Page 93 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

A DAY IN...
DESTIN-FORT
WALTON BEACH Beginyourdaywithafishingtrip, dolphin cruise or sailing ad- ventureandbesoothedbythe emerald-green waters of the Gulf. Venture over to The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island where you canlunchonfreshGulf-to-table seafood with beachfront views of the sugar-white sand and the Okaloosa Fishing Pier. In the afternoon, stroll downtown Fort Walton Beach’s Heritage Park and Cultural Center, comprised of the Indian Temple Mound Museum, FortWaltonTempleMound,Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum and the Civil War exhibits.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Authentic Florida thrives in quiet coastal communities like Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Eastpoint and Alligator Point. Enjoy quiet, pet- friendly beaches on St. George Island and Alligator Point. Climb historical lighthouses. Camp, paddle or hike along wooded trails and quiet sloughs. Watch commercial fishing boats unload their daily catch or charter a trip with an oyster fisherman to learn how to catch your own. Explore the area’s charm, boutiques, galleries and museums. End with fresh local seafood served at more than 30 area restaurants and seafood markets.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
At Zen Garden or FINN’s Island StyleGrub,startyourdaywith gourmet coffee and a yoga sessionoraquicksurfcheck. From there, explore 27 miles of beautiful beaches. Try snor- keling or paddleboarding in the emerald-green waters at St. Andrews State Park, or catch a boat to Shell Island, a seven- mile-long natural barrier island. Explore diving history at the Man in the Sea Museum before shopping at Pier Park, the area’s leading shopping center. Catch the sunset from Schooner’s restaurant, where the nightly event is celebrated with a cannon blast!
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Enjoy the sugar-white sandy beachesofSantaRosaCounty. Fish from the Navarre Beach Pier(GulfofMexico’slongest) or visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo, Navarre Beach Marine Science Station or Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. Tour Coldwater Gardens near Milton. See why this part of Florida is known as “the Canoe Capital of Florida” with Adventures Unlimited. Canoe, kayak and tube along Coldwater Creek past secluded sandbars, throughthepristineecosystem of Blackwater River State Forest, or soar on its zip line canopy tour.
YOUR NORTHWEST FLORIDA EXPERTS
Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce: calhounco.org
Destin-Fort Walton Beach: destinfwb.com
Destination Panama City: destinationpanamacity.com
Explore Northwest Florida: explorenwflorida.com
Franklin County Tourist Development Council: floridasforgottencoast.com Gadsden County Tourist Development Council: gadsdencountyfl.gov
Gulf County Tourist Development Council: visitgulf.com
Gulf Islands National Seashore: nps.gov/guis
Holmes County Tourist Development Council: unexploredflorida.com Jackson County Tourist Development Council: visitjacksoncountyfla.com Mexico Beach Community Development Council: mexicobeach.com Santa Rosa County Tourism Development Office: getrelaxing.com
Santa Rosa Island Authority: sria-fla.com
Seaside Visitors Bureau: seasidefl.com
Visit Panama City Beach: visitpanamacitybeach.com
Visit Pensacola: visitpensacola.com
Visit South Walton: visitsouthwalton.com
Washington County Tourist Development Council: visitwcfla.com
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 91