Emerald Coast – Things to Do

Whether you want to enjoy your Florida Panhandle vacation lounging on the sugar white beaches of Destin or Panama City, stalking a heart-pounding adventure, or soaking up a little culture and refinement, there is a full catalog of things to do on the Florida Panhandle. The Emerald Coast spans more than 100 miles of sugar white beaches, and seemingly endless fresh water streams and hiking trails, starting in Port St. Joe and meandering north to Navarre, with stops everywhere in-between.

Whether you are looking for the best places for sightseeing, camping, or an exciting adventure for the kids, here is where to find places to go, things to do, and people to meet.

Port St. Joe/Apalachicola – Historical places and nature preserves

When traveling to Apalachicola, remember to adjust your clocks, time really does slow down. As you drive northwest into Franklin County and Apalachicola, you enter into the Eastern Time zone. No matter where, or when you are, you’ll find plenty to do while visiting the Forgotten Coast.

With a rich history dating back hundreds of years, the community has increased efforts toward downtown revitalization, bringing back the glory and grace of the local architecture. Take a step back in time to a quieter and more peaceful era.

Trinity Episcopal Church - Established in 1837, the church, the sixth oldest in the state, is a prime example of Greek revival architecture. Services have been held in the church for more than 165 years.
796th Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 653-9550

Coombs House Inn - A Victorian mansion built in 1905 is now a Bed and Breakfast Inn.
80 6th Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 653-9199

Gibson Inn - Built in the early 1900s, the three-story inn has come full circle, first as a hotel for early turn-of-the-century travelers and now, restored to its original beauty, a landmark Bed and Breakfast Inn.
57 Market Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 653-2191

Chestnut Street Cemetery - Established in 1831, epitaphs tell the history of the town. Gravestone art reflects the historic, religious, and burial customs of the era.
Located between 6th and 8th Street on Highway 98
Apalachicola, FL 32320

John Gorrie State Museum - A tribute to the inventor of modern air conditioning, the museum features a replica of his first prototype.
Sixth Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 653-9347

Camp Gordon Johnston Museum - A former training base for amphibious soldiers, restored as a museum of historic military artifacts.
302 Marine Street
Carrabelle, FL 32322
(850) 697-8575

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge - Accessible only by boat, the refuge is open during daylight hours.

John B. Meyer Harbor House – Visitors’ Center
479 Market St.
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 653-8808.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park - Accessible by a 4-mile bridge, the park offers excellent shelling and access to hiking trails, pristine beaches, fishing and camping.
1900 E Gulf Beach Drive
St. George Island, FL 32329
(850) 927-2111

Cape St. George State Preserve ­- A 9-mile long barrier island separating Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the preserve is also home to the Cape St. George Lighthouse, built in 1852.
1900 E. Gulf Beach Dr.
St. George Island, FL 32459
(850) 927-2111

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park - Camping, cabin rentals, beach access, boat ramp, and hiking. Rated one of the best beaches in the United States.
8899 Cape San Blas Rd
Port St. Joe, FL 32456
(850) 227-1327

Holmes and Washington Counties – Fresh water fishing and the Fountain of Youth

Get away from the crowds and back to a quieter, more sedate Florida. Enjoy miles of hiking or canoeing trails on Choctawhatchee River or dip a line in the water for some of the best fresh water fishing in the Panhandle.

Come fall, join the cowboy faithful at the Annual Northwest Florida Rodeo Championship at Memorial Field in Bonifay during the first week of October, or add your voice to the 10,000 faithful at the annual All Night Gospel Sing each July in Bonifay.

Ponce de Leon State Park – home to the legendary “Fountain of Youth.”
2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Rd
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
(850) 836-4281

Vortex Springs - 50-foot spring basin opening for swimming and diving.
1517 Vortex Springs Lane
Ponce de Leon
(800) 342-0640 or (850) 836-4979

Morrison Springs - Excellent opportunity for scuba diving. Large, three cavern basin with entrances at 30 and 50 feet, with depths reaching 90 feet in each cave.
State Road 181 A
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455

South Walton – live theatre and resort dining

Dotted by large expanses of lush, undeveloped forests and plush, manicured resorts communities, South Walton County offers the best of both worlds – rich natural beauty and impeccable luxury.

Seaside – “The Truman Show,” starring Jim Carrey and Laura Linney, was filmed on location in this planned resort community in South Walton County in 1998
Scenic Highway 30A
Seaside, FL 32413

Grit & Grace - stage productions created from the oral history of Walton County through skits, songs and tales of faith and inspiration
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 835-2032

Seaside Repertory Theatre – a premier regional theatre featuring some of the best local talent in the area
30 Smolian Circle
Santa Rosa Beach, FL  32459
Box office: (850) 231-0733

The Village of Baytowne Wharf  - Wednesday Night Concert Series, free family concerts
Village Events Plaza
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, West
Sandestin, FL 32550
(850) 267-8100 or (800) 277-0801

Coastal Wine Tour – a three-day festival in late October the art, nature, culture and cuisine of Beaches of South Walton
Gulf Place Amphitheater
1 Laurel Hamilton Boulevard
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

Telluride MountainFilm Tour - this independent film makes an annual stop here in late October or early November. Films include an eclectic selection of documentaries shown at the resort’s Marina Park Amphitheater
WaterColors
34 Goldenrod Circle
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 822-6877

Beaujolais Nouveau Holiday Kick-off – mid- to late November festival that includes holiday tree lighting, live seasonal music, French Cuisine walkabout dinner, and special merchant promotions
Market Shops of Sandestin
Sandestin, FL 32550
(850) 267-8092

Crestview – Gateway to the Emerald Coast

Crestview is called “The Hub City” for a reason. Lying at the juncture of three major roadways – Interstate 10, State Highway 85 and 90 - it is also one of the best-kept secrets on the Panhandle. Crestview is one of the fastest growing towns in the region, but is still an unspoiled, natural resource. With its proximity to other major municipalities, as well as a major interstate highway, Crestview is close to everything, while still being “away from it all.”

Blackwater River State Park - canoeing/kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, swimming
7720 Deaton Bridge Rd
Milton, FL
(850) 983-5363

Navarre – butterflies, wild cats, and festivals

A meditative walk through clouds of butterflies, or a train ride through a jungle habitat, you’ll find that and more in Navarre.

Panhandle Butterfly House - Closes for the season from September through Memorial Day
Hwy 98 at the foot of Navarre Bridge on the Navarre Nature Walk
Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 939-3267

THE ZOO
5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
(850) 932-2229

Gulf Coast Kiln Walk - 32-foot, wood-fueled Anagama kiln
7507 Buckeye Rd
Holley-Navarre, FL 32566
(850) 939-2744

Home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the Emerald Coast, Navarre can also boast of National and State Park reservations offering beach access for fishing, hiking, swimming, diving, and kayaking.

Gulf Islands National Seashore
1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
(850) 934-2600

Blackwater River State Park
7720 Deaton Bridge Rd
Holt, FL 32564
(850) 983-5363
When visiting in Navarre, there will always be a great party to attend. Festivals celebrating regional heritage, arts, community and just for the fun of it are planned throughout the year.

 

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