15 Best Things To Do In Perry, Florida

1. Honor war heroes at Veteran's Memorial Park

Veteran’s Memorial Park is one of 15 city-maintained parks in Perry. The names of 924 Taylor County veterans are presented venerably on 11 walls, and visitors are greeted with the eternal flame built from white marble. The park features black granite monuments for the two World Wars, Vietnam War, Korean War, and War on Terror. It is a tribute to the veterans of Taylor County, and it was funded and built by veterans themselves. The city and county government offered funding support to complete the brick courtyard, fountains, flag poles, Walls of Remembrance, museum, and a place dedicated to surplus military equipment. Residents are welcome to inform the committee and apply the names of loved ones in the service who were lost in wars and conflicts.

Veteran's Memorial Park

Address: 900 N Jefferson St. in Perry, FL

Website: Veteran’s Memorial Park

2. Reach back to an eventful past at Taylor County Historical Society

Taylor County was a settlement of pioneers, and the land was fragrant with wild rose bushes. The members of the Taylor County Historical Society are dedicated to informing the public about key events that made Perry and neighboring towns what they are today. The organization was established in 1971, and it is housed at Bank of Perry, which was built in 1903. There are historical exhibits and artifacts on display, and a member of the Society will be on hand to quell your curiosity about local lore. The Society is also avidly posting historical photos and events on its social media page. You may check out their latest posts before dropping by for a visit.

Taylor County Historical Society

Address: 118 E Main St, Perry, FL 32347, United States

Website: Taylor County Historical Society

Opening hours: Thu: 1pm - 5pm (closed from Fri - Wed)

3. Sit for a spell at The ParkSide Café and Coffee

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The ParkSide Café and Coffee is open for dine-in and takeaway. If you are in Downtown Perry, find your way to the old train depot and spend at least a couple of hours enjoying freshly made coffee or specialty teas with pastries, sandwiches, or a side of broccoli salad. There are menu items that could serve as a light lunch or an early dinner, so it’s all right to drop in at noontime or later in the afternoon. Remember to ask for the day’s special because it could be a jalapeño popper grilled cheese with chips and a cold drink.

The ParkSide Café and Coffee

Address: 105 E Ellis St, Perry, FL 32347, United States

Website: The ParkSide Café and Coffee

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 4pm; Sat: 7am - 12pm (closed on Sun)

4. Learn about the value of trees at Forest Capital Museum State Park

The natural and cultural history of Florida is highlighted at Forest Capital Museum State Park. Pines, ferns, and local plant species provide a refreshing atmosphere within the 13-acre (5.3-hectare) park. The park has manicured lawns and shelters for visitors who plan to have a picnic. The museum is a celebration of the natural heritage of North Florida, and it presents a history of forestry in the area with artifacts, still wildlife, and an interactive exhibit. The kids will delight in Terrie, the talking tree, and learn about the significance of forests. Don’t miss the 5,000 products on display made from longleaf pines. Check out Cracker Homestead from the 19th century, adjacent to the museum. The park does not ask for an admission fee, but the museum has a minimal entrance fee, and the pavilions on the grounds are for rent.

Forest Capital Museum State Park

Address: 204 Forest Park Dr, Perry, FL 32348, United States

Website: Forest Capital Museum State Park

Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 9am - 5pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

5. Hang out with family at Perry Skates

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Perry Skates is a skating rink that stands out. It’s the only one of its kind in Perry. Spend a fun evening with the whole family at Perry Skates after visiting historical attractions and shopping for souvenirs downtown. The owners will gladly book your reservation, and the kids can look forward to wholesome fun for an affordable entrance fee. The facility is also for adult skaters, and equipment is available for rent. If you haven’t put on a pair of rollerblades for a while, you can do so while spending a holiday in Perry.

Perry Skates

Address: 2011 S Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32348, United States

Opening hours: Thu: 7pm - 9pm; Fri: 7pm - 11pm; Sat: 2pm - 5pm, 7pm - 11pm (closed from Sun - Wed)

Price: 6 - 8 USD

6. Feel at home at Mama's Italian Family Restaurant

Ask anyone in Perry for the best place to go for lunch and dinner, and he or she will be giving directions to Mama’s Italian Family Restaurant. This establishment is headed by a veteran chef and a dedicated staff. Check out the website for online reservations if you want a table for your party. Take note that the lunch and dinner menus are separate. If you prefer takeaway orders, you’ll be happy to know that the staff is making sure home-cooked flavors are preserved in the way they package orders for delivery. Delectable plates of pasta, paninis, salads and an impressive list of specialties await your discerning palate at Mama’s Italian Family Restaurant.

Mama's Italian Family Restaurant

Address: 2275 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL 32348, United States

Website: Mama’s Italian Family Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 4pm - 10pm

7. Purchase essentials at Perry Village Shops

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Perry Village Shops is a shopping center at an intersection. You won’t have to go far if you need to purchase essentials and souvenirs and avail of various commercial services. This retail complex is a shadow-anchored shopping center of Walmart Supercenter in Commerce Way. It was built in 2006. Some of the merchants you will find are familiar names, such as H&R Block, Cricket Wireless, Verizon Wireless, and Little Caesars. There are ample spaces for parking on the 1.5-acre (0.6-hectare) property.

Perry Village Shops

Address: 1920 S Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32348, United States

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm

Nearby attractions and activities

8. Experience a primeval place at Wakulla Springs State Park

Did you know that the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world is in the vicinity of Perry? Find your way to Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park in Wakulla County and freshen up in a first magnitude spring rimmed by a cypress swamp. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the year-long residents of the area, including birds, manatees, and alligators. The lodge is made with Spanish style and is open to visitors who’d rather stay on solid ground with views of clear waters. There is a primeval quality in the park that makes it easy to imagine extinct mastodons walking the swamp in herds. Guided boat tours are also available, so secure a day pass to Wakulla Springs State Park online.

Wakulla Springs State Park

Address: Crossroads of State Road 61 and State Road 267

Website: Wakulla Springs State Park

9. Relax at Keaton Beach

Perry is a county seat and an ideal starting point for excursions in nearby coastal communities. It’s worth driving a scenic route of 22.5 miles (36.2 kilometers) for a day in a laid-back town such as Keaton Beach, a popular local destination. If you’re traveling with a fishing rod and angling equipment, there’s a spot waiting for you along the 700-foot (213.4-meter) fishing pier of Keaton Beach. Shaded picnic areas and boat rentals are available if you want to spend a sunny day on this part of the Gulf Coast.

Keaton Beach

Address: Keaton Beach, Florida

10. View the best of Americana at Tallahassee Automobile Museum

Tallahassee Automobile Museum is only an hour’s drive away from Perry. Also known as Tallahassee Automobile and Collectibles Museum, this privately-owned attraction is open seven days a week. It holds events for automobile enthusiasts, so plan your visit for a one-of-a-kind gathering. Some cars are for sale, so take your time viewing vintage eye candy. The owner’s fascination for Ford soon evolved into a passion for collecting automobiles. Museum guests will surely enjoy the carefully curated cars on exhibit.

Tallahassee Automobile Museum

Address: 6800 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308, United States

Website: Tallahassee Automobile Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

11. Discover Steinhatchee Falls

In about 30 minutes from Perry by car, you can reach Steinhatchee Falls. This shallow waterfall was created by water flowing over coastal limestone. It is the widest cascade in the state, and it is worth visiting. The surrounding landscape consists of pine and hardwood forests and a floodplain swamp. Wildlife still abound, which include small mammals, wading birds, and deer. If you have time to linger in the area, the 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) Steinhatchee Trail leading to the falls is worth exploring.

Steinhatchee Falls

Address: Steinhatchee, Taylor County, Florida

12. See endangered creatures at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Did you know that the frosted flatwoods salamander is a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act? Now, it can be found only at Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge and one other national park. Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for protected species, and it offers visitors access to walking trails and boating excursions. Check the website for events during your visit, as well as current park regulations. The wildlife refuge is located 25 miles (40.2 kilometers) south of Tallahassee and about 38.4 miles (61.8 kilometers) away from Perry.

Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Address: 1255 Lighthouse Rd, St Marks, FL 32355, United States

Website: Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm

13. Use your new binoculars at Hagen's Cove / bird-watching

If you have a viewing tower and high-quality scopes, then all you need is the right time of day to see flocks of wading birds and shorebirds up close. You will have a great time at Hagen’s Cove if bird-watching is your main itinerary along Florida’s Nature Coast. The cove is only 35 minutes away from Perry by car. Some of the species that frequent the mudflats and marshes along the Gulf of Mexico are sandpipers, seaside sparrows, various species of ducks, short-billed dowitcher, and reddish egrets. There are plenty of fish and horseshoe crab for the birds, so they linger in the cove. In some months of the year, you might spot a bald eagle nesting. Hagen’s Cove also has trails, picnic facilities, and pavilions for visitors.

Hagen's Cove / bird-watching

Address: CR 361, Keaton Beach/Steinhatchee 32348

Website: Hagen’s Cove / bird-watching

14. Take a dip in freshwater springs at Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a 2,669-acre (1,080.1-hectare) haven of wildlife, lush forests, and sandhills that is three hours away from Perry. The Ichetucknee River flows through a floodplain forest and feeds eight major freshwater springs. This protected area accepts visitors eager for sightings of wildlife. There are pristine trails for hiking and nature exploration. The state park is a family-friendly destination developed for outdoor recreation, and it offers facilities for swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, tubing, canoeing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Spend an entire day under the canopy of protected forests while immersed in blue-green waters. Book online for a chance to experience the wonders of Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27 Fort White FL 32038

Website: Ichetucknee Springs State Park

15. Examine colonial structures at Fort San Marcos De Apalache State Park and Monument

Driving 45 minutes from Perry to Fort San Marcos De Apalache State Park and Monument is time well-spent. The old Spanish colonial fort of St. Marks was established at the junction of St. Marks Rover and the Wakulla River. Three forts were built on the site, from the 17th to 19th centuries. These strongholds served to protect trade routes and strengthen the Spanish claim to Florida when the British and French colonized the Caribbean. The National Historic Landmark offers guests the opportunity to view ruins of the original forts, as well as archeological artifacts. The site is also a National Engineering Landmark. Before driving to the old San Marcos site, secure passes online and take note of updated park regulations.

Fort San Marcos De Apalache State Park and Monument

Address: 148 Old Fort Rd, St Marks, FL 32355, United States

Website: Fort San Marcos De Apalache State Park and Monument

Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 9am - 5pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

Enjoy the best of rural and coastal Florida in Perry

Perry is known as the “Forest Capital of the South” where a good portion of the land and coast are protected areas. Forests and wildlife continue to thrive throughout the county, and these open spaces are always ready to welcome city dwellers looking for respite. Perry is also the seat of a region with a rich history, so you will be glad to spend time in a place that has so much to offer.