Vacations

State Park Literacy Month

NORTHWEST FLORIDA – Northwest Florida State Parks Celebrate September as state park Literacy Month. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service is celebrating with special events at many state parks... Full story

Airports seek cheaper flights

Dusty Ricketts and Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

WEST BAY, FL — As Airport Authority officials say they are close to announcing a new low-cost carrier for the airport under construction here, two other Northwest Florida airports are stepping up their own campaigns.     For... Full story

Work begins on new Bay County pier

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - Work has begun on the county's new M.B. Miller Pier near the south end of Alf Coleman Road.     County capital projects manager Fred Brown said the 1,500-foot pier, a twin companion to the city pier now under... Full story

Taking down the tents

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – The City Council says beach tents have gotten out of hand.     Too many are being left overnight, hindering emergency services, obstructing maintenance crews and confusing nesting sea turtles, officials... Full story

Sea oats planting project advances

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — The Bay County Tourist Development Council is moving forward with a dune enhancement project that will seed 17 miles of sand with 1.7 million plants. The plants, which include sea oats, will help build up sand dunes... Full story

Bed and breakfast goes back in time

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - When Penny Halsell or her husband, Bill, take their 1950 olive green DeSoto for a spin on Front Beach Road or through Pier Park, they find it attracts a lot of attention and compliments from motorists and pedestrians.... Full story

Copa Cabana undergoing revamp

Scarlet Sims, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY, FL - St. Andrews businesses should see more tourists in the heart of the community once the new Cabana Motel opens next year.     Shrimp Boat Restaurant owner Loren Smith bought the dilapidated restaurant and... Full story

Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort Receives Readers’ Choice Award

PANAMA CITY BEACH - Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, a property of The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, was recently presented with ConventionSouth magazine's annual Readers' Choice Award for 2009. ConventionSouth is a leading publication... Full story

Forum: Spring Break doesn't have to be so rowdy

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA  CITY BEACH, FL — The rowdy Spring Break crowds that invade local beaches each March should not be discouraged but better managed, residents and business leaders said Wednesday during a community forum. Hosted by the Bay County... Full story

Spring break, PCB's image on TDC's plate

Pat Kelly, Florida Freedom Newspapers

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Spring Break can be a touchy subject with some people. Pluck that particular string and you likely will get arguments about unruly, noisy college kids and large tourism dollars. City officials, business leaders... Full story

Deer Lake State Park

Deer Lake State Park is home to Deer Lake - an extremely rare coastal dune lake. If being rare was not enough, it is located on County Road 30A - the road that connects some of the country's most famous beach communities. Nature enthusiasts travel... Full story

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

Whether you enjoy bicycling, hiking or boating, Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park offers a little something for every type of traveler. The park, purchased in 1966 through a lease agreement with the Forest Service, was named after Air Force Col.... Full story

Grayton Beach State Park

Grayton Beach State Park is located in Grayton Beach on County Road 30A - the road that connects some of the country's most famous beach communities. Not only do visitors of this popular state park get a breathtaking view of the beach, but the beach... Full story

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park is located in beautiful Okaloosa County where the beaches were voted number one in a reader poll conducted by USA Today. This park makes camping on the beach a reality with all the amenities of a campground including an... Full story

Beat the summer heat at a Florida State Park 

PANAMA CITY, FL - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is encouraging Florida residents to plan their "staycation" at any one of Florida's 161 award-winning state parks.   "A "staycation" is a great way for travelers to get... Full story

Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen State Park is seated next to Lake Powell - one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida. Coastal dune lakes are extremely rare worldwide and are mostly only found along the Gulf of Mexico. The park has unique history that dates back... Full story

Constitution Convention Museum State Park

There is no better way to experience the history of Port St. Joe than through a tour of the Constitution Convention Museum State Park. This port town was founded in 1835 and hosted Florida's first State Constitution Convention. The museum... Full story

4 area state parks on closure list

Kimberly White, Florida Freedom Newspapers

SANTA ROSA BEACH - Deer Lake State Park is among more than a dozen state parks, including two others in the Panhandle, that might be closed indefinitely next year because of Florida's financial crunch.     The possible closure of Deer... Full story

Things to Know Before You Tow

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Many people will soon be hitching up their boats, trailers and RVs and hitting the road on vacations. Catching up on the latest safety features will help these weekend warriors get out on the open road quickly and safely. Before you set out... Full story

St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park is not just another beach park. This park receives an A+ from water sport enthusiasts for its wide assortment of water recreation activities including snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing. Two fishing... Full story

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