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Leah Rendon, Leaf Group
Niceville (Photo: )
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Niceville, Florida, rises from the surrounding landscape of sweeping wetlands and swamps to provide a peaceful sleepy setting alongside a flurry of marquee attractions. The cozy small town, which sits along the shores of Boggy Bayou, has a host of outdoor recreational activities. If you're in search of further attractions, Niceville is less than 30 minutes from an array of resort towns, many of which line the Gulf of Mexico.
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park is set along the shores of Rocky Bayou. The large saltwater bayou permits boating and canoeing. Try your hand at fishing in a region well stocked with flounder, mullet and trout. Take a hike or bike ride on 3 miles of trails, much of which cuts beneath towering pine trees, or enjoy an afternoon of wildlife viewing as you might spot dolphins, otters, swans and bald eagles. Henderson Beach State Park is in Destin, just 15 minutes from Niceville. Make your way to the boardwalk for a day of fishing, hike a 3/4-mile trail along the sand dunes or bike down a mile-long beachfront pathway. The park also has tent and RV campsites, each equipped with fire rings.
Museums and Musical Madness
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is in Valparaiso, less than 10 minutes from downtown Niceville. As the name indicates, the museum celebrates the history and heritage of Okaloosa and Walton counties, covering everything from American Indian tribes and early homesteaders to modern industries. Exhibits showcase local artifacts including tools, furnishings, pottery and weapons, with some dating back to 8,800 B.C. Mattie Kelly Arts Center is on Northwest Florida State campus and is home to dance studios, recital halls and art galleries. There's also a small black box theater, a 4,000-seat amphitheater with lawn seating, and the two-tiered, 1,650-seat Mainstage Theater. The latter hosts major Broadway touring productions and concerts by the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Park It
Unwind with a visit to Niceville's Children's Park. Little ones can run amuck on the playground outfitted with bubble machines, a rock-climbing wall, an assortment of slides and sandboxes with pails and shovels. There's also a seasonal water park where kids can run under palm trees, magic mushrooms and blue herons that spray water. While in the park, kids must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Recreational adventures continue at Turkey Creek Park, a narrow green urban space that travels south toward the shores of Boggy Bayou. Turkey Creek itself cuts through the heart of the park and you can swim, kayak and canoe in it. There's also a 900-foot-long boardwalk that travels along the creek, offering glimpses of the turtles and ducks that inhabit the region. Plan a picnic at the covered pavilion equipped with tables, grills and a stone fireplace.
Civic Pride on Display
Each year in mid-October, Niceville holds the Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival, a three-day event that celebrates the mullet fish, which is abundant in the area. In addition to mullet prepared in a variety of ways, the festival's food vendors serve up regional sweets, Cajun cuisine and different types of seafood. There are carnival rides, midway games, a beauty contest and musical performances. In early November, the city hosts the Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow. Taking place over the course of three days and on the Niceville Mullet Festival grounds, the event celebrates American Indian heritage via storytelling sessions, drum circles and dancing. There also are booths with crafts and food.
Florida State Parks: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
Florida State Parks: Henderson Beach State Park
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
City of Niceville, Florida: Children's Park
City of Niceville, Florida: Turkey Creek Park
Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival
Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow
A travel writer since 2002, Leah Rendon has written countless articles for online pop-culture magazines and various travel-related websites, including Eurobooking and World66. Gosford also has experience in copywriting, having developed a series of articles related to network marketing. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in theater arts.
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