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Fort Walton Beach is a small city on the beautiful Emerald Coast in Northwest Florida. Although not as busy with tourists as other cities along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, Fort Walton Beach has a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere that makes it a popular vacation destination for families. It’s also not short of fun things to do.
If you’re planning a getaway to Fort Walton Beach, be sure to check out these 15 must-see attractions.
1. Okaloosa Island
Okaloosa Island is where tourists flock to when visiting Fort Walton Beach. The island’s western side is dotted with impressive resorts and condo towers, and its eastern shoreline is lined with beautiful white-sand beaches and is a haven of national parks and open spaces.
Bird-watching is a popular pastime, and the likes of pelicans and herons are regularly spotted. Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking are popular seaside pursuits.
There are several volleyball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas available, and be sure to take a stroll along The Boardwalk to find a host of popular seafood restaurants.
2. The Island Pier
- Website: theislandpier.com
- Address: 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Okaloosa Island, FL
- Opening hours: 5 am – 9 pm daily
The Island Pier, formerly known as Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, extends an impressive 1,262 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. It offers fabulous views of the beautiful beaches of Okaloosa Island, and it’s a great spot to watch the sunset. It’s also a very popular fishing spot, and rod rental is available if you want to see what you can catch in the crystal clear waters.
3. The Air Force Armament Museum
- Website: afarmamentmuseum.com
- Address: 100 Museum Dr, Eglin AFB, FL
- Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 9.30 am – 5 pm
Since 1976, the Air Force Armament Museum has displayed a variety of military aircraft and armaments, including a huge 5-52 Bomber which sits on the museum lawn. One of the museum’s more interesting attractions is the GBU-43/B MOAB. The acronym officially stands for “massive ordinance air blast,” but many know it by its nickname “mother of all bombs” since it was once considered the USA’s most destructive non-nuclear bomb.
4. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
- Website: gulfarium.com
- Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4.30 pm daily
The Gulfarium has welcomed millions of visitors since opening its doors in 1955. You can enjoy a wide variety of animal encounters here, with awesome opportunities to see and meet sea turtles, penguins, and seals.
Be entertained by the interactive sea lion show, go snorkeling with sting rays, or meet and hold a baby alligator. The Gulfarium is endless fun for children, and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about Florida’s marine life and the preservation of natural environments on Okaloosa Island.
5. John Beasley Park
- Website: myokaloosa.com/pw/parks/john-beasley
- Address: 1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening hours: Dawn until dusk
John C. Beasley Park is a beautiful, undeveloped stretch of beach. It’s owned by the US military, so it has remained free of resorts and condos. There’s parking, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and picnic tables, so you can really make a day of it. In high season, a food vendor operates so you can grab some snacks and drinks.
6. Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
- Website: wwazone.com
- Address: 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening hours: 10 am – 10 pm daily
If you’re looking for a day of family fun, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is the destination for you. There’s a huge variety of activities here, including arcade games, laser tag, mini golf courses, and bumper boats. There’s also a cool race track, an elevated rope course, a bungee trampoline, and a 4D cinema. A pizza restaurant and frozen yogurt joint are available to keep the kids fuelled.
7. Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple
- Address: 741 Mayflower Ave, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening Hours: Sunday: 9 am – 12.30 pm
Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple is a beautiful building set on peaceful, shaded grounds. On Sunday mornings, it hosts a food market, and this is a brilliant opportunity to appreciate the temple while trying delicious Thai cuisine.
There are picnic benches in the shade of the trees so you can enjoy an al fresco meal in comfort. Profits generated by the market support the upkeep of the temple and the monks who take care of it.
8. Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
- Website: fwb.org/parksrec/page/heritage-park-cultural-center
- Address: 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Discover the history of Fort Walton Beach when you explore the museums and exhibits at the Heritage Park and Cultural Center. The admission fee grants access to all four museums and allows you to wander around the park’s peaceful grounds.
The Indian Temple Mound Museum
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm
The Indian Temple Mound is a fascinating archaeological site. The mound is 12 feet high and is comprised of mud, sand, and shells. It is rectangular and flat-topped in shape, appearing much like a truncated pyramid.
The mound was thought to be a religious center or place of worship between 700 and 1500 AD. Inside the museum, you can see more than 1,000 artifacts that provide valuable insights into the native people who once lived here. There’s also a collection of prehistoric ceramics considered one of the finest in Southeast America.
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 2.30 pm
Camp Walton Schoolhouse dates back to 1911 when it was built to provide an education to the children of Confederate soldiers who were stationed at Fort Walton. Originally it was a one-room school for 15 students, but in 1927, the building was extended into a two-room school, with the second room serving as a high school.
The schoolhouse features original furnishings and teaching materials to provide a glimpse into a typical early-1900s teaching environment.
Garnier Post Office Museum
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 2.30 pm
The Garnier Post Office Museum offers charming insights into the early postal system of the mid-20th century. Exhibits include old letters, brown paper-wrapped packages, vintage stamps, and other postal items to demonstrate how much our postal system has evolved over a relatively short length of time.
Civil War Exhibit Hall
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 2.30 pm
The Civil War Exhibit Hall is the newest attraction at the Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park. It was built in 2010 to provide insights into Florida’s role in the US Civil War.
When you first enter the hall, you’ll notice a large diorama showcasing the typical campsite of a Confederate soldier, including a tent, clothes, and personal items. There’s information about Pensocola’s importance during the war, the Battle of Santa Rosa Sound, the Walton Guards, and Camp Walton.
9. Liza Jackson Park
- Website: fwb.org/parksrec/page/liza-jackson-park
- Address: 338 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily
Liza Jackson Park is a scenic open space to have a picnic or spend the day. Several sheltered pavilions are available so you can relax in the shade or simply lay a blanket out underneath one of the large trees. Plus, the park is dog-friendly, so you can bring your pooch.
10. Pensacola
You can reach the lively city of Pensacola in an hour by car, and it’s well worth a day trip. There are many fun attractions in Pensacola, including Old Pensacola Historic Village, which was one of the United States’ very first settlements.
Be sure to check out Fort Pickens with its huge Civil War-era cannons. If you love live music, explore the Blues Trail in North Hill and spend an evening on Palafox Street to appreciate the vibrant nightlife.
11. Emerald Coast Science Center
- Website: ecscience.org
- Address: 31 SW Memorial Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm
When it first opened in 1989, the Emerald Coast Science Center was called FOCUS: Families of Okaloosa County Understanding Science. Its goal was to help the whole family gain scientific knowledge, and it remains dedicated to this mission today.
The exhibits here are fun and interactive to get the kids engaged in science in a hands-on manner. Highlights include a sea turtle sanctuary, the hurricane center, and robotics workshops.
12. Crab Island
Just south of Marler Bridge in the nearby town of Destin is Crab Island, a sandbar in shallow green waters. Crab Island is a hub for boat parties and a great way to socialize with locals and fellow tourists.
You could rent a pontoon, jetski, or kayak or book a space on a planned boat excursion. A sunset cruise to Crab Island is a great way to appreciate the impressive Emerald Coast waters and experience the party atmosphere.
13. Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
- Website: fwb.org/parksrec/page/fort-walton-landing
- Address: 139 Brooks St SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park is a popular public space in Downtown Fort Walton Beach. It has 700 feet of waterfront to enjoy, and it’s the perfect place to have a picnic, take an afternoon nap, read a book, or simply sit back and watch the world go by.
A playground keeps the kids occupied, and there are restrooms on-site, so you can spend a few hours here. Look out for the farmers market on the second Saturday of each month and live concerts that often take place on Friday nights.
14. Fort Walton Beach Downtown Arts and Entertainment District
The Downtown Arts and Entertainment District is Fort Walton Beach’s most vibrant area. The area has many high-quality restaurants, coffee shops, craft breweries, boutique stores, and art galleries. An art walk takes place here in August each year. If you’re looking for a good atmosphere and even better food, simply wander around Downtown, and you’re bound to find it.
15. The Gulf of Mexico
There are many ways to enjoy the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico during your visit to Fort Walton Beach. You could go snorkeling to seek out marine life, take a catamaran cruise to spot dolphins or take a fishing charter for a few hours of deep-sea fishing. Watersports like parasailing and jet skiing are popular in Fort Walton Beach, or you could simply relax on the Okaloosa Island beachfront and take in the view.
Plan Your Itinerary in Fort Walton Beach
These are the very best attractions in Fort Walton Beach, so be sure to add them to your sightseeing itinerary for a fun-filled vacation.
