We will be spending a week in mid May at Santa Rose Beach, FL. We'd like to do just a day trip north, probably to southern Alabama. Can anybody recommend a must see or do spot or spots no farther than 80 miles from Santa Rosa Beach? We prefer outdoor activities (unless it would be a rainy day!) Thank you!!

I would think that two of the most popular tourist attractions in LA (Lower Alabama) would be the USS Alabama and Battleship Park in Mobile Bay and Bellingrath Gardens. I haven't been to either in years but iirc, both are well worth a visit.

www.ussalabama.com
www.bellingrath.org

Agree to the above recommendations. You could also go to Fairhope, which is on Mobil Bay. You could eat lunch at the Grand Hotel and see if they would rent you a canoe. Fairhope is perfect!

I totally agree about the USS Alabama and Bellingrath but Mobile is due west of Santa Rosa Beach and about 120 miles.

Some closer options:

http://www.friendsofedengardens.org/

Naval Aviation Musuem in Pensacola

Air Force Armament Museum, near Ft. Walton Beach Airport. Airplanes on the outside. Outside is free.

Destin Fishing History Musuem,

Indian Temple Mounds in Ft Walton Beach

Or if you are into spelunking, Florida Caverns State Park in Mariana, FL.

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is a nice area. Go to www.thebeachiscalling.org for some ideas of places to go and events to check out.

Great kayaking around Milton,FL is a fun way to spend a summer afternoon.Milton is about 20 miles east of Pensacola.