Your BEST Homeschool

The art and heart of homeschooling

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Us
  • Art Lessons
  • Blog
  • Tricia’s Book
  • Homeschool
  • Recipes
  • Shop
Home » Blog » Florida Gulf Coast: Favorite Sites to Visit

in Family Life· Helpful Habits· HomeMaking· HomeSchooling

Florida Gulf Coast: Favorite Sites to Visit

Even though I’ve been going to Florida’s Gulf of Mexico at least once a year all of my life, there are still places I’m finding out about. My favorite sites to visit continues to grow…

Florida Gulf - Sites to Visit

As a child, we went to Grayton Beach several times each summer to stay in the family house full of cousins. Then I camped with my grandmother at the Grayton Beach State Park. My husband and I honeymooned at Seaside, FL in 1995, the year Hurricane Allison threatened. We arrived just after the threat passed and just about had the town to ourselves. It was perfect.

St. George Island Florida

But for the past 17 years we’ve been going to St. George Island, Florida and visiting nearby Apalachicola. Now remember, this is our little secret. Because we love the fact that we can be on the beach and only see maybe one other family – or not even another soul – depending on the time of day and time of year. We love the slow pace and the beautiful stretch of beaches.

“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.” — Sandy Gingras, Writer

But, of course, being homeschoolers, we like to learn everywhere we go. So we are often seeking and searching for educational field trip type destinations. Have you noticed that about us? So, on our most recent family vacation to Florida, we found a few new spots and revisited some long-time favorites.

Apalachicola Florida

Lunch at The Seafood Grill in Apalachicola (the grouper is the best and we go here every year!) Apalachicola was the third largest southern port in Civil War times (big for cotton exports) and is the water shed for our Georgia streams and rivers. Wonderful history markers detailing the history on the bay side near the docks. More on the history of the area at the Apalachicola Estuary.

Apalachicola Soda Fountain: The Seafood GrillThe Old Time Soda Fountain on Market Street – we’ve been here many a time for an ice cream treat.

Old Time Soda Fountain

And, inside, there really is still a soda fountain with stools and a counter!

The John Gorrie Museum Apalachicola FLJohn Gorrie Museum – Last year we visited the John Gorrie museum. Dr. Gorrie is inventor of the first ice-making and refrigeration machine. He found that cooling and refrigeration helped fight disease. So much rich history!

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Panacea Florida

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab Aquarium – This spot in Panacea is a field trip and great find! Touch tanks and looking tanks (for those you shouldn’t touch) of all kinds: hermit crabs, starfish, horseshoe crabs, fiddler crabs, blue crabs, nurse sharks, seahorses, sea turtles, lobsters, triggerfish, Nemo fish (clown and blue tang) and much more! The cost is reasonable too – all of us, including Nana – were able to get in for a little over the cost of one ticket for the big aquariums. It was such a treat for the children to be able to touch and hold creatures and study them up close.

Touch tanks and looking tanks at Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

As we were walking to the car after spending time at this aquarium, my eldest son said, “remember that report I did on horseshoe crabs? I got to see the brain of the one I picked up.” And then he told me so much more about them. {insert happy homeschool mom sigh} Field trips solidify and confirm what we learn!

St. George Island Lighthouse and Museum

St. George Island Lighthouse – so much fantastic history to learn here. The Cape St. George lighthouse originally stood on Little St. George Island until it collapsed into the sea because of passing hurricanes and beach erosion. The St. George Lighthouse Association raised money to rebuild the lighthouse and build a museum on St. George Island. What fun it has been to watch the progress on this project over the years! (And, of course, when you climb the lighthouse, it is time for ice cream!)

St. George Island lighthouse

You, too, can climb the lighthouse for a lovely view – and get a sticker too! This is the second lighthouse we’ve climbed this summer.

Apalachicola Estuary field trip

Apalachicola Estuary and Nature Reserve – our third time here because we love it. This spot is so very well done all around. And guess what – admission is FREE! That is so helpful for our largish family! (They do ask for donations.) Not only are there aquariums but there is:

Apalachicola Estuary Reserve Eastpoint Florida

  • a short movie about the Apalachicola estuary
  • a gigantic panoramic mural of the seaside habitats
  • a science room filled with specimens
  • a microscope for looking closer
  • giant picture windows looking out onto the bay
  • alligator model
  • history timeline of Apalachicola, the changing trade, its part in the Civil War, artifacts
  • explanation of the watershed

Apalachicola Estuary boardwalks

Outdoor trails, boardwalks and viewing points plus these wonderful rockers. Even more about this fantastic place – including more photos – in our post from last year’s visit: Homeschool Marine Biology for Multiple Ages. We had decided last year that we’d be back here every time we were close by.

All I need is vitamin SEA

More Florida Gulf Sites We Recommend

St. George Island State Park – campground and many pull off spots for beach access. You will often not even see another person on these long stretches of beach on the eastern end of the island.

The cut on St. George Island FloridaThe cut – in The Plantation community on the island. This is the very western end of the island where there is a special passage for boats. Wonderful panoramic views and wildlife. You can see Little St. George Island (where the St. George light originally stood) in the distance.

  • The Seafood Grill in Apalachicola – for the best grouper sandwich
  • Aunt Ebby’s ice cream shop on St. George Island

IMG_9651

More Beach Love

  • Florida Nature Studies
  • St. Simons Island: A Golden Isle of Georgia in 48 hrs
  • St. Simons Island: Historical Sites to Visit
  • Georgia Sea Turtle Center and More About Jekyll Island, Georgia

Follow Tricia’s board At the Beach on Pinterest.

At the Beach Pinterest board includes our free video art tutorials – beach umbrellas and how to draw a beach plus our Chalk Patels: Art at the Beach book

  • My Mama on Vacation Series with tips for the beach with children
  • Blessed Beach – more images from another beach vacation with gratitude and beach quotes
  • How to Build a Drip Sand Castle
  • Edible Sand Dessert we made as a birthday cake on year
  • 10 Creative Summer and Beach Art Projects

Where is YOUR favorite Florida spot?

Related

Filed Under: Family Life, Helpful Habits, HomeMaking, HomeSchooling Tagged With: educational travel, Florida

About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Previous Post: « Language Arts & Writing: The Ultimate Homeschool Pinning Party
Next Post: Weekly Homeschool Planning – Expanded »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alicia says

    September 5, 2014 at 7:49 AM

    My family loves St. Grorge Island! Thanks for the suggestions. Have you ever visited Wakulla Springs State Park? If you like nature, seeing alligators, and the feeling of being in “old Florida” – then your family will definitely enjoy Wakulla Springs. The boat ride is wonderful, the lodge is beautiful and interesting to walk through. And the food is delicious. Our family makes a trip to Wakulla Springs each year when we visit the Gulf Coast.

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      September 5, 2014 at 8:45 AM

      Alicia – I have heard of Wakulla Springs but we haven’t ever been there. Something new to explore next time – thanks!

      Reply
  2. Janelle@The Peaceful Haven says

    September 5, 2014 at 9:27 AM

    What a great post! Thank you for the encouraging words and beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  3. Cassie says

    February 11, 2015 at 11:20 PM

    What time of the year do your recommend to avoid the crowds? We are planning a trip this year (haven’t been to Florida is 12 years! Stayed in Pensacola Beach last time) and need to figure out a date. I was thinking September but I really wanted to leave yesterday, lol!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 11, 2015 at 11:30 PM

      I sure hear you about wanting to leave yesterday! Oh September is perfect! In fact – anytime after most everyone else is back in school. Fall rates start mid August. Of course around Labor Day picks up a bit as far as crowds go. But it’s simply a glorious time of year to be there. Enjoy!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Thanks for visiting! I'm Tricia and I've been homeschooling since 2000. I share the art and heart of homeschooling and help you bring joy, fun and freedom to your days. It’s a Hodgepodge! Read More…


Free Homeschooling Downloads

 

 

{FREE} Download, ebooks and subscriber-only art tutorials

Success! Please check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.




Get Tricia’s book!




Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Our Sister Websites





Art for All Ages



Categories

Follow Tricia Hodges | Hodgepodge's board Best of Hodgepodge on Pinterest.

Recent Comments

  • Hodgepodgemom on How to Host a Jane Austen Movie Night for Homeschool Moms
  • Dawn on How to Host a Jane Austen Movie Night for Homeschool Moms
  • Hodgepodgemom on Mama Ann’s Morning Bars Recipe
  • Joy on Mama Ann’s Morning Bars Recipe
  • Hodgepodgemom on A Stitch In Time…
  • Contact us
  • Best of Hodgepodge
  • Parenting
  • Healthy Mama
  • Essential Oils
  • Recipes

Copyright © 2008–2025 · Your BEST Homeschool, a Southern Hodgepodge, L.L.C. site. | DMCA Notice