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Top Reasons to Go | Getting Oriented | What’s Where | Planning

Updated by Ashley Wright

The sugar-white sands of the Panhandle’s beaches stretch 227 miles from Pensacola east to Apalachicola. Sprinkle in clear emerald waters, towering dunes, and laid-back small towns where the fish are always biting and the folks are friendly, and you have a region with local color that’s beloved by Floridians and visitors alike.

There are sights in the Panhandle, but sightseeing isn’t the principal activity. The region is better known for its rich history, ample fishing and diving, and its opportunities for relaxation. Here it’s about Southern drawls, a gentle pace, fresh seafood, and more grits and old-fashioned hospitality than anywhere else in the state. Sleepy (and not so sleepy) beach towns offer world-class golf, deep-sea fishing, relaxing spa treatments, and unbeatable shopping.

There’s glamour here, too. Look for it in winning resorts throughout the region and in the abundance of nightlife, arts, and culture—from local symphonies to boutique art galleries—particularly in the more metropolitan areas. And then there’s the food: from fresh catches of the day to some of the nation’s finest oysters to mom-and-pop favorites offering fried seafood goodness.

Jump in a car, rent a bike, or buy a spot on a charter boat—you’re never too far from outdoor adventure, with more miles of preserved coastline than anywhere else in the state. Destin is, after all, dubbed “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” and the sport of YOLO Boarding (this region’s term for the popular paddleboarding craze) has invaded the area in full force, offering a unique waterborne view of the entire region’s unspoiled, natural beauty.

Don’t forget to veer off the beach roads and venture into some of the area’s picturesque historic districts. Pensacola is known as America’s first settlement, and the rest of the region follows suit with rich history dating from the first settlers. The state’s capital, Tallahassee, has its own unique history woven of politics, varying cultures, and innovation. Between the local charm, natural splendor, outdoor adventures, and miles of coastline, it’s no wonder that the Panhandle is so beloved.

Top Reasons to Go

Snowy white beaches: Most of the Panhandle’s Gulf Coast shoreline is relatively unobstructed by high-rise condos and hotels, and the white-powder sand is alluring.

Lots of history: Spanish, Native American, and, later, French and English influences shaped the direction of this region and are well represented in its architecture, historic sites, and museums.

Slower pace: The Panhandle is sometimes referred to as “L.A.,” or Lower Alabama. Southern through and through, the pace here is as slow as molasses—a fact Tallahassee plays up by claiming to be “Florida with a Southern accent.”

Capital sites: As the state capital (chosen because it was midway between the two earlier Spanish headquarters of St. Augustine and Pensacola), Tallahassee remains intriguing thanks to its history, historical museums, universities, and quiet country charm.

Getting Oriented

The Panhandle is a large area, and there are a number of airports to access the largest cities. Two major east–west routes offer alternatives to Interstate 10. Roughly parallel to its modern cousin, U.S. 90 is an early byway that goes from Tallahassee through small Old Florida towns like Marianna and DeFuniak Springs on its way to Pensacola. From Pensacola, U.S. 98 generally skirts along the Gulf of Mexico through seaside towns and communities like Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Panama City Beach, and Apalachicola, providing some breathtaking waterfront drives.

What’s Where

Around Pensacola Bay. By preserving architecture from early Spanish settlements, Pensacola earns points for retaining the influence of these early explorers. The downtown district is compact, plus there’s the city’s Naval Air Museum and beaches nearby. Inland are some small towns with Old Florida appeal.

The Emerald Coast. A nature reserve spans thousands of square miles of Gulf Coast land, and miles of shoreline between Pensacola and Destin is nearly void of development. The area is known for its blue-green waters and sugarlike sand beaches made of Appalachian quartz crystals. Panama City offers unique attractions.

Tallahassee. In the state capital you can see the old and new capitols, visit the state’s historical museum, attend an FSU football game, and go for a country ride down canopied roads.

Planning

When to Go

Peak season is Memorial Day to Labor Day, with another spike during spring break. Inland, especially in Tallahassee, high season is during the fall (football) and March to April. Vendors, attractions, and other activities are in full swing in the summer. There’s a “secret season” that falls around October and November: things quiet down as students go back to school, but restaurants and attractions keep normal hours and the weather is moderate.

Top Festivals

Destin Fishing Rodeo.
Anglers young and old compete in offshore and inshore categories throughout October. | 850/837–6734 | www.destinfishingrodeo.org.

Florida Seafood Festival.
In November, Apalachicola celebrates the oyster harvest with oyster-shucking and -eating contests. | 888/653–8011 | www.floridaseafoodfestival.com.

Pensacola Jazzfest.
Groove to the sounds of America’s indigenous musical form during this early April event downtown. | 850/433–8382 | www.jazzpensacola.com.

Pensacola Seafood Festival.
Fried, broiled, battered, grilled, or served gourmet—the fish options abound at this September event in downtown Pensacola. And while that’s the main course, side dishes to this family-friendly festival are arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and live entertainment. | 850/433–6512 | www.fiestaoffiveflags.org/seafoodfestival.

Springtime Tallahassee.
Held in late March or early April, the capital city’s major cultural event has handmade works, stages with entertainment, and a crowd-pleasing parade. | 850/224–5012 | www.springtimetallahassee.com.

Getting Here and Around

Air Travel

The region is home to two primary airports—Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) and Pensacola International Airport—which offer flights from a number of major airlines. In addition, there are airports with regularly scheduled passenger service in Tallahassee, as well as a public airport—Northwest Florida Regional Airport—in Fort Walton Beach on the Eglin Air Force Base.

Car Travel

The main east–west arteries across the top of the state are Interstate 10 and U.S. 90. Interstate 10 can be faster but monotonous, while U.S. 90 routes you along the main streets of several county seats. U.S. 98 snakes eastward along the coast, splitting into 98 and 98A at Inlet Beach before rejoining at Panama City and continuing on to Port St. Joe and Apalachicola. The view of the gulf from U.S. 98 can be breathtaking, especially at sunset.

If you need to get from one end of the Panhandle to the other in a timely manner, drive inland to I–10, where the speed limit runs as high as 70 mph in places. Major north–south highways that weave through the Panhandle are (from east to west) U.S. 231, U.S. 331, Route 85, and U.S. 29. From U.S. 331, which runs over a causeway at the east end of Choctawhatchee Bay between Route 20 and U.S. 98, the panorama of barge traffic and cabin cruisers on the twinkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway will get your attention.

Hotels

Many of the lodging selections here revolve around extended-stay options: resorts, condos, and time-shares that allow for a week or more in simple efficiencies, as well as fully furnished homes. There are also cabins, such as the ones that rest between the dunes at Grayton Beach. In any case, these are great for families and get-togethers, allowing you to do your own housekeeping and cooking, and explore the area without tour guides.

Local visitors’ bureaus often act as clearinghouses for these types of properties, and you can also search online for vacation rentals. On the coast, but especially inland, the choices seem geared more toward mom-and-pop motels in addition to the usual line of chain hotels. TIP During the summer and over holiday weekends, always reserve ahead for top properties.

Restaurants

An abundance of seafood is served at coastal restaurants: oysters, crab, shrimp, scallops, and a variety of fish. Of course, that’s not all there is on the menu. This part of Florida still impresses diners with old-fashioned comfort foods such as meat loaf, fried chicken, beans and corn bread, okra, and fried green tomatoes. You’ll also find small-town seafood shacks where you can dine on local favorites such as deep-fried mullet, cheese grits, coleslaw, and hush puppies. Restaurants, like resorts, vary their operating tactics off-season, so call first if visiting during winter months.

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