Emerald Coast Science Center

139 Brooks St Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-664-1261

Hours:  Weekdays, 9am – 4pm, Weekends, 11am – 4pm.  Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday and the Fourth of July

Admission Charged The Science Center is a museum for children and families filled with more than 250 touchable, interactive exhibits that teach about natural phenomena and basic scientific principles. It stimulates the imagination with exhibits such as a reflecting Castle of Mirrors, "adult-sized" bubble makers, a hair-raising Vandergraph generator, an electrifying Illuma Storm and more.

Indian Temple Mound and Museum 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

850-833-9595

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged Situated at the base of a pre-Columbian earthen mound, this museum offers glimpses into Indian civilizations of the past 10,000 years. The collections include over 4,000 artifacts, and feature some exceptional ceramic pieces for which the museum is famous. The mound, which once served as a ceremonial site, was headquarters for the Mississippian Indians and is one of the largest earthen structures in a salt-water setting.

Fort Walton Beach Art Museum 38 SW Robinwood Drive Okaloosa Symphony Building Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

850-244-1893 Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission charged This local museum has some fascinating items and can satisfy a number of artistic tastes. Among its offerings are American paintings, Chinese artifacts and collections of sculpture and 14th-century pottery. There are also regularly-changing exhibits in addition to these permanent collections.

US Air Force Armament Museum 100 Museum Drive Eglin Air Force Base Fort Walton Beach, FL 32542

850-882-4062

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged Military buffs will love this indoor-outdoor museum located on the world's largest air force base. Displays of aircraft and weaponry chart the American military presence from WWII to the Gulf War. The museum's showpiece is the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, but a variety of other fighter and bomber planes are on exhibit also. Inside, there is a video on the history of Eglin Air Force Base, a gun vault that features aircraft weaponry, and a gift shop that sells military-related items.

Newman Brackin Wayside Park/Okaloosa Island Pier

Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-244-1023

Located on Santa Rosa Island across the bay from Fort Walton Beach, this is a 40-acre park with a fishing pier. The pier area is frequented for surfing and fishing, as well as people-watching and light dining.

Beasley Park

1550 Miracle Strip Parkway (Hwy 98)

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Admission Free

Situated on the largest stretch of public beach on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island, 22-acre Beasley Wayside Park includes picnic pavilions and a 400-seat restaurant, a beach club, children's playground, beach volleyball and plenty of fun for everyone.

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-244-5169 Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged The main attractions of Gulfarium are the 4 live marine shows that can be seen any day of the week, rain or shine.  These shows include bottlenose dolphins, a scuba diver performance, a humorous sea lion show and lastly; dolphins and a sea lion performing side-by-side. There are exhibits featuring loggerhead turtles, salt water aquariums, a sanctuary for injured birds, alligators, river otters, seals and sea lions, sharks, a sting ray pool, a touch pool, tropical penguins from South America, and tropical birds.

Island Golf Center, Fenway Park Batting Cages, Lost Lagoon Golf 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy. Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32548 850-224-1612

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged

Enjoy some fun outdoor activity with miniature golf, batting cages and more. 

Nearby attractions

Old Destin Post Office Museum Stahlman Ave Destin, FL 32540

850-837-8572 Hours: Vary, call for additional information

Admission Charged This little white building houses memorabilia detailing the 19th-century settlement of Destin. It includes photographs of past days and is a tribute to the early beach communities of the region. Although its open hours are minimal, the museum is an interesting glimpse into the beginnings of a community that has transformed itself into one of the top resort areas in the Southeast.

Heritage Museum 115 Westview Ave Valparaiso, FL 32580

850-678-2615

Hours: Vary, call for additional information

Admission Charged Charting the settlement of Okaloosa and Walton counties from their earliest inhabitants, this museum marks the presence of American Indians as well as the area's European pioneers. It features artifacts and memorabilia from all time periods, including items related to the lumber and railroad industries as well as fishing and agriculture. Along with these exhibits, there's a research library of historic maps and papers and a gift shop of local crafts. The museum also offers classes in basketry, tatting and quilting.