sueoz

We are thinking about a week in the Florida Panhandle in Feb. Two adults who like to do outdoor things/history/tourist stuff. Are there things to do in this area if it's too cold to do water things? I think the average on a good year is 60 degrees.

Brooklyn_Bomber

Panhandling in the winter is never as profitable as panhandling in the summer, as you don't get as much foot traffic. You may be okay in Florida, though.

wncang

What part of the panhandle? I enjoy visiting during the off season. The water will be too cold for swimming, however. You might be able to find hotels in the larger locations (Panama city, Destin) with indoor pools if you're intersted in swimming. Rates should be good in Feb.

OliveOyl

You can definitely rule out swimming, but beaches are still beautiful to walk and it generally will be absolutely perfect weather for both golf and tennis.

sueoz

We are looking at the Panama City area. President's Day week - I think - will be before the regular Spring break craziness. But are there active things to do or to tour nearby or even with a day trip? We like to hike, kayak, scenic driving, history stuff.

paige

I don't know where you'd hike in the Florida Panhandle, walks on the beach can go forever and it would be a great time of year for that. My brother lives in Panama City and I did go out there over Valentine's weekend last year. The weather was really nice, we were able to go out on his boat during the day, a little chilly in the wind but a beautiful sunny day. Some of the restaurants on the beach won't be open until the first of March. Don't know about the history stuff. There is an aquarium somewhere. You should be able to get pretty good rates on accomodations at this time of year. There is a great place for oysters over by the St. Andrews marina area - I think the name is Hunts??? For a nicer dining out go to Canopies, wonderful she crab soup.

dln

The panhandle is wonderful to visit any time of year. We've been going for nearly 20 years, sometimes when it's warm enough to swim, sometimes not. There is a bike path that stretches for several miles. It begins at about Rosemary Beach (near the Panama City end) and goes through Seaside and Santa Rosa Beach.

There is an antebellum mansion you visit--I believe it's Eden Gardens State Park. If you go to a search engine like Yahoo and type in "Beach of South Walton Florida" you will find info about this and lots of other good stuff. The Panhandle is pretty well represented on the web, and the beauty of it is that there are always plenty of pictures to whet your whistle about this beautiful place!

The town of Seaside definitely deserves a day. The cottages are something else to look at, and there are boutiques, galleries, and restaurants to entice you. Grayton Beach down the street has an old-fashioned feel to it, and marvelous dunes. There's also Grayton Beach State Park is you'd like to picnic or hike.

All along the Santa Rosa/Rosemary Beach stretch of the road (route 30-A) you will find one of a kind shops. Or if you want to see the big guns, head to Destin to the Silver Sands Factory Outlet Mall! Among the stores are: Coach, Brooks Brothers, Jones New York.

All in all, there's really so much to keep you occupied that you won't mind not swimming in the Gulf (personally, I'm just as happy walking endless miles along the beach). And yes, that sparkling white sand really does squeak.