10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Florida Panhandle That You Shouldn't Miss

August 15, 2021 Misti Hsu

The Florida Panhandle is known for its quaint beach towns and interesting attractions, many of which are money-saving and family friendly. Come to the Florida Panhandle and relax on glorious beaches, shop to your heart’s content and dance the night away. Santa Rosa Island is great for kids and offers a wide array of both beach-based and water-based activities. Families will enjoy a day away to tour the 150-year-old Pensacola Lighthouse. The Florida Panhandle offers exciting nightlife. Panama City, Destin and Pensacola all have numerous bars and nightclubs to suit all tastes. Panama City is home to Club La Vela, the largest nightclub in the U.S. The Florida Panhandle is a shopaholic’s dream. It offers specialty stores, antique stores and shopping malls. For those renting a home or condo, a trip to Joe Patti’s seafood market in Pensacola is a must. The market specializes in fine wine and cheese, and beautifully presented handmade chocolates to take home to friends and relatives as gifts. Mon Père et Moi in Tallahassee is also worth a visit.
Restaurants in Florida Panhandle

1. Wacissa River

Monticello, FL 32336
Excellent
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Wacissa River

2. Krul Recreation Area

Krul Lake Rd, Milton, FL 32570 +1 850-957-5700 http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Blackwater-River-State-Forest/Recreation-Areas-at-Blackwater-River-State-Forest#7
Excellent
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Krul Recreation Area

3. Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve

Bristol, FL +1 850-643-2756 [email protected] http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/florida/apalachicola-bluffs-and-ravines-preserve.xml
Excellent
82%
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve

4. E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center

4956 State Hwy East, Freeport, FL 32439 +1 850-835-1824 [email protected] http://www.eowilsoncenter.org
Excellent
86%
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5%
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5.0 based on 21 reviews

E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center

The center is an environmental education/nature center serving students, teachers, and professional audiences. We have an interactive exhibit hall, state of the art theater, and themed presentations for the community to enjoy.

Reviewed By LoveJesus5 - Panama City, United States

The Biophilia Center was full of information about wildlife, the ecosystem and what makes our forrest flourish! They provided great information about the damage that oil spills can cause and helped them identify different species in the water. He took this field trip in 4th grade and is now 17 and still raves about how exciting it was!

5. Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

108 Island Dr, Eastpoint, FL 32328-3218 +1 850-670-7700 http://www.facebook.com/ApalachicolaNationalEstuarineResearchReserve
Excellent
83%
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5.0 based on 200 reviews

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve

Reviewed By S2495XPmelanieb - Cape May Point, United States

What Wonderful place AND it was free... The displays were so interesting with information on local fishing, shells, butterflies and all the local marine life. The boardwalks were interesting especially the one leading out to the beach. Also check the list of lectures they offer along with a short orientation movie. Would be Wonderful for kids of all ages.

6. Bear Creek Feline Center

8822 Tracy Way, Panama City, FL 32404-5682 +1 850-722-9927 [email protected] http://bearcreekfelinecenter.org
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5.0 based on 321 reviews

Bear Creek Feline Center

Bear Creek Feline Center (BCFC) is home to Florida wildcats and exotic felines located in Panama City, FL. BCFC's mission is one of , feline rescue/re-homing and public education designed to illuminate the plight of threatened and endangered felines. We have logged thousands of hours to obtain five licenses and we now make permanent homes to exotic species of felines including the 3 native species of Florida. We work with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, the USDA and the Feline Conservation education to preserve and "Protect Florida's Wildlife Treasures". Tours are by Appointment only. There are no additional charges for great photo opportunities. Tours are scheduled BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Please wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for your comfort and safety. A $100.00 donation per person. These donations are 100% earmarked for the care and feeding of the big cats. process.

Reviewed By KatrinaMonique

Bertie and Jim are wonderful keepers of these beautiful animals, you can tell how much time and effort they have put into caring for and establishing bonds with these cats. We got a warm and educational welcome, going over safety and how to conduct ourselves with these beautiful creatures, and we were able to sit with, touch, and feed a variety of species, from the friendly African Servals, to the sweet Siberian Lynx, from the shy but beautiful Bobcats, to the powerful majesty of the Florida Panthers, Cougar, and Mountain Lions. Not all cats here are particularly fond of visitors, but are beautiful and interesting nonetheless, such as the rarely-seen Jaguarundi, and will allow you to observe them so long as you respect them and the space they call home. These cats are well-cared for and well-loved, and it shows in the way they interact not only with the keepers who many of them have been acquainted with for years, but also visitors to them. This was the best experience I've had for a long while, and gives me a warm feeling to know that in a world where people seem to hyperfixate on trivial issues, that there are people like Bertie, Jim, and their volunteers who choose to dedicate themselves to the care of Earth's beautiful creatures.

7. Becks Lake Fish Camp

2020 Becks Lake Rd, Cantonment, FL 32533-7365 +1 850-375-0383 http://www.beckslakefishcamp.com
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Becks Lake Fish Camp

Navarre, FL http://www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com/
Excellent
85%
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8%
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5.0 based on 13 reviews

Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary

Located in the Navarre Beach Marine Park, Sea Oat pavilion & lifeguard Stn #1 follow the Kayak & SCUBA boardwalk to the beach. The site is marked on shore by four large PVC posts positioned on the sand dune. The Reef is 340ft south of the mean tide line and consists of 78 structures in nine columns spaced 20ft apart and is ideal for snorkeling and diving for any skill level.

9. North Florida Wildlife Center

1386 Cook Rd, Lamont, FL 32336-7116 +1 850-347-0921 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/nfwctally
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

North Florida Wildlife Center

The Wildlife Conservation Center is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to wildlife conservation. We are open 7 days a week and offer guided tours and animal encounters, where the public can meet the fantastic rare and endangered species that call the center home.

Reviewed By Y6657KWharrym

We had an amazing time there. The animals are well taken care of and the interactions with them are amazing! The lemur encounters and the kangaroo encounters are events that will forever be remembered. Thanks again Lewis for being such an amazing tour guide and photographer lol. Next time we come back we will definitely be asking for ya!

10. Topsail Beach State Preserve

7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459-3532 (850) 267-8330 http://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Topsail-Hill
Excellent
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4.5 based on 458 reviews

Topsail Beach State Preserve

With three miles of beach, this state beach appeals to nature lovers.

Reviewed By 593toddc - Kansas City, United States

A wonderful hidden gem in 30A! If you like parks and the beach, you will love Topsail. There is an underwater sculpture just off the beach!

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