3 Best Sights in Pensacola Beach, The Panhandle

Named for the Casino Resort, the island's first tourist spot when it opened in 1931 (the same day as the first Pensacola Beach Bridge), this beach offers everything from seasonal live entertainment to public restrooms and showers. You can also lounge in the shade of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. Casino Beach has the most parking for beach access on the island and is just a short stroll from dining, entertainment, and major hotels. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (seasonal); free parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

Constructed of more than 21 million locally made bricks, the fort, dating from 1834 and now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, once served as a prison for Apache chief Geronimo. A National Park Service plaque describes the complex as a "confusing jumble of fortifications," but the real attractions here are the beach, nature exhibits, a large campground, an excellent gift shop, and breathtaking views of Pensacola Bay and the lighthouse across the inlet. It's the perfect place for a picnic lunch and a bit of history, too.

The Panhandle is home to the Florida District of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the longest tract of protected seashore in the United States. At the Fort Pickens area of the park and on the Gulf-side tip of Santa Rosa Island, this beach is one of the top spots to experience the unspoiled beauty and snow-white sands for which this area is known. Keep an eye out for wildlife of the flying variety; the Fort Pickens area is known for its nesting shorebirds. A large covered pavilion is great for picnicking and a few minutes of shade. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; sunrise; sunset; walking.