Panhandle places to visit
 

We are a family of 4 from England visiting Florida this summer for the third time. <BR>Can anyone suggest places of interest to visit in Northern Florida / Panhandle area?

The panhandle of FL has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Be sure to go to the Panama City - Destin area. The sand is white as snow and the water is almost as green as the Carribean. <BR> <BR>There are many places to stay. A nice small beach area is Seagrove Beach. Rosemary Beach is newly developed and beautiful. And then Destin is fully developed. Would recommend staying in those areas versus Panama City. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

St. George's Island is also nice.

There are lots of things to do in this area. I happen to agree that Destin is the prettiest area (okay, so I live here!) especially South Walton, which hasn't been as commercially developed. It is also centrally located to everything on the Panhandle. Seaside, a planned community, is a nice way to spend a day (about 30 minutes away)and Bud and Alley's is a good restaurant, as are many others in the area. Silver Sands is a huge outlet mall--the Gap outlet and Nike outlet usually have good deals! If you like water parks, Big Kahuana's in Destin is lots of fun (about $31/person). Panama City is about an hour down the road, and has "the strip" which is where lots of college kids go. They also have a carnival type place with rides called Miracle Strip, and a big water park. And further down the road is St Joes and Appalachiacola, which is still a small community like all the Panhandle used to be with lots of fishermen, and you can go scalloping (dig up scallops)during season. <BR> <BR>Going the other direction on Hwy 98, is Fort Walton with the Gulfarium, which is a fun way to spend several hours. (About $16/person). All the schools go there at some point for field trips! The Air Armament Museum is at Eglin Air Force Base about 10 miles to the north. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is about an hour or so (depending on traffic) away and is enjoyable--not real big, but a nice zoo. (Don't know how much it costs--last went with school group). Then you hit Pensacola with the Naval Air Museum with an IMAX theater and lots of planes. There is also Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach. <BR> <BR>But of course, the best thing we have are our beautiful, white beaches and (for the most part!) friendly people. Just bring lots of sunscreen!!!

You'll find the best panhandlers in San Francisco, but I also like the ones in LA. <BR> <BR>For sheer agressiveness and chutzpah, you can't beat the panhandlers in Seattle. Must be the coffee.

To Francis P.: <BR>Is this your attempt at humor, or are you an idiot?

Can I ask another question on this post? What is the weather like in the Panhandle in December - Christmas? I've read that it may be a bit cold. Also what is the best airport to fly into from D.C.?

Just as a point of information, "the strip" with all of the amusements for kids is Panama City Beach, not Panama City. They are two different towns, the Beach being closer to the rest of the areas mentioned. It is a town "designed" for visitors, whereas Panama City is not. Panama City also has relatively few beaches and is more commercialized. Do not recommend you visit it as a tourist. If you decide to stay at the Beach, plan on staying at the west end of town, which is much better for families. And Ann is right, the whole area has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world--the Caribbean without leaving the "lower 48".

You can probably get the best airfare by flying Airtran into Ft. Walton. Airtran used to be called ValueJet. Many locals find that Ft. Walton offers better airfares then Pensacola or Panama City. Unfortunaely, Airtran does not service National or BWI, only Dulles. I've flown the Dulles-Ft Walton route twice in the last year and had no problems.

Rosemary, the weather at Christmas can be iffy, but still beats out most other places in the "lower 48". You can get 50 degrees one day and 70 the next. You may get a little bit of rain, but probably won't. The beaches will be wonderful, but swimming will be only for polar bears.

I, also, live in the Destin area. Grayton Beach is a wonderful way to experience the snow-white beaches. The National Park there is nice. Appalachicola, east of Panama City and Mexico Beach, is a quaint little fishing town that has a great deal of appeal. Cape San Blas, which is near there, is a wonderland of shells, fish, beautiful dunes, et cetera. I don't know how far east you want to go, but Tallahassee actually has some nice museums for the kids. You don't mention how old your children are.

Oh, by the way, I would recommend staying in the Seagrove area on Scenic Highway 30A. My family loves to stay at the Seagrove Villas and Cottages (we have 2 daughters -- 10 and 11). They have a nice pool on a large grassy lawn, but you walk right down to the beach. We have only stayed in the bungalows. Number: 850-231-1947. You are a short bike ride away from Seaside, which has a little bit of everything. Wine tastings, art galleries, outdoor concerts, outdoor movies, croquet, whatever your heart desires. In Panama City Beach, we discovered a delightful "Old Florida" place we call "The Family Motel". It's The Nauticus -- I think that's the real name. Number: 850-234-2871. Cute young couple have taken it over from their parents. Redone after the last big hurricane. Rooms wrap around a large pool in the center. Old Florida style apartment rooms -- 2 bedrooms, den, kitchen, et cetera. I'll be quiet now!

Rosemary, <BR>Although the "in" season is Memorial Day through Labor Day (last Monday in May through first Monday in September), the Panhandle area does attract visitors throughout the year. The beach and swimming might be a little brisk in the Spring and Fall for those of us raised in the general area. "Snowbirds" seem to truly love those times. (Snowbirds come South in the Winter and go back home to the northern US or Canada in the Summer. Typically retired.) Don't expect many of the attractions to be open after Labor Day. Check ahead of time.

<BR>Hey "huh", <BR> <BR>To answer your question, yes Francis P is an idiot. For further proof, please see his/her posts on the Gatlinburg thread.