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Fort Walton Beach (FWB) is an attractive city on the Northwest Florida coast that looks out into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a small and lively city with a laid-back atmosphere and irresistible southern hospitality.
Families flock to the city’s white-sand beaches and fun attractions. If you’re planning a visit and wondering what the city has to offer, you won’t be disappointed. Here are 20 of the best things to do in Fort Walton Beach.
1. Shop and Dine at Uptown Station
Uptown Station is an open-air shopping mall just south of Cinco Bayou, with more than 60 stores and eateries. You can shop for clothes, sporting goods, home furnishings, food, and more. There are also beauty salons and a spa if you want to indulge in some pampering.
When it’s time to eat there’s a great variety of cuisines to choose from, including sushi, fried chicken, sandwiches, Korean food, frozen yogurt, and ice cream. At the heart of Uptown Station is Central Park which features a village green, a playground, and dancing fountains.
2. Tee Off on Goofy Golf’s Mini-Golf Course
Goofy Golf in Ocean City has been open since the 1950s and has retained its retro charm to this day. There are two 17-hole courses here, and both of them share a challenging 18th hole called “The Snake’s Mouth.”
There’s plenty of variety when it comes to the difficulty of the holes on this course, and kids (and big kids at heart) are sure to have fun tackling each tricky challenge. Look out for Hammy, the famous 23-foot-tall T-Rex. He makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
3. Parasail in Destin Harbor
Parasailing in Destin Harbor is an incredible way to enjoy a bird’s eye view of FWB. You’ll wear an open parachute while securely attached to a line pulled by a motorboat. This is the perfect watersport for thrill-seekers, and it doesn’t require any prior experience. While you’re in the air, look out for well-known landmarks such as Crab Island, HarborWalk Village, and Brooks Bridge.
4. Try Local Produce at the Downtown Farmers Market
Every other Saturday morning, Fort Walton Beach Landing hosts a popular farmers market. Local growers, producers, and artists sell their wares, which include fresh fruit and vegetables, grass-fed beef, local honey, organic eggs, freshly baked bread, cakes, and pastries. Jewelry, artwork, and handmade soaps and candles are also on offer.
The market runs from 8 am until 1 pm. Get there early to have your pick of the produce because it’s common for vendors to sell out.
5. Go Fishing at the Island Pier
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier, known simply as the Island Pier, is an impressive 1,262-foot pier that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico. You can enjoy fabulous views of the Emerald Coast from here, and fishing is a popular pastime.
You’ll need to buy a pass to fish in these beautifully clear waters. If you don’t have a rod, don’t worry — rentals are available. Look out for dolphins, seabirds, and sea turtles while you’re at it.
6. Find Antique Treasures at Fort Walton Beach Flea Market
The 14,000-square-foot Fort Walton Flea Market is open daily for you to discover a huge variety of fascinating and beautiful objects. It’s an indoor, air-conditioned market, making it the perfect place to escape from the midday heat and hunt for treasures. You’ll find books, clothes, jewelry, art, furniture, musical instruments, vinyl records, and collectible items like baseball cards and figurines.
A portion of sales are donated to local charities, such as the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge, so shop away to support a good cause.
7. Spot Dolphins on a Catamaran Day Cruise
There’s a host of marine life to spot in the Gulf of Mexico, but there’s something particularly special about spotting dolphins. A great way to see them is to take a catamaran day cruise from Okaloosa Island.
Some of the cruises last a full day and include opportunities for swimming and snorkeling. If you opt for an evening cruise on a Wednesday, you’ll get a fantastic view of the Boardwalk fireworks display.
8. Perfect Your Fishing Skills with a Fishing Charter
With Destin being one of the best destinations in Florida for fishing, there’s potential to make an impressive catch in the waters surrounding Fort Walton Beach. A fishing charter is a great way to get out into open waters with a knowledgeable guide who can take you to the best spots.
There are several fishing charter companies available, and most are welcoming of fishers of all skill levels, including beginners.
9. Cruise The Emerald Waters in a Pontoon Boat
One of the best ways to appreciate the green waters of Choctawatchee Bay is to take a cruise on a pontoon boat from Dustin Harbour. The waters here are very calm, making pontoons the perfect boats to cruise on.
Pontoons are easy to handle with minimal boating experience, and there are several rental companies available in Destin. If you’re looking to party, anchor up at Crab Island and enjoy the floating bars and lively atmosphere.
10. Take a Sunset Cruise to Watch the Fireworks
The crystal clear waters and colorful dusk sky make for incredible views around Fort Walton Beach at sunset. One of the best ways to appreciate the Florida Panhandle’s beauty is to take a sunset cruise into the Gulf of Mexico. You can join a cruise with a large group of other passengers or charter your own private vessel and tailor the tour to suit you perfectly. The latter option is ideal for a romantic couples getaway.
11. Find Fun and Thrills at Big Kahuna’s Waterpark
Families love Big Kahuna’s Waterpark in Destin. It boasts more than 40 water attractions, including speed slides, lazy rivers, water cannons, and an epic wave pool. There’s also a mini golf course with 54 challenging holes just outside the waterpark in case the kids have leftover energy to burn off after an adventurous day at the pool.
12. Try Go-Karting and More at The Track
The Track Family Fun Park in Destin is jam-packed with fun activities for kids and adults alike, including rides, rollercoasters, go-kart tracks, bumper boats, and an arcade. To get the best value for money, buy a points package. You use points to access rides and arcade games, and special deals are available with the packages.
13. Play on Destin-Fort Walton Beach Golf Courses
FWB and Destin boast a huge array of popular golf courses.
- Fort Walton Beach Golf Club is home to two public championship courses — The Oaks and The Pines.
- Seascape Golf Resort is known for its incredible rolling hills and impressive views of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Kelly Plantation Golf Course in Destin is another scenic course that features palmettos and magnolias.
- Emerald Bay Golf Club has a course that extends between Destin and South Walton beaches, and it’s particularly well-known for its popular restaurant and bar.
- Indian Bayou Golf Club has two challenging nine-hole courses, one of which, Seminole, has tough water hazards to put your skills to the test.
14. Swim, Walk, and Take in Nature at John C. Beasley Park
John Beasley Park is a picturesque way to spend a few hours or a full day. You can sunbathe on the white sand beach, swim in the clear waters, go fishing, kayaking, or paddleboarding, or stroll through the park’s nature trails. Parking is available, and there are restrooms, showers, and changing rooms. You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas to get set up for a comfortable day out.
15. Have Family Fun at Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone has something to keep the whole family entertained. The air-conditioned entertainment center is a welcome respite from the Florida su, and it has a wide variety of activities available.
Play games in the huge arcade, enjoy healthy competition at laser tag, catch a movie at the 4D cinema, tee off at the two 18-hole golf courses, and take the treetop ropes course to challenge your agility. This is a must-visit attraction for families, and it’s conveniently located off the Miracle Strip Parkway on Okaloosa Island.
16. Discover Florida’s Marine Life at The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
If you’re looking to get hands-on with Florida marine life, head to the Gulfarium to embark on their fun animal encounters. You can feed penguins, snorkel with stingrays, hold an alligator, take part in dolphin and sea lion shows, and hold starfish in the tidal pool.
There is an ocean’s worth of marine animals to see at this huge adventure park, so give yourself at least half a day to take it all in. If the kids love interactive learning, you should also make time for the Emerald Coast Science Center, which has a variety of hands-on exhibits, workshops, and experiences.
17. Go Back in Time at Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park and Cultural Center
FWB Heritage Park and Cultural Center gives fascinating insights into the history of the city and the wider region. There are four museums to explore. The Indian Temple Mound Museum provides information on the Native American Temple Mound, which is thought to have served as a religious site between 900 and 1500 AD.
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum dates back to the early 1900s when it was built to educate the children of Confederate soldiers stationed in Camp Walton. The Civil War Exhibition Hall has extensive displays of Civil War-era artifacts, and it describes key events that took place at Camp Walton and nearby Pensacola.
Finally, the Garnier Post Office Museum documents the early postal system of the 20th century. If you love history, consider visiting the Air Force Armament Museum, which is situated near the Eglin Air Force Base.
18. Enjoy a Laid-Back Stroll on the Boardwalk
The Boardwalk is a stretch of dining and entertainment venues on Okaloosa Island. You’ll find several popular seafood restaurants here, as well as surf shops and gift shops. The Boardwalk also has a beachfront playground and sand volleyball courts. Visit on Wednesday evenings in summer to catch the weekly fireworks display.
19. Take a Day Trip to Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is a scenic 90-minute drive from Fort Walton Beach, and it’s the perfect spot for a day trip. It has a livelier atmosphere than the peaceful Fort Walton, but it’s no less beautiful. 27 miles of white sand beaches occupy the city’s coastline. There are also two beautiful state parks to enjoy.
20. Blow off Steam at Liza Jackson Park
Liza Jackson Park is a great place to take the kids to burn off some energy. There are playgrounds with monkey bars and swings, pavilions for picnicking, a fishing pier, a boat launch, and trails for walking.
Plan Your Activities in Fort Walton Beach
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Fort Walton Beach, but with so many activities and sights on offer, it can be tough to decide what to do first. Now you have some inspiratio, you can get started planning your itinerary for your upcoming vacation.
