Top 10 Nature & Parks in Florida Panhandle, Florida Panhandle

December 6, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

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. Gulf Islands National Seashore

Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 +1 850-934-2600 https://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,254 reviews

Gulf Islands National Seashore

This 150-mile stretch of seashore, which runs from Cat Island in Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island in Florida, offers sparkling blue water and many beautiful beaches along the way.

Reviewed By GlennBrigan

Growing up in Pensacola and as an adult moving away I love and appreciate the beauty of the soft fluffy white sands of Santa Rosa Island when I get to return on a vacation. These beaches are the jewel of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether swimming in the gulf, walking along the shore collecting seashells, or exploring the historic past of Fort Pickens you will too love these beaches.

2. Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 868 reviews

Santa Rosa Beach

Reviewed By TASunde - Canton, United States

This is a great beach with soft white sand and both beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Not overly populated you've room to separate.

8543 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566-6903 (850) 939-2691
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,707 reviews

Navarre Beach

Tucked away in a corner of Northwest Florida, far from crowded theme parks and packed beaches, you will find a piece of the old Florida offering solitude and simplicity for sun seekers, families, outdoor adventurers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

Reviewed By Applejacksons

It’s horrible how great it is for just relaxing. If more people come here there will be more traffic for me as a Floridian. Beach is great. Calm on some days and not so calm on others. Just check the webcam. I agree go to Pensacola or destin so we can enjoy how pristine the beach experience is. The sound side is great as well.

4. Bear Creek Feline Center

8822 Tracy Way, Panama City, FL 32404-5682 +1 850-722-9927 [email protected] http://bearcreekfelinecenter.org
Excellent
96%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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.

5. Blue Mountain Beach

Santa Rosa Beach, FL +1 850-797-1901 http://www.visitsouthwalton.com/beaches/blue-mountain
Excellent
87%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 97 reviews

Blue Mountain Beach

Reviewed By ClintTraveler - Coralville, United States

We have been coming to this area for 20 years. We like the off-season with your people and the weather is still very nice. The beach is the best in the world. We like to bike and there is a great bike path and a great bike shop with great service. Good for walking as well

Navarre, FL http://www.navarrebeachmarinesanctuary.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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.

7. St. Andrews State Park

4607 State Park Ln, Panama City Beach, FL 32408-7347 +1 850-233-5140 https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/St-Andrews
Excellent
77%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,262 reviews

St. Andrews State Park

Reviewed By O2486MWelizabethh

We love St. Andrews, the pier provides great fishing and is spacious, the jetties have great snorkeling opportunities and help create the kiddie pool which is my favorite part of the park! Calm, clear water tucked behind the jetties, the water stays nice and shallow allowing everyone, even the younger kids, the chance to enjoy the Gulf. We also enjoy standing on the alligator lake watching the gators drift through their swamp.

8. 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
74%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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!

9. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach, FL
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,178 reviews

Pensacola Beach

Located on Santa Rosa Island, Pensacola Beach is a popular spot for family vacations.

Reviewed By rkmcgilla - Pensacola, United States

I live on the Bay between Pensacola and NAS and we take our grandkids there every time they visit. From the Pavilion at Pensacola Beach all the way to the West end of the island at Perdido Pass it is sugar white sand and beautiful water. Several restaurants, but our favorites over there is Flounders. In Pensacola McGuire’s is tops. The views on the drive are fantastic

10. Florida Caverns State Park

3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446-1892 +1 850-526-2650 http://www.floridacavernsgiftshop.com
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 940 reviews

Florida Caverns State Park

This place is temporarily closed. A cave complete with rock formations and bats.

Reviewed By ToddAndJenB - Tallahassee, United States

Interesting history exhibit, cute little gift shop, and excellent, educational tour of the caverns. Brenda did a great job as our tour guide! For homeschoolers, I highly encourage you to get some information on caves before coming here (we downloaded the National Park System cave book for Junior Rangers) - having some knowledge beforehand really helps the information to click when you take the cave tour.

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