City of Perry, Fla.

Nestled in Florida's Big Bend region 50 miles southeast of Tallahassee, the rural town of Perry is a welcome escape for outdoor adventurers, anglers, and families looking to spend time in nature. With annual festivals throughout the year, abundant parks and green spaces to explore, and scenic waterways for paddling, fishing, and boating, this area offers plenty to do for visitors of all ages.

Known as the Tree Capital of the South, Perry is home to a number of parks, including Forest Capital Museum State Park, which keeps the town’s forestry heritage alive with a Florida Cracker homestead and a museum dedicated to the longleaf pine and thousands of products made from it. In October, the state park hosts the Florida Forest Festival, which includes a parade, live entertainment, and the “World’s Largest Free Fish Fry.”

Perry’s other popular annual festivals include the Florida State Bluegrass Festival, also held at the state park, Smokin’ in the Pines BBQ Festival, and Big Bend Brew Fest. In downtown Perry, visitors can visit the quaint shops and restored train station and follow the self-guided walking tour to see the many historic buildings in town.

South of Perry, Hagens Cove Park, once frequented by former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn, offers observation towers, hiking trails, and shallow Gulf waters that attract scallops, redfish, and spotted sea trout. Econfina River State Park, 35 minutes west of Perry in nearby Lamont, which spans more than 4,500 acres, is a prime destination for all kinds of outdoor activities, from boating, paddling, and fishing to hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Plan your trip to Taylor County Florida.