There are a variety of local attractions around Beaches of South Walton, Fla. Enjoy a spot of tea or a picnic while listening for a bell that welcomes tourists.
Magnolia & Ivy Tearoom
Sisters Kay Snipes and Terri Eager offer teatime at the beach complete with southern hospitality and worship at the Magnolia & Ivy Tearoom.
Located in Sandestin Resort’s Village of Baytowne Wharf, the sisters’ establishment is easily recognized by the chalkboard in front of the tearoom that displays a daily Bible verse.
Scripture cards are also placed on plates next to scones, finger sandwiches and desserts.
“Being raised Southern Baptists in Georgia, (First Baptist Church, Cuthbert), we were perplexed that our lease required us to be open seven days a week,” Eager said.
“We began to pray and we felt led to begin interdenominational services in the tearoom. Our goal is that visitors will have the opportunity to worship while on vacation,” she said. The services are held Sunday at 9 a.m. in the tearoom. Snipes and Eager warmly welcome visitors with complimentary tea and scones.
The Christian entrepreneurs have also devised the perfect plan to allow children to play grown-up and adults to regress to the tea party days of their childhood. Lining the walls are vintage hats, jewelry, gloves and frocks of all sorts where patrons can select the perfect elegant attire for teatime.
For more information, call 850-267-2595 or visit www.magnoliaivy.com.
Eden Gardens State Park
Down a shady road framed by moss-draped live oaks, the stately Wesley Mansion is the centerpiece of Eden Gardens State Park, located off U.S. 98 at Point Washington, Fla. One of five state parks located along the beaches of South Walton, Eden Gardens is a perfect place to begin a family picnic tradition along the Choctawhatchee Bay.
William Henry built the Greek Revival-style Wesley Mansion in 1895.
The house and its surrounding gardens offer visitors a peek into a bygone era. Filled with antiques, the house’s drawing room has the largest collection of Louis XVI Court furniture found in any one room in the United States.
Tours of the home and its collections are available. Be sure to also spend some time on the porches encircling the house on both floors.
Take time to stroll along the reflecting pool and garden paths that lead to camellias, native azaleas, magnolias and a rose garden. The estate also boasts a butterfly garden and moss-draped live oaks — some more than 600 years old.
For more information call 850-231-4214.
Seaside’s Interfaith Chapel
The community of Seaside is home to a piece of nationally recognized architecture — the Seaside Interfaith Chapel.
Featuring a center aisle, board and batten wooden construction, heart pine floors and white walls, the chapel was chosen by the American Institute of Architecture as one of the recipients of the 2004 Honor Awards for outstanding architecture.
Open since Oct. 20, 2001, the chapel’s 68-foot-tall bell tower rises above the trees for a dramatic contrast against the blue sky. Every hour the people of Seaside can hear the toll of the bell.
Jeff Miller, the chapel’s lay minister, is from Ohio, has a Baptist background and is a resident of Seaside.
“Our summer attendance averages 175 each Sunday and at least three-fourths are tourists,” Miller said. “We welcome visitors to come worship in casual dress.”
Services are held Sunday at 10 a.m., but the chapel is open 24 hours a day. For more information call 850-231-2228.
Share with others: