Westville FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Westville, Florida.
1. Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
NATURAL SPRINGS PARADISE
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park offers visitors a refreshing natural spring with crystal clear waters that maintain a constant 68-degree temperature year-round. Visitors can swim in the springs, hike the nature trails through lush forests, and enjoy picnic facilities in this scenic state park. The park is a popular destination for both locals and tourists seeking a natural escape.
2. Quail Ridge Hunting Preserve
PREMIER HUNTING EXPERIENCE
Quail Ridge Hunting Preserve provides outdoor enthusiasts with exceptional hunting experiences in a well-managed natural habitat. The preserve offers guided hunts for quail, pheasant, and other game birds throughout the hunting season. Visitors appreciate the professional guides, well-trained hunting dogs, and beautiful surroundings that make for a memorable outdoor adventure.
3. Morrison Springs County Park
UNDERWATER EXPLORATION HAVEN
Morrison Springs County Park features a stunning second-magnitude spring that pumps out 48 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily. The spring creates a 250-foot diameter spring pool with depths reaching 300 feet in places, making it popular with scuba divers and swimmers alike. Visitors can enjoy the boardwalk, picnic facilities, and boat ramp while experiencing one of Northwest Florida's natural treasures.
4. The Bead Garden
ARTISAN CRAFT DESTINATION
The Bead Garden offers a unique shopping experience for craft enthusiasts looking for specialty beads and jewelry-making supplies. Visitors can browse a vast selection of beads, findings, and tools while receiving expert advice from knowledgeable staff. The shop also offers classes and workshops for those wanting to learn jewelry-making techniques in a creative atmosphere.
5. Choctawhatchee River Blueway
SCENIC PADDLING TRAIL
The Choctawhatchee River Blueway is a designated Florida Paddling Trail that winds through the natural beauty of Holmes County. Paddlers can explore springs, wetlands, and Florida conservation lands while spotting native wildlife including alligators and sturgeon in their natural habitat. The trail offers various access points with boat ramps, camping opportunities, and picnic facilities for day-trippers and overnight adventurers.
6. Curry's Landing
HISTORIC RIVER CROSSING
Curry's Landing marks the historic site where George William Curry (Uncle Willie) operated a ferry across the Choctawhatchee River around 1920. This historic crossing connected the east and west sides of the river, allowing people to transport horses, wagons, and goods across the waterway. Today, visitors can appreciate the historical significance of this site while enjoying the natural beauty of the Choctawhatchee River.
7. Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Site
LITERARY HISTORICAL LANDMARK
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Site commemorates the brief residence of the famous author of the 'Little House' series in Westville's Popular Head Community in 1891. Visitors can learn about this lesser-known chapter in the beloved author's life before she wrote her famous series of books. The site offers a glimpse into the historical context of frontier life that would later inspire Wilder's iconic stories.
8. Holmes Creek
PRISTINE PADDLING WATERWAY
Holmes Creek offers paddlers a pristine waterway known for its crystal-clear springs and vibrant aquatic ecosystem just a short drive from Westville. Kayakers and canoeists can explore numerous springs along the creek, including the popular Cypress Spring with its turquoise waters and sandy bottom. The creek provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, swimming, and experiencing the natural beauty of Northwest Florida.
9. Vortex Spring
DIVER'S UNDERWATER PARADISE
Vortex Spring is Florida's largest diving facility, pumping out 28 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily at a constant 68 degrees. Divers of all skill levels can explore underwater caverns, training platforms, and a fascinating array of aquatic life in this world-renowned diving destination. The facility offers equipment rentals, training courses, camping, and cabin accommodations for visitors wanting to fully experience this natural wonder.
10. Florida Caverns State Park
UNDERGROUND LIMESTONE WONDERS
Florida Caverns State Park showcases the only state park in Florida where visitors can tour dry caves with stunning limestone formations. Guided tours take visitors through a series of connected chambers featuring stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and draperies formed over thousands of years. Above ground, the park offers camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing opportunities in a beautiful natural setting.
11. Historic Westville
LIVING HISTORY VILLAGE
Historic Westville is a living history museum where visitors can experience life in the 1800s through authentic historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and hands-on activities. The village features over 30 historic structures including homes, a church, school, and various shops demonstrating traditional crafts and skills. Visitors can step back in time to learn about Southern history, agriculture, and daily life in the 19th century.
12. Falling Waters State Park
TALLEST WATERFALL EXPERIENCE
Falling Waters State Park features Florida's tallest waterfall, where water drops 73 feet into a cylindrical sinkhole disappearing into a cave system below. Visitors can view this unique geological wonder via a boardwalk system that provides excellent vantage points of the waterfall and surrounding sinkholes. The park also offers swimming in a freshwater lake, camping facilities, and hiking trails through the lush forest landscape.
13. Geneva State Forest
WILDERNESS RECREATION AREA
Geneva State Forest offers outdoor enthusiasts 7,120 acres of pristine longleaf pine forest for recreation and wildlife viewing just north of the Florida border. Visitors can enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, and primitive camping in this managed forest ecosystem. The forest is home to diverse wildlife including deer, turkey, quail, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, making it a haven for nature photographers and birdwatchers.
14. Walton County Heritage Museum
LOCAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Walton County Heritage Museum preserves and shares the rich history of this Northwest Florida region through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Housed in a historic building, the museum displays collections relating to Native American heritage, early settlers, agricultural development, and the area's unique cultural traditions. Visitors can explore photographs, documents, and items that tell the story of Walton County's evolution from frontier territory to the present day.
15. Lake Stanley Park
RECREATIONAL WATER OASIS
Lake Stanley Park surrounds the perfectly circular Lake DeFuniak, one of only two naturally round lakes in the world. Visitors can stroll the 1-mile walking path encircling the lake while admiring historic Victorian homes and buildings that date back to the town's founding as a Chautauqua resort in the late 1800s. The park offers picnic facilities, fishing opportunities, and seasonal events in a picturesque setting recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.