Perdido Key, Florida Gulf Coast — Courtesy: Shutterstock — George Dodd III
The Gulf Coast is many things to many people, from manatees and leisurely swimming in iridescent waters to visiting state parks and museums. Amazing fishing, golfing, and dining can be found along the Gulf Coast, which stretches from western Florida to the border between Texas and Mexico. Smaller communities lie outside the well-known metropolises of New Orleans, Tampa, and Galveston. They are equally lively, but everyone in them appears to know one another. These little communities are great for both modern adventurers and vacationers, offering activities like gulf fishing and park exploration.
Perdido Key
Perdido Key, Florida, is an island hub for wonderful getaways for families, singles, and anybody else who has a wanderlust. With slightly under 30,000 residents as of the 2020 census, Perdido Key is both large enough to feel like a town and tiny enough to feel like it’s a little bit “off the beaten path.” A little over an hour from Mobile and less than 30 minutes from Pensacola, Perdido Key offers easy access to major destinations in addition to the stunningly simple, laid-back vibe of its stunning sandy beaches.
Just a short drive from Perdido Key, Big Lagoon State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities for nature lovers, including hiking and canoeing its wetlands and woodlands. In 2011, the park even began collaborating with other groups to host educational and stargazing events on specific weekends.
Florida’s Crystal River
It’s little over an hour’s drive from Tampa, Florida, if you’re searching for a quiet beach experience. With fewer than 3,500 residents, Crystal River is notable for being an excellent place to fish and play golf.
People come to Crystal River because it’s an outdoor destination. Scalloping trips, scenic cruises, and manatee viewing are available at locations like Salty Siren amid the turquoise seas of the Florida coast. A beautiful place to hike, kayak, or take excursions is the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
The 61-acre Native American ceremonial site at Crystal River Archaeological State Park, complete with burial mounds, temple mounds, and a plaza, is a terrific place to explore year-round for armchair historians.
Following your exploration of Crystal River’s stunning natural and cultural settings, you should think about stuffing yourself with fish, as the area is full of eateries serving recently caught seafood. Though it has an amusing name, the adjoining Freezer Tiki Bar is a local favorite and exclusively serves freshly caught food. However, since this eatery only takes cash, a well-prepared traveler is also a well-fed traveler.
Florida’s Marathon
Situated on the Florida Keys, Marathon embodies the classic image of stunning beaches and crystal-clear oceans. Marathon is accessible and rather calm, being roughly an hour’s drive from Key West and two and a half hours from Miami.
Marathon boasts beautiful beaches, and Sunset Park, with its immaculate seas, is a perfect spot to unwind. At Crane Point Hammock Museum and Nature Trails, unwinding can continue with fish pedicures before going birdwatching, kayaking, or snorkeling. Wandering the museum and seeing artifacts from pirate ships and an antique dugout canoe may also be enjoyable for visitors.
The Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, which offers activities like snorkeling, visiting a man-made nursery for the local species, and interacting with baby fish, sharks, and more, carries on the theme of nature.
Finally, the Old Seven Mile Bridge may be enjoyable to visitors. Take pleasure in strolling or cycling across the bridge, and stop by for a gorgeous sunset photo.
Florida’s Apalachicola
Apalachicola, Florida, which is located in the Florida Panhandle, is last but most definitely not least. Beautiful beaches and charter fishing are available in Apalachicola. There are photogenic locations in Historic Apalachicola and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, which is the second biggest estuary research reserve in the US. For additional information, visit the nearby nature center.
The Cape St. George Lighthouse Museum is another place to see stunning lighthouses that are illuminated at night. Planning for the ideal moment can result in fantastic nighttime views of the surrounding area. The museum offers hikes to the summit of the lighthouse around sunset and full moon.
Discover The Gulf’s Charming Towns
There’s always plenty to do in these charming communities, whether you decide to swim in the blue waters while wearing sandals or hunt for the greatest food around. Flying in from New York or making the weekend trip from Tallahassee offers the chance to witness breathtaking sunsets, come across incredible animals, and tour the museums like a museum curator.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
