Eden State Gardens – Point Washington, Florida

• Tweet

• Tweet

Florida has many beautiful state parks.  They are covered with large beautiful trees, blooming flowers and winding boardwalks that take you into areas that make you think of fairies and wood sprites.  We bought the Real Florida Passport and we love to visit the different state parks and collect our passport stamps.  We make the drive from Pensacola to Panama City fairly often to visit family.  Whenever we are driving Highway 98, we see signs for so many state parks along the way-seven state parks total!  When we make the trip to Panama City, we always try to stop somewhere along the way to visit something new.  This time we stopped at Eden State Gardens. 

Eden State Gardens is a beautiful state park located about 30-40 minutes from Panama City Beach.  Eden State Gardens has a rich history in lumber.  It was the home to the Wesley Family.  The beautiful home, painted a brilliant white, has a gorgeous wrap around porch that will make you want to invest in one of those Cracker Barrel rocking chairs!  Can you believe this beautiful home and 10.5 acres was purchased in 1960 for only 12,500 dollars?! 

 

She then put in another million dollars to convert the home to an antebellum home.  She wanted the home for her extensive collection of Louis XVI antiques.  After 5 years and failing health, she gave her home and antique collection to the state of Florida. 

While visiting, we wandered around the grounds for awhile.  It was a nice walk to Tucker Bayou.  The kids loved to walk the pier.

All I wanted to do was sit on this bench.  All. Day. Long!

 

The gardens are absolutely beautiful and although many plants and flowers have not bloomed, the Camellias are out in full force.  According to the state park site, the Camellia peak bloom is in March so we timed our trip beautifully!

There is a nature trail…

and it is a beautiful setting for a wedding.  My daughter spent fifteen minutes watching the “princess”!

For other suggestions on things to do near or around Panama City, visit me at Traveling Mom or explore my other posts here on Two Kids and a Map.

Stop by Delicious Baby to see where others are traveling this week!