DeFuniak Springs lake and historic district center the town

DeFuniak Springs is a good reminder that the Panhandle is not only beach towns.

Lake DeFuniak and Chipley Park give the city a clear center. The streets around the lake, the old homes, the civic buildings, and the quiet park setting make the town feel different from the fast beach road version of Walton County.

Check the city page before planning a visit around the lake or park. Events, parking, path work, weather, and local rules can change the day. If you are thinking about living nearby, walk the area at more than one time of day. A small inland town has a different pace than the coast.

DeFuniak Springs rounds out the Panhandle picture. The state has shoreline, but it also has towns where the lake and courthouse square still set the tone. Stop here when you want the inland pace, not the beach pace.