free under centuries-old live oak trees . Mixing a beach vacation at WaterColor Inn and Resort and exploring breathtaking nature nearby , is an ideal vacation combination .
For Watercolor Inn reservations , call 877-353-5239 or visit www . watercolorresort . com .
For South Walton information , visit www . visitsouthwalton . com
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