Into the Woods
At first light in a Walton County forest, the air hangs damp and cool, heavy with the scent of pine and palmetto. A white-tailed deer slips through the trees. Somewhere overhead, a woodpecker taps. A father kneels in the sand,…
Sunken Treasure
Most of us will never star in a Hollywood production, but a few miles off the coast of Panama City Beach, you don’t need to be an A-lister to grace one of Disney’s most iconic movie sets—you just need a…
Shell Shocked
Spend enough time around Destin and Fort Walton Beach, and you will probably meet Tina. Tina is a bit of a celebrity around the area, showing up at parades, visiting classrooms, talking it up with vacationers and anyone else. To…
Guardians of the Wild
Here on the coast, wildlife is never far from view: A sea turtle inches across a sandy expanse; an osprey surveys the marina from above; dolphins crest the waves offshore; and a deer slips quietly through the tree line at…
The Latest
Fauna Fantastica
The Northwest Florida Panhandle is uniquely positioned to represent a diversity in ecosystems. The Panhandle is split into two ecoregions: the Southeastern Plains (inland) and the Southeastern Coastal Plain (nearshore). Our inland environments boast pine forests, rolling hills, and diverse…
Colorado's Reborn Frontier
Travelers flock to the Colorado Rockies for skiing, hiking, and crisp alpine air, but deep in the San Juan Mountains lies a different Colorado altogether. Hidden between stands of blue spruce, ponderosa, conifers, and aspen groves, steaming mineral pools emerge…
Wild West Weekend
Although it’s only a short drive away, Westgate River Ranch feels like stepping through a portal into Florida’s frontier. Set amid hundreds of acres of whispering oaks and open pastures, this storied property delivers Western charm with an upscale, family-friendly…
Franklin’s Gifts
Boasting hundreds of thousands of acres of pristine, protected wilderness, Franklin County is heaven for hikers. Within Tate’s Hell State Forest, visitors can traipse among ancient, 150-year-old dwarf cypress trees, native pitcher plants, and coastal scrub ecosystems that populate the…
Mint To Be
Fresh herbs are a critical component of culinary success; however, they are sometimes difficult to source in local markets. Fortunately, perennial herbs can be easily grown in North Florida, resulting in an almost year-round supply. All that is required is…
The Pirates of the Panhandle
This February, the streets of Panama City and Panama City Beach will once again transform into urban seas where giant floats from local Mardi Gras krewes sail the streets, their pirates, wenches, and dazzling royal courts sending beads and trinkets…
The Pensacola Beach Resort Now Open!
The independently branded, premium hotel provides a gateway to the natural beauty of the Emerald coast
New Boutique Hotel Opens on Highway 30A
The Lodge 30A ranked among the Top 12 Most Anticipated New Family Resorts and Hotels of 2023 by USA Today
Secret Castles
In the ninth century, the once-mighty Frankish empire of the Carolingian dynasty began to fracture, giving rise to a feudal system that reshaped Europe’s landscape. As power splintered, noble lords built the first castles—not just as homes but as symbols…
Rushing Around
When a Floridian hears the word “adrenaline,” a roller coaster might first come to mind. Add water to the equation, and it might be surfing or jet skis. I’m pleased to report, though, that we in the Panhandle have access…
All The Buzz
European honeybees are the most commonly known pollinators and are returning from their hives to our local landscapes as the days lengthen. While not native to this continent, honeybees are beneficial to the environment and critically important to agricultural production.…
Discover Franklin County
Take a Step Back in Time to the Raney House Museum Located in downtown Apalachicola, the Raney House Museum is an example of architecture and the interpretation of life in Pre-Civil War Florida. Apalachicola was one of the ports along…
The Healing Heart of Bali
There’s something magical about Bali. As many of the free spirits who move there can attest, wellness comes naturally in this Indonesian province, evidenced by its profusion of plant-based cuisine, abundance of biophilic design, and deep harmony with the natural…
Rushing Around
When a Floridian hears the word “adrenaline,” a roller coaster might first come to mind. Add water to the equation, and it might be surfing or jet skis. I’m pleased to report, though, that we in the Panhandle have access…
Welcome To Miami
While we may be in the sunshine state, Northwest Florida is sure to experience a few chilly days throughout winter. If you’re coming down with a case of the winter blues, you can now easily fly south for winter thanks…
Light on a Hill
At the Sunbright Inn, the rest is history
Riding Life's Waves
During the summer of 2022, Kevin Laliberte, a 41-year-old retired chief master sergeant who served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, loaded up his truck with surfboards, firewood, and a plan. He was on his way to Grayton Beach…
The Pirates of the Panhandle
This February, the streets of Panama City and Panama City Beach will once again transform into urban seas where giant floats from local Mardi Gras krewes sail the streets, their pirates, wenches, and dazzling royal courts sending beads and trinkets…
The Sea Cure
Known for their early approaches to spa therapy, ancient Greeks and Romans had an affinity for “taking the waters” in bathhouses, freshwater pools, and sea baths. Some thousands of years later, the Regency Era revived an ocean-forward approach to wellness…
Discover Franklin County
Located about an hour south of Tallahassee on Florida’s Northern Gulf Coast, Franklin County is nearly 80% national and state forest — a protected oasis with quiet beaches, wooded trails and scenic paddling sloughs
A Year In Nature
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA) launched a calendar photo contest at the beginning of 2025 as part of the Mattie Kelly Environmental Initiative. The contest invites amateur photographers of all skill levels to capture the natural beauty and ecological heritage…
Colorado's Reborn Frontier
Travelers flock to the Colorado Rockies for skiing, hiking, and crisp alpine air, but deep in the San Juan Mountains lies a different Colorado altogether. Hidden between stands of blue spruce, ponderosa, conifers, and aspen groves, steaming mineral pools emerge…
The 22nd Annual Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic at Sandestin®
Over $849K in prizes delivered amidst exciting competitions
Stinky’s Bait Shack Announces Winners of the 14th Annual Pompano Fishing Tournament
A record-breaking year with high stakes and high spirits
Cruise To The Big Easy
A new Gulf Coast cruise will take passengers from historic Pensacola to the vibrant streets of New Orleans—and vice versa. The seven-night, eight-day voyage offered by American Cruise Lines will charter trips in March and December of each year. The…
Welcome To Miami
While we may be in the sunshine state, Northwest Florida is sure to experience a few chilly days throughout winter. If you’re coming down with a case of the winter blues, you can now easily fly south for winter thanks…
Protecting the Panhandle
Three ways The Nature Conservancy in Florida conserves our wild wonders
Adventure Is Out There
Shane Reynolds is a true Floridian. He was born in Pensacola, raised in Fort Walton, and lives in Destin. As a kid, Reynolds didn’t stray too far from home. “My dad liked to be home, and that was his thing,” he…
