Scenic Northwest Florida makes visitors feel at home on its white-sand beaches and in its rollicking cities. Get a feel for this distinctively laid-back stretch of the Sunshine State.

1. Pensacola

Starting Point • Entertainment, History

Kick off your trip in Pensacola, a port city on Pensacola Bay off the Gulf of Mexico. This charming and historic city invites visitors to go for a stroll down the beautiful Pensacola Beach Boardwalk or travel back in time at the Historic Pensacola Village, a collection of 28 historic buildings. Adventurous kids can discover the world through play at the Pensacola Children’s Museum or hit the go-kart track at Fast Eddies’ Fun Center, which also has miniature golf.

2. Destin

Drive 47.6 miles, 1 hour, 13 minutes • Entertainment, Food, Outdoor Recreation

Feeling lucky? Drop a line in the “world’s luckiest fishing village,” Destin, where reeling in the big ones is a way of life. This Emerald Coast city offers gorgeous, powdery white-sand beaches and an abundance of great places to drink, eat and golf, not to mention museums focusing on everything from Air Force armament to — you guessed it — fishing. Destin is also an excellent place for families, with amusement parks, sandcastle-making lessons and even an entertaining pirate-themed cruise.

Camp Gulf • Destin, FL – (877)226-7485

3. Panama City

Drive 55.6 miles, 1 hour, 25 minutes • Entertainment, Nature, Outdoor Recreation

Renowned for its white-sand beaches, Panama City is a great place for sunbathing, swimming and water sports. Don’t miss Shell Island, a 7-mile-long barrier destination with sand dunes, forest and even a lake. Family-friendly attractions include Shipwreck Island Water Park and Gulf World Marine Park, while outdoorsy folks won’t want to miss St. Andrews State Park. which also happens to be home to the fantastic Dr. Beach, considered among the best in the region.

4. Carrabelle

Drive 81.6 miles, 1 hour, 48 minutes • Entertainment, Nature, Quirky

Quaint and historic, this coastal fishing community is a great throwback to “old Florida,” with lots of quirky attractions alongside some great beaches. Here you’ll find the World’s Smallest Police Station (it’s actually just a phone booth) as well as the Lost Treasure Gallery & Hurricane Museum, which focuses on the dramatic impact of tropical storms in the region. Don’t miss a trip out to nearby St. George Island, with sprawling, white-sand beaches and plenty of seashells to grab.

5. Tallahassee

Drive 53.9 miles, 5 hours, 37 minutes • History, Nature

Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee is a dynamic town known for its Southern hospitality and compelling cultural attractions. Don’t miss a stroll through the verdant Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, or explore history at the Mission San Luis de Apalachee, which formed the nexus of Spanish Florida throughout the second half of the 17th century. Don’t leave town without stopping by the Tallahassee Museum, full of historic exhibits, hands-on activities for children and walking trails spread across its 52-acre grounds.