Five Unexpected Places to Stop on a Drive from Campbell, Florida to Pensacola, Florida
Florida is a fabulous state packed with plenty of road-trip-worthy destinations. Some might take you to wildly popular landmarks, but others are far more low-key, magical and offbeat. A 7-hour drive from Campbell, Florida, to Pensacola, Florida can be a journey filled with picturesque landscapes, roadside attractions, and stunning seascapes that beckon. With every mile of this drive, you’ll witness a spectrum of beauty that is woven into the very fabric of Florida. Here are five unexpected places to stop on a drive from Campbell to Pensacola.
Lamont, FL (Halfway Point)
Lamont, FL, or the halfway point of the trip, is a tiny, two-street-lights town in Madison County. Located in northern Florida, it is a picturesque community towered by century-old live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, serene lakes, and pristine nature trails. Lamont's unique selling points are its history, untouched nature, and unparalleled outdoor recreation. Stop by the Lamont Community Center to learn more about the town's history. Countless parks, rocky-bottomed streams, and scenic hiking trails await for you to explore.
Local Cuisine: Fried Green Tomatoes
Every local restaurant in Lamont serves up the unbeatable comfort food, fried green tomatoes. It is a regional dish down here, with a tangy savory texture from the essence of juicy green tomatoes. You can get them as a side or as an entrée, but one thing is sure; you'll be back for more.
Tallahassee Museum
Tallahassee Museum, a 52-acre digital-nomad sanctuary in the heart of the capital city, is a top-notch attraction. The museum is a blend of outdoor exhibits, extensive wildlife programs, history, and science lessons. One of the most interesting exhibits is the Living Florida, a one-of-a-kind immersion into the experience of the forest, where you'll encounter a host of native floridian animals.
Local Cuisine: Cajun food
Tallahassee represents the heartland of Cajun food in Florida, with several restaurants serving up the best Creole-style cuisine. Visit Kool Beanz Cafe, Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen, or Backwoods Crossing for a spicy menu full of surprises. These Cajun restaurants feature mouth-watering dishes from gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee to shrimp po' boys.
Three Rivers State Park
Nestled between the east bank of Lake Seminole and the west bank of the Chattahoochee River, Three Rivers State Park is a treasured recreational area for boating, fishing, camping, and swimming, among other outdoor activities. The park boasts picnic areas, nature trails, and a spacious campground. Visitors will be treated to tranquil scenery of towering longleaf pine trees, old concrete bridge piers, and diverse wildlife species.
Local Cuisine: Catfish
Three Rivers is famous for its fried catfish, with dozens of restaurants along the Chattahoochee River serving the delicacy. With its crispy, golden-brown exterior and juicy, white flesh, catfish is a perfect snack for your stop at Three Rivers. Among the top places to grab catfish in Chattahoochee is the River Landing Cafe.
Florida Caverns State Park
Located in Marianna, Florida Caverns State Park provides visitors with surreal natural wonders in the form of millions-of-years-old stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations. These underground caves were formed by acidic water dissolving limestone rock, resulting in a maze of passages and caverns. The park offers guided tours of the caves, giving visitors an opportunity to marvel at these underground wonders and nature at its rawest.
Local Cuisine: Southern Barbecue
Locals love barbecue, and Marianna is no exception. The city prides itself on some of the best pitmasters in the state. Stop by, and they will tell you a story or two about the art of slow cooking and smoking meat. Try out the smoky, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and washed down with a glass of lemonade at O'neals Country Buffet.
Emerald Coast
The final stop on a journey from Campbell to Pensacola is the Emerald Coast, one of Florida's most prized possessions and nestled against the Gulf of Mexico. Simple pleasures like sun-soaked white sands, emerald green waters, and palm tree-lined shores extend miles along the coast, making it one of Florida's most gorgeous destinations. Visitors will find many options for adventures, from kayaking to deep-sea fishing, dolphin watching, or just lounging on the beach.
Local Cuisine: Seafood
Florida's Emerald Coast is known for its fresh seafood steamed, grilled, fried, baked, or served raw. The seafood options down here are endless. Try out the baked oyster or Cajun-crusted shrimp at The Gulf, a seafood bar serving the catch of the day. Alternatively, head to Fudpucker's, a waterfront restaurant offering the best seafood and the best views on the coast.
The Final Verdict
The Campbell to Pensacola road trip offers a little bit of everything, from rolling hills and forested terrain to coastline panoramas. Aside from the highway's usual pit-stops, these attractions provide a glimpse into what makes Florida so special: history, nature, exciting wildlife, surreal rock formations, friendly locals, and incredible seafood. If you're out to explore the Sunshine State's hidden secrets, the Campbell to Pensacola route is a perfect choice. So why not pack up your bags, hit the road, and embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery?