On a beautiful Thursday afternoon, two of my coworkers and I discussed all the outdoor activities we hoped to accomplish this summer. Within minutes, we had a canoe trip planned to the Blackwater River in Holt. We could not count down the days fast enough. Friday crept in and the mood was still light and happy. I convinced one of my other friends, also in the Freedom family, to wander out to Blackwater River State Park with us on Saturday. more

If you’re an airplane, military or history buff, a sure stop that you’All want to make on any visit to the Emerald Coast is the Air Force Armament Museum. The only museum of its kind, this collection is dedicated to all things associated with the weapons the Air Force uses and the delivery systems that put those weapons on target. more

All you've wanted to do for months was stretch out on the beach. You dreamed about it. You envisioned it. You wanted sand between your toes and you needed the sound of the tide. Taped to your computer screen, last year's postcard of our emerald green waters has tempted you and teased you, beckoned you to return - and now you are here. more

You are about to head off for a day at the beach, but you know that you always forget something everywhere you go. EmeraldCoast.com wants to make this a fabulous and stress-free day. That is why we have created this handy checklist that you can print out and easily take with you around the house as you gather up the appropriate items for a pleasure-filled day. more

Anyone can take a picture, but not everyone can take a good picture. With a little help, you will be taking better beach pictures than all of your friends. Not to mention, you may actually look at your beach vacation shots again rather than leaving them to gather dust in your bedside table. more

The perfect camping option for some people is serving as a volunteer campground host at any of 78 state parks throughout Florida. The year-round, short-term post - lasting no more than three to four months – offers a free campsite in exchange for as few as 20 hours a week work. more

You dusted off the tent and cleaned out the cooler. Hiking gear, bug spray, sleeping bags and water jugs are already packed in the car for a week-long camping trip to one of Florida’s beautiful state parks. The pet sitter will arrive in half an hour to discuss feeding and exercise routines for your two best friends. Back up a minute – why is the pet sitter on her way? Didn’t you know most Florida state parks allow travelers to camp with cats and dogs on the exception of a limited few? more

Panama City’s landmark, Deer Point Dam, is one of the area’s most popular recreational sites for fishing, swimming and boating. There are many different places to fish in the dam area. You can fish off the dam catwalk, all along the shoreline and off a pier. They are all great places to cast a line, or you can get yourself a boat. more

Summer vacation plans are made, the bags are packed, the car is filled with gas, coolers are full of snacks and drinks for the trip, and maps are tucked into the sun visor. Yet, there is that ever present feeling that something has been forgotten. The “thing” is Fluffy or Rover. When traveling with pets, which more and more families are doing, it is vital to prepare in advance.  It isn’t simply a matter of loading the dogs and cats into the car and driving away.  more

Dressing for a day at the beach sounds like an easy task, but so many Emerald Coast visitors happen upon the beaches in the wrong attire. We here on the Emerald Coast like to consider ourselves experts at dealing with the Florida sun and would like to pass on our first-hand knowledge to help make your stay pleasant and comfortable. After all, if you burn on the first day of vacation, you may end up spending the rest of your time inside putting on aloe rather than in our shops spending money. I am here to make sure that does not happen. more

The Florida Panhandle is home to some of the country’s most expensive tourist attractions, but this has not stopped the Emerald Coast from bringing in a deluge of visitors to its sugar-white beaches, emerald green waters, and the much loved amusement parks. Aside from the millions, if not billions of dollars these attractions generate year-round, Florida also offers guests a myriad of ways to entertain themselves during their stay at bargain rates. more

Back in 1845, Captain Leonard Destin settled in northwest Florida and pioneered the fishing industry here. Since Capt. Destin's first catches, the Emerald Coast has been known as a fisherman's paradise. Whether you fish off the shore of Okaloosa, Walton or Bay Counties, in Choctawhatchee Bay or St. Andrews Bay, or in the rivers, bayous and lakes in the area, anglers can be certain of a fishing fantasy come true. more

Florida State Parks met another unprecedented milestone having won the National Recreation and Parks Gold Medal, recognizing the agency as the “Nation’s Best Park System” for a second time. Florida is the only state park system to have achieved that level of recognition. Earlier this year, Florida State Parks also reached a national record of 1 million hours of donated volunteer hours. A major economic contributor, state parks generated more than $665 million in revenue in the last fiscal year, employing 13,000 rangers and management staff, and providing recreation outlets for over 17 million annual visitors. more

Ask anyone, or just read the billboards as you cross Destin Bridge. Fishing for pleasure, sport or profession, is a thriving business on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is a place where diners can watch from their table as the fishing fleets bring the “Catch of the Day” for local restaurants. While the focus is on saltwater fishing, with anglers pulling in record Wahoo, tuna and other deep-sea monsters, Florida also offers a wealth of freshwater possibilities. more

Picture it – azure skies, emerald green gulf waters, sugar white beaches, a slight breeze, warm sun and a fishing pole. You’re in paradise! When vacationing on the Emerald Coast part of that stay should be devoted to one of America’s favorite pastimes – fishing. One of the best reasons for fishing here is that there are so many options, and so many fish to catch. more

Let’s face it – we can all spot a tourist from a mile away. They are the ones that have the kids on leashes and are constantly digging for maps in their fanny packs. They always have the camera ready even if it is just to take a couple dozen pictures of the stop sign in front of the hotel that they are staying.The Emerald Coast thrives off of the money that is brought in from the tourist industry; therefore, it is our personal mission to educate the tourist. more

So you’ve just reeled in a yummy looking fish, so now what do you do? Well, there are a few options, depending on what you plan on doing with it. In other words, here comes the real fun part. If you plan on releasing the fish, then do so quickly. The best way to release a fish is to keep it in the water if you can. If the fish doesn’t have sharp teeth, like a bass, hold its lower lip between your thumb and index finger. more

You heard and saw it all – the risk of skin cancer, the older people with wrinkly, leather-like skin, and the painful sunburns. But, you think it looks so good. A tan used to be a “badge of health” that the rich and famous got on their trips to sunny locales. And, your favorite star has that golden bronze look. So, you decide it’s worth the risk. Before you take that face that looks like a mime out into the broiler, maybe you should know a few things. A little knowledge could make the difference between gain and pain. more

Florida State Parks contributed more than $665 million to local communities in fiscal year 2004-2005, generating more than 13,000 jobs and welcoming more than 17.3 million visitors. Parks in every region of the state were major tourist attractions, with one facility in the Panhandle ranking in the top five. more

The Emerald Coast features some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Tourists come from all over the country to relax and experience the paradise that the Emerald Coast has to offer. A vacation is a time for experiencing as a family and creating memories; however, if not exercising the proper precautions, this wonderful beach experience could quickly turn into a nightmare. The purpose of this article is not to scare you, but instead to make you aware of the potential dangers that you face in the Gulf of Mexico. more

To hardcore fishermen there is nothing more sacred and vitally important than the tackle box. Like any good Boy Scout you want to be prepared for any and everything and your tackle box is the trusty saddlebag. Of course, you want the basics like lures, extra line, hooks, fishing knives, flies, weights and spinners. But, what are all those things and what do they do? more

Locals here on the Emerald Coast have seen it all the time – tourists that go too far. We’re not talking about the usual stupid stuff like leaving a couple of cases of beer bottles at the beach, “borrowing” towels or not tipping when you get good service. These are things that go over the top, and some may actually be hazardous to the individuals involved. Let me explain. more

Every year, you rent out your home on the Emerald Coast to a few lucky vacationers. In recent years, you have noticed that your customers are tapering off. What is happening? Maybe it is the scare from all the hurricanes or maybe they are just tired of the same old vacation home year after year. Never fear, because I am here to give you a few tips for sprucing up your vacation home and making it the fun place that all your vacationers remember it to be. more

It seems like a simple enough procedure – follow the directional signs in a counterclockwise manner (that means turn to your right), continuing in that direction until you can exit to your right on the desired road. You have successfully driven through a modern roundabout. Or, have you? For most Emerald Coast motorists driving through a roundabout, or the more common traffic circle, has become second nature – and this in an area where stop signs are often regarded as yield signals. Remarkably, courtesy is the norm and traffic moves easily around the British import. none

Traveling with a teenager is a lot like traveling with a small infant. You still have to pack of lot of things to keep them entertained; the toys are just more complicated. Older kids also tend to sleep for hours, make lots of noise when they are unhappy or hungry, and are difficult to reason with. There is a definite communication barrier. Adults and teens actually do speak two different languages Again, as with infants, teenagers require a great deal of care when going outside the confines of your home. more

Unique Things To Do On Vacation: Play Outside the “Sand” Box

It's a given that when you travel to the beach you plan for most of your stay to be staked out at the water's edge, lying in the sun. The Emerald Coast has an irrefutable reputation as one of the nation's best beach destinations, and being in or near the water seems to be the rule. But, why have a routine vacation, when you can experience something a little different? When visiting the Emerald Coast play outside the "sand” box and try some of these unique experiences. more

How many ways are there to get wet? Hundreds, and the Emerald Coast has them all. The choices of water-related activities and water sports along the Emerald Coast are enough to confound the avid aqua-nut and fog his/her scuba goggles. Swim with the dolphins, explore coral formations in an undersea world, skim across whitecaps or soar above waves dangling from a parachute filled with sea air. This water recreation vacation planner will outline all the possibilities, but you have to make the ultimate decision of what to try first. more

Destin is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the south. Every year, millions of visitors flock to the emerald green waters and sandy white beaches that make their home in this conveniently located city. Although most travelers prefer sun to fish, there are still those that come to town with a fishing pole in hand. Destin has been coined the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” for good reason. Known internationally for its quick access to deep water, Destin actually owns this title. more

One vacation option that is especially good for longer stays or large groups is rentals, such as condos, townhouses and single-family homes. This article gives the pros and cons for staying in a condo and provides lists of extras you will need for your stay. more