Within a short drive of the World's Most Beautiful Beaches are some very interesting places to visit. Day trips can be a nice break from the  beach, but don't be gone long! Let's take a look at some of them...

The Junior Museum ( A museum for kids!)

Junior Museum of Bay County is on the Panama City side of the bridge, and is a non-profit entertainment/educational children's museum. It's a fun and educational way for the whole family to spend a few hours. From the indoor science and adventure exhibits to the nature walk and pioneer homestead outdoors, the JUNIOR MUSEUM OF BAY COUNTY is well worth your time. An experience for kids of any age!

Deerpoint Lake

Imagine a huge freshwater lake that you can take a boat on for miles and miles! Fishing, skiing, do it all  on beautiful Deerpoint Lake. This area landmark is the main freshwater supply  for the county providing 760 million gallons of water a day. About a 30 minute  drive from Panama City Beach. Any local resident can tell you how to get to the  lake.

Shell  Island

You owe it to yourself and  your family to take a trip to Shell Island, just across the water from St. Andrews State Park. Accessible only by boat, Shell Island is true unspoiled  beach landscape. Swim, snorkel, collect shells, or just walk the sparkling white sand for miles. Shell Island is just as you would have found it centuries ago.  Sightseeing trips to Shell Island depart daily from St. Andrews State Park.

Canoeing

See the very quiet, placid  aspects of the Northwest Florida area as you paddle down one of several canoe  trails within an hour drive of the beaches.  The closest is Econfina Creek with  22 miles of unspoiled wilderness - the real Florida. With Holmes Creek not much  further away and the Chipola River between the beaches and Tallahassee, you can  canoe to your hearts content. When you arrive, contact one of the canoe rental  operations for more information.

Eden  State Park

Visit a post-civil war  mansion standing majestically in the midst of huge oaks and beautiful gardens.  You'll want to bring your camera along for this day trip. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and you can drive to this historic site in about the same time, just west of the beaches. For more information Call (850)  231-4214.

Wakulla Springs

Don't miss this! One of the  largest and deepest fresh water springs in the world. So big and deep you will need a glass-bottom boat to see it! No problem, they are waiting for you at this most interesting natural setting. Regular boat trips not only show you the  spring, but take you for a river cruise to see alligators and other Florida wildlife. Nature trails, swimming and picnicking should be on your agenda.  Lodging is available right at the springs.  For park hours contact Wakulla Springs for information.  For more information Call (850) 224-5950.

Tallahassee

The capitol city of Florida has numerous historical sites well worth visiting as well as the museum of  Florida History. This day trip can be lots of fun as well as a very educational  venture into Florida's rich past. Plan on a two hour drive east of the beaches.

Falling Waters State Park

What a nice place for a  picnic and walking! Over 900 feet of boardwalks take you by numerous sinkholes.  One features a 67 foot waterfall cascading down into a 100 foot deep sinkhole. Golf, swimming and camping is right there. This day trip starts with about a one hour drive north of the beaches. For more information Call (850)  638-6130.

Florida Caverns State Park

This is Florida's only  limestone cave that is available to the public. Guided tours occur regularly with nature trails, swimming, canoeing, camping and fishing nearby. About a 1  &1/2 hour drive from the beaches. For more information Call (850)  482-9598.

Audubon Island

It is hard to believe that  a little strip of land, the creation of a dredging project, right in the middle of commercial shipping traffic could attract so many birds! Gulls, skimmers and hundreds of brown pelicans make this their nesting site. This became such a natural hotspot for seabirds that the governor of Florida designated the little island as Audubon Island Wilderness Preserve. If you are a bird watcher you may want to take your boat or a charter over to this most interesting place, Audubon Island, very near Hathaway Bridge. It's for the birds!