Visit Jackson County Fla

02/15/2025

👀👉Jackson Through the Eyes of a Tourist: Saturday Edition
Each week, we’ll be exploring Jackson County like a tourist, and we want you to join us! Every Saturday, try out the itinerary we put together and experience the best our area has to offer.

Last week, we highlighted Sneads—if you missed it, go back and check out all the amazing things to do there. This week, we’re staying on the east side of the county for a day filled with fishing, history, and great food.

Start your day at Ocheesee Pond in Grand Ridge, a hidden gem for fishing enthusiasts. Cast a line and see if you can break the 10-pound largemouth bass record, as reported by the TrophyCatch program. (Reminder: A Florida fishing license is required.)

👀Feeling brave? Come back at night and see if you can catch a glimpse of the legendary Ocheesee Wild Man, said to lurk along the banks of the pond!

After a morning on the banks, it’s time to refuel. Take a short drive over to Greenwood’s local grocery store and grab a deli-style lunch to enjoy at their charming local park.

👉📸On your way, make sure to snap a picture with the Two Egg sign—just don’t blink, or you might miss it!

🚶‍♀️Then, take a stroll through Greenwood’s historic district, where you’ll find streets lined with historic homes that tell the story of a bygone era. Be sure to check out our blog on the history of the Pender Store, a fascinating landmark in the area.

👻Next, take a short drive to visit Bellamy Bridge, the oldest standing steel bridge in Florida. The hike is scenic and peaceful—until you read about the ghost story that surrounds the bridge! Keep an eye over your shoulder as you walk down the trail, and don’t forget to bring bug spray.

🥩🍤🍳After a full day of exploring, enjoy a delicious dinner at Southern Roots Bar & Grill in Malone. The locals rave about their perfectly cooked ribeye, and for the little ones, the shrimp meal is a home-cooked delight. It’s the perfect cozy setting to end your adventure.

Next Week: Campbellton & Graceville
Next Saturday, we’re heading into Campbellton and Graceville.

Sounds like a perfect day of exploring Jackson County, right? Let us know if you follow this itinerary and share your experiences with us!

👉visitjacksoncountyfla.com/yesterdays-yarn-weaving-the-stories-of-jackson-countys-history

02/14/2025

🌸💕 Fall in Love with Jackson County! 💕🌸

This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating all the things we LOVE about Jackson County! From breathtaking natural wonders to rich history and warm southern hospitality, there’s something for everyone to adore. 🥰

🥰Happy Valentine's Day, Jackson County! Explore what we love!
💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

02/13/2025

Today we are celebrating the Visit Jackson’s Program Manager, Chastity Sheffield, on her ✌🏻 TWO YEAR ✌🏻 anniversary!

Chastity was instrumental in the advocacy efforts in urging the state to reopen the 231 Welcome Center, which will be reopening in the very near future 🎉

The Welcome Center will greet and connect over 200,000 visitors a year to the Panhandle and state of Florida while serving up its iconic orange juice 🍊. It is a major win for our rural community, and this wonderful lady had a direct hand in helping make this happen.

Please join me in congratulating her on her anniversary! Thank you Chastity on all you do for our team and community! ❤️

02/11/2025

Cute 🥰 print outs for your Valentine 💘 💘 celebrate by doing a cave tour with the one you love at the Florida Caverns State Park ❤️ and experience the magic of the caves. Nothing says I love you like an adventure in Florida.

02/09/2025

🏈🍕 Super Bowl Sunday & National Pizza Day—what a perfect combo! 🍕🏈

What’s your go-to pizza for game day? Whether you like classic pepperoni, supreme, or something unique, there’s no better time to grab a slice! Did you know you can order fresh, homemade pizza from Bistro Palms in Marianna...

Who are you rooting for this year? No matter which team wins, supporting local restaurants is always a touchdown! Check out our website for a list of great local spots to grab game-day eats: 💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

Hosting a Super Bowl party at your business? Tag yourself in the comments so we can see where the biggest watch parties in Jackson County are happening! 🏟️🍕🎉

02/08/2025

🔥🕶👀 Seeing It from a Tourist’s Eyes: A Saturday in Sneads, FL.! 🍽️🚤

Looking for the perfect small-town Saturday adventure? Let’s take a trip to Sneads, Florida, where you can shop, explore, and indulge in a delicious meal! Where Southern hospitality is at its finniest.

🛍️ Start your day EverythingCountry (open 9 AM - 3 PM) – the perfect spot to browse unique finds, home décor, and local treasures.

🌊 Next, head to Sneads Park Town of Sneads - City Hall or Three Rivers State Park, and take a scenic stroll along Lake Seminole. Enjoy the peaceful views, snap some photos. Maybe you can catch some boats coming in and see the catch of the day! Lake Seminole is known for Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Catfish. Stop in McDaniel's Piggly Wiggly for a picnic lunch form their deli.

🔥 Cap off the day with a mouthwatering dinner Johnny Macs Wood Fire Grill at 4 PM! Known for their wood-fired flavors, signature dishes, and cozy, rustic atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to end a Saturday adventure with the family. If you’re looking for something spicy stop in Agave Mexican Grill restaurant for the Agave Sampler and so much more.

📸 Tag us in your weekend photos! Have you tried Johnny Mac’s yet? Let us know your favorite dish! ⬇️

💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

02/07/2025

🫶Visit the Chipola College Box Office website to view upcoming performances and purchase tickets online.

Our friendly reminder that Tickets are on sale now for Chipola Theatre's production of Little Women!

Click this link to reserve your seats now!
https://chipolacollege.ludus.com/

02/06/2025

Yesterday's Yarn: The West End Community:

The West End Community of Marianna stands as a testament to resilience, culture, and progress. African Americans began settling in Jackson County as early as 1825, and by 1965, the West End had grown into a thriving 563-acre neighborhood near downtown, bordered by Borden Street, Lafayette Street, Pennsylvania Avenue, and South Street. With diverse home styles and a shift from farming to teaching and government jobs, the community flourished, experiencing a renaissance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A pillar of this growth was Gilmore Academy, a segregated African American school that operated from 1922 to 1940. Built on a three-acre site donated by Robert T. Gilmore, an African American landowner, the school was a beacon of education and opportunity during an era of segregation. The trustees of Marianna's African American community purchased the site in 1907 and worked diligently to raise funds to construct the school, demonstrating the community’s dedication to education and self-sufficiency. For more information, you can visit👉 gilmoreacademyjcts.org

The West End’s influence extended into city government, producing five mayors between the 1980s and 2016. Guided by the Akan principle Sankofa—"learn from our past, going into the future"—the legacy of the West End was officially recognized as a Florida Heritage Site in 2016.

Historical Marker Database:
👉www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=101421

💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

02/02/2025

Florida's Groundhog Day: Phil the Gator Edition 🐊☀️

Move over, Punxsutawney Phil—here in Florida, we don’t have groundhogs, we have Phil the Alligator!

This morning, Phil emerged from Lake Seminole, took one look around, and decided:

☀️ If he basks in the sun = early spring!
🌧️ If he slides back into the water = six more weeks of Florida "winter" (aka 75° and sunny).

Today’s official forecast? Phil didn’t even hesitate—he’s already sunbathing on the bank, so get ready for spring in Florida… or just more of the same perfect weather.

Happy Ground Hog Day in the South: Don't get us wrong we still 🥰love Punxsutawney Phil, and trust his predictions: 🌞🕶⛅😎🙂😄☀🥰
💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

02/01/2025

🍽️ Taste of Jackson County:

👉Share your favorite Dish or Drink in Jackson County with our guests visiting.

👀We want you to showcase Jackson County through your eyes. 👀👉Share in the comments with your photos of where you are eating this weekend in Jackson County!

👉Here is a list of restaurants to try this weekend!
💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com/dine

01/31/2025

🚣‍♂️ Paddle More, Worry Less—Jackson County’s Waters Are Calling! 🌊🌿

💦 Top Paddling Spots:
🏞 Chipola River
🌿 Merritt’s Mill Pond
🚣‍♂️ Spring Creek

👉Check out our Best Kayaking Spots in Jackson County Blog Post:
💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com/discover-the-best-kayaking-spots-in-jackson-county

📸 Thank you to our amazing community for sharing your awesome shots of Jackson County! Your photos help us showcase the beauty of our area to visitors and inspire their next adventure.
📷 Credit: Hanna Walker
📷 Credit: Kimball Watford

01/28/2025

👀Looking for Things to Do in Jackson County

Wondering where to find events or how to share your event with the community? Visit Jackson County has you covered! Whether you're a local or a visitor, our website is your one-stop hub for everything happening in the area.

👉From exciting events to delicious restaurants, unique shopping spots, and family-friendly activities, you’ll find it all.

💙VisitJacksonCountyFla.com

👉But we need your help to keep our community calendar up-to-date! If you’re hosting an event, let us know so we can share it with everyone.

💙events.visitjacksoncountyfla.com/events

So, the next time you’re wondering, “What is there to do in Jackson County?” – the answer is just a click away.

👉 Follow us on social media and share our page with your friends. Let’s make exploring Jackson County easy and fun for everyone.

👉Other pages to follow: Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Main Street Marianna Jackson County Kid's FUN Guide Explore Jackson County, Florida Jackson County Board of County Commissioners The Artists Guild of Northwest Florida, Inc.

💙👉Please share!!! 👉Tag your business in the comments to let Jackson County know you are here!

01/26/2025

🌞✨ Sunday Funday Vibes! ✨🌞

Happy Sunday, Jackson County! ☀️ Whether you're spending the day exploring our beautiful parks, grabbing brunch with friends, or just kicking back to relax, today is the perfect day to recharge for the week ahead. 🌿💛

01/25/2025

🌿✨ A Toast to Jackson County’s Hidden Gems! ✨🌿

Did you know Jackson County is home to TWO stunning state parks? Let’s give a big applause to Florida Caverns State Park and Three Rivers State Park where adventure meets natural beauty! 🎉🌳

🦇 Florida Caverns State Park
Step into an underground wonderland! Marvel at ancient limestone formations, explore winding caves and hike scenic trails above ground. Pro tip: Don’t forget your camera – it’s a journey millions of years in the making! 🪨✨

🌊 Three Rivers State Park
Outdoor bliss begins when the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers flow into Lake Seminole! Enjoy fishing, kayaking, camping, and birdwatching galore. It’s the perfect spot to unplug and connect with nature. 🐦🌅

🌟 Two parks, endless possibilities! 🌟 Whether you’re exploring the depths or soaking in the lakeside views, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.

What’s your favorite memory from these parks? Share your photos and stories with us we’d love to see how you enjoy these treasures!

📍 Start your next adventure right here in Jackson County! 🌿

💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

01/24/2025

Who knew snow could make Jackson County even more breathtaking? ❄️✨

These stunning photos, shared by some of our wonderful residents, perfectly capture the magic of this rare winter wonderland. The laughter and excitement we heard—whether from kids or adults—was truly infectious.

As we took it all in, we couldn’t help but marvel at how nature’s beauty, paired with our county’s incredible backdrop, created something straight out of a dream. It’s moments like these that remind us to appreciate the place we call home all year long, even after the snow melts away.

🌨️ What was your favorite memory or photo from this snowy day with your family?
We’d love for you to share them below! 💬 We want stunning photos, silly photos, and a smiling snowman. We want to see them all.

Exciting news: We’re planning a slideshow to showcase this special day. By sharing your photos, you’re giving us permission to feature them on our socials soon. Let’s celebrate the joy and beauty of Jackson County together!

Jackson County Board of County Commissioners
💙visitjacksoncountyfla.com

01/24/2025

🩵💙

01/24/2025

I10 is opened back up. Please use caution when traveling.

Effective 8 p.m. EST (Jan 23), ALL LANES of EASTBOUND and WESTBOUND Interstate 10 (I-10) are back open to traffic. With freezing temperatures still anticipated and winter weather conditions still in effect, remember to drive with extreme caution.
FDOT and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will continue to monitor the corridor overnight. Conditions are subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. For real-time updates, please check FL511.com.