Page 95 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

leading to the Blackwater River waterfront. This area was once the epicenter of thriving timber and shipbuilding industries. At an old post office that’s been converted into a local brew pub, you can ogle at antiques while eating lunch. And you can step back into the 19th century at the West Florida Railroad Museum.
At the western end of Northwest Florida, the city of Pensacola boasts two significant distinctions. It was the first settlement founded by immigrants to America— although later deserted for a few years, thereby ceding to St. Augustine the title of oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. The other distinction is that Pensacola’s iconic Saenger Theatre first opened its doors in 1925. The fully restored theater now hosts a variety of shows including the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola, The Pensacola Opera and The Pensacola Children's Chorus.
Jackson County’s Spanish Heritage trail treats you to 150 miles of beautiful scenery, as well as Florida’s rich Spanish history, as you explore fascinating old missions, settle- ments and historic sites. And, in the town of Quincy, the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum takes visitors on a trip through contem- porary Southern Vernacular Art.
In the Washington County town of Chipley, the Spanish Trail Playhouse is one of the few remaining volunteer theater companies in the state.
ATTRACTIONS
Franklin County’s attractions highlight its natural beauty, such as the Apalachicola National Forest and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, complete with fish tanks and interactive displays.
A long time ago, a Liberty County resident named E.E. Callaway claimed he had found the Garden of Eden in Liberty County. Maybe, maybe not. But the county does have a part of paradise in its share of the Apalachicola National Forest.
No visit to Northwest Florida should end without a horseback ride on the beach, particularly in dream-like spots such as Cape San Blas. If you prefer your water inland (with oars or on a tour boat), head for the
JANUARY
30A Songwriters Festival, South Walton Apalachicola Oyster Cook-off
Mardi Gras, Pensacola
Pensacola Beach Run Half Marathon
and 10K
FEBRUARY
30A Wine Festival at Alys Beach, South Walton
St. Andrews Mardi Gras, Panama City
MARCH
Down Home Street Festival, Bonifay Forgotten Coast En Plein Air Paint-out,
Franklin and Gulf Counties
Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and
Pirate Festival, Pensacola
St. George Island Regional Charity
Chili Cook-off and Auction
Sandestin Gumbo Festival, South Walton
MARCH-APRIL
UNwineD, Panama City Beach
APRIL
Apalachicola Antique & Classic Boat & Car Show
Carrabelle Riverfront Festival Interstate Mullet Toss and Gulf Coast’s
Greatest Beach Party, Perdido Key Pensacola Crawfish Festival
Rock the Falls Music Festival, Chipley Sandestin Wine Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
MAY
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, Fort Walton Beach
Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach, South Walton
Tupelo Honey Festival, Wewahitchka
JUNE
Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, Sandestin
Panhandle Watermelon Festival, Chipley Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, Panama City Beach
JULY
July 4th Fireworks, Panama City Beach Pensacola Beach Air Show
AUGUST
Paddle at the Porch, Destin Wausau Funday & Possum Festival
SEPTEMBER
Gulf Coast Summer Fest – Jazz Edition, Pensacola
Oktoberfest, Panama City Pensacola Seafood Festival Two-Toed Tom Festival, Esto Vettes at the Beach (Corvettes),
Pensacola Beach
OCTOBER
Destin Fishing Rodeo
Destin Seafood Festival
Florida Anime Festival, Fort Walton Beach Goat Day & Pioneer Day, Blountstown Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo,
Bonifay
Schooners Lobster Festival &
Tournament, Panama City Beach Taste of the Beach, Pensacola
NOVEMBER
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola
BBQ in the Pines, Chipley
Emerald Coast Cruizin’, Panama City Beach Florida Seafood Festival, Apalachicola Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Pensacola Pensacola Foo Foo Festival
Seeing Red Wine Festival, Seaside Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow, Destin
DECEMBER
Destin Holiday on the Harbor Lighted Boat Parade
Florida Caverns Cultural Celebration, Marianna
Lighted Boat Parade, Pensacola New Year’s Eve Ball Drop,
Panama City Beach Pensacola Winterfest
ANNUAL EVENTS
2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA 93