By Paul Bonnette
For over a hundred years, Panama City has been a well-known destination for the summer season. Going back to the 1800s, visitors have flocked to the area for plenty of fun in the sun. As the weather starts to heat up and school lets out, families have one thing on their mind: vacation. With the high price of gas this season, affording that all-out vacation can be difficult. Luckily, the Florida Panhandle has no shortage of family-friendly activities that can be the perfect mini-vacation, allowing you to explore unique ecosystems, get up close with wildlife, and spend more time with family and friends on these new adventures. The best part is they won’t blow the budget either.
Wakulla Springs
Those who remember the old Tarzan movies with Johnny Weissmuller swinging from the trees, or the Creature from the Black Lagoon, will recognize the famous Wakulla Springs. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park boasts beautiful hiking trails, diving, birdwatching, a 1930’s historic lodge and restaurant, as well as their famous river boat tours. This incredible state park is home to alligators, manatees, turtles, deer, a variety of birds, and one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. It wasn’t long before Hollywood discovered this hidden gem, filming numerous movies at the springs. For over nine decades, visitors flock to the 12-15-foot-high dive platform to swim where mastodons once roamed. Whether you come for the hiking and the history to just to relax and take in the serenity and take a dive into the refreshing springs, Wakulla Springs State Park has adventures for every member of the family. Wakulla Springs boat tours are $8 for adults and kids 4-12 are $5. Park fees are $6 per vehicle and the park is located at 465 Wakulla Park Drive in Wakulla Springs, FL.
Airboat Adventures
While most people think airboats are reserved only for the Louisiana Swamps or the Everglades, Bay County has an adventure that takes you across alligator-filled backwater creeks on a thrilling, spinning experience that you won’t soon forget. These airboats give visitors the chance to get up close and personal with wildlife such as wild hogs, bears, dolphins, sharks, birds of prey, and of course, an abundance of gators. This isn’t just a Sunday joyride, though, as you glide and rush through brackish swamps and creeks with 180-degree spins; there’s great wildlife viewing and plenty of dad jokes along the way. For those who want a tour that’s a little more adventurous, these airboat tours offer an “After Dark” tour as you shine your spotlights looking for the red eyes of gators hunting for their dinner.
Airboat rides are offered in West Bay just off Highway 79 near Boondocks Restaurant.
Florida Caverns
Located 3 miles north of the town of Mariana, this is the only Florida State Park offering cave tours to the public. Established in the 1930s as the country was struggling with the Great Depression, this limestone marvel was made accessible to visitors during the establishment of the State Parks and quickly became one of the Sunshine State’s most popular tourist attractions. Today, visitors come for the hiking trails, boating, swimming and the guided cavern tours, giving you a chance to cool off in the consistently year-round 65-degree temperatures. Learn about the cave history, geological formations such as stalagmites, stalactites, and columns, as well as the occasional animals that call this cavern home, such as bats, frogs, mice and salamanders. Cave Tours are $16 per person with kids 3-12 years old at $9. Park fees are $5 per vehicle, and the park is located at 3345 Caverns Road, Marianna, Florida.
St. George Island
Welcome to a place where time moves just a little bit slower. Spend the day hiking the miles of deserted beaches at the state park, climb the island’s lighthouse, explore the variety of local shops, and reward yourself with a well-deserved meal at one of the numerous restaurants, such as The Blue Parrot Ocean Front Café, BJ’s Pizza and Subs and Aunt Ebby’s Ice Cream. This unspoiled Barrier Island has miles of beaches and is home a variety of flora and fauna with plenty of wildlife viewing, hiking, boating, fishing, camping and a range of shopping and dining options. Not far away is the historic town of Apalachicola, a small coastal city with a rich history as well as plenty of warm hospitality.
To reach the island, travel down Hwy 98 in Apalachicola, turn right on US-319/FL-30 and follow signs to St. George Island.
Living in the Florida Panhandle provides plenty of exciting opportunities for relaxing on the warm sunny beaches, numerous family activities and plenty of exciting adventures that lie just off the beaten path. This summer, instead of fighting traffic and the long lines, why not explore everything that Florida’s backyard has to offer? After all, your summer adventure begins right here.
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