Things to do / Travel Guide
Florida Panhandle Places to Visit
It can be arguably said that the main draw to northeastern Florida is the history, while the main draw to the Panhandle is nature and the beaches. This is not an iron rule, however, as there are locations in both areas of the region that are known for both their historical significance as well as their scenic beauty. Either way - history and beaches or beaches and history - most travelers will be happy.
Places to Visit in Daytona Beach
Farthest south in the region is Daytona Beach. This city is known for two things: history and culture. Just kidding. As almost every American who was a college student in the last quarter-century knows, Daytona Beach is famous nation-wide for its awesome beach. The beach is called the “World's Most Famous” on account of the miles and miles of flat compact sand, and eight million tourists visit it each year. The whole strip is lined with resorts, beaches, and hotels. Notably, as of late, Daytona has taken on more of a family-friendly atmosphere. The other thing Daytona is known for, of course, is car racing: The Daytona 500, NASCAR's most prestigious race, is held here every year in February.
St. Augustine Places to Visit
Just north of Daytona, on the Atlantic Coast, is St. Augustine. The city and old Spanish fort was founded in 1565, and it claims the title as oldest continuously-inhabited settlement in the United States. Today it's a museum town, with lots of preserved old buildings and historic districts. The area stretching from St. Augustine up north all the way to the Georgia border is called the First Coast.
To the west of St. Augustine and Daytona is the St. Johns River, the longest north-flowing river in the U.S. The river starts at Lake George, around 50 miles inland from Daytona. An extremely broad and slow-moving river, the fishing is excellent. It passes through some historic towns, like Palatka, until it reaches Jacksonville. After this city it becomes an estuary, and flows out to sea amidst streams, inlets, marshes, and sounds.
Places to Visit in Jacksonville
Down the St. Johns, or north on I-95, you reach the largest city in the U.S. Don't go that far on I-95, we're not talking New York City - but Jacksonville, continental U.S.'s largest city in terms of land area. The city is situated on either side of the St. Johns River. It's a great place to stop on a trip north or south. There are lots of museums and historical attractions, and terrific beaches. As well as the beaches on St. Johns River, there are three beaches of note on the Atlantic coast on the far side of the barrier island: Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach. Together they're known as Jacksonville Beach. A popular nickname for the city is “Jax” - and you'll see this plastered all over the place, from names of hip bars and restaurants, to on the lips of people on the streets and the radio stations.
Jacksonville Places to Visit
If you go west from Jacksonville, about halfway to Alabama, you'll reach Tallahassee, the gateway to the Panhandle and the state capital. This Southern city has beautiful historic sites, with many buildings dating back to the 1830s and 40s.
Moving west towards the Gulf Coast, you'll encounter Apalachicola. Located at nearly the farthest point south on the Panhandle, this city has risen in prominence in the past decade or so as a prime location for deep-sea fishing.
Further north towards the coast again sits Amelia Island. This island is the northern tip of the First Coast, and the southern tip of the Sea Islands chain, a string of barrier islands that stretches from North Carolina southward. Water activities, such as fishing, boating, and surfing, are the rule on the island. In Fernandina Beach, the island's city, there's a historic district, where you can see the original vacationers' residences that date back to the mid-19th century.
Across the state, on the gulf coast, starting just north of Tampa Bay, is the so-called Nature Coast. Cedar Key, loved for the plentiful water activities in its vicinity, is located in this area. This area spans the inside curve into the beginning of Florida's Panhandle. Large patches are completely undeveloped, so much so that the area has been called the Florida Outback. It is, as the name suggests, flooded with nature, and features many different ecosystems.
This city is located northeast of Cedar Key, smack in the middle of the region. The city is historic, founded in the mid-19th century, and it's called the “end of the South.” South of Gainesville the build-up of central and southern Florida is more apparent, and Floridian “natives” become less common. It's a happening college town, with a vibrant music scene; and because of its centrality in the region, there are many activities to catch in the area: Kayaking on the nearby rivers, biking, and scenic driving.
Places to Visit in Pensacola
Pensacola is Florida's furthest city to the west. The area includes Pensacola Bay, Pensacola Beach, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore, among other draws. The city itself is quite old, having been founded in the late-17th century by the Spanish, and having a long history of being conquered and re-conquered. In other words … lots of battle sites.
Continuing westward you'll hit what many have called the Emerald Coast, and what has been called Redneck Riviera. This family-trip-friendly strip begins at Panama City, and, traveling west, terminates at Pensacola. Also on the Emerald Coast are Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Navarre Beach, Gulf Breeze, and Seaside. These beaches are rising in fame and popularity, and rightly so, due to their white sands and emerald-colored waters. Deep-sea fishing is also a big draw at many locations along the Emerald Coast.
Places to Visit in Jacksonville, Destin, Daytona Beach, Pensacola, St. Augustine, Northeast Florida
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