Travel Guide: Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
Destin’s Western Neighbor
Everyone I know can place Destin on a map, but they’ve never heard of Ft. Walton Beach. The city lies just west of Destin across the Destin Bridge on US-98. While it doesn’t have as many beach resorts and rentals, Ft. Walton Beach has a row of oceanfront hotels and condos lining Santa Rosa Boulevard’s south-facing side. The end of the road dead-ends into government property, and the beaches are less crowded and remarkably quieter than Destin’s.
Staying in Ft. Walton Beach has its perks. Most of Florida’s Emerald Coast cities are accessible from US-98 and intersecting roads and highways. There are no tolls and it makes it easier to make daytrips to other popular locations such as Seaside, Destin, and Pensacola. While many of the popular tourist sites are in other cities, there are still plenty of fun and interesting places to visit in and around Ft. Walton Beach.
The Air Force Armament Museum (Eglin A.F.B.)
100 Museum Drive
Eglin Air Force Base, Florida 32542
(Indoor part of museum closed at time of writing. Check site for updates. Outdoor area open daily from dawn until dusk.)
When was the last time you saw a parking lot full of historic airplanes? If you’re interested in aircraft, the Air Force, or just enjoy unique museums; then check out the Air Force Armament Museum. Located at the edge of Eglin Air Force Base, the museum boasts a large collection of historic artifacts from various periods in U.S. Air Force history. The inside of the museum was closed when I visited, but the exterior was open to the public from dawn until dusk. They even had a gelato truck and portable restrooms available on-site.
I’ve been inside the museum in the past. There are various exhibits representing different periods of conflict, a gun vault, aircraft, and modern weapons. The museum usually isn’t crowded, and it allows guests to interact with some of the exhibits - just pay attention to the signage. The museum is currently expanding to allow for new exhibits, thus the current closure of the interior.
The outdoor part of the museum has plenty of aircraft on display. There are also picnic tables and benches in case you want to pack a lunch or take a short break. We stopped here on the way to the beach, and it was a great opportunity to get a good walk in before we drove the rest of the way. Admittance is free and you can make a donation if you’d like. There is a gift shop and ample on-site parking as well.
Bon Appetit French Bakery & Café (Ft. Walton Beach)
Bon Appetit French Bakery and Cafe
420 Mary Esther Cut Off NW
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 3PM Saturday: 7:30AM - Noon
I love bakeries and cafes. No matter where I travel, I will always make time to visit a café (or at least make time to drink tea/coffee and eat something sweet). My mother and I went here a few years ago and we had a lot of fun. It might not be a “beach activity,” but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy something unique. According to one of their employees, the bakery has been around for about 30 years. They offer a wide selection of French pastries (both sweet and savory), a lunch menu, and a few deli and grocery items. There’s seating inside, but you can also get everything to-go.
I brought our pastries back to the condo to enjoy a late-morning tea time while listening to the waves and the ocean breeze. We bought a napoleon, a slice of Black Forest cake, two lemon macarons, and two raspberry macarons. I highly suggest visiting. Show small businesses some love!
The pastries I bought at the bakery alongside two mugs of tea - a lovely late-morning tea time.
The Beaches of Ft. Walton Beach
If you’re staying on Okaloosa Island, then chances are you’re able to get to the beach from your condo or hotel. If you’re not staying on the island, there are still plenty of ways to access the beach. Okaloosa Island has numbered beach accesses along Santa Rosa Boulevard, but there are other access points along US-98. Check here for more information on public beach accesses in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin.
Visiting off-season means you won’t be able to see the areas trademark “Emerald Coast” because of the changing seasons. However, the beaches are less crowded and the weather stays warm in September. If you travel during peak season, you can expect to see emerald waters (hence the name Emerald Coast) and white sand beaches. Be mindful of the current beach flags and conditions, which you can check here.
Goofy Golf (Ft. Walton Beach)
Goofy Golf
401 Eglin Parkway NE
Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547
Monday-Friday: 3PM-8PM Saturday & Sunday: 10AM-8PM
Admission (per 18-hole game): Adults $3, Children under 12 $1.50
Goofy Golf. I remember when my family took me to play Goofy Golf for the first time when I was very young, and I thought that it was one of the most exciting things during my beach trip. Now that I’m older, the same excitement has worn off - but that isn’t to say it isn’t fun. We took the opportunity to go play mini-golf at Goofy Golf this trip and we ended up having a lot of fun. The course is over 50 years old and has some noticeable wear and tear, but I feel that it adds to it’s charm.
You might be thinking that this is a kids-only activity, but I noticed that the majority of people who visited while we were there were adults. They have different club sizes for players of various heights and two 18-hole courses to choose from. There’s a group size limit of five people, and admission for one round (18 holes) is $3 for adults and $1.50 for children under 12. If you want to learn more, check out this website that talks more about the history of Goofy Golf.
Once you’re done playing, take 1st Avenue to the stop sign, turn right, go to the next stop sign at Middle Drive and turn right. Then, use the traffic light to safely get back on Eglin Parkway.
Okaloosa Island Pier (Ft. Walton Beach)
The Island Pier (Okaloosa Island Pier)
1030 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Daily: 5AM-11PM
Admission: Walking Pass (no fishing) $2, Adult Fishing Pass $8, Child Fishing Pass (6y-12y) $5, Children 5 and under (Free)
On the last full day of our trip, we managed to make a trip to the local fishing pier. Despite being a fishing pier, there are plenty of amazing views of the coastline for those not interested in fishing. There is ample parking, a public beach, and nearby restaurants, so don’t be afraid to spend the day there. Please note that even if you aren’t fishing, you will need to pay for admission to the pier.
For people who are fishing, your admission to the pier includes a license to fish legally (only while on the pier). There are benches on the pier in case you need to take a break or want to soak in the views. You might even see dolphins or the latest local catch.
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Area
Gulf Islands National Seashore, Okaloosa Area
1 Gulf National Sea Shore Drive
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
Year-Round: 8AM-Sunset
Admission (valid up to 7 days): $15 per person, $25 per private vehicle (15 or fewer passengers, non-commercial)
Visiting national and state parks are a great way to immerse yourself in nature and local history. Even though I’ve visited this area many times, I never realized that I was within five minutes of a national park. I decided to spend some time here to immerse myself in the largely-untouched natural areas nestled in between tourist sites. The park faces the western edge of the Choctawhatchee Bay, which sits just north of the Gulf of Mexico with Okaloosa Island as a natural land barrier. The two bodies of water meet where the Destin Bridge connects Ft. Walton Beach and Destin.
You can often see people kiteboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing on the bay. There were plenty of sea birds along the beach and natural greenery coming up through the dunes. I suggest that you bring a chair, book, and camera to relax for a few hours. Since this park is apart of the U.S. National Park Service, be sure to follow all posted rules and regulations during your visit and don’t leave anything behind.
Get out there and Have FUN!
It means a lot to be able to share this important part of my life with you, and I hope you’re able to enjoy it like I have for so many years. There are plenty of other things to do, so be sure to do your research and pick things that suit your interests. The goal of this trip was to relax and enjoy the scenery, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to soak in the natural scenery.
Have you ever been to Ft. Walton Beach? Let me know how your trip was and where your favorite places to visit are down below.
