Great Itineraries

Great Itineraries

3 Days

Visit Grayton Beach and Seaside and take advantage of some of Florida's finest beaches. On Day 2 drive to the capital, Tallahassee, and soak up some of the state's past. On Day 3, make a trip to nearby Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, where you'll find one of the world's deepest springs—perfect for sightseeing (the pontoon-boat tour is a must) and swimming.

4 Days

Plant yourself in the Beaches of South Walton —choose from a cabin, hotel, or beach-house rental at Grayton Beach State Park —and use the area as a base of operation. The idyllic beach here will make it hard to pull yourself away to explore the area, but here are a few ideas for your to-do list. Enjoy a picnic on the grounds of the antebellum mansion at the Eden Gardens State Park, set amid moss-draped live oaks—it'll give you a feel for the history of the area, a great photo op, and a view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Laze away a quiet afternoon canoeing on Western Lake at Grayton Beach State Park, one of the most scenic spots along the Gulf Coast. Ditch the car one day and rent a bike to explore Seaside,a "New Urbanist" model community of shops, restaurants, and gingerbread-style, tin-roof vacation homes.

5 Days

Start with Tallahassee. Check out the local sights, including the state Capitol, the Tallahassee Historic Trail, and Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. Take another day to head west on Interstate 10, visiting Falling Waters State Park in Chipley in the morning and then exploring the cool, dark caves of the Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna in the afternoon when things heat up. On Day 3, head south out of Tallahassee toward Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, where you can explore the spectacular springs either with a mask and snorkel or from inside a glass-bottom boat. In the afternoon, head down to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Lighthouse to hike, swim, or have a leisurely picnic. Eventually make your way to the coast and take U.S. 98 west toward Apalachicola, where you can spend a day wandering around the historic downtown area and the waterfront. Set aside Day 5 for exploring St. George Island.