Five Attractions Worth the Drive on the Emerald Coast

From state parks to living reefs, here's what to put on your list.

The Emerald Coast runs roughly 100 miles from Pensacola to Panama City Beach, and the water really is that color. Beyond the beach, there's a lot to explore: old-growth forests, a working marine park, a Civil War-era fort, and one of the few coastal dune lake systems on earth. These five are the ones guests ask about most.

Emerald Coast

Henderson Beach State Park
208 acres of old-growth scrub oak and sugar-white sand in the middle of Destin. The nature trail winds through rare coastal scrub habitat, and the beach here stays quieter than the public access points nearby.
Grayton Beach State Park
Consistently ranked among the best beaches in the country. Western Lake sits just behind the dunes — a rare coastal dune lake where fresh and salt water mix. Rent a kayak and paddle it before the afternoon wind picks up.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Fort Walton Beach's working marine park has been open since 1955. Dolphin and sea lion shows, a living reef exhibit, and up-close encounters with stingrays and sharks. Good for a half-day, especially with kids.
Fort Pickens
A 19th-century masonry fort on the western tip of Santa Rosa Island, inside Gulf Islands National Seashore. Apache leader Geronimo was held here in 1886. The drive out along the island is worth it on its own.
Destin Harbor Boardwalk
The harbor is the busiest fishing port in Florida by volume. Walk the boardwalk in the evening when the charter boats come in, grab a table at one of the waterfront restaurants, and watch the pelicans work the docks.