Seaside, FL?
 

Anyone been? I'm looking at it for a trip sometime later this fall, but it doesn't appear there are many options for hotels outside of the rental houses, which are pretty big for our needs.

I'm also not a big beach person - I can do that at home - so what I'm really looking for is a quaint Gulf Coast town with boutique shopping and unique restaurants. Will Seaside deliver, or are there better options?

Have you looked at St Augustine?

www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com

St. Augustine is unfortunately too far east.

Seaside is great. Expensive, but really nice. No hotels around though. Make sure to visit Bud and Alleys and Red Bar. Also it you want close but not as expensive look into Rosemary Beach and Sandestin. There's tons of little boutique shops and villages all up and down 30-A.

Sandestin is a little too close to home, haha. Guess it's back to the map for me - the no hotel thing is probably a deal-breaker. The two of us just don't need a house for three days.

I want to know where the beach is in DFW. :p

Second the recommendation of Destin. Quaint little city, lots of shopping, dining, drinking, etc. Touristy Ft Walton Beach just a 10 minute drive away.
Grayton Beach, always top rated, a 15-20 minute drive away.

I live in DFW part time.

Live in Fort Walton the rest of the time, so you can see how Destin's a little too close to drop money on a hotel room. :-)

Maybe the WaterColor Inn? It's within walking distance to Seaside.

Watercolor is a great luxury hotel option without huge price tag. Make sure you book through a Virtuoso advisor to receive the amenities. They even give an amenity to guests who book a rental home. It's a quaint New England feel, beautiful beach and sunsets. There are cute shops and restaurants. Also, October isn't high season so there will be promotions.