Things to Do in Blue Mountain Beach

Want the 30A experience without the crowds? The beach towns of South Walton have become exponentially more popular over the years but Blue Mountain Beach retains some of that original mystique.

As one of the lesser-known, more tucked-away 30A neighborhoods, Blue Mountain Beach often gets lumped in with larger, more prominent ones. Make no mistake, though, Blue Mountain Beach has got a lot to offer on its own!

On the hunt for 30A rentals? Here’s the All 30A Properties guide to Blue Mountain Beach so that you can decide if it’s the town for you.

Best Restaurants in Blue Mountain Beach

Blue Mountain Beach is one of the smaller, quieter 30A towns. Even so, the eateries here have people coming in from out of town to get a taste! If you want to know why, take a look at just a few of the best restaurants in Blue Mountain Beach.

Red Fish Taco

Named after the coastal dune lakes in town and the fish found there, Red Fish Taco is a great spot for casual eats. This restaurant started as a pop-up shop at the 30A Songwriters Festival before deciding to call Blue Mountain Beach home.

Mexican food is the name of the game here — tacos in particular. From their signature street tacos, to shrimp con queso, to steak fajitas, anything on the menu pairs well with the fresh frozen margaritas they also offer.

Redds Fueling Station

Once a well-kept secret, Redd’s Fueling Station has grown to be one of the most well-known and best restaurants in Blue Mountain Beach.

This hangout is tucked away behind a gas station and convenience store. For some drinks and down-home pub food with a beach flair, this is the place to be. There’s almost always some live entertainment here, as well!

Blue Mountain Beach Creamery

Though not really a restaurant, Blue Mountain Beach Creamery simply has to be mentioned. This one-stop shop for frozen treats is one of Blue Mountain Beach’s claims to fame!

At the famous Creamery, you can get ice cream, fro-yo, waffle cones, and sorbets. There’s also an extension to the Creamery, the Shake Shop, where you can indulge in milkshakes, coffee, donuts, shaved ice, and frozen custard.

The best things to do in Blue Mountain Beach are activities that connect you with nature, art, and family. Fittingly, this town just seems to naturally encourage those kinds of things! Time almost moves slower here, giving you the chance to take it easy.

Kayak and Fish on the Coastal Dune Lakes

The beach towns on 30A are home to rare and impressive coastal dune lakes. The three lakes in Blue Mountain Beach are Big Redfish Lake, Little Redfish Lake, and Draper Lake. They’re great for fishing and kayaking, as well as stand-up paddleboarding!

Big Redfish Lake is the most popular of the three with anglers, being home to plenty of redfish and other saltwater species. Just note that a Florida fishing license is needed to fish on the lakes.

Explore South Walton on the Timpoochee Bike Trail

If you’re into biking, consider spending some time cycling on the Timpoochee Bike Trail. This is a relatively new, wide-paved bike trail that spans 19 miles along 30A. It passes through the western entrance to Blue Mountain Beach, so it’s easy to make your way onto it from here.

The Timpoochee Bike Trail takes you through beautiful forests, state parks, and beachfront, with opportunities for pit stops at neighborhoods like Gulf Place, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach.

It’s a great way to see lots of what South Walton and 30A have to offer. It’s also one of the most fun things to do in Blue Mountain Beach with family!

Visit the Justin Gaffrey Studio Gallery

Justin Gaffrey is one of the most well-known artists in South Walton, making a name for himself with his unique approach of “sculpting with paint”. Over the past two decades, he’s become 30A’s signature artist!

His studio, which doubles as a gallery, is open to the public to marvel at his distinctive work. Though the subject matter varies, most of Justin’s work uses vivid colors and bold strokes to showcase the raw beauty of 30A and the Emerald Coast.

Events in Blue Mountain Beach

There aren’t really any festivals or events in Blue Mountain Beach, aside from a bit of live entertainment at restaurants and bars. Luckily, 30A towns are incredibly interconnected and nearby communities have plenty going on!

30A Songwriters Festival (January)

Music fans from all around America congregate each year for the annual 30A Songwriters Festival. This event has been running for over a decade, being one of the most anticipated events of the year.

On a four-day weekend in January, over a hundred artists and bands perform across more than 30 venues on 30A. That’s a whole lot of music!

This festival features established singer-songwriters as well as smaller, up-and-coming acts. Multiple genres are represented, too, so there’ll be something for everyone!

Art Month South Walton (May)

Art is a big deal in South Walton, with the various towns here being home to some seriously prolific and unique artists!

May is officially Art Month in Walton County. 30A communities put on a series of events and programs, ranging from visual to literary to performing arts. The most popular ones include:

ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival in Sandestin — bringing together 100+ artists from around the county, in disciplines ranging from sculpture and glass art to jewelry and printmaking.
Longleaf Writers Conference in Seaside — celebrating writing in all forms and allowing writers of all calibers to connect and hone their craft together.
Digital Graffiti in Alys Beach — an innovative concept that turns the buildings in Alys Beach into a canvas for artists to showcase digital art.

Seeing Red Wine Festival (November)

Seaside’s Seeing Red Wine Festival is one of the most highly-anticipated wine events of the year. That’s not even just in the immediate area; Fodor’s Travel named Seeing Red as one of its “Can’t-Miss Fall Wine Festivals”!

For four days in November, the town celebrates all things wine and invites people from in and out of town to visit. Events within the event typically include a fancy dinner, several wine tastings, and a wine brunch!