When 30A is the destination, the excitement begins before you arrive. As you head to Northwest Florida, you will pass through many natural, culinary, and artistic wonders along the way — regardless of which route you take. Add to your 30A road trip adventure and explore these local attractions that are a short distance from the interstate.
Interstate 75
Whether you’re traveling south through Georgia or north from the Tampa or Orlando areas, your 30A road trip will likely take you to Interstate 75 before connecting to Interstate 10. Plan stops along the way to experience the history, agriculture, and geography that make Georgia and Florida so unique.
The Road to Tara Museum
Location: Jonesboro, Georgia
Blend Civil War and Hollywood history at the site depicted in the novel and film “Gone With the Wind.” The museum features memorabilia and displays like film props, rare editions of the novel, and artifacts from the pivotal 1864 Battle of Jonesboro.
Giant Peanut Monument
Location: Ashburn, Georgia
First built in 1975, this crown-adorned nut is a symbol of the peanut’s agricultural significance in Georgia. The monument stands at 40 feet atop its pillar, and while the original installment has since fallen, a new fiberglass version was built in 2023. The display is also situated near Carroll’s® Sausage & Country Store, a local favorite stop for meals and snacks.
The Georgia Museum of Agriculture
Location: Tifton, Georgia
Make a stop in rural South Georgia in the late 19th century. This 95-acre living history site features a restored 1870s farming town complete with costumed interpreters, an operational grist mill, a cotton gin, a print shop, and a traditional country store stocked with fresh jams and candies.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Location: White Springs, Florida,
Set along the banks of the Suwannee River, this park honors the legendary composer of Florida’s state song, Stephen Foster. Visitors can listen to the melodies of the 97-bell carillon tower, explore the museum of Old Florida history, and watch artisans demonstrate traditional crafts like blacksmithing and quilting.
The Devil’s Millhopper
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Break into the earth’s crust by exploring this 120-foot sinkhole with layers of exposed rock. This National Natural Landmark was formed when underground limestone collapsed thousands of years ago, creating a mini rainforest ecosystem that feels separate from the surrounding Florida pine lands.
Solar Walk
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Put distance into perspective by exploring this 4-billion-to-1 scale model of the solar system. The display spans nearly a mile with monuments created by local artists, making it a stellar way to break up your car ride.
Silver Springs State Park
Location: Silver Springs, Florida
Trade views of the road for a glimpse of this massive artesian spring that pumps 500 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily. Visitors can board historic glass-bottom boats to view underwater vents, sea life, and ancient artifacts, or paddle down the river among wild manatees and monkeys.
Zephyrhills Museum of Military History
Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
This free museum is housed in an authentic WWII-era airfield barracks, where it displays a rich collection of military uniforms, weapons, and personal artifacts from veterans. It offers a look at the pilots who trained in Florida before flying P-51 Mustangs into combat overseas.
Interstate 10
If you’re heading east to 30A from Mississippi or Alabama, or heading west from a Florida city like Tallahassee or Jacksonville, you’re likely to find yourself on this route. Learn something new along your 30A road trip and stop at these local attractions.
Mobile Carnival Museum
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Make a stop to learn about the history of Carnival and Mardi Gras, which has been a part of Mobile’s history for over 300 years. The museum features colorful galleries and exhibits that explore the people and traditions that keep Carnival alive in Alabama.
Bamahenge
Location: Elberta, Alabama
You don’t need to go to England to see Stonehenge; it can be part of your road trip to 30A. “Bamahenge” is a full-scale replica created by artist Mark Cline using fiberglass parts, allowing it to withstand local weather conditions.
Florida Caverns State Park
Location: Marianna, Florida
Immerse yourself in regional geography by taking a tour of Florida’s only dry, air-filled caves. Visitors can take a dimly lit trek where they learn about the early uses of these underground rooms while observing columns, stalactites, and stalagmites that have formed over millions of years.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Take a pit stop and roll through one of the largest collections of classic cars in the nation. The museum is home to vehicles that shaped US history, including President Lincoln’s Hearse and an authentic Batmobile.
Cap City Video Lounge
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
This is more than just a video rental store; it’s a trip down memory lane for any movie lover. Guests can browse a selection of VHS tapes, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and movie memorabilia for purchase. They can also stop and watch a screening of a cult-classic movie.
Falling Creek Falls
Location: Lake City, Florida
Get out of the car and take a quick stroll at this 204-acre space. It features plenty of short walks that won’t derail your 30A road trip, including a boardwalk leading to a 10-foot waterfall that drops over dark limestone ledges, giving it a unique, dark-tinted appearance.
Chamblin Bookmine
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
A road trip to 30A calls for a good book to read, and this independent store is a treasure trove for bookworms. Hunt for the perfect page-turner as you comb through shelves stacked from floor to ceiling, or learn from a local and browse books by Jacksonville authors.
Treaty Oak
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Spend some time in the shade by visiting this 250-year-old live oak tree. The leafy wonder is known for its unique shape, with twisting branches that are said to resemble an octopus.
Interstate 65
If your 30A road trip takes you south from Nashville, Birmingham, or Memphis, you’ll likely find yourself on this highway. Make stops along the way where you can taste and experience Alabama culture.
Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q
Location: Decatur, Alabama
Recognized as one of the oldest barbecue restaurants, this historic eatery has been serving meals for over a century. Big Bob Gibson’s is recognized for its slow-cooked meats just as much as it’s known for its sauces and rubs — especially its signature White Barbecue Sauce.
Vulcan Park & Museum
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Stretch your legs and visit the largest cast iron statue in the world — a 56-foot-tall tribute to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge. The display celebrates the role iron played in Birmingham’s history and sits atop an observation tower that offers stunning views of the city and its skyline.
Rickwood Caverns
Location: Warrior, Alabama
Explore 260 million years of formations by taking this mile-long cave tour. The trek contains 365 stairs and will send you 175 feet below the earth’s surface, where you will witness evidence of the ocean’s role in creating this rock formation.
The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
Location: Montgomery, Alabama
Nestled inside a Craftsman-style home in the Old Cloverdale neighborhood, this museum tells the story of married authors F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald. The site contains personal artifacts, paintings, and first-edition books; it may even inspire a beach read once you get to 30A.
Civil Rights Memorial
Location: Montgomery, Alabama
This powerful outdoor monument features flowing water over a circular black granite table engraved with key milestones and martyrs of the Civil Rights Movement. It was designed by Vietnam Veterans Memorial architect Maya Lin to represent Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s inspiring call for justice to “roll down like waters.”
Priester’s Pecans
Location: Fort Deposit, Alabama
Fuel up at this roadside stop that’s been honoring the Southern Nut for over 80 years. The store is home to treats like pies, pralines, and a wide variety of flavored pecans that also make great edible souvenirs.
Peach Park
Location: Clanton, Alabama
You’ll know you’re approaching this destination when you see the massive water tower shaped like a peach, but Peach Park isn’t just a visual treat. Visitors stop at this attraction to get a taste of the titular fruit, whether they’re cooling off with ice cream, warming up a cobbler, or biting straight into a peach.
Once your 30A road trip has come to an end, it’s time to unwind and enjoy your stay on the Gulf Coast. Allow yourself time to recharge while staying at a St. Joe resort, then pick your next adventure. Whether you want to tee off on a golf course, lounge on a private beach, or hike on 30A’s trails, you’ll be able to get there without any more driving.
Details included in this story were accurate at time of publication but are subject to change based on seasonal schedules, amenity and/or operational updates. For the most current information, please visit the respective property’s website.
