The Underwater Museum of Art is Hidden Beneath the Waves
If your family's vacation plans include sunshine, white sand, and a bit of the unexpected, there's a one-of-a-kind experience just beneath the waves of Grayton Beach that's worth diving into—literally.
The Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), located off the shores of 30A, offers families with teens a chance to connect with art, nature, and adventure in an unforgettable, educational, and Instagram-worthy way.
Just under a mile offshore and resting 58 feet below the surface, the UMA is North America's first permanent underwater sculpture museum. Installed each summer with new works, this ever-evolving gallery features large-scale sculptures from artists around the world, each one intentionally designed to support marine life. Over time, these striking pieces become living reefs, blending the lines between creativity and conservation in a way that feels magical.
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For families traveling with older kids or teenagers, the UMA offers the kind of out-of-the-box experience that makes for lasting memories (and some serious storytelling once school starts back up). Certified scuba divers can explore the sculptures up close, making it an immersive encounter that combines environmental science, ocean ecology, and a hands-on appreciation for art in the wild. Not yet certified? Several local dive shops in South Walton offer beginner certification programs and guided tours with experienced instructors. Just be sure to check age and skill requirements ahead of time.
And while diving is the main event, the impact of the museum isn't limited to what's under the surface. Even if your family doesn't plan to suit up in scuba gear, you can still appreciate the artistry and mission behind the UMA. Visit local galleries or the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County for a closer look at scale models, photography, and background on the artists. The project is deeply rooted in community values and sustainability, both cornerstones of the 30A experience.
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Blending art, nature, and a bit of thrill, a visit to the UMA is a unique way to round out your beach vacation. It's the kind of activity that pulls teens off their phones and into a story worth sharing, offering a moment of wonder in an unexpected place. So the next time you're planning your trip to 30A, consider going beyond the boardwalk and adding this underwater wonder to your itinerary.
For dive tour information, sculpture highlights, and educational resources, visit umafl.org.
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About the Author Dallas Jackson
A resident of Santa Rosa Beach, FL, Dallas Jackson is an editorial strategist with nearly 20 years of experience leading high-impact content teams and driving digital growth across top media brands. Dallas is passionate about brand-building, sports, and life on 30A.
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Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Action-packed road trip from Alberta to B.C. promises adventure at every turn
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Style Blueprint
06-08-2025
- Style Blueprint
Harlem Hellfighters Honored in Kentucky Black Trailblazers
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit When recalling Kentucky history, names like Alexander Beaumont (a cook and private in the U.S. Colored Troops) and Oliver Lewis (the first Kentucky Derby winner) are too often overlooked. Now, their stories and those of 17 other trailblazing African Americans are brought to life through Kentucky Black Trailblazers, an immersive augmented reality (AR) experience spanning six counties. With the help of their smartphones, visitors can stand among war hero graves and hear Harlem Hellfighters recount WWI, or visit Muhammad Ali's hometown to learn about the segregation he faced despite global fame, bringing long-overdue recognition to these impactful lives. Pin How Kentucky Black Trailblazers Came to Be Janette Marson, president and CEO of ShelbyKY Tourism, says the wine brand 19 Crimes initially sparked the idea for Kentucky Black Trailblazers. 'You can use your smartphone on the QR codes on the wine bottles, and then an augmented reality experience appears before you,' she explains. 'I've always wanted to use that technology in conjunction with tourism, but it was cost-prohibitive.' Thanks to a multi-jurisdictional grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, Janette and ShelbyKY Tourism Vice President Mason Warren (along with partners in five other Kentucky counties) were able to secure funding for the project. 'Even though ShelbyKY Tourism took the lead,' Janette says, 'there is no way that Mason and I could have done this by ourselves.' She adds that it took a team of more than 100 people to get the project up and running, and it all started with finding stories to tell. Each county team met with Black historians to determine which tales fit best. Once the stories were selected, they moved on to scriptwriting. Writing Scripts and Writing Code 'The scripts were written by Black historians,' Janette adds, explaining that they went through the production process with three questions in mind: What does the Black community in each area want to hear? What stories do they want to tell? And in what way should those stories be told? 'The stories are wonderful … stories of resilience, triumph over adversity, and just some of the most incredible, not necessarily well-known people,' Janette adds. 'They … are lesser known, but did incredible things — not just for Kentucky, but for the United States as well.' With the help of Black actors, costume designers, and a Black director, the Kentucky counties hired Tactic — the same company that created the AR storytelling for 19 Crimes — to pull it all together. Pin Using technology similar to Pokémon GO, which blends the real world with the virtual world through augmented reality and GPS technology, Kentucky Black Trailblazers came to life in July 2024. Since then, thousands of QR code scans have allowed people to experience Kentucky legacies in a new dimension. Each location is linked to Google Maps coordinates, making it easy to find spots off the beaten path. Once someone gets started with their first QR code, the app acts as a digital passport of sorts, tracking their way along the trail. Pin The Trailblazers 'You've got all 19 people listed on your app,' Janette explains, 'and as you do an experience, it becomes full color — almost like you're getting a digital sticker for completing that experience.' The stories of strength and resilience include those of: Daniel Arthur Rudd , who co-founded the American Catholic Tribune and was a founding member of the Catholic Press Association , who co-founded the American Catholic Tribune and was a founding member of the Catholic Press Association Dorsey Wickliffe , a black enslaved nanny who cared for the children of some of Kentucky's most prominent figures , a black enslaved nanny who cared for the children of some of Kentucky's most prominent figures Mack Rowan , who was born with clubfoot and became a highly sought-after master boot and shoemaker for bespoke footwear , who was born with clubfoot and became a highly sought-after master boot and shoemaker for bespoke footwear The First Black Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, a testament to the enduring spirit and faith of the African American community in Elizabethtown, a testament to the enduring spirit and faith of the African American community General Braddock , a body servant to a British general during the French and Indian War, also believed to have served with George Washington before being enslaved , a body servant to a British general during the French and Indian War, also believed to have served with George Washington before being enslaved Margaret 'Ma' Collier , the first African American woman to serve as a hostess in military service clubs , the first African American woman to serve as a hostess in military service clubs Mary Cunningham Smith , whose actions helped lead to African Americans securing the right to sit and ride on Louisville streetcars long before the civil rights movement , whose actions helped lead to African Americans securing the right to sit and ride on Louisville streetcars long before the civil rights movement Muhammad Ali , a world-renowned symbol of greatness both inside and outside the boxing ring , a world-renowned symbol of greatness both inside and outside the boxing ring Oliver Lewis , a cook and private in Company E of the 116th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, who fought for liberation and justice , a cook and private in Company E of the 116th Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops, who fought for liberation and justice Eliza Brooks , who escaped slavery at the age of 50 with her two children and a friend , who escaped slavery at the age of 50 with her two children and a friend Henry Bibb , who was born into slavery and later became a leading abolitionist and advocate for freedom , who was born into slavery and later became a leading abolitionist and advocate for freedom Elijah P. Marrs , who rallied 27 other African Americans to join the Union Army, enlisting in the 12th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery , who rallied 27 other African Americans to join the Union Army, enlisting in the 12th Regiment of the U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery The Harlem Hellfighters , an award-winning African American combat unit during World War I , an award-winning African American combat unit during World War I Whitney M. Young Jr. , the head of the National Urban League who worked to dismantle employment discrimination and improve government services for Black Americans , the head of the National Urban League who worked to dismantle employment discrimination and improve government services for Black Americans Annie Mitchell Reed , a nanny, cook, laundress, and seamstress who survived the deadliest train wreck in Kentucky history , a nanny, cook, laundress, and seamstress who survived the deadliest train wreck in Kentucky history Mattie Owens , a teacher who instructed first through eighth grade in a single room until desegregation , a teacher who instructed first through eighth grade in a single room until desegregation Reverend Charles Henry Parrish Sr., a Kentucky Normal and Theological Institute graduate who co-founded Eckstein Norton University Pin Janette recalls witnessing a visitor's reaction during the Harlem Hellfighters experience: 'I remember someone breaking down in tears at Calvary Cemetery because they knew that their loved one was buried there somewhere, but they had no idea [about] all that they had done in history,' she says. 'That was surprising and wonderful.' Though Kentucky Black Trailblazers currently features 19 stories, Janette hopes to eventually expand its coverage, perhaps adding more tales or expanding upon the existing ones. 'The project truly is an experience,' she exclaims. 'It brings history to life in a completely new way. I don't think I've been with anyone who didn't walk away feeling … changed. It just feels immersive and transformational.' ********** Give your inbox the Southern makeover it deserves. Subscribe to our daily emails. About the Author Lennie Omalza Originally from Hawaii, Lennie Omalza is a Louisville-based freelance writer of over 18 years. Lennie is a yoga-loving foodie who travels as often as she can and enjoys writing about food, homes, and weddings. You can find more of Lennie's work at Eater, Hawaii Home & Remodeling, and The Louisville Courier-Journal.
Style Blueprint
02-08-2025
- Style Blueprint
The 7 Most Breathtaking Scenic Overlooks in the South
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit The South is full of jaw-dropping landscapes — and you don't always need a long hike to enjoy them. From the misty heights of the Smoky Mountains to sweeping valleys and waterfalls, these scenic overlooks in the South offer unforgettable views with minimal effort. Clingmans Dome Location: Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC Highlight: This is the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet with a paved 0.5-mile trail to a stone observation tower offering 360 degrees of mountain views. This is the highest point in the Smokies at 6,643 feet with a paved 0.5-mile trail to a stone observation tower offering 360 degrees of mountain views. Tips: The trail is steep but paved; bring layers as it's cooler at elevation. The visitor center has restrooms. The trail is steep but paved; bring layers as it's cooler at elevation. The visitor center has restrooms. Closest city: About 45 minutes from Gatlinburg, TN Pin Lookout Mountain Location: Chattanooga, TN Chattanooga, TN Highlight: The mountain features scenic overlooks, including Rock City's famous 'See Seven States' viewpoint and gardens. The mountain features scenic overlooks, including Rock City's famous 'See Seven States' viewpoint and gardens. Tips: Parking is available near Rock City, and a ticket is required for Rock City attractions, but some overlooks are free. The best time to visit is sunset. Parking is available near Rock City, and a ticket is required for Rock City attractions, but some overlooks are free. The best time to visit is sunset. Closest city: 15 minutes from downtown Chattanooga Chimney Rock Location: Chimney Rock State Park, NC Chimney Rock State Park, NC Highlight: Take an elevator or short hike to a dramatic overlook 315 feet above Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Take an elevator or short hike to a dramatic overlook 315 feet above Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. Tips: The elevator has an admission fee of $17, and trails are available for hiking. Spend some time exploring the nearby restaurants and shops in Lake Lure. The elevator has an admission fee of $17, and trails are available for hiking. Spend some time exploring the nearby restaurants and shops in Lake Lure. Closest city: About 40 minutes from Asheville, NC Pin Grandfather Mountain Location: Linville, NC Linville, NC Highlight: Step foot on a mile-high swinging bridge with spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views and walk the boardwalk trails at the summit. Step foot on a mile-high swinging bridge with spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views and walk the boardwalk trails at the summit. Tips: There is an entry fee required (approximately $20). The weather can change quickly, so be sure to check the conditions before visiting. There is an entry fee required (approximately $20). The weather can change quickly, so be sure to check the conditions before visiting. Closest city: Roughly 45 minutes from Boone, NC Skyline Drive Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA Shenandoah National Park, VA Highlight: This 105-mile scenic drive features 75+ overlooks showing the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. This 105-mile scenic drive features 75+ overlooks showing the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Tips: The park's entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for seven days. The best times to visit are when you can see fall foliage or spring blooms. Facilities and picnic spots are available at many overlooks. The park's entrance fee is $30 per vehicle for seven days. The best times to visit are when you can see fall foliage or spring blooms. Facilities and picnic spots are available at many overlooks. Closest city: About an hour and a half from Washington, D.C. Pin Caesars Head State Park Location: Greenville County, SC Greenville County, SC Highlight: This easily reached overlook has paved paths that overlook Raven Cliff Falls and panoramic mountain views. This easily reached overlook has paved paths that overlook Raven Cliff Falls and panoramic mountain views. Tips: There is no entrance fee. The nearby visitor center has info and restrooms. Visit the overlook for sunrise or sunset photos. There is no entrance fee. The nearby visitor center has info and restrooms. Visit the overlook for sunrise or sunset photos. Closest city: Approximately 45 minutes from Greenville, SC Mount Magazine Location: Paris, AR Paris, AR Highlight: At 2,753 feet, this is the highest peak in Arkansas. Overlooks are accessible by car and offer valley and river views. At 2,753 feet, this is the highest peak in Arkansas. Overlooks are accessible by car and offer valley and river views. Tips: The state park offers cabins, camping, and picnic areas. The weather can be cool and windy at the summit. The state park offers cabins, camping, and picnic areas. The weather can be cool and windy at the summit. Closest city: Around an hour and a half from Fort Smith, AR Pin Happy exploring! ********** To stay in the know on the best of the South, subscribe to our daily emails! About the Author Kate Feinberg Kate Feinberg is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor & Sponsored Content Specialist, based in Nashville. Kate is a plant-based foodie, avid runner, and fantasy reader.
