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Weekend road trip suggestions

beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach Fanatic
4,520 views
So we're feeling like doing a bit of travel and getting out of town for a day or two. Any suggestions on where to send us?

We like: hiking, taking pictures, zoos and aquariums, mid-century modern design, touring historic areas and large museums, shopping options not available here

But are not interested in: romantic bed and breakfasts, New Orleans, antiquing, theme parks, the Civil War as predominant theme

We feel like we've already done everything interesting between Panama City Beach and Pensacola a million times.

Thanks!

Replies

21
audie avatar
audiefartblossom
#2
how far are you wanting to go miles wise ?
Lady D avatar
Lady DSoWal Insider
#3
how far are you wanting to go miles wise ?

Where is Bluewater Bay??? Mapquest doesn't recognize it and map it. :idontno:
beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach FanaticAuthor
#4
Bluewater's a little east of Niceville. We've got a Niceville mailing address. We'd be willing to hit Atlanta or Tampa if we felt like the trip was going to be worth it. (Though I've got to sell Atlanta on Mr. Mouse because everyone he knows that has moved there seems to keep talking about the traffic and crime)
sunshineBeach Lover
#5
I've wanted to stay at Wakulla Springs for a while; maybe you can go and report back?

Here's the link to the park:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/ParkSummary.cfm

http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/ParkSummary.cfm
The lodge was built in 1937 by Edward Ball and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's about 2 hours from Sowal, past Carrabelle.

As an interesting side, the Tarzan movies were filmed there, and a lot of Jane's descendants live in sowal!
Lady D avatar
Lady DSoWal Insider
#6
I've wanted to stay at Wakulla Springs for a while; maybe you can go and report back?

Here's the link to the park:

http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/ParkSummary.cfm

http://www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings/ParkSummary.cfm
The lodge was built in 1937 by Edward Ball and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It's about 2 hours from Sowal, past Carrabelle.

As an interesting side, the Tarzan movies were filmed there, and a lot of Jane's descendants live in sowal!

Thanks beachmouse for letting me know the whereabouts of Bluewater Bay. I've heard of Niceville but some areas are so small they are not mapped. I can understand wanting to do some exploring outside of where you live. Thanks for the info sunshine about Wakulla Springs. I wonder if my husband knew the Tarzan movies were filmed there. That is one place I have been wanting to explore myself when we come down.
rapunzel avatar
rapunzelBeach Fanatic
#7
Has anyone visited any of the springs around here? I have been hoping to do that soon.
RudyjohnSoWal Insider
#8
Check out Crystal River and Homosassa Springs. Very beautiful, quaint!

beachmouse avatar
beachmouseBeach FanaticAuthor
#9
Ponde De Leon Springs SP is pretty much a neighborhood swimming hole. Nice enough, but probably not worth the drive. I'd probably go to Homosassa for the manatee factor. I suspect Wakulla Springs is a little too much like here for the purposes of the exercise.

I caught Mr. Mouse looking at the Atlanta Ikea web site earlier. So maybe I can talk him into a trip there. We've got a station wagon to haul back stuff, and I've heard good things about their cabinets, and I'd love to redo the bathroom vanities...
Lady D avatar
Lady DSoWal Insider
#10
Ponde De Leon Springs SP is pretty much a neighborhood swimming hole. Nice enough, but probably not worth the drive. I'd probably go to Homosassa for the manatee factor. I suspect Wakulla Springs is a little too much like here for the purposes of the exercise.

I caught Mr. Mouse looking at the Atlanta Ikea web site earlier. So maybe I can talk him into a trip there. We've got a station wagon to haul back stuff, and I've heard good things about their cabinets, and I'd love to redo the bathroom vanities...

Isn't Wakulla Springs the one that has the 300 foot sink hole? Too bad Savannah, GA is so far away. We went there when I was young and they are right by the water. We ate at a restaurant called the Pirates House and believe it or not, it is still there. I think they have some nice shops around also. And I was around 7 years old when we went. But that is a little over 400 miles from the northern Florida area.
Scooter avatar
ScooterBeach Fanatic
#11
Come to Atlanta. The traffic's not bad for a visit. Just hate living with it all the time. Crime's not bad either. You could go to the aquarium, coca-cola museum, shopping at Lenox and Phipps malls.
SHELLY avatar
SHELLYSoWal Insider
#12
St Augustine.


.
dbuck avatar
dbuckBeach Fanatic
#13
St Augustine.


.

Good choice. Does St. Augustine have a "good beach" area? I was there so many years ago, I just don't recall seeing one.
SHELLY avatar
SHELLYSoWal Insider
#14
Good choice. Does St. Augustine have a "good beach" area? I was there so many years ago, I just don't recall seeing one.

The beach was pretty nice. In 2005 they put $14 million in sand on the beach...according to the article below, it's pretty much gone now; but the city itself is neat place to visit...(don't think someone would leave this area to go and lay on another beach for a couple of days anyway.)

ARTICLE: St Augustine Beach Takes a Pounding:
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=81850
Kimmifunn avatar
KimmifunnFunnkalicious
#15
Has anyone visited any of the springs around here? I have been hoping to do that soon.

Vortex Springs... "Gin Clear Water"
ShallowsNole avatar
ShallowsNoleBeach Fanatic
#16
Good choice. Does St. Augustine have a "good beach" area? I was there so many years ago, I just don't recall seeing one.

Different than ours, for sure, as all Atlantic beaches are, but still good.

Must do: eat fried shrimp at O'Steens, St. Augustine Beach...but be prepared with cash.
swantree avatar
swantreeBeach Fanatic
#17
cedar key! lots of history down that way!
ladyjBeach Lover
#18
Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.
I love that zoo! And, they've just added a new African area with elephants and rhinos and cheetahs. Was just there in April.
The Manatee exhibit is amazing.
I go there once a year, at least.
Only $20 per to get in. Not too bad.
And, they have a Starbucks now. :blink:

Edited

RiverOtter avatar
RiverOttergot any pics?
#19
So we're feeling like doing a bit of travel and getting out of town for a day or two. Any suggestions on where to send us?

We like: hiking, taking pictures, zoos and aquariums, mid-century modern design, touring historic areas and large museums, shopping options not available here

But are not interested in: romantic bed and breakfasts, New Orleans, antiquing, theme parks, the Civil War as predominant theme

We feel like we've already done everything interesting between Panama City Beach and Pensacola a million times.

Thanks!


Come up to the Nooga, 6 hrs away (if you drive like an Otter 😀 ). We have all the above mentioned stuff plus the Otters live here :cool:
Franny avatar
FrannyBeach Fanatic
#20
Ponde De Leon Springs SP is pretty much a neighborhood swimming hole. Nice enough, but probably not worth the drive. I'd probably go to Homosassa for the manatee factor. I suspect Wakulla Springs is a little too much like here for the purposes of the exercise.

I caught Mr. Mouse looking at the Atlanta Ikea web site earlier. So maybe I can talk him into a trip there. We've got a station wagon to haul back stuff, and I've heard good things about their cabinets, and I'd love to redo the bathroom vanities...

Pick up the latest Southern Living mag. there is a great article about unique shops in Atlanta..furniture, accessories, etc. I really want to check this out. For a day trip visit Havana, just north of Tallahassee, fun shopping!!

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