What to do in Fort Walton Beach
July 22, 2011 8:09 AM Subscribe
My bf and I just found out that his family vacation in Fort Walton Beach has been canceled, but we have plane tickets that we'd rather not have to pay to change. We will be there Aug. 4-10, and are looking for suggestions for things to keep us busy. The beach is the obvious one, but do you know of any other cool activities nearby? Disney World is a six-hour drive, so we're considering renting a car and heading over there for a few days, but we'd love other ideas.
If we do decide to go to Disney World, do you have any affordable hotel suggestions or Disney-specific tips? We'd also like to find an affordable place to stay on the beach for a few nights, and are looking into Home Away condos or something like that, so if you know of any cool places to stay on short notice, send those ideas along as well. Thanks in advance!
If we do decide to go to Disney World, do you have any affordable hotel suggestions or Disney-specific tips? We'd also like to find an affordable place to stay on the beach for a few nights, and are looking into Home Away condos or something like that, so if you know of any cool places to stay on short notice, send those ideas along as well. Thanks in advance!
Whoops, never mind. I mixed up Florida places I've been.
posted by rtimmel at 8:16 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by rtimmel at 8:16 AM on July 22, 2011
Shoot, if you're up for driving to Disney, you could drive all the way to New Orleans in less time (a little over 4 hours, along I-10). Don't just limit yourself to Florida.
posted by Madamina at 8:23 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by Madamina at 8:23 AM on July 22, 2011
Response by poster: His family is from the New Orleans area, so we spend a lot of time there already, but thanks for the suggestion!
posted by odayoday at 8:26 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by odayoday at 8:26 AM on July 22, 2011
Busch Gardens is in Tampa (on the way to Orlando if you're taking I-75 south and I-4 east.) If you buy tickets online, use promo code pepsi2011 to get $10 off each ticket.
I return to FL nearly every summer to see the folks and still visit BG each trip. (I hear the new owners removed the free beer at the Beer Haus.)
posted by MansRiot at 8:35 AM on July 22, 2011
I return to FL nearly every summer to see the folks and still visit BG each trip. (I hear the new owners removed the free beer at the Beer Haus.)
posted by MansRiot at 8:35 AM on July 22, 2011
Go to Seaside. It's gorgeous. The entire town was the setting for the movie Truman Show.
Check out the shores of Pensacola. Catch a Blue Angels show. The entire Santa Rosa area is really pretty. Likewise, see Destin.
posted by jerseygirl at 8:46 AM on July 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
Check out the shores of Pensacola. Catch a Blue Angels show. The entire Santa Rosa area is really pretty. Likewise, see Destin.
posted by jerseygirl at 8:46 AM on July 22, 2011 [2 favorites]
Woah, woah, woah.
All the above are 4-6+ hour drives! Madness!
First off, this is easily the most beautiful beach I've ever been to (I lived in the area for almost 5 years).
The seafood is spectacular, especially the oysters (Apalachicola is about 2 hours West).
There may not be "Disney" type attractions, but there are a plethora of amazing bars, restaurants, aquatic activities, and general fun. Also, Panama City is 90 minutes East if you guys want to go on a college co-ed bender, which is always fun.
Pensacola Beach is the most beautiful stretch of beach I've ever been on. Also, it's mostly inhabited by the rare "Southern Hippie", which is awesome in itself.
posted by lattiboy at 8:50 AM on July 22, 2011 [4 favorites]
All the above are 4-6+ hour drives! Madness!
First off, this is easily the most beautiful beach I've ever been to (I lived in the area for almost 5 years).
The seafood is spectacular, especially the oysters (Apalachicola is about 2 hours West).
There may not be "Disney" type attractions, but there are a plethora of amazing bars, restaurants, aquatic activities, and general fun. Also, Panama City is 90 minutes East if you guys want to go on a college co-ed bender, which is always fun.
Pensacola Beach is the most beautiful stretch of beach I've ever been on. Also, it's mostly inhabited by the rare "Southern Hippie", which is awesome in itself.
posted by lattiboy at 8:50 AM on July 22, 2011 [4 favorites]
OMG, Disney is so far from Fort Whalton Beach. The trip is torturous. I'm old and I hate driving so ignore me if you don't mind long and boring car rides. I would stay where you are and go to Destin and find some cool restaurants/activities on Trip Advisor. Have fun.
posted by Fairchild at 8:52 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by Fairchild at 8:52 AM on July 22, 2011
WHAT NO FREE BEER AT THE BEER HAUS?!?!
I have little to add here and am sorry for derailing. Just shocked to find this out. A piece of my childhood has up and died.
Oh, and St George Island has to be my favourite beach in the Panhandle, a bit east of Fort Walton. Good fishing if you like that sort of thing. Loads of little seafood places on that part of the coast. Camping-friendly if you're into that.
posted by Cuppatea at 8:55 AM on July 22, 2011
I have little to add here and am sorry for derailing. Just shocked to find this out. A piece of my childhood has up and died.
Oh, and St George Island has to be my favourite beach in the Panhandle, a bit east of Fort Walton. Good fishing if you like that sort of thing. Loads of little seafood places on that part of the coast. Camping-friendly if you're into that.
posted by Cuppatea at 8:55 AM on July 22, 2011
We got married on Pensacola Beach last year. I'll try to recall a couple places we visited and enjoyed in the area aside from Seaside and Destin.
posted by jerseygirl at 8:57 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by jerseygirl at 8:57 AM on July 22, 2011
I am very fond of the zoo in Gulf Breeze, 30-40 minutes west of you. Also, if historical curiousities interest you, the old red brick road in Milton, about an hour away, is fascinating.
posted by JanetLand at 9:43 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by JanetLand at 9:43 AM on July 22, 2011
Disney in August is probably the most miserable place on Earth. Under no circumstances should you even consider going there this time of year. Instead, if you're itching to drive several hours east, you should visit some of Florida's many wonderful springs, like maybe Ichetucknee. There are probably many springs even closer to FWB, but I don't really know the Panhandle all that well so will defer to others who may have better suggestions.
In sum, avoid Disney, spend a day hanging out at a spring instead.
posted by saladin at 10:23 AM on July 22, 2011
In sum, avoid Disney, spend a day hanging out at a spring instead.
posted by saladin at 10:23 AM on July 22, 2011
I would look West rather than East in this situation. Except for the beaches, the drive East to any thing worth seeing is not worth the hassle. You are, however, in the prime local for fresh Gulf seafood. By the time you get to Biloxi you can have shrimp for every meal. Of course, exploring old North Florida may be what you are looking for in a vacation. Watch some Victor Nunez movies to get the flavor.
posted by JXBeach at 10:40 AM on July 22, 2011
posted by JXBeach at 10:40 AM on July 22, 2011
The highest natural landscape point in Florida, Britton Hill, is about an hour north of Fort Walton Beach. Don't get too excited, it's only 345 feet above sea level, and is the lowest "natural state high point" in all the 50 states. Buildings all over the state are taller than Britton Hill. Take a picture at the summit, and breathe easy, for the low altitude and abundance of oxygen you'll experience.
If you're going to drive several hours south along the Gulf Coast towards Tampa/St. Petersburg, don't miss Weeki Wachee Springs and the mermaid show, an hour north of Tampa in Spring Hill, FL.
There is some terrific Gulf fishing to be had, from Fort Walton Beach, down to Appalachicola, and if you enjoy that kind of thing, chartering a boat with a local captain can be a hella fun way to spend a day.
If you canoe, there are several river systems in West Florida to explore, but especially the Blackwater River Canoe Trail (link to .pdf file with map of Blackwater State Forest and Park, with Canoe Trail detail).
posted by paulsc at 11:50 AM on July 22, 2011
If you're going to drive several hours south along the Gulf Coast towards Tampa/St. Petersburg, don't miss Weeki Wachee Springs and the mermaid show, an hour north of Tampa in Spring Hill, FL.
There is some terrific Gulf fishing to be had, from Fort Walton Beach, down to Appalachicola, and if you enjoy that kind of thing, chartering a boat with a local captain can be a hella fun way to spend a day.
If you canoe, there are several river systems in West Florida to explore, but especially the Blackwater River Canoe Trail (link to .pdf file with map of Blackwater State Forest and Park, with Canoe Trail detail).
posted by paulsc at 11:50 AM on July 22, 2011
Just back from a week in Seaside. Big Kahuna Water Park is right in Destin, and my nephew and his friend LOVED it. There's plenty of kid-friendly amusement stuff right where you're staying ... no need to drive to Orlando.
posted by cyndigo at 12:50 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by cyndigo at 12:50 PM on July 22, 2011
A good friend who was stationed near FWB always talks very fondly of the seafood so be sure to eat up.
posted by mmascolino at 1:05 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by mmascolino at 1:05 PM on July 22, 2011
Well, where are you from? If this is the nearest you've been to Disneyworld, I would totally do that. It's so fun. I'm from the west coast, and a six hour drive is nothing to us out here.
posted by Knowyournuts at 2:25 PM on July 22, 2011
posted by Knowyournuts at 2:25 PM on July 22, 2011
A few Ft. Walton Beach/Destin suggestions to get you started.
Seafood: Angler's Wharf, Lucky Snapper, Dewey Destin's, High Tide. First three are in Destin, last one is at foot of the Brook's Bridge on Highway 98. First two are a little touristy, last two have more of a local vibe.
Beaches: The US Air Force owns quite a bit of the beach front on the gulf coast. There is a long stretch between Destin and Ft. Walton Beach on Okaloosa Island that is USAF owned, but publicly accessible. Doesn't cost anything and the beaches are pristine.
Walk out on the Okaloosa Island Pier. Right next to it is a restaurant called the Crab Trap.
Go see the dolphin show at the Gulfarium, next to the pier.
Go deep sea fishing. You could go out on a charter boat and fish for mackeral and the like, or go bottom fishing for a half day or a whole day and fish for snapper and grouper. I don't have any specific boat recommendations for you, but there is a large fleet in Destin.
Go snorkeling. Again, Destin is the place to start for this.
If you have any interest in aviation, go over to the Air Force museum at Eglin Air Force Base, on the other side of Fort Walton. They have an SR-71 on the front lawn, worth going just to see that one plane.
Have fun on your vacation!
posted by kovacs at 7:36 PM on July 22, 2011
Seafood: Angler's Wharf, Lucky Snapper, Dewey Destin's, High Tide. First three are in Destin, last one is at foot of the Brook's Bridge on Highway 98. First two are a little touristy, last two have more of a local vibe.
Beaches: The US Air Force owns quite a bit of the beach front on the gulf coast. There is a long stretch between Destin and Ft. Walton Beach on Okaloosa Island that is USAF owned, but publicly accessible. Doesn't cost anything and the beaches are pristine.
Walk out on the Okaloosa Island Pier. Right next to it is a restaurant called the Crab Trap.
Go see the dolphin show at the Gulfarium, next to the pier.
Go deep sea fishing. You could go out on a charter boat and fish for mackeral and the like, or go bottom fishing for a half day or a whole day and fish for snapper and grouper. I don't have any specific boat recommendations for you, but there is a large fleet in Destin.
Go snorkeling. Again, Destin is the place to start for this.
If you have any interest in aviation, go over to the Air Force museum at Eglin Air Force Base, on the other side of Fort Walton. They have an SR-71 on the front lawn, worth going just to see that one plane.
Have fun on your vacation!
posted by kovacs at 7:36 PM on July 22, 2011
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posted by rtimmel at 8:14 AM on July 22, 2011