Attractions and Activities of the Panhandle's Gulf Coast - Emerald Coast
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Attractions and Activities of the Panhandle's Gulf Coast - Emerald Coast
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FEATURED FLORIDA ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES OF:
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Perdido Key |
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| Perdido Key skyline | Perdido Key view from State Park. | May 2005: After the beating from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Vista del Mar Condo was badly damaged and the seaside wing appears to be sinking. | |||
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Pictures of beachfront houses along Highway US 98 in Perdido Key and the bridge (end picture) to Perdido Key from the mainland.
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| The barrier island of Perdido Key is as west as it gets in the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf Coast because the western part of Perdido Key is in Alabama. Perdido Key is a narrow strip of land and most of the condos and housing lie along or just off of Route 98, which runs down the center of the island. There is a bridge off the western end in Alabama and on the eastern end to mainland Florida, where shopping is accomplished. The eastern edge of the city is bordered by Perdido Key State Park, a large, natural beachfront park on the Gulf of Mexico. | |||||
Perdido Key State Park |
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View of the Gulf of Mexico through the sand dunes.
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More sand dunes and a view of the eastern end of the city.
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Big Lagoon borders the northern edge of the park where there are wooded areas and a boat ramp.
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| Perdido Key State Park is a 247 acre barrier island attraction filled with snow white, ankle-deep, powdery-soft sand. Emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico wash the long shores of this native beach. Scrub-covered sand dunes are a treat to view and the back bay waters of Big Lagoon offer fishing, boating and kayaking fun. Permanent (except for Hurricane Ivan damage) facilities for sanitation, parking and picnicking are available. | |||||
Pensacola |
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Pensacola Lighthouse
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Palafax Pier Aircraft Carrier | Museum of Naval Aviation | Bridge and causeway to beach | ||
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Pictures of the Pensacola historic downtown area.
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Escambia County Courthouse |
Along Bayfront Parkway.
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Pensacola historic downtown includes the former residential area with restored houses dating back to the mid-1800's. Many of the former residences have been restored and now serve as offices for upscale businesses, bed and breakfasts, etc.
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| Pensacola is the largest deep water port in Northwest Florida. Settled during the mid-1700's, many of the city's restored structures date back almost as far. The historic downtown commercial and residential areas have many buildings in the US Historic Registry and provide for an interesting tour as part of the areas activities and attractions. The US Navy's presence in Pensacola is felt everywhere and at the Naval Air Station you can climb the steps of the Pensacola Lighthouse and visit the Museum of Naval Aviation. Check for access to attractions in the area; many can be closed because of the damage caused by recent hurricanes. | |||||
Pensacola Beach |
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Pensacola Beach: Casino Beach
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Pensacola Beach Pier: 1741' | Pensacola Beach at sunset | Pensacola Beach at dusk | ||
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May, 2005: Approximately 9 months after Hurricane Ivan, much of Pensacola Beach's residential housing still look like this and worse. It's not that the area is particularly low but huge waves of water and sand washed across most of the island. A good deal of sand eventually covered the island, including roadways, when the waters receded. The commercial areas seem to be well ahead in terms of recovery..
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| Dunes Hotel, Pensacola Beach |
Many neighborhoods look like this: no vegetation; large sandpiles; gaps between houses from demolitions; sand on the roads, etc.
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| Pensacola Beach is a well known older tourist beach attraction that has been enticing visitors to its shores for generations. Hard hit by Hurricane Ivan, it is still struggling to recover, including private residences, hotels, motels and condos. However, the rambling Casino Beach area in the center of the island is back in operation including the pier, beach facilities and restaurants. As of this writing (Summer 2006), several attractions are closed including Fort Pickens but things are coming on line everyday. Its still a great place to visit - when the shock of the destruction wears off - and there's still plenty of activities in the area to keep the family happy. | |||||
Navarre Beach |
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Navarre Beach skyline
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Navarre Beach causeway bridge | Colorful structures and architectural styles dot Navarre Beach. | |||
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Navarre Beach neighborhood street
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Driving west on Via De Luna.
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Typical damage from Hurricane Ivan.
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| Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound, Navarre Beach offers some of the Gulf's best playgrounds. Beach access for those not directly on the ocean is through neighboring Navarre Beach State Park. There is normally good access to and from Navarre Beach by way of the causeway and bridge to the mainland and 399 West along the ocean to Pensacola Beach although the area is subject to damages from hurricane activity. The causeway shores are roped off each year to protect the nesting area of (shorebirds) black skimmers. | |||||
Navarre Beach State Park |
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Welcome...
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Navarre Beach State Park facilities
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picture of beach with pier
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Navarre Beach wedding chapel
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Okaloosa Island Beach east
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Okaloosa Island Beach west
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Skyline of Navarre Beach from park
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umbrellas on Navarre Beach
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| Navarre Beach State Park is deep with the rich, white sands of the best gulf beaches. Shallow shorelines and crystal clear waters make it an outstanding beach for kids. The state park is a great attraction and has good parking, picnic and sanitary facilities. although they were under repair during our visit 18 months later due to damage from Hurricane Ivan. Part of the protected Gulf Islands National Seashore on Okaloosa Island, beach walkers can hike miles eastward to Fort Walton Beach. | |||||
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