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
What to do and see in Florida Panhandle, Florida Panhandle: The Best Historic Sites
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. Fort Gadsden Historic Site
2. Old Willis Dairy
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
3. St. Michael's Cemetery
4. Cape St George Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By itsashley3
92 steps and a ladder took us to a truly gorgeous view of the island! Our legs felt like jello by the end and the ladder was a little nerve-racking for me personally but the view of the island and the ocean was worth it for us. It’s an extremely inexpensive thing to do and we enjoyed it. The museum is inside of the gift shop and it was fun to read and learn about the lighthouse. COVID precautions are taken very seriously inside of the gift shop, museum and lighthouse and we were so grateful for it! Tip: I don’t recommend for very small children. My youngest was tall enough for the lighthouse but the ladder would have been difficult for her. Children cannot be carried up the stairs or up the ladder.
5. Mission San Luis de Apalachee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 413 reviews
Mission San Luis was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. Today, the Mission brings the 17th century to life through costumed interpreters, reconstructed buildings, museum exhibits and archaeological demonstrations. The Mission offers special events, camps and workshops throughout the year. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission fees: Adults, $5; Seniors, $3; Children, $2; Active duty military are free.
Reviewed By Roving404654
Great place to learn and understand Apalachee Native American history. The archaeology is well conceived and presented to lay people as well as more deeply available to trained or avid students of archaeology. The living history events are especially interesting. Place for everyone.
6. Fort Pickens Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,907 reviews
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of this authentic fort active during the Civil War and later used as a jail to hold the infamous American Indian chief Geronimo.
Reviewed By edsel13304 - Barneveld, United States
This is a wonderful place to visit at the west end of Santa Rosa Island at the Gulf Shores National Seashore, You will find this historic old fort site very interesting if you are interested in Civil War history. It is a beautiful drive to get to it along the coast with stops along the drive to enjoy views of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola. The Fort is a very large and interesting to see what military forts were like in the Civil War era to protect the Pensacola bay/harbor.
7. Knott House Museum
8. Fort Barrancas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Located in the Pensacola Naval Station, this is the site of the first U.S. Naval yard that was built in 1821.
Reviewed By James42558 - Ortonville, United States
We are glad that we had the chance to visit and learn more about this part of our American history! Huge complex, so allow time to go through it! If you have difficulty walking and climbing, you may not be able to see all of it though, but you can see the lower levels of it and certain buildings.
9. Veterans Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
The home of Wall South, the first permanent replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial. Founded in 1992 the Park has since grown and prospered. It now includes a WWI Memorial, a WWII Memorial, a Korean War Memorial, and a running series of plaques to honor local warriors who have fallen in the Global War on Terror. There is also a Purple Heart Memorial and a monument to the submarine lifeguards who rescued so many Navy pilots in WWII (including President George Herbert Walker Bash). Most recently, it is home to the Marine Corps Aviation Bell Tower, which has become a popular venue for local veteran's events and ceremonies. Our Park continues to grow. A Revolutionary War Memorial has been approved and will shortly join our other memorials. It will fill a gap of omission at the Park, honoring those whose sacrifice gave Americans a Nation worth defending. The next gap to be filled will be a memorial to honor the current generation of Americans who are fighting the Global War on Terror. Our community is steeped in military tradition and enriched with a strong military presence. The full range of service, sacrifice, duty and honor that comes with military service is amply illustrated in the example of our own citizens. This park is dedicated to the memories of those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of this nation.
Reviewed By 273reginam
was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. wonderful statues and tributes to our patriots. loved seeing the wreaths placed at all the memorials for Christmas. a must see!
10. Eden Gardens State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Formerly the estate of the William Henry Wesley family, this lovely park features the Wesley mansion, manicured lawns and moss-draped gardens.
Reviewed By 848catm
Eden State Park is a gem and a must see if you are visiting the area.Beautiful grounds that are well maintained. Gardens a stunning as is Wesley House. A deep appreciation can be given to the history of this area. Park is easily walked. A guide and map is provided to educate the visitor about the many different examples of flora on this estate and how all of it came about. I is beautiful the live oaks will leave you in a state of awe. 4 dollar fee what a low fee for such a magnificent adventure! Just go!
