A Week in Rosemary Beach: Our Florida Beach Cottage Escape

 There's just something magical about waking up near the ocean. This past fall, Maddy and I checked off another state from our 50-state bucket list by heading down to the Florida Gulf Coast - and let me tell you, Rosemary Beach did not disappoint. We stayed in the cutest beach cottage, spent every day with sand between our toes, and made some amazing memories over seafood and sunsets.

Where We Stayed: Our Cozy Rosemary Beach Cottage

This trip was all about slowing down. Our little cottage felt like home from the second we walked in - bright, breezy, and fairly close to the water. If you've ever wanted to do Florida cozy, this was it.

Would I stay there again? In a heartbeat.

We absolutely love the pool!

What We Did (Besides Live on the Beach)

We spent most days exactly how we wanted: on the beach, toes in the sand, watching the waves and collecting shells. It was the kind of peaceful that sticks with you long after the trip ends.

But we did sneak in one evening of fun off the sand - we played a round of mini golf at Pirate's Island Adventure Golf! It was the perfect low-key outing and a fun break from our beach routine. Highly recommend for families.

Where We Ate (and Loved Every Bite)

Food was a big part of this trip - we were on a seafood mission, and Florida delivered. Here are a few of our favorites:

Schooners: This spot had the perfect beachy vibe and amazing sunset views. Try the crab cakes - you won't regret it.

Schooners is right on the beach and is the last local beach club

The picture may not be great, but the crab cakes are divine!

Old Florida Fish House: We loved the atmosphere here, and the food felt so fresh and southern. It felt like classic coastal Florida.

Pineapple Willy's: Total vacation vibes! We had great views of the water and even better shrimp baskets.

Georges at Alys Beach: This one felt a little fancy (in the best way). Beautiful location and a perfect dinner spot.

Village Market: A great casual stop for a relaxed meal - simple, good, and family-friendly.

We highly recommend the hush puppies and trying all the dipping sauces

What We Loved Most

More than anything, we loved how easy this trip felt. No rushing, no long to-do list, just us, the beach, and time together. It was a perfect reminder that travel doesn't have to be complicated to be meaningful.

Would I recommend Rosemary Beach for a mom-and-daughter trip? Absolutely!

It was peaceful, beautiful, and everything we needed.

Want to Plan Your Own Florida Gulf Coast Getaway?

I'm putting together a travel guid with:

- Our full cottage rental info

- Budget tips

- A Florida coast packing list

That guide will be available for my patrons here on Patreon - or drop your travel questions below and I'd love to help.