Florida Caverns State Park
 

I am planning to visit the Florida Panhandle for a week in mid-May. Thinking about spending a night in Marianna on the way down and the following morning at Florida Caverns. Probably tour the Caverns, rent a canoe, and check out the hiking trails.

For those who have been there: is this a worthwhile use of my time? How would you compare Fla. Caverns vs. Wakulla Springs? And what is the town of Marianna like?

I have never visited the Caverns. Marianna is tiny -- I think there's a state penitentiary there. Chattahoochee is around there, isn't it?

Have you been to Wakulla Springs? It's very nice, really pretty. Not sure about canoeing or hiking there. The old lodge is beautiful. Lots of wildlife. Gator killed a swimmer a few years back.

I haven't been to the caverns in years but the few times I was there I really enjoyed it. The caves are small but very interesting and always cool compared to the temperature outside. The state park is full of native vegetation. I've never been canoeing there though. Marianna is just a typical inland Florida town - very country. Of course, since I haven't been there in years, it's probably big by now with a WalMart, etc.! Wakulla Springs was nice too but kind of boring. Okay if you just like to lay around the springs. Either way, good for you to actually want to see the "real" Florida. There's not much of it left.

Thanks for the feedback.

The focus of my vacation is "Old Florida" and the Forgotten Coast: Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Appalachicola, and St. George Island. I figure I had better see it now while it's still "forgotten"! It probably won't stay that way much longer.

Marianna may fit in well with the theme of my trip.

Do the rest of you Florida Panhandlers have any suggestions about what to see and do in this area?

I've lived in the Panhandle most of my life. You are right. The Forgotten Coast is suddenly being remembered. Come quickly. The panhandle, as we know it, will soon be gone.

I went to the Caverns once several years ago. Enjoyed it, even though I was chaperoning a class of third graders! If you find caves interesting, it is definitely worth a stop. As far as Mariana is concerned, I wouldn't make it a point to spend the night there. IMHO there is really nothing charming about the town. You mentioned seeing Wakulla Springs, so you might want to spend the night there. It is about an hour from Mariana, just south of Tallahassee. I have never spent the night there so I haven't seen the rooms but to me the Lodge is the epitome of Old Florida. It is nothing fancy but a cool place that you might enjoy. Built in the 30's.
http://www.abfla.com/parks/Wakulla/wakulla.html

If you do stay, be warned the restaurant does not sale alcohol. I think it is fine to bring it in but you can't purchase it in the park.
Depending on the time of year, the glass bottom boats may be running. The Jungle Cruise goes year round. You will see lots of wildlife, gators by the score. The old Tarzan movies were filmed there. The water is beautiful, crystal clear and ice cold. People swim but I won't put my toe in that ice water!

Apalachicola is a fun place to poke around. You can always stay on St George, but for something a little different, consider the Gibson Inn in Apalachicola.

http://www.gibsoninn.com/

St. George is pretty well developed but worth a visit. I am really dating myself here but I remember going to St. George as a child (right after the first bridge was built) and there was nothing there but a handful of houses!

Cape San Blas and Mexico Beach are great choices. (Up until about 15 years ago, we crossed a floating bridge to get to Mexico Beach!)

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, post again and I will try to help.

You might also check out Sopchoppy and Carrabelle.