Everyone Loves a Bargain
By Tara Roberts
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.
The following list includes attractions and events that have an admission of no more than $6 per person, with most being free to the public. There is a little bit of everything here – museums, parks, airplanes, Native Americans, tigers and butterflies, movies, food and music – mix, match, and enjoy!
Sun and Sand
The obvious first option is the beach. Florida beaches are rated as some of the nicest in the nation and the world. Visitors coming to the Gulf Coast who do not want to spend a fortune on accommodations with a water view can find any number of outstanding resorts within easy walking distance to beaches, and save a little money on the deal. Hundreds of Gulf access boardwalks, covered pavilions with charcoal grills, parking, and restrooms with shower facilities can be found at many of the public beaches – all for free.
Art and History
For vacationers who are more culturally minded, the Gulf Coast offers a wealth of fine art and historical venues, which include:
- Arts and Design Society Gallery – 17
1st St., Fort Walton Beach Open Tuesday through Saturday
noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
(850) 244-1271
Admission: FREE
Housed in the Old City Hall Complex – designated a historic landmark in 1989 – the gallery has several permanent exhibits as well as rotating artist shows.
- Visual Arts Center – 19 E.
4th St., Panama City
Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
(850) 769-4451
Admission: FREE
Established in 1955 to promote and exhibit visual arts in Bay County, the present Center is housed in the former Panama City Hall and Jail which was renovated as part of a downtown revitalization project in 1986. Visitors are offered a outstanding array of differing art styles displayed in three separate galleries.
- Okaloosa-Walton College Arts Center – Niceville
Campus, 100 College Blvd.
Open Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
(850) 729-6044
Admission: FREE
A fine arts facility showing more than 20 international, national and regional exhibits each year in two separate galleries, in addition to a multi-million dollar permanent collection of donated works from German artist Emil Holzhauer. Other collections, including Sublette Collection of New Guinea Sculpture, and Masks of the L.R. Davis Flint Glass collection, are also displayed there.
- Heritage Museum – 115 Westview
Ave., Valparaiso
Open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(850) 678-4547
Admission: Adults $1, children age 16 and under FREE
Visitors get a glimpse into the past with displays of historic artifacts special to the area, as well as folk art exhibits, and Native American displays. The Museum also houses an extensive local history reference library. Classes in lost arts, such as quilting, tatting and bobbin lace, and basket weaving are also offered.
- Indian Temple Mound Museum – 139
Miracle Strip Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach
September to May, open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
June to August, open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(850) 833-9595
Admission: Adults $3; seniors and military with ID $2; children 4-17 years, $1; and children 3 years and under, FREE.
The Panhandle’s long and rich Native American History is presented at the museum through displays of artifacts dating from 12,000 B.C. to the modern age. More than 6,000 stone, bone, clay and shell artifacts, and ceramics representing one of the finest collections of Native America relics in the Southeastern U.S. are housed at the museum. Displays also include artifacts from early European explorers, pirates, and Civil War periods.
- Destin History and Fishing Museum – 108
Stahlman Ave. (the old City Library), Destin.
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(850) 837-6611
Admission: $5 for adults, $4 for military and seniors, $3 for students, children ages 3 and under, FREE.
Located in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” the museum offers exhibits of Destin history and it’s fishing heritage including over 100 mounted native fish.
- Chautauqua Winery – I-10 and
U.S. Highway 331, DeFuniak Springs.
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
(850) 892-5887
Admission: FREE
Established in 1979, the vineyard is the largest in Florida. The grapes, hybrids of native varieties, are harvested late August and early September. Complimentary tours and wine tasting are available.
- John Gorrie State Museum – 6th
Street, Apalachicola (one block off Highway 319/98)
Open Thursday through Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
(850) 653-9347
Admission: FREE
Dedicated to the life and work of John Gorrie, a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration. A replica of his revolutionary ice-making machine is on display at the museum. The device was first invented to help cool rooms for yellow fever patients during an outbreak in Apalachicola in the early 1800’s. Gorrie died before seeing the far-reaching effect his invention had.
Military
Being home to several military installations – Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Flield, Tyndall Air Force Base, and the Naval Air Station in Pensacola - gives the Florida Panhandle the unique opportunity to showcase its military history. These museums preserve the role the military had in shaping the country and the sacrifices soldiers made in defending it.
- Air Force Armament Museum – Highway
85 South near Shalimar
Open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., follows federal holiday closures
(850) 651-1808
Admission: FREE (donations encouraged)
The only museum dedicated to U.S. armament, visitors can see a wide variety of historic air craft ranging from the WWII B-17 Bomber to the Cold War fighter F-4 Phantom II jet. The museum also has an impressive gun vault, and displays of bombs, missiles, and rockets.
- National Museum of Naval Aviation – NAS
Pensacola
Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
(850) 452-3604 or (800) 327-5002
Admission: FREE (donations encouraged)
One of the nation’s largest military museums, visitors can see over 140 authentically restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation dating from pre-WWI to the modern era.
- Camp Gordon Johnston Museum – 302
Marine St., Carrabelle
Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(850) 697-8575
Admission: FREE
During WWII, Carrabelle was home to Camp Gordon Johnston, a training base for amphibious soldiers. Military artifacts and oral histories are presented to visitors.
Nature
With
nearly 160 state parks encompassing 720,000 acres and
more than 100 miles of beaches, Florida is a nature lover’s
virtual paradise. For a nominal entrance fee, typically
$2 to $4 per car, visitors can enjoy hiking, swimming,
boating, fishing, spelunking, biking, picnicking, bird
watching, and the natural beauty of Florida’s
awarding winning state park system. For a complete listing
of Florida state parks visit www.floridastateparks.org.
If the park entrance fee is still too pricey, other nature
preserves and wilderness areas are accessible to the
public at little or no cost.
- Turkey Creek Nature Trail – 340
John Sims Pkwy., Niceville
Open daily 6:30 a.m. until dark
(850) 642-7454
Admission: FREE
The trail features an elevated boardwalk ambling almost a mile along the spring-fed Turkey Creek nature area. Benches and swimming docks are built at intervals along the boardwalk. The park also offers ample parking, a covered picnic pavilion, bathrooms, charcoal grills, a stone fireplace, and cold drink vending machines. The city provides a safety officer to patrol the area. A great place to swim, canoe or kayak, and tube down a cold-water creek.
- Butterfly House – Highway
98 (at the foot of Navarre Beach Bridge), Navarre
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, May 1 through Labor Day
(850) 939-0085
Admission: FREE (donations encouraged)
Features a walk-through, live habitat of more than 200 native butterflies that are hatched at the facility.
- Joe Moody Harris Park – 9th
Avenue, Panama City
Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(850) 872-3199
Admission: FREE
One of Panama City’s best-kept secrets, this 30-acre park features an 800-foot boardwalk that meanders through wetlands and extends over a lake that is an ideal spot for fishing. Outdoor picnic pavilions and a community center with an open-air deck overlooking the lake are available for special events.
- Sasquatch Zoo – 5262 Deer
Springs Dr. (off Highway 90), Crestview
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(850) 682-3949
Admission: Adults $6, seniors $5, and children age 3 and older $4.50.
The preserve is home to more than 125 animals, many that may be hand-fed and held. Lions, tigers, bears, birds, and antelope call the park home. Two picnic areas are also available to visitors.
Young at Heart
Children can sometimes be the most difficult to entertain when on a tight budget, but for those visiting the Florida Panhandle, the trip can include not only fun, but also exciting educational opportunities - or simply just a great place to play.
- Junior Museum of Bay County – 1731
Jenks Ave., Panama City
Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sundays and major holidays
(850) 769-6128
Admission: FREE (suggested donation adults $5, and children age 12 and under $3)
Children of all ages can enjoy a hands-on experience through science and nature exhibits.
- Emerald Coast Science Center – 139
Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach
Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(850) 664-1261
Admission: Adults $5, seniors $4, children ages 4-17 $3.50, and children ages 3 and under, FREE.
Full of hands-on experiments for budding scientists featuring seven exhibit galleries. Learn about the different systems of the human body, aviation, light and nature.
- William C. Jordan Children’s Park – 204
N. Partin Dr., Niceville
Open June to September, Tuesday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Open October and May, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Open November to April, Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(850) 642-3535
Admission: FREE
This enclosed park offers an astonishing assortment of playground equipment to ride on, climb on, slide on, and swing on. Kids can also cool off in the dolphin fountain. Picnic tables and umbrellas give parents a shady place to sit while watching the kids play. Vending machines and restrooms are also on site. The city’s public library, with extensive teen and children’s reading sections, is located next door.
Movies and Music
Several of the area retail centers offer weekly family
events all free to the public.
- Fort Walton Landing, Brooks St., Fort Walton Beach – Free Movie Fridays. (850) 833-9576
- Destin Commons – Highway 98 and Mid Bay Bridge., Destin - First Friday concert series. (850) 337-8700
- Village of Baytowne Wharf, off Highway
98, Sandestin – Free family entertainment including
concerts, kids events, movies, and comedy theater.
(800) 277-0801 or (850) 267-8100.
Festivals
If you like to eat, drink and be merry, there is a full calendar of special events in the Panhandle offering everything from fresh, local seafood, and homemade ethnic favorites, to pastries that will leave you wanting more - plus a lot of dancing in between. Add to that live music performed by some of the country’s favorite rock and country bands, you have plenty to pick from. Many of these events have no admission fee, but you still have to budget yourself on the food and drink. Dates vary, but are typically held the same time each year.
- Old Spanish Trail Festival - Spanish
Trail Park, Crestview
Last weekend in April or first weekend in May.
(850) 682-4715
Admission: Adults $5 and children under age 12 $3
Celebrates the area’s rich heritage with a rodeo, arts and crafts bazaar, carnival rides and nationally recognized musicians. Past headliners have included Kenny Chesney, Three Dog Night, Kentucky Headhunters, and former lead singer for Bad Company Brian Howe.
- ArtsQuest – Village of Baytowne
Wharf, Sandestin
Mother’s Day Weekend
(850) 231-0885
Admission: FREE
A two-day arts extravaganza showcasing over 100 regional and national artists.
- Italia Festa - Emerald Coast Convention
Center, Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton Beach
Last weekend in June
(850) 862-2758
Admission: FREE
Hosted by the Sons of Italy, this is a two-day, cornucopia of homemade Italian entrees and pastries, wine and music.
- Greek Festival - Emerald Coast Convention
Center, Okaloosa Island, Fort Walton
Beach
Labor Day Weekend
(850) 244-0822
Admission: FREE
Presented by Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, offers two days of baklava, souvlaki, dolmathes and folkdancing.
- Oktoberfest, 4512 Highway 20, Niceville
End of September or first of October
(850) 897-3190
Admission: FREE
A two-day festival filled with German cuisine, beer and polkas. Sponsored by the Mid-Bay Rotary Club.
- Destin Seafood Festival - Morgan’s
Sports Complex, Airport Road, Destin
Second weekend in October
(850) 837-6241
Admission: $5 for weekend, children under 12 FREE
Three-day music and local seafood festival celebrated in the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” Past headliners include former Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm, and the Grass Roots.
- Mullet Festival – Twin Oaks
Park, College Blvd., Niceville
Third weekend in October.
(850) 729-4008
Admission: $5 for the weekend
A three-day festival full of country music and seafood. Sunday’s finale is a family-friendly, alcohol-free day. Past headliners include Charlie Daniel, Terri Clark, Rascal Flats, Dixie Chicks and Montgomery Gentry.
- Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow - Twin
Oaks Park, College Boulevard, Niceville
First weekend in November
www.thunderbirdpowwow.org
Admission: FREE.
A three-day, cultural event featuring Native American dancers, drummers and craft demonstrations.