Designed by internationally acclaimed town planners and painted from a palette borrowed from the sunset and sea, the cottages of the 80-acre Seaside could have been cut from a storybook. Setting standards as the first New Urbanist community, Seaside’s clusters of tin-roofed, pastel-painted and picket-fenced cottages were inspired by a master planned Gulf Coast design based on historic coastal communities and has won multiple awards and accolades for its innovative design. 

Seaside features three swimming pools, six tennis courts staffed by a pro, a world-class croquet lawn, fitness center, nature walks, catamaran and bicycle rentals, and Camp Seaside, designed for kids while parents are at business meetings. Pedestrian-friendly Seaside is linked by an extensive network of walking paths. Not surprisingly, bicycles are second to feet as Seaside’s favorite mode of transportation. 

Shopping Seaside style is a relaxing, unhurried pastime. Stroll along pedestrian-friendly streets and landscaped parks lined with one-of-a-kind stores, an artist colony, a grocer and a bookstore. In all, more than 50 shops reveal wonderful treasures and mementos.  Food lovers can find almost anything at Modica Market, a gourmet grocery with Southern hospitality and known as the heart of Seaside. 

Seaside hosts a dozen restaurants from subtle to sophisticated, and is known for its waterfront eatery Bud & Alley’s that mixes casual beachside ambience with a tasty menu relying on a gamut of regional fare.  Diners at this award-winning eatery can enjoy fine dining with live music and waterfront views over an entrée a la Tuscany, Louisiana Bayou or coastal southern cuisine.   

Cottage Rental Agency as the official provider of Seaside vacation rentals offers nearly endless idyllic options.  The family-values culture has cultivated generations of folks that call this beach theirs, returning again and again.   As you can easily imagine this destination is equally ideal for weddings, executive retreats, romantic getaways with the  luxury setting.  Special venues ranges from the town chapel, greens, and public spaces to classic board rooms and meeting centers with even more options including the Inn by the Sea, Vera Bradley.  Lodging options include one to six-bedroom cottages, bed an breakfast room with private baths, large group compounds, and luxury townhouses, penthouses and beachfront hideaways. 

The changing seasons bring with them special events.  The weather ranges from mild coastal day to hot and sunny thus making year round activities a draw.  The holiday town celebrates with fireworks on the 4^th, Parades on more than one occasion, concerts, theater performances, farmers markets, yard sales, town lightings, on and on.   The fall brings the annual Seeing Red Wine Festival which began in 1990 and spring brings home ArtsQuest with room for 100 local and national artists.  Summer is all things beach and vacation fun.  Visit Cottage Rental Agency’s website for event updates, lodging specials, virtual tours of the rental cottages and much more.

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