Sights in Florida Panhandle
-
Pensacola Lighthouse
Accessed from the NAS is the 160ft, 1859-built Pensacola Lighthouse, which is in use today.
reviewed
-
A
Lake Ella
- Tallahassee, USA
- Sights › Lake
Part of Tallahassee life for well over a century, Lake Ella, east off N Monroe St to the south of W Tharpe St, is a much-loved urban park that's great for a run or blade, or picnic.
Originally known as Bull's Pond, in the 19th century this sylvan, spring-fed pool was renamed by planter Jabez Bull for his daughter. It has long been a swimming hole, baptismal site and picnic spot. It was here, in 1867, that more than 2000 newly freed slaves celebrated Emancipation Day.
The roaring '20s saw Lake Ella become a holidaymaker's playground. In 1924 Gilbert Sewell Chandler built the Lakeside Motel (the cottages still line the east shore today, housing boutiques and craft shops), an…
reviewed
-
B
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
Universally referred to by its acronym, FAMU (fam-you), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students, with 15 students and two instructors. Today it’s home to a population of about 10,000 students of all races, as well as the Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center & Museum. A forerunner in research on African American influence on US history and culture, the center and museum holds one of the country’s largest collections of African American and African artifacts as well as a huge collection of papers, photographs, paintings and documents pertaining to black American life.
reviewed
-
C
Museum of Florida History
Housed in a stark and off-putting modern building with no charm, the Museum of Florida History is filled with wonderful exhibits, tackling everything from Florida’s Paleo-Indians, who inhabited these parts beginning at the end of the Ice Age, to Civil War times, Spanish shipwrecks in the Atlantic and the rise of ‘Tin-Can Tourism,’ when the middle-class traveler began hitting Florida in droves – driving south, camping out and eating dinner out of tin cans. You’ll see a 1925 Model T, a 1911 Baker electric car, a reconstructed citrus packing house of the 1920s and the star attraction: a North American mastodon skeleton.
reviewed
-
D
Historic Capitol
The 1902 Historic Capitol, adorned by candy-striped awnings and topped with a reproduction of the original glass dome, is as grand as its successor is uninviting. It now houses the Florida Legislative Research Center and Museum, including a restored House of Representatives chamber and governors’ reception area, plenty of governors’ portraits, and exhibits on immigration, state development and the infamous 2000 US presidential election, with displays such as the equally infamous butterfly ballot, now enclosed in glass.
reviewed
-
E
Knott House Museum
Housed in a stately 1843 white column-fronted building, the Knott House Museum is a quirky attraction. Occupied during the Civil War by Confederate and then Union troops before the Emancipation Proclamation was read here in 1865, it’s otherwise known as ‘the house that rhymes.’ That’s because in 1928 it was bought by politico William V Knott, whose poet wife, Luella, attached verses on the evils of drink to the many of the furnishings.
reviewed
-
F
Zoo World Zoological & Botanical Park
Home to more than 350 animals, including 15 endangered species, and over 250 species of plants, the Zoo World Zoological & Botanical Park participates in the government's Species Survival Plan to breed endangered animals. Among those born here are five African lion cubs, a Sumatran tiger and three mandrills (baboons); there's a glass-fronted nursery where you can watch the adorable babes in their infancy. Kids love the cuddly petting zoo.
reviewed
-
Veterans Memorial Park
In this military city, the 5.5-acre bayfront Veterans Memorial Park is a fittingly moving monument to American war veterans. At the end is Wall South, a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC, starkly displaying the names of more than 58,000 US soldiers who lost their lives in the war, among them eight women nurses, Angels on the Wall. Also at the park is Pensacola's brand new WWII memorial. Take Main St east from downtown.
reviewed
-
Black Archives Research Center & Museum
Housed in Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, the Black Archives Research Center & Museum is a forerunner in research on African American influence on US history and culture. The center and museum holds one of the country's largest collections of African American and African artifacts as well as a huge collection of papers, photographs, paintings and documents pertaining to Black American life.
reviewed
-
G
Shoreline Park
Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze is a particular hotspot, where you’re likely to find local skywatchers (including members of the Mutual UFO Network, which meets here regularly) with binoculars and lawn chairs. Sightings have been reported right along the coast – it’s as good a reason as any to spread out a picnic or beach blanket and gaze up at the stars.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Pensacola Museum of Art
Interestingly housed in the city’s old jail (1908), this museum, features nearly 20 exhibits a year – anything from Rodin sculptures to the pop-art work of Jasper Johns. Its impressively growing collection, shown on a rotating basis, includes major 20th- and 21st-century artists across genres including cubism, realism, pop art and folk art.
reviewed
-
I
Florida State University
A liberal arts school of over 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Florida State University specializes in sciences, computing and performing arts (and football). From September to April, free campus tours depart from Visitor Services ([tel] 850-644-3246; 100 S Woodward Ave) Monday to Friday. Call for a schedule.
reviewed
-
Zoo
When Hurricane Ivan hit years ago, many of the staff at the Zoo, about 10 miles east of Gulf Breeze, risked their own safety to stay and look after the animals that had nowhere else to go. And today their personal attachment is still evident through this zoo, which is worth a visit especially if you’re traveling with kids.
reviewed
-
J
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Autos ranging from the oldest known surviving US car, the 1894 Duryea, through to the Batmobiles featured in the Batman films are on show at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. The 1948 Tucker Torpedo, one of only 51 made, is a treat, as is the collection of boat motors (hey, this is Florida), dating back to 1908.
reviewed
-
K
Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Science
A working 1880s farmhouse and 52-acre natural habitat zoo with Florida panthers and black bears make the Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Science another winner with kids. Allow a few hours to check out the nature trails and exhibits, including the birds of prey aviary and reptile house.
reviewed
-
L
Florida State Capitol
With considerably less architectural charm, is the current Florida State Capitol, a 22-story concrete slab where the state legislature meets for 60 days a year. The top floor has an observation deck and art gallery, and the ground floor has visitor information for the whole state.
reviewed
-
M
Sam's Fun City
The very cute Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoon-themed Sam's Fun City is a one-off and has lots of whirly rides and attractions like bumper boats, mini golf and go-karting, as well as a water park with a wave pool and stacks of slides. From I-10 take exit 10A south to US 29.
reviewed
-
N
Mission San Luis
The site of a 17th-century Spanish and Apalachee Indian mission, Mission San Luis has several convincingly re-created buildings, including the impressive Council House, for a fascinating look at what the area was like 300 years ago.
reviewed
-
Bay Bluffs Park
The beautiful Bay Bluffs Park is a 32-acre oasis of wooden boardwalks that lead you down along the side of the steep bluffs, through clutches of live oaks, pines, Florida rosemary and holly down to the empty beach below.
reviewed
-
Fort Barrancas
This fort sits on a dramatic bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay, and is now part of the national park system. The fort was variously built, destroyed, remodeled and occupied by Spanish, French, British, Confederate and US forces since 1698.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
O
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Opposite the Old Capitol, on S Monroe St, a huge US flag billows between two granite pillars of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, inscribed with the names of 1869 Floridians killed and 83 missing in action during the war.
reviewed
-
P
Florida Historic Capitol
To learn about the people and events that shaped Florida, head to the museum in the Florida Historic Capitol, a grand, columned building with an art-glass dome and candy-striped awnings.
reviewed
-
Historic Pensacola Village
The Historic Pensacola Village, a self-contained enclave of historic homes and museums. Admission is good for one week and includes a guided tour and entrance to each building.
reviewed
-
Q
St Andrews State Recreation Area
St Andrews State Recreation Area is graced with nature trails and swimming beaches (one of the best places to swim with children is the 4ft-deep water near the jetties).
reviewed
-
Circus by the Sea
The brand-new Circus by the Sea is a seasonal adventure that brings the Florida State University High Flying Circus and its trapeze pros to an air-conditioned big top.
reviewed
