Attractions of the Florida Panhandle Gulf Coast - Emerald Coast - 2

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS IN THE AREAS OF:

Fort Walton Beach · Beasley Wayside Park · Henderson Beach State Park · Destin · Seascape Resort · Miramar Beach

If we had to sum up the attractions for this area it would be ... water, water, water. There is the beautiful emerald green ocean, courtesy of the Gulf of Mexico and the beautiful back bay waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. There are also bayous, passes, coves, canals and the Intracoastal Waterway. If saltwater is not your thing, you don't belong here.

Fishing originally was the big attraction. It should have been, too, except for those magnificent beaches of white sandy shorelines, shallow emerald waters and pillow-shaped sand dunes. While boat loads of folks still come to these shores for the pure pleasure of dropping bait in the water or for the thrill of the many fishing tournaments in the area, still far more seek the attractions of beach chairs and umbrellas in the soft, shimmering sands. Certainly some come just for a night or two, in the mood for shopping excursions, a few good hours of tennis or golf and a selection of some of the best in seafood. Don't forget the spring-break crowd, either, who come for the...er... well, let's just say there's something for everyone as long as they love sun, sand and sea.

This area has great resources available in its parks and recreational areas. There is a large amount of public land available directly on the Gulf of Mexico and back bay areas to allow anyone visiting this area to easily see and enjoy its natural beauty. Travel between the far edges of this area should take no more than thirty minutes. After crossing Eglin Air Force Base, there are more attractions inland from the coast including many golf courses, kayaking and canoeing in several rivers, the Blackwater River State Park in Blackwater River State Forest and the paved hiking/biking Blackwater Heritage State Trail, in Milton.

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Fort Walton Beach

View of the public beach complex.

John C. Beasley Wayside Park

View of the pavilion and facilities.

View of Fort Walton Beach

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park

View of the beach.

This park extends to East Pass across from Destin and dunes with scrub coverings are throughout.

Destin

Destin looks like a city of condos from Route 98.

Destin's fast access to the Gulf is through East Pass, its western border.

The most popular resort area along the Panhandle is Destin. Well known for its fishing and charter fleet, it is another of the older Panhandle cities whose ability to attract tourists has persisted through generations. Greatly built up from its earlier days, as is much of Florida's Panhandle along the Gulf Coast, it is a supremely clean-looking city with nary a cigarette butt littering its roadways. From its tidy, neatly kept residential neighborhoods to the huge condos by the ocean's edge, everything seems to be in order in Destin. Visitors here will find plenty of golf and tennis at the resorts; water sports and recreation vendors everywhere; arcades, thrilling rides and the ubiquitous miniature golf for the family.

Destin - Seascape Resort

You'll recognize Seascape by the tall buildings and overwalk.

Miramar Beach

A small beach town just east of Destin, Miramar Beach may be most famous for the shopping. Over 100 outlet shops join together as the nation's largest outlet center at Silver Sands Factory Stores in Miramar Beach.

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