This
route takes you from the hilly beginnings of the Appalachian
Mountains (in Tallahassee) through dense forests and finally
along miles and miles of prime Florida coastland. This
Florida route rates second only to the Rte. 1 along the
Florida Keys in terms of scenery.
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
This
seems to have much more character than any other Florida
coastal drive I’ve been on. The route is not too commercial
and there are a lot of interesting bridges you will get
to cross. The areas by Tallahassee are interesting because
they are somewhat hilly which is rare for most of Florida.
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
Here
is a breakdown of things to do on this route traveling from
Tallahassee
to Panama City:
Tallahassee Florida – this city is the state capital for
Florida since 1824 and maintains an old southern city charm
that many visitors find appealing.Much of this charm is preserved in Tallahassee historical
districts such as Adams street commons, Calhoun Street and
Park Avenue.Learn
about the history of Florida while visiting the recently
restored Capital building that was originally constructed
in 1845.Take
a detour north of Tallahassee on Rte. 319 to visit the Maclay
State Gardens.You’ll be amazed by the different collection of magnolias,
dogwoods, and azaleas.
About 10 miles south of Tallahassee on Rte. 319 check out
the Leon Sinks Geological Area to see five huge natural
sinks.These
holes are large as 200 feet and are truly striking to see
first hand.
Shortly after you get on Rte. 267 you can stop at the Edward
Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and see where they filmed
the early Tarzan movies.This park offers trails and riverboat tours from
which you can see some of the Florida wildlife (alligators,
snakes, birds).Glass-bottom boat tours are available and you can see one
of the springs explorer Ponce de Leon discovered in his
quest to find the fountain of youth.
You will pass by the Apalachicola National Forest
which has a ton of water sports to get involved in including
fishing, boating, and swiming including some camping as
well (watch out for the Alligators though!). The has five
different lakes to enjoy: Silver Lake, Camel Lake, and Wright
Lake (are "Recreation Areas") And Fort Gadsen
and Leon Sinks are two special areas.
On the south tip of Rte.
59 you will enter the St. Marks National wildlife refuge
where you can see a barge of wildlife from the many observation
areas.Also,
a lighthouse built in the 1830s is located on the bay.
Ochlockonee River State Park (off of Rte. 319) – more wildlife
observing (gray fox, bobcats, deer, alligators, rare red-cockaded
woodpeckers)
Carrabelle – offers a ferry to Dog Island with a rustic
eight-room inn.
St. George Island State Park – cross a bridge (G1A) just
west of Eastport off of Rte. 319/98 and you’ll find great
hiking and camping offered on this island.
Off of Rte. 98 the town of Apalachicola has a state museum
honoring Dr. John Gorrie.Here John Gorrie back in 1840 attempted to keep his
patients with yellow fever cool by inventing the first mechanical
icemaker.If
any state would want to honor the man who’s invention led
to the creation of the air conditioner it would be Florida.
St Joseph Peninsula State Park – this remote park offers
a view of the natural undeveloped Florida panhandle while
you drive along this barrier island. St. Andrews State Recreation Area – just south of
Panama City, this area offers visitors world-class white
sand beaches and steep sand dunes for exploration along
this barrier peninsula.
The town of Panama City is a great place to
start out or end your trip.It is jam packed with things to do, places to eat,
and places to sleep.Many people make Panama city the destination for
their yearly vacation.You can avoid the crowds in the wintertime and save
on lodging.Panama
city is known for its party atmosphere and has access to
world-class white sand beaches.
Here
is a breakdown of things to do on this route traveling from
Tallahassee to Panama City:
Tallahassee Florida – this city is the state capital for Florida
since 1824 and maintains an old southern city charm that many
visitors find appealing. Much of this charm is preserved in
Tallahassee historical districts such as Adams street commons,
Calhoun Street and Park Avenue. Learn about the history of
Florida while visiting the recently restored Capital building
that was originally constructed in 1845. Take a detour north
of Tallahassee on Rte. 319 to visit the Maclay State Gardens. You’ll
be amazed by the different collection of magnolias, dogwoods,
and azaleas.
About 10 miles south of Tallahassee on Rte. 319 check out
the Leon Sinks Geological Area to see five huge natural
sinks. These holes are large as 200 feet and are truly
striking to see first hand.
Shortly after you get on Rte. 267 you can stop at the Edward
Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and see where they filmed
the early Tarzan movies. This park offers trails and riverboat
tours from which you can see some of the Florida wildlife
(alligators, snakes, birds). Glass-bottom boat tours are available
and you can see one of the springs explorer Ponce de Leon
discovered in his quest to find the fountain of youth.
You will pass by the Apalachicola
National Forest which has a ton of water sports to get
involved in including fishing, boating, and swiming including
some camping as well (watch out for the Alligators though!).
The has five different lakes to enjoy: Silver Lake, Camel
Lake, and Wright Lake (are "Recreation Areas") And Fort Gadsen
and Leon Sinks are two special areas. On the south tip of
Rte. 59 you will enter the St. Marks National wildlife refuge
where you can see a barge of wildlife from the many observation
areas. Also, a lighthouse built in the 1830s is located on
the bay.
Ochlockonee
River State Park (off of Rte. 319) – more wildlife observing
(gray fox, bobcats, deer, alligators, rare red-cockaded woodpeckers)
Carrabelle – offers a ferry to Dog Island with a rustic eight-room
inn. St.
George Island State Park – cross a bridge (G1A) just west
of Eastport off of Rte. 319/98 and you’ll find great hiking
and camping offered on this island.
Off of Rte. 98 the town of Apalachicola has a state museum
honoring Dr. John Gorrie. Here John Gorrie back in 1840 attempted
to keep his patients with yellow fever cool by inventing the
first mechanical icemaker. If any state would want to honor
the man who’s invention led to the creation of the air conditioner
it would be Florida.
St Joseph
Peninsula State Park – this remote park offers a view
of the natural undeveloped Florida panhandle while you drive
along this barrier island.
St.
Andrews State Recreation Area – just south of Panama City,
this area offers visitors world-class white sand beaches and
steep sand dunes for exploration along this barrier peninsula.
The town of Panama City
is a great place to start out or end your trip. It is jam
packed with things to do, places to eat, and places to sleep. Many
people make Panama city the destination for their yearly vacation. You
can avoid the crowds in the wintertime and save on lodging. Panama
city is known for its party atmosphere and has access to world-class
white sand beaches.
Directions:
Start
your route in Tallahassee
Florida and go south on Route 319 towards till you intersect
Route 267. Take Route 267 east to Bethel and on to Newport.
After Newport, get on Route 98 heading west towards the
town of Tully. After Tully continue south on Route 98
till you see Route 319 off to the right. Take a right on
Route 319 (west) and head all the way down to the Gulf coast
where 319 will merge with 98. Take this route all the way
to the route's end at Panama city. You can take a detour
off of 98 on to 30 (heading West) if you want to visit St.
Joseph Peninsula State Park.
Additional
Information:
-
View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo
weather.
