Page 102 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

ARTS AND CULTURE quaint fishing village it was in the “old days.”
In Franklin County, easternmost in the Downtown North serves as the cultural
Northwest Florida region, Apalachicola is hub of Panama City’s African-American
the best-known city. Once the third-largest community and Millville is named for
port on the Gulf of Mexico, reminders of its once-thriving paper-manufacturing and
those halcyon days of steamers and shipbuilding industries.
schooners, railroads and lumber mills Holmes County has a population of only
remain. The city’s historic district has nearly some 20,000, however, it boasts one note-
a thousand buildings and sites from a worthy historical residence. The Keith Cabin
th
bygone era. Along the waterfront, structures is an authentic 19 -century rural homestead
that once served as commercial fishing on which William Thomas Keith grew
factories and warehouses have evolved into cotton and tobacco . . . and expanded his
seafood houses and galleries, and old land holdings from 10 acres to 190. You can
shrimp boats now reside for eternity. access a very mystical and historical spot in
Nearby, Cape St. George Lighthouse had this county at the Chattachoochee Indian
been lighting the way for mariners since Burial Grounds in Holmes County.
1852, until it collapsed in 2005. Now it’s South Walton is home to a vibrant arts
been rebuilt with a new museum. It’s no community, anchored by the local Cultural
longer a working lighthouse (blame GPS), Arts Alliance, and enhanced by the opening
but you can’t tell the story of this region of the Foster Gallery in 2016. Every month,
without relating the history of this the vibrantly colored community of Seaside
FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK • DENISE RAMOS structure. holds the Ruskin Place First Friday ArtWalk,
Panama City has four very interesting featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres and
neighborhoods in which to roam. Downtown wine in the largest collection of art galleries
INSIDER’S is filled with galleries and arts facilities such on the Northwest Florida Gulf coast. Artists
TIPS as the Martin Theatre, the City Marina, the at Gulf Place is an art cooperative including
potters, sculptors, painters, jewelers,
Center for the Arts and the CityArts Coopera-
tive. Historic St. Andrews still resembles the photographers and furniture-crafters, with
If you’re bringing Fido with you, St. George
Island and Alligator Point in Franklin County
have pet-friendly beaches, as does Panama NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM, PENSACOLA • VISIT PENSACOLA
City Beach.
Take the road less traveled in Jackson
County, where wildlife, farms, rolling hills,
wooded areas, streams and canopy trees
line nearly 800 miles of unpaved roads.
In Panama City, Bay Town Trolley
offers convenient public transportation
and has multiple stops throughout the
city (baytowntrolley.org).
Pier Park in Panama City Beach offers
unforgettable outdoor shopping and dining
experiences. From your favorite retail stores
and one-of-a-kind boutiques to great restau-
rants, sweet shops and amusement rides,
there’s something for everyone here!
The Emerald Coast Convention and
Visitors Bureau hosts free nighttime
educational beach walks from May to
October, suitable for ages six and over. Learn
about the nesting habits of sea turtles, which
species nest along the beaches of Okaloosa
Island and Destin, and how you can help
protect them while on vacation. Reservations
are required (ECTurtleWatch@gmail.com).

100 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA