SEASIDE® Named #1 Best Family Beach Vacation In The U.S. For 2026

SEASIDE® has been named the #1 Best Family Beach Vacation Destination in the Nation for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, a recognition that celebrates the town’s long-standing commitment to family, community, and meaningful connection.

The annual ranking evaluates destinations based on safety, kid-friendly attractions, dining options, accommodations, and multi-generational appeal. Seaside earned top honors for its welcoming atmosphere, walkable design, and timeless coastal charm, qualities that have made Seaside, Florida, a favorite for families for more than four decades.

SEASIDE® is known for its white-sand beaches, pastel cottages, and iconic beachfront pavilions. Here, days move at an easy pace. Children ride bikes beneath shady trees. Parents sip coffee on front porches. Neighbors wave as they pass. Evenings often end with outdoor movies, live music, or quiet walks along the shore.

More than a destination, Seaside feels like a familiar place, one that invites visitors to settle in, slow down, and simply be together. With more than 300 vacation homes, family-friendly restaurants, charming boutiques, and the beloved Airstream Row food trucks, SEASIDE® offers both comfort and character. For many visitors, SEASIDE® becomes part of their family story. Annual trips turn into lifelong traditions. Toddlers grow into teenagers who return with friends. Parents become grandparents, bringing a new generation back to the same familiar streets and sandy shores. It is a place where memories are layered, built slowly, lovingly, and intentionally.

As the birthplace of New Urbanism, Seaside was thoughtfully designed to put people first. Its layout emphasizes walkable streets, front porches that encourage conversation, and public spaces meant for gathering. This approach naturally supports family life. Walking to breakfast, biking to the beach, meeting friends in the town square—these everyday moments become shared experiences. Families feel safe, connected, and free to explore together, without rushing or relying on cars. The result is a town where community happens organically and where children and adults alike feel at home.

Founded in 1981, Seaside’s commitment to thoughtful planning and human connection remains at the heart of everything it does. Front porches still invite conversation. Town squares still bring people together. Traditions continue to grow, year after year.

“From the beginning, Seaside, Florida was designed to foster interaction, belonging, and shared experiences,” said Kevin Boyle, General Manager of Seaside Community Development Corporation. “This recognition reflects that original vision and the families who continue to bring it to life.” As families plan their travels for 2026 and beyond, SEASIDE®’s #1 ranking serves as both an honor and a heartfelt thank-you to the generations of visitors, residents, merchants, and team members who have helped shape its spirit.