Top Things to do in Florida Panhandle
Top Hotels in Florida Panhandle
- 1. Best Western Crossroads Inn
- 2. Hotel Effie Sandestin
- 3. Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
- 4. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
- 5. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Panama City Beach - Beachfront An IHG Hotel
- 6. Holiday Inn Resort - Panama City Beach
- 7. Hibiscus Coffee and Guesthouse
- 8. The Island Resort At Fort Walton Beach
- 9. The Henderson Beach Resort
- 10. Best Western Ft. Walton Beachfront
Things to do in Florida Panhandle, Florida Panhandle: The Best Beaches
The Florida Panhandle is known for its quaint beach towns and interesting attractions, many of which are money-saving and family friendly. Come to the Florida Panhandle and relax on glorious beaches, shop to your heart’s content and dance the night away. Santa Rosa Island is great for kids and offers a wide array of both beach-based and water-based activities. Families will enjoy a day away to tour the 150-year-old Pensacola Lighthouse. The Florida Panhandle offers exciting nightlife. Panama City, Destin and Pensacola all have numerous bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes. Panama City is home to Club La Vela, the largest nightclub in the U.S. The Florida Panhandle is a shopaholic’s dream. It offers specialty stores, antique stores and shopping malls. For those renting a home or condo, a trip to Joe Patti’s seafood market in Pensacola is a must. The market specializes in fine wine and cheese, and beautifully presented handmade chocolates to take home to friends and relatives as gifts. Mon Père et Moi in Tallahassee is also worth a visit.
Restaurants in Florida Panhandle
1. Gulf Islands National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,254 reviews
This 150-mile stretch of seashore, which runs from Cat Island in Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island in Florida, offers sparkling blue water and many beautiful beaches along the way.
Reviewed By GlennBrigan
Growing up in Pensacola and as an adult moving away I love and appreciate the beauty of the soft fluffy white sands of Santa Rosa Island when I get to return on a vacation. These beaches are the jewel of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether swimming in the gulf, walking along the shore collecting seashells, or exploring the historic past of Fort Pickens you will too love these beaches.
2. Santa Rosa Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 868 reviews
Reviewed By TASunde - Canton, United States
This is a great beach with soft white sand and both beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Not overly populated you've room to separate.
3. Navarre Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,707 reviews
Tucked away in a corner of Northwest Florida, far from crowded theme parks and packed beaches, you will find a piece of the old Florida offering solitude and simplicity for sun seekers, families, outdoor adventurers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Reviewed By Applejacksons
It’s horrible how great it is for just relaxing. If more people come here there will be more traffic for me as a Floridian. Beach is great. Calm on some days and not so calm on others. Just check the webcam. I agree go to Pensacola or destin so we can enjoy how pristine the beach experience is. The sound side is great as well.
4. Blue Mountain Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By ClintTraveler - Coralville, United States
We have been coming to this area for 20 years. We like the off-season with your people and the weather is still very nice. The beach is the best in the world. We like to bike and there is a great bike path and a great bike shop with great service. Good for walking as well
5. Opal Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By maldenmusic - Malden, United States
Opal Beach is a gorgeous piece of white sand and clear water. The complex has pavillions, bathrooms, outside showers for rinsing off and daily lifeguards. There are no concessions or vendors. It's part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and there's a $25 entrance fee which is good for 7 days. It's our favorite beach in Florida.
6. St. Andrews State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,262 reviews
Reviewed By O2486MWelizabethh
We love St. Andrews, the pier provides great fishing and is spacious, the jetties have great snorkeling opportunities and help create the kiddie pool which is my favorite part of the park! Calm, clear water tucked behind the jetties, the water stays nice and shallow allowing everyone, even the younger kids, the chance to enjoy the Gulf. We also enjoy standing on the alligator lake watching the gators drift through their swamp.
7. Pensacola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,178 reviews
Located on Santa Rosa Island, Pensacola Beach is a popular spot for family vacations.
Reviewed By rkmcgilla - Pensacola, United States
I live on the Bay between Pensacola and NAS and we take our grandkids there every time they visit. From the Pavilion at Pensacola Beach all the way to the West end of the island at Perdido Pass it is sugar white sand and beautiful water. Several restaurants, but our favorites over there is Flounders. In Pensacola McGuire’s is tops. The views on the drive are fantastic
8. St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 747 reviews
One of the top beaches in 1995.
Reviewed By P6749UNdennisc
Great State Park, the best beaches in Florida to me!!! Great fishing on the surf too!! Also great snorkeling in the bay, there is lots of things to discover at this park!!!
9. Panama City Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,397 reviews
This 27-mile long beach offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy such as swimming, snorkeling, dolphin-spotting parasailing and jet skiing.
Reviewed By christopherbE4200ZM - Terre Haute, United States
The beaches in PCB are the best, soft white sand, crystal clear water, an abundance of wildlife( My wife had a sea turtle swim right past her feet while walking in the surf! How cool? Lots to do and not the prices of the more southern spots. We go every fall when it is not crowded and the prices have dropped. Plus we live in Indiana and we can make the drive in 12 hours!
10. Henderson Beach State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,320 reviews
Reviewed By nylady21 - Philadelphia, United States
The soft sands are gorgeous and a beach walk is always good for my soul. Beautiful nature trail loop with informative placards and a nice playground too make this a wonderful park. You can get online tickets for Florida State Parks which makes admission easier.
