Coastal Day Trips

by Kelly Oden & Nicole Willis

Who doesn’t love a road trip? Open road, open skies and the promise of adventure at every turn. While Pensacola offers more than enough amenities and adventures for the average visitor, homeowners and long term guests may want to explore the inland areas of Florida’s panhandle and discover the beauty and history that exists off the beaten path. Fortunately, the Pensacola area is just a hop, skip and a jump from a variety of historical sites, quaint towns, unique natural wonders and wildlife encounters. These locations are perfect for a quick day trip or even a long weekend. Either way, you’ll come back renewed and ready for a long day at the beach.

Downtown Fairhope

Fairhope, AL fairhopers.com

From upscale dining to cozy cafes, Fairhope has it all. This city’s downtown atmosphere is laid-back, but has no shortage of interesting things to do. Whether you’re looking to have a relaxed evening perusing art galleries and sipping on a glass of wine, or want to shop and enjoy live music, downtown Fairhope provides all these opportunities and more. Any art-lover would enjoy the Eastern Shore Art Center which features many local artists that work in a variety of mediums. The city also hosts the “First Friday Art Walk,” in which shop owners, restaurants, and artists open their doors for the public to browse and mingle. The Art Walk is often accompanied by live music and entertainment. For an upscale shopping and dining experience, visit Provision, an indoor modern market with a wine bar and cafe. After shopping, swing by the Fairhope Pier to catch the sunset. Gambino’s Italian Grill is an excellent place to finish your day with a delectable steak or pasta dinner. Whatever you decide to do, Fairhope is sure to impress all who visit.

Defuniak Springs

Defuniak Springs, FL defuniaksprings.net

The quaint town of Defuniak Springs sits on the banks of the spring-fed Lake Defuniak, which is a true rarity—one of only two such almost perfectly circular bodies of water in the world. The other is located in Switzerland. A collection of Victorian homes surrounds the lake and adds to the nostalgic charm. Founded in the 1880s as a railroad stop for the L & N Railroad, DeFuniak Springs retains its old Florida look and feel. In fact, the Walton County Library on Circle Drive is the oldest library in Florida still operating in its original building. It houses an interesting assortment of antiquities, including an impressive medieval weapon collection and many first-edition books. The former L&N railroad depot now houses the Walton County Heritage Museum. The town became the winter home of the New York Chautauqua, an educational movement that attracted thousands of visitors to Defuniak Springs in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Chautauqua Vineyards & Winery, a 40-acre vineyard located 12 miles north of Defuniak Springs offers tastings and virtual tours of their wide variety of wines.

Ponce de Leon Springs

Ponce De Leon, FL floridastateparks.org/park/ponce-de-leon-springs

Named for the famed explorer who sought the fountain of youth, Ponce de Leon Springs may not grant you eternal youth, but its majestic beauty will certainly relax your mind while its crisp cool waters are sure to revive your senses. The crystal clear water maintains a year-round temperature of 68 degrees. Approximately 14 million gallons of pure water emerges daily from the Ponce de Leon Spring. Spring water emanates from the aquifer deep underground. While the spring is the main attraction, the park also offers ample opportunity for hiking, birding, fishing, snorkeling and even geocaching.

Florida Caverns State Park

Marianna, FL floridastateparks.org/park/florida-caverns

Florida Caverns State Park is the only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public. Inside the dry (air-filled) caves, visitors will see incredible formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones and draperies. The park’s caves have a long and interesting geologic history beginning about 38 million years ago when this area was submerged beneath high sea levels. Shells, coral and sediments gradually accumulated on the seafloor and as sea levels fell, these materials hardened into limestone. During the last million years, acidic groundwater dissolved crevices just below the surface creating cave passages large enough to walk through. Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and other fragile cave-drip formations were formed by a similar dissolving process by the naturally acidic rainwater. The caves provide a habitat for the blind cave crayfish, cave salamanders and three species of cave roosting bats. The park also contains the Chipola River and Blue Hole Spring, which provide areas for fishing, canoeing and boating. Florida Caverns State Park is popular for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking and horseback riding.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve

Chipley, FL seacrestwolfpreserve.org

Wild animals are fascinating and potentially dangerous creatures. If you love the idea of spending time with wolves, this is the trip for you. Seacrest Wolf Preserve (SWP) is a nonprofit organization that has been promoting the education and conservation of native wildlife since 1999. At SWP, humans and wolves can meet, offering rare connections and educational experiences. The preserve currently offers two hour long private VIP tours Monday through Friday, and VIP guests can enter into the enclosures to interact with the wolves. Private VIP tours require at least two people and cost $250 each and each additional person after the first two costs $150. All of SWP’s tours include opportunities for photos with the animals. SWP also offers more affordable group tours on Saturdays. Group tours are by reservation only and cost $50 per person. For visitation hours and more details, visit the SWP website.

Falling Waters State Park Chipley, FL

floridastateparks.org/park/falling-waters

Florida’s highest waterfall is the star of the show at the breathtaking Falling Waters State Park. To see the waterfall, visitors follow Sink Hole Trail, a boardwalk flanked by huge trees and fern-covered sinkholes. Falling Waters Sink is a 100-foot deep, 20-foot wide cylindrical pit into which flows a small stream that drops 73 feet to the bottom of the sink. The water’s final destination remains unknown. Located a few miles south of I-10, the quiet and serene park also offers visitors the chance to see beautiful native and migrating butterflies in the butterfly garden, take a dip in the lake or have a family picnic. Hikers enjoy trekking through the green, gently sloping landscape of North Florida. Full-facility campsites nestled in a shady pine forest provide the perfect excuse for an overnight stay at Falling Waters.