The Underrated Florida Vacation Spot With Fewer Tourists And White Sands

Tucked in the northwest corner of the state, Florida's Panhandle is about as far from the neon lights and pulsating rhythm of Miami's South Beach as you can imagine. By some measures, it's even more laid-back than Key West. There's no pressure to party. Following a local's advice for a perfect bar crawl through the Conch Republic may make for a fun evening, but does it really beat spreading a blanket across the sand and laying back to gaze at the night sky? That's a rhetorical question. If you know, you know. And the Panhandle is definitely less curated — and less expensive — than Orlando's Magic Kingdom. In fact, by some accounts, the Gulf Coast destination may have more in common with its neighboring Alabama beach communities than other Florida coastal destinations. 

Even in light of its assets, including sugary white sand beaches and stunning emerald-green waters, the Florida Panhandle remains a relatively undiscovered vacation destination. In 2024, the combined traffic at the four major airports serving the region combined — Pensacola International Airport (PNS), Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS), Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), and Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) — was only a fraction of airport traffic recorded at Miami International Airport (MIA) or Orlando International Airport (MCO). Stunning statistics given the Florida Panhandle's reputation as a family-friendly vacation destination.

With almost 200 miles of coastline, it's a beach-goer's delight, but it's also diverse. The state capital of Tallahassee is where you'll find one of Florida's most magnificent and highly rated botanical gardens and Florida State University. Mission San Luis is a must-see for history buffs. The National Historic Landmark is a replica of a 17th-century settlement inhabited by native Apalachee and Spanish immigrants until a 1704 British invasion laid waste to the community. It's a living history museum where interpreters dressed in period clothing recreate daily life in the 1600s.

Apalachicola National Forest (a lush natural forest beloved for its wildlife, turquoise lakes, and outdoor fun) is another Florida Panhandle mainstay. Located in Crawford, about 10 miles southwest of Tallahassee, it's the largest forest in Florida, encompassing 1,000 square miles including 12 acres of virgin, uncut cypress. Getting to the old-growth cypress grove involves a challenging hike — which is probably why it continues to thrive — but the national forest offers plenty of easier-access activities including swimming in spring-fed Silver Lake, relaxing on the white-sand beach at Wright Lake, camping, hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. It's also home to the Leon Sinks Geological Area, a preserve where karst, natural formations created by millennia of erosion, include sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, and springs.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park — one of the top beach destinations in the country — is located on St. George Island, a 22-mile-long barrier island just south of Apalachicola National Forest. The 2,000-acre state park on the eastern tip of the island is known for its fine white–sand beaches and clear ocean water. Spend a day lounging on a gulfside beach and there's a good chance you'll catch sight of dolphins frolicking offshore. Shelling and beachcombing are favorite pastimes and it's also a nesting area for sea turtles who come ashore to lay their eggs between May and October. Marshes on the bayside are equally stunning, home to wading birds — egrets, herons, oystercatchers, sandpipers, ibis — in addition to pelicans, ducks, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, and bald eagles. The state park is also a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and camping. The park is equally mesmerizing after nightfall when it becomes an ideal stargazing destination. Beyond the park, the family-friendly island has a decidedly laid-back vibe. There are no major hotels, just a few inns and a motel and restaurants are beachy casual.

If you're looking for a beach destination with a bit more sizzle in the form of boardwalks, arcades, and the sweet scent of cotton candy wafting through the air, head to Pensacola. The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is lined with shops, including places to pick up souvenirs, and beachfront restaurants. About 15 miles north, Splash City Adventures (previously Sam's Fun City) is an old-fashioned amusement park featuring bumper cars, a carousel, a Tilt-A-Whirl, a Ferris wheel, and even a kiddie train. The adjacent water park features a dozen slides, a 750-foot winding river, and seven pools. Pensacola is also home to the National Naval Aviation Museum. The world's largest naval aviation museum showcases more than 150 restored U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. In addition to exhibits including hands-on flight simulators and cockpit trainers, the museum is also one of the best places in Pensacola to watch the Blue Angels practice. The elite U.S. Navy flying squadron is based at nearby Forrest Sherman Field Naval Air Station.

About 50 miles east of Pensacola, Destin has another popular Panhandle boardwalk. Opened in 2012, Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a ¼-mile-long waterfront promenade lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. There's even a zipline — 1,000 feet roundtrip — that offers birds-eye views of the Emerald Coast. Time it right and you may even catch a sunset. Too tame, crank up the adrenaline meter with a bungee jump-esque 100-foot freefall. It's also one of the best places to take in regularly scheduled fireworks displays over Destin Harbor. Known for its powdery soft white-sand beaches and emerald green water, Destin is beach-people nirvana. With easy access to all kinds of water-based activities, swimming, fishing, parasailing, boating, you name it, there's a good chance you'll find it in Destin.

Boating enthusiasts will want to check out Crab Island. The expansive sandbar, located just inside the East Pass connecting Destin's coastal beaches to Choctawhatchee Bay, is the place to commune with like-minded mariners. The water is shallow enough to drop anchor, jump out, and wade around to visit neighboring boaters. There's usually a blowup slide and a floating bar in the middle of the sandy oasis. No boat? Fear not. There are plenty of local rental options ranging from captained charters — tiki cruise, anyone — to DIY pontoon, inflatables, and powerboats.

Another coastal Panhandle highlight, Panama City Beach is all about the beach during the day but it's party central at night. From ax-throwing to live music to dancing in the sand, cocktail in hand, it's one of the most popular Panhandle locales lovers of the nightlife. At the same, it's family friendly. Shell Island, an uninhabited barrier island accessible by water shuttle, is a well-known snorkeling destination with shallow pools ranked among the best places for beginners. It's also a mecca of sorts for shell collectors. Be advised, though, rules apply. Never collect shells that are home to living sea creatures. Every shell — from mollusks to crabs — are habitats first. If it's a living habit, leave it where you found it. Only ever collect empty shells.

We've barely scratched the surface of the Florida Panhandle bounty. The 10,000-square-mile region known for its pristine beaches encompasses so much more landscape worth exploring. Visitors interested in learning about the interior may want to consider hiking a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail. One of only 11 national scenic trails in the United States. The 1,500-mile-long trail stretches from Big Cypress National Preserve in the south to the Gulf Islands National Seashore in northwest Florida, including about 330 miles through the Panhandle.