A Surprising
Stretch of the Sunshine State
Florida's Northwest Region
Northwest Florida stretches from the historic city of Pensacola
on the state's western border, east to Apalachicola. With miles
of undeveloped natural beaches, quiet fishing villages and quaint
historic districts, visitors will feel like they are among the first
to discover the "Other Florida."
Family-Friendly
Vacations
The beaches of Northwest Florida, from Pensacola Beach to the eastern
stretches of the Beaches of South Walton, offer miles of unspoiled
natural beauty and endless options for family fun. Kids and parents
alike will enjoy beachcombing along sugary sand so fine it squeaks
beneath the toes. The calm Gulf waters provide children of all ages
with a welcome "splash zone" ideal for wading or swimming.
Picnic tables, showers and concession stands are among the many
conveniences available at recreation areas along the coast. As a
break from the sun, shake the sand from the kids' shoes and head
inland to explore Northwest Florida's numerous museums and historic
sites, just minutes from the beach. Museums, historic homes and
an archaeological trail through downtown historic districts make
it an entertaining and educational way to explore Pensacola's colorful
past. The place to start a family tour is at the Historic Pensacola
Village, which pays tribute to the five different flags that have
flown over the city -- Spain, France, Britain, United States and
Confederate States of America. Families can meander through Seville
Square, where many of the Creole and Victorian homes, dating from
the 1780s to the 1800s, have been restored and converted into charming
shops and restaurants. Nearby, the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State
Museum, Civil War Soldiers Museum and the Pensacola Museum of Art,
offer additional entertainment.
For a look at Pensacola's more recent history, visitors can "take
off" to explore two aviation museums on nearby military bases.
The National Museum of Naval Aviation spans nearly a century of
military flying, from the first flight in a wood-and-fabric biplane
to today's space travels with a Skylab Command Module. Kids will
love strapping into jet trainers for motion-based simulator rides,
and the dramatic aviation films at the new seven-story IMAX theater.
Or have a blast at nearby Eglin Air Force Base, where the U.S. Air
Force Armament Museum showcases various fighter planes, as well
as guns, rockets and "smart bombs."
Another great stop is the ZOO, located near the small town of Gulf
Breeze. Everything at this special park is designed to give visitors
a close-up view of more than 700 animals.
Referred to as the "Emerald Coast," the cities of Destin
and Fort Walton Beach offer wonderful shelling and several unique
small-town attractions. The small coastal town of Destin, hailed
as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," offers excellent
fishing and a chance to see the "big ones" that didn't
get away. At the Destin Fishing Museum, visitors can check out tons
of trophy catches, from the world-record red snapper to the state-record
blue marlin. In nearby Fort Walton Beach, the Gulfarium's live exhibits
display a panorama of sea life, from a 600-pound gray seal to the
2-ounce clown fish. At the Indian Temple Mound Museum, also in Fort
Walton Beach, visitors can journey through exhibits depicting 10,000
years of Gulf Coast Indian history. The museum's 15th-century Indian
mound is the largest to be discovered along saltwater.
Strung together along Scenic County Road 30A, a collection of 18
beach communities, called the Beaches of South Walton, remain wonderfully
secluded. Stretching for 26 dazzling miles between Destin and Panama
City, these beaches are continuall |
