Things to Do in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Fort Walton Beach Things to Do

The Fort Walton “emerald coast” is world famous for its white sand beaches and emerald green water. See what other things there are to do and explore.

The Beaches

The city of Fort Walton Beach has several public beach accesses. The four major beach fronts are Beasley Park, James Lee Park, Marler Memorial Park, and Wayside Park; all along 24 miles of gleaming, powder-soft beaches. All the beaches are under lifeguard supervision. Look for the colored flags to tell you about current beach conditions and safety issues.

There are restrooms and snack bars on the boardwalks, but you are welcome to bring your own picnic basket too. Take your trash with you or place in a bin, there are police patrols out and about passing out fines for littering.

If you want to do more than swim or sunbathe, you can try parasailing, boating, or fishing. This area has some of the best offshore fishing spots in Northern Florida. Fish off a pier, from the beach, or charter a boat (check licensing rules for fishing, where you fish dictates what you’ll need).

The beach is the perfect place to catch both the sunrise and sunset, either over the bay or the Gulf of Mexico.

Downtown Area

Downtown Fort Walton Beach area is buzzing with eateries, small hotels, pool halls, fitness centers, and other shops and stops. There are also antique stores and a few historic points of interest. The downtown area won’t keep you busy for your whole vacation, but you could probably spend most of a day here.

Be sure to stop by the Indian Temple Mound Museum. The museum is located opposite an actual prehistoric temple mound (800 A.D.). This mound is the largest prehistoric earthwork on salt water. Inside the museum, you’ll learn about history dating back more than 10,000 years and see more than 6,000 artifacts of stone, bone, clay, and shell, as well as the largest collection of Fort Walton Period ceramics in the southeastern United States. While at the museum, pick up a map for Heritage Park and vist the highlighted places.

Other places of interest in the area are the Air Force Armament Museum, Emerald Coast Science Center, and the Painting Vine – Wine & Painting Studio. The Oklaoosa Island Boardwalk has many restaurants, shops, and entertainment (you can fish here too). Tired of staying in or can’t afford the pricey hotels? Cabin rentals at Grayton Beach State Park are an economical and nice alternative.

Editor’s Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Fort Walton Beach.