Overview
DeFuniak Springs is a city of 7,000 people (2019) on the Emerald Coast of Florida. DeFuniak Springs is home to Lake DeFuniak, one of two spring-fed lakes in the world that is nearly perfectly round. The surrounding landscape around the lake is often decorated for the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year's to celebrate.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about DeFuniak Springs
Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood
Houses a visitor center.in the historic district. This is one of only three buildings, all historic, on the lake side of Circle Drive, that circumnavigate the lake. Phone number is for city hall.
Confederate Monument
Erected in 1871, it was later moved to this location in DeFuniak Springs — somewhat ironically in front of the courthouse. From 1964 to 2015, the Confederate Battle Flag was flown at the site, but was changed by the Coun…
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Fourteen million gallons of water emerge daily from this spring, but as the water comes from an underground aquifer, water temperatures are 68°F year-round. Popular activities here include swimming and snorkeling, though…
Walton-DeFuniak Library
The oldest continuously run library in Florida. It contains displays of medieval armor donated to the library.
First Presbyterian Church
The third building on the lakeside of Circle Drive.
Chautauqua Vineyard & Winery
A Certified Florida Farm Winery. Free wine tasting and tour of the facility.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Florida Panhandle)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- VPS Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Valparaiso — 29 mi away. Directions
- DSI Destin Executive Airport, Destin — 30 mi away. Directions
- PNS Pensacola International Airport, Pensacola — 66 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, Walton-DeFuniak Library, First Presbyterian Church
- Lunch Iron & Grape Italian Kitchen
- Afternoon Confederate Monument, Walton County Heritage Museum
- Dinner Mom & Dad's Italian Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
- & From Exit 85 of I-10, go north 3 mi on US 331 into town. US 331 also connects Defuniak Springs to Florala, Alabama/Paxton,Florida 25.5 mi in the north and Freeport 17 mi to the south.
- goes through town as "US Hwy 90" and Nelson Ave (in historic district). It goes 12 mi east to Ponce de Leon (Springs) and 27 mi west to Crestview
Get around
Driving is the way to get around. Ubers are available.
See
The DeFuniak Springs Historic District, on the National Register of Historic Places, surrounds Lake DeFuniak. Many lovely historic homes are in the district, and there is a walking path around the lake. Take a casual hour and check them out.
See Confederate Monument
Erected in 1871, it was later moved to this location in DeFuniak Springs — somewhat ironically in front of the courthouse. From 1964 to 2015, the Confederate Battle Flag was flown at the site, but was changed by the County in 2015 to the First National Confederate Flag; and as of June 2020, calls to remove the flag entirely have been unsuccessful.
Do
Do Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Fourteen million gallons of water emerge daily from this spring, but as the water comes from an underground aquifer, water temperatures are 68°F year-round. Popular activities here include swimming and snorkeling, though various other recreational activities are possible around the park.
Eat
Eat Mom & Dad's Italian Restaurant
Featured on the Restaurant: Impossible television program.
Sleep
Nearby
Freeport
City / town · 8 listings · 15 mi away
Santa Rosa Beach
City / town · 9 listings · 25 mi away
Niceville
City / town · 4 listings · 26 mi away
Destin
City / town · 54 listings · 32 mi away
Chipley
City / town · 6 listings · 35 mi away
Fort Walton Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 37 mi away
Panama City Beach
City / town · 37 listings · 42 mi away
Enterprise
City / town · 45 mi away
My experience
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