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Fort Walton Beach is a popular family vacation destination situated between Pensacola and Panama City on Florida’s Emerald Coast. With beautiful white sand beaches, soothing blue waters, and a host of fun attractions, it provides the perfect blend of relaxation and exploration for families with kids of all ages.
Popular sights include the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, the Airforce Armament Museum, and the Indian Temple Mound Museum. There’s a host of fantastic resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals available in Fort Walton Beach and the surrounding area. Those planning to visit for the first time might wonder where to stay.
In this travel guide, we explore the key locations of Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island, and Destin and highlight some of their best hotels and resorts to help you plan your getaway to this beautiful region of the Gulf Coast.
Fort Walton Beach for Quiet Beach Getaways
Highlights: Emerald Coast Science Center, Heritage Park and Cultural Center, Fort Walton Beach Landing, Liza Jackson Park, Oak Tree Nature Preserve, Indian Temple Mound Museum, Uptown Station
The city of Fort Walton Beach has a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere. With a modest population, its streets never become too overwhelmed with residents and tourists, giving you space to wander around the sights at a gentle pace.
Military Bases
There are several military bases surrounding the city, including Hurlburt Field and Elgin Air Force Base, so the area is popular with servicemen to live and visit. The community in Fort Walton Beach is very welcoming, so you can expect to experience typical Southern hospitality and charm here.
Downtown Fort Walton Beach
Downtown Fort Walton Beach is conveniently laid out, so bars, restaurants, shops, parks, and hotels are within walking distance. There are some fantastic craft brewery spots to check out, a fun bar scene, and lots of eclectic shops and boutiques to explore.
Uptown Station
The popular Uptown Station is an outdoor shopping center that’s home to more than 60 stores and eateries, with national, local, and independent brands represented. It also has a pet-friendly park and hosts outdoor movie nights. Plus, it boasts Florida’s tallest flagpole, which stands at 170 feet.
Miracle Strip Parkway
Miracle Strip Parkway (Highway 98) cuts right through Fort Walton Beach, and you’ll find the bulk of the city’s hotels on this stretch of road and just off it.
Staying on Miracle Strip Parkway is handy if you’ll be traveling by car or renting a car during your stay. Accommodation here is very affordable and family-friendly, and most hotels offer free parking. Plenty of restaurants are dotted along the highway, so you won’t have trouble finding good places to eat.
On the Beach
If you want a peaceful trip without too many crowds, staying in Fort Walton Beach city itself is a great choice. The beaches here tend to be a little quieter than nearby Destin, but they’re no less beautiful.
Plus, you’re only a short drive away from the popular attractions on Okaloosa Island. There are many pockets of green space dotted throughout Fort Walton Beach, including several small parks with playgrounds. You won’t have trouble keeping the kids busy when you stay in the city.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of Fort Walton Beach hotels to choose from, with all budgets catered for. Days Inn Fort Walton Beach is an affordable hotel with a convenient location right on Highway 98.
Holiday Inn Express Fort Walton Beach Central is a popular IHG Hotel with a pool, a fitness center, and free wifi. Marina Bay Resort is a comfortable city-center hotel that offers free parking, free Wi-Fi, a concierge service, and a 24-hour front desk for total convenience.
Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Walton Beach offers studios and one-bedroom suites with kitchenettes and access to its complimentary on-site amenities, which include an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and grab-and-go breakfast service.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham is ideal for business travelers thanks to its business center, high-speed complimentary Wi-Fi, and free breakfast.
Okaloosa Island for Fun Family Vacations
Highlights: Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Okaloosa Island Pier, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone, Ross Marler Park, John Beasley Park
Okaloosa Island, known by locals as ‘the island,’ is a three-mile stretch of land that runs between the Santa Rosa Sound and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s just a short drive over a bridge to Okaloosa Island from Fort Walton Beach, so it’s very easy to move between the two areas.
Okaloosa Island Beaches
The island has beautiful beaches that are incredibly well-kept, making them perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and more. A benefit of staying on Okaloosa Island is that you’re conveniently located for traveling to both Fort Walton Beach and Destin to see their main attractions.
Along the southern coast of the island, you can enjoy incredible views out across the Gulf. Several beachfront resorts are situated here, some of which have private beaches. The northern coast, particularly on the western end of the island, is a peaceful residential area dotted with condominiums. There’s a large retirement population here, and the area is decidedly less touristy. It’s the central portion of Okaloosa where the tourists flock to.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
The popular Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is one of the busiest sights and is great for a family day out. You can see sea turtles, penguins, and alligators, and there are opportunities to swim with dolphins and stingrays.
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is another attraction that draws big crowds. It’s Northwest Florida’s largest entertainment center and has a huge variety of facilities on offer, including a 4D movie theater, a huge arcade, two themed mini golf courses, laser tag, a bungee trampoline, and a frozen yogurt bar.
The Boardwalk
For a more relaxing pace, stroll along The Boardwalk, a waterfront dining and shopping complex. There are several seafood restaurants to try, or you could grab a coffee, a cold drink, or an ice cream and soak up the sun.
Okaloosa Island Pier
You can also grab some new threads at The Boardwalk’s stores. Be sure to drop by at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday night to watch the impressive weekly fireworks display, which takes place on Okaloosa Island Pier. The sky and water light up with the fireworks, and there’s a wonderful celebratory atmosphere.
Beach Access Points
There are several beach access points on Okaloosa Island. John Beasley Park is a scenic green space with changing rooms and showers for total convenience. There’s also a snack bar and picnic tables, so you can easily make a day of it. Ross Marler Park is popular for fishing, boating, and swimming, and it makes a scenic spot for a picnic. Check out the nearby Veterans Park Rookery for birdwatching.
Where to Stay
Accommodation on Okaloosa Island is more indulgent than in Fort Walton Beach, but there are still affordable options. There are several large resorts to choose from if you’re looking for more than just a hotel and want access to swimming pools, private beaches, and on-site entertainment for the kids.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Walton Beach-West Destin is a peaceful beachfront hotel with an outdoor pool and free parking, breakfast, and wifi.
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach is a family-friendly five-star hotel that offers a luxurious experience from the moment you check-in.
Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach has family-friendly seasonal activities for the kids to enjoy at its pool while parents indulge in the beachside tiki bar. Beal House Fort Walton Beachfront is conveniently surrounded by restaurants and shops and boasts an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant and bar.
Waterscape Condos by Vacasa offer private balconies with gorgeous waterside views and access to an on-site waterpark with swimming pools, a lazy river, and a waterfall.
Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Walton Beach has a swimming pool, a lazy river, and a tiki bar, and some of its rooms offer fantastic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Hampton Inn is a beachside hotel that provides a private balcony or patio with every room, free hot breakfast and Wi-Fi, and access to a heated outdoor pool.
Destin for Lively Group Breaks
Highlights: Destin History & Fishing Museum, Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, Henderson Beach State Park, James Lee Beach, Destin Harbour Boardwalk, Crab Island
Destin is a lively resort town with beautiful sandy beaches. It has a long fishing history, and before its tourist industry developed, it was renowned as the world’s luckiest fishing village. Its fishing scene remains important today, with the Destin Fishing Rodeo taking place here in the fall each year. The town is also home to a variety of high-quality seafood restaurants where you can sample locally caught fish, oysters, and shrimp.
Harbor Boardwalk
You’ll find many of Destin’s best eateries on its Harbor Boardwalk, which is a hub for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Stroll along the Boardwalk as the sun goes down to take in gorgeous waterside views, and drop into one of the friendly establishments for a drink or a bite to eat.
Beach Access Points
During the day, head to one of Destin’s many beach access points. The main Destin beach area is public, and it gets incredibly busy with locals and tourists alike, so get there early to claim a spot.
Nearby, Henderson Beach State Park has a playground for the kids and a nature trail to explore. Not only are the beaches at Destin great for swimming and sunbathing, but they’re also popular for water sports like kayaking, jet-skiing, and parasailing.
Destin Commons and HarborWalk Village
If you want a day off from the beach, head to Destin Commons, a large open-air mall packed with shops and restaurants. You could also check out HarborWalk Village, an upmarket waterfront complex that hosts some of the best restaurants and boutique stores in Destin.
There’s plenty of outdoor seating here, and live music takes place regularly, so if you’re looking for nightlife, this is where to go. If you have access to a boat, be sure to visit Crab Island. It’s a raised sandbar where people anchor their boats while they drink, dance, socialize, and party through the afternoon and night.
Family Fun
Despite its buzzing nightlife and party scene, Destin can be a great destination for families. There are plenty of family-friendly chain restaurants in the town, and the kids are bound to love the beaches.
Popular attractions for families include Big Kahuna’s Waterpark, which offers water slides and surfing, and The Track, where visitors can try go-karting and mini golf. Speaking of golf, Destin is home to several world-renowned golf clubs, including Indian Bayou Golf and Country Club, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Club.
Where to Stay
Given the wide variety of activities on offer in Destin, it’s a great location for groups of friends or extended families to meet for an action-packed break. There’s something here to satisfy everyone, and there’s a good variety of accommodations on offer, including hotels, resorts, and condos.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Destin is situated close to the beach and offers free onsite parking, a hot breakfast, and access to its fitness center and outdoor and indoor pools.
Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village boasts a private beach, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, and a bar and grill on its upscale property.
Wyndham Garden Fort Walton Beach Destin has spacious rooms and is tucked away from the busy city traffic, making it a haven of relaxation.
Four Points by Sheraton Destin-Fort Walton Beach is a modern oceanfront hotel that boasts rooms with private balconies, refreshing swimming pools, and a swanky cocktail bar.
TownePlace Suites Fort Walton Beach-Eglin AFB has relaxing suites with fully-equipped kitchens, and it’s a convenient place to stay for easy access to Elgin Air Force Base.
Plan Your Visit to Fort Walton Beach
Now you know more about Fort Walton Beach and nearby Okaloosa Island and Destin; you can decide which area suits your vacation style. Be sure to check out some of the popular hotels and resorts recommended in this guide and start planning your visit to this scenic stretch of Florida.
