Florida - Northwest around Tallahassee & Pensacola Attractions
Once the domain of Native Americans who fished its plentiful waters and hunted in its vast forests and marshes, northwestern Florida, also known as the "panhandle" was first settled by Europeans in 1559. Spaniard Tristan de Luna tried to establish a colony in Pensacola in that year but the town fell to a hurricane and a more permanent settlement was founded in St Augustine six years later. The area changed hands between the Spanish, French and English for more than 250 years until it was finally sold to the U.S. in 1821.
Today it is characterized by undeveloped white-sand beaches, emerald gulf waters, virgin oak, pine and cypress forests, and several large lakes, bays and rivers. With its decidedly "Southern" atmosphere, some say the Panhandle has more in common with its neighbors Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi than with the rest of the more established tourist zones to the south. The main activities in this region include fishing, beach-combing, diving, golfing and boating.
The Baker Block Museum is housed in what was once the General Store, built in 1908. Many of the items that were sold in the General Store are on display.
Visitors will take a step back in time when they enter the museum. Artifacts from the ancient Indians, military records and uniforms and newspaper articles are on display.
Hours:
10am-3:30pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Sat
Tips: Open on the 3rd Saturday of each month 10-15:30.
Covering an area of more than 564,000 acres, Apalachicola National Forest is the largest of Florida's three national forests. It features many miles of hiking trails through stands of slash and longleaf pine, and along hammocks of cypress, oak and magnolia. There are fishing and canoeing ponds, rivers and lakes, wetlands, swamps and the area is home to many indigenous and rare species including the red cocknayed woodpecker, Florida black bear and bald eagle.
Northwest Florida Zoo has over 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens. Highlights include a Japanese garden, Gorilla Island and children's petting zoo.
Florida Caverns State Park is home to limestone caverns, a museum, natural rock gardens and a horse trail are features of the park. Limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and draperies are the unique formations found within the dry caves.
Hours:
8am-Sunset
Tips: Adult admission refers to Pedestrians, Bicyclists.
Pensacola Beach is bordered by two seashores which offers more than 20 miles of beach. Cycling, jogging, and walking can be enjoyed on the wide paths that run along the beach roads. Golf, fishing and other water sports are also popular.
Sunset over the beach at Pensacola.
Palm trees and tables on Pensacola Beach.
Address: Pensacola Beach Chamber of Commerce, 735 Pensacola Beach Boulevard, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561, United States
Phone: 1 (850) 932-1500, Fax: 1 (850) 932-1551
Eden State Gardens features a collection of magnolias, camellias, and azaleas surrounding the 1898 Greek Revival mansion. The house is filled with Colonial, Empire and Victorian furniture, family heirlooms and antiques. The collection of Louis XVI furniture in the Wesley Mansion is the second largest in the United States.
Hours:
8am-Sunset
Tips: Tours of the mansion are available hourly Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m including holidays.