By Blake Guthrie
Florida Panhandle Travel Guide
Normally relegated to the back section of most Florida travel books, the Florida panhandle sometimes seems as if it is another state entirely. Less populated than the theme-park-riddled center of the state, the panhandle is best known for its
beaches. Sugar-white sand on the emerald-green waters of the Gulf of
Mexico, these beaches are consistently rated as some of the best in the world. No less an authority than the renowned "Dr.
beach" himself--Stephan P. Leatherman, an actual doctor with a PhD in environmental sciences whom the
New York Times has referred to as "Jimmy Buffet meets Carl Sagan"--calls the beaches of the Florida panhandle "the greatest strand of white sand on earth."
The Emerald Coast
Stretching from Pensacola Beach to Panama City Beach, the Emerald Coast is the most popular area for tourists to visit in the Florida panhandle. It's called the Emerald Coast because of the vibrant green-blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the beaches in this area. Other major beach towns on the coast are Ft. Walton Beach, Destin and an area known as the Beaches of South Walton, which is a string of smartly planned communities (no high-rises, thank you) along scenic State Highway 30A. In general, the MTV Spring Break crowd heads for Ft. Walton and Panama City, while those looking for a more laid-back time hit the beaches in between.
The Forgotten Coast
Farther east of the Emerald Coast on U.S. Route 98 is the Forgotten Coast. It's called "forgotten" because it takes longer to drive there, which means that development and tourism has been slower to reach this area. It's a slice of old-school Florida that is becoming harder to find. The centerpiece of the area is the historic town of Apalachicola. The town--located on the bay, not the beach--is worth a visit, if only to pay homage to the inventor of modern refrigeration, Dr. John Gorrie. Apalachicola is where Dr. Gorrie invented the first patented air-cooling device. The closest beach is St. George Island, a popular vacation spot for families. The more isolated Cape San Blas and the homey Mexico Beach are other worthwhile stops along this section of the coast.
Seasons
Panama City Beach is the ultimate spring break destination for many students, so families and couples may want to steer clear of this area during late March and early April. October is a great time to enjoy the beaches without the crowds, as the temperatures are still mild. Winter, obviously, is the least busy time; it's not good for the beach because it's too cold for swimsuits, but the planned communities along Highway 30A on the Emerald Coast have become year-round destinations anyway, especially Seaside--which is where the popular movie "The Truman Show" was filmed--with dining, shopping and cultural activities.
Inland
Much as the heartland states of the U.S. are referred to as "flyover country" by many travelers, the inland section of the Florida panhandle is considered drive-through country by most vacationers, who just want to get to the beach. Dotted with small towns and back roads, there simply isn't much for tourists to do inland except make a quick pit stop on their way to or from the coast. There are, however, some worthwhile destinations along the way. A day hike or scenic drive through the Black Water River State Forest or the Apalachicola National Forest is a good bet for those who are passing through the area and aren't too impatient to reach the beach or get back home.
About the Author:
Blake Guthrie has been a professional journalist since 1996. His articles have been featured in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "Creative Loafing" and on Travels.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.
Photo Credits:
Mat Honan
