Gulf County, Florida, is considered by many to be the perfect spot on the Northwest Florida coast. Its central location, just two hours southwest of Tallahassee and an hour east of Panama City Beach, makes it easy to get to and its combination of coastal beauty and year-round activities make it sought after by many groups in any season. Among its most popular traits is its “low-rise” landscape, offering the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the seasonal fun.
Each February the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve (3915 State Road #30-A, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-1787) celebrates Bay Day, a day of education, shrimp and music. This preserve, a local treasure filled with amazing biodiversity, spans acres of unmatched coastal habitats. It has multi-use trails for hiking, biking, birding and more. There are four access points to the trails system. Guided tram tours are also available on the third Thursday of every month and there’s another Bay Day celebration in the fall.
Music lovers know there is no “off season” here. Live music venues host a variety of acts in a variety of settings and a multitude of outdoor festivals each year get this coastal destination in a groove. The Mill Mercantile and Social (105 Good Morning Street, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456, 850-899-9149), the The Haughty Heron (117 Sailors Cove, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-3463) and Scallop RePUBlic (411 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-227-9009) are the great options for enjoying local music any time of the year. The options amp up during Blues on Reid in April and the Forgotten Music Festival in October. October also brings the Blast on the Bay songwriters’ festival which features more than 30 prolific songwriters performing at numerous venues throughout the destination during the four-day event.
Just inland in Wewahitchka, the beautiful Dead Lakes are filled with Tupelo blossoms each spring. This is home to one of the largest concentrations of Tupelo trees in the country. Each spring, when the trees bloom, beekeepers bring hives to harvest the golden delicacy. Their crop will become the new season’s prized Tupelo Honey and the community celebrates with the Tupelo Honey Festival each May.
In addition to the festival, visitors can learn more about this famous local product at Smiley Honey (163 Bozeman Circle, Wewahitchka, Florida 32465; 850-639-5672). Here, several varieties of raw, all-natural honey are available for the tasting–and, of course, for purchase. While Tupelo may be the most popular, the flavors are amazing and the process is fascinating.
September brings family fun at the two-day Florida Scallop Arts & Music Festival in Port St. Joe. Speaking of scallops, St. Joseph Bay has long been known as a prime spot for scalloping in the fall. Today, it’s a year-round spot for water activities of all kinds for all ages. Gulf County is well-known as a great shelling and snorkeling location as the calm, shallow waters here are the best around for these pursuits, in spring and summer, as well as fall.
Many consider fall to be the perfect season for a horseback beach ride, one of Gulf County’s favorite activities. A horseback ride along the beach is the perfect way to take in an autumn sunset and companies like Broke-A-Toe Horseback Riding (Port St Joe, Florida 32456; 850-899-RIDE) and the Rockin’ M Ranch (240 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-227-6117) make it easy.
The holiday season comes alive during the Forgotten Coast’s Festival of Trees, held at The Joe Center for the Arts (203 Reid Avenue, Port St. Joe, Florida 32456; 850-229-8747). The gallery is transformed into a winter wonderland filled with beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and displays of holiday collections. The festival runs from mid-November to mid-December. The Joe is a year-round attraction, also, with its annual calendar of art classes, exhibits, musical and cultural presentations and performances.
Rounding out the all-season options are opportunities to explore by bicycle and take in the local shops. There are numerous bike rental options that offer an excellent way to enjoy a day outdoors. For shopping, Port St. Joe’s popular Reid Avenue is the place to find local specialties and one-of-a-kind deals.
If you go
Many choose to bring their four-legged friends on vacation here because Gulf County beaches are pet-friendly. To keep the beaches and waters healthy for all the flora and fauna that call this home, learn the rules for protecting these shores and be sure to Leave No Trace after your visit.
Gulf County has a wide array of lodging choices to fit any group’s needs. There are vacation rental homes of all sizes and inns and cottages, each with a character all its own. Camping, both primitive beach camping and full hook-up RV sites, is a popular way to enjoy this coastal area, as well.
It’s always fun to try to be first in line at Weber’s Little Donut Shop (4975 Cape San Blas Road, Port Saint Joe, Florida 32456; 850-340-3552) for the morning donut run.
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