What is the economy like on the Florida panhandle?

Anybody have travel tips of the Florida panhandle?

• I'm looking for vacation ideas. I'm travelling to the Florida panhandle this summer....

• Answer:

  I'm originally from the Florida Panhandle, so I might be able to offer some insight on this one. First of all, props for visiting the Panhandle instead of Florida's much more popular Peninsula (Orlando/Tampa, Miami, etc.) The Panhandle may not offer the huge cities that the lower half of the state possesses, but the atmosphere is much more quiet, scenic, and frankly, beautiful. Where to go in the Panhandle largely is determined by what atmosphere you'd like to partake in. If you're looking for the crazy college scene, Panama City Beach is your place. The city is not along an interstate, but it's along US 98. However, tons of construction is going on around the beach roads, and it is quite confusing to get around. If you're looking for a good time that's not insanely crazy, Destin is a notch down on the wild-meter from PC Beach. It's a little further west in in the Panhandle (going towards Pensacola), but the beaches are gorgeous, and for the shopper in all of us, the outlet malls are neverending. If you're visiting the Panhandle, most likely you are looking for the beach scene. However, if you are craving city life, Jacksonville is an excellent choice. On the eastern side of the Panhandle, the city is quite accessable (it is the intersection of I-10 and I-95) and has every single thing imaginable to do within its city limits. In fact, if a city were to be judged by it's land size, Jacksonville would be the largest city in the state, and one of the largest in the country. Like most cities in the Panhandle, Jacksonville is a water town. If you're looking to go to a large city inland, Tallahassee is your best (and maybe only) bet. Being the capital of the state, the city has multitudes of historical value, not including several shopping malls, outlets, and a rising alternative rock scene. Easily accessable, Tallahassee is found in the middle of the Panhandle going along I-10. Maybe this will help you, and I hope you have a safe and memorable trip this summer! :)