Page 104 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

NORTHWEST FLORIDA

ATTRACTIONS
Franklin County’s attractions highlight its
natural beauty, such as the Apalachicola
National Forest and the Apalachicola National
Estuarine Research Reserve, complete with
fish tanks and interactive displays.
A long time ago, a Liberty County resident
named E.E. Callaway claimed he had found
the Garden of Eden in Liberty County.
Maybe, maybe not. But the county does have
a part of paradise in its share of the
Apalachicola National Forest.
No visit to Northwest Florida should end
without a horseback ride on the beach,
particularly in dream-like spots such as Cape
San Blas. If you prefer your water inland
(with oars or on a tour boat), head for the
Dead Lakes, a unique ecosystem that’s part
swamp, part river, part lake, and all pristine
wilderness.
In Panama City Beach, the Man in the Sea
FLORIDA SEAFOOD FESTIVAL, APALACHICOLA • FRANKLIN COUNTY TDC
Museum covers the history of diving and
the Navy’s “Man in the Sea Program,” which whose leading draw is the SkyWheel, a 53- Seacrest Wolf Preserve, where you can
showcases SEALAB I, the Navy’s first-ever meter, observation wheel with 30 climate- interact not only with wolves, but also with
underwater habitat. controlled, fully enclosed gondolas—added foxes, raccoons, skunks and Pecos the
New to Panama City Beach is Swampy the SkyTrail Ropes Course to their current Coyote. At the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center,
Jack’s WONGO Adventure, a hybrid lineup. It is an aerial attraction with there’s a working beehive, a birdwatching
amusement park that opened last fall. It suspended bridges, cargo nets and rope station, a rescued snapping turtle, and
currently features five thrilling rides and ladders, engineered for an adrenaline rush. several species of snakes and frogs.
attractions including Marrakesh Road Rally— Panama City, too, lives on the water. Shell The Destin/Fort Walton Beach/Okaloosa
an interactive electric go-kart experience and Island Cruises takes you out to snorkel with Island area, also known as the Heart of the
the Yacuma—a huge serpent wipeout ride. the dolphins. Emerald Coast, offers attractions such as the
Also, the SkyWheel entertainment venue— Chipley has family fun spots like the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where you
can frolic in the water with rays and spend
time observing dolphins. If your kids love
5 MUST-SEE dinosaurs, head for Wild Willy’s Adventure
Zone, with animatronic Dinosaur-themed
ATTRACTIONS
and Pirate-themed mini golf courses, a bungee
trampoline, laser tag, arcade, incredible 4-D
movie theater, and, yes, dinosaurs.
1 GULFARIUM MARINE ADVENTURE PARK, FORT WALTON BEACH: Santa Rosa County’s Gulf Breeze Zoo
gulfarium.com
showcases over 50 acres of animals from
2 LIGHTHOUSES ACROSS NORTHWEST FLORIDA: around the world, and the Navarre Beach
explorenwflorida.com
Marine Science Station combines hands-on
3 NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM, PENSACOLA: learning and entertainment.
navalaviationmuseum.org
In Escambia County, historic Pensacola
4 SPRINGS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA: Village is the site of the original Spanish and
nwfwater.com/water-resources/springs
British forts in a city over which five flags
5 ZOOWORLD ZOOLOGICAL, PANAMA CITY BEACH: have flown. In the Pensacola Lighthouse,
zooworldpcb.com
built in 1859, climb the 177 steps for a
dramatic panoramic view of the Gulf Coast.

102 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA