They say the Florida Panhandle is more like Alabama and Georgia than it is like the portion of Florida that borders the Atlantic Ocean. But the visitor to the Panhandle can still have a full Florida vacation. The beaches are just as white, the people are just as friendly, and the area retains its own brand of Southern Charm.

Pensacola

The buildings of the Historic Pensacola Village, part of the city's Seville Historic District, provide a viewport into the city's past. Along with examples of specialty shops, restaurants, and restored houses, the visitor can sample exhibits at the Museum of Industry, the Museum of Commerce and the eclectic T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum. At the National Museum of Naval Aviation, located at Pensacola Naval Air Station, tourists can look at more than 100 airplanes, and try their hands at piloting a plane from simulated cockpit.
Those who crave sun and fun can make the drive over to Pensacola Beach, located on the barrier island of Santa Rosa. Nearby is Fort Pickens, which helped defend the area from the Civil War until World War II. In the 1880s, the Apache warrior Geronimo was incarcerated here.

Panama City

The city has nearly 30 miles of tourist-friendly beaches. Centerpiece of the beach experience is the Miracle Strip Amusement Park with its rides and carnival games. Next door is the Shipwreck Island Water Park. Panama City has attractions for the whole family, with accommodations to fit every budget.

Tallahassee

The state's capital was located here in the 1820s because it was halfway between Pensacola and St. Augustine, the two main cities in the state at the time. Besides the impressive 22-story New Capitol Building and the lovely 1845 Old Capitol, visitors can wander the campuses of Florida State University and Florida A&M University. South of Tallahassee on the coast is the 70,000-acre St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for birds and for migrating monarch butterflies.