Fort Walton Beach Holidays

Tailor Made Florida Holidays

White beaches, emerald seas and golf courses aplenty

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Welcome to Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach is a small city situated in the Florida Panhandle that’s famed for its white beaches, emerald seas and golf courses aplenty. It also boasts a fantastic range of wildlife spotting opportunities as well as family-friendly attractions such as parks, museums and aquariums in the bustling downtown area. And when the sun goes down there is a host of new attractions, with an eclectic group of restaurants and lots of other nightlife that make this charming city a firm holiday favourite.

Location

Weather in Fort Walton

Average temperature (°C) and average rainfall (days)

Jan

10 10

Feb

12 9

Mar

15 8

Apr

18 6

May

22 7

June

26 11

July

27 14

Aug

27 14

Sept

25 2

Oct

20 7

Nov

15 3

Dec

12 5

Hotels in Fort Walton

Watercolor Inn & Resort

Hotel Rating: Quaint

Relax in the perfect idyllic oasis that is the WaterColor Inn & Resort. Guests can enjoy being surrounded by pristine beaches and natural woodland while exploring everything the area has to offer on land and at sea.

View all Pandhandle hotels

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Things to do on Fort Walton Beach holidays

History of Fort Walton

Air Force Armament Museum

The only museum of its kind in the whole US, the Air Force Armament Museum boasts over 1,500 artefacts which showcase the air force’s history from World War I to the present day. There’s also a fighter cockpit simulator for intrepid visitors looking to experience the action. Outside of the museum, 25 retired reconnaissance, bomber and fighter planes stand guard.

Baker Block Museum

This living history museum in Baker was once a general store but is now awash with antiques, period displays, and tools. It also has a post office, mill, log cabin and blacksmith shop from days gone by. Admission is free.

Carver-Hill Museum

Florida has a rich and diverse history with African American landmarks and legacies dotted all around the state. This museum honours the Carver-Hill school, built in 1954, and chronicles the history of the African-American community in the area. It’s also a key site for many community events in the city.

Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center

This group of museums and attractions consists of the Fort Walton Temple Mound, the Indian Temple Mound Museum, the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, the Garnier Post Office Museum and the newly opened Civil War Exhibit War. That means there’s plenty to keep even the most insatiable history buff entertained.

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

This fascinating museum houses a range of exhibits depicting the Native American history of the Okaloosa and Walton Counties area. Some of the exhibits, such as the projectile points and stone tools, date back 12,000 years and there’s pottery that’s more than 4,000 years old.

Fort Walton Culture

Downtown Fort Walton Beach Arts & Entertainment District

Located just three minutes from Okaloosa Island, just across the Brooks Bridge, is an eclectic mix of restaurants, a bakery and a paint your own pottery gallery, where you can create some artwork of your own. There is also a range of stores, sports bars and souvenir shops so you can bag a bargain.

Emerald Coast Concert Series

Founded in 1960 as an annual series of public concerts that attracted some of the best dance and musical acts from across the US, this group now consists of volunteers who put on performing arts shows for residents and visitors to the Emerald Coast.

Emerald Coast Science Center

A trip to this unique and inspiring museum is an excellent way to while away a few hours with the kids. With more than 200 touchable and workable exhibits, as well as an air cannon, a discovery room, animal presentations and more, this is just the spot if the sun fails to shine.

The Emerald Cork

You can paint the town red or whatever colour you like at the Emerald Cork painting party studio. Enjoy a unique and really fun night out by joining a local artist as they recreate the evening’s featured masterpiece, whatever that might be. You even can take a few of your favourite beverages along to enjoy a painting experience like no other.

Fort Walton beaches, parks & river cruises

Blackwater River Paddling Trail

This designated paddling trail winds through the unspoiled Blackwater River State Forest. With coffee coloured waters, white sandbars and a thick canopy of trees over the river, this scenic spot is the perfect place for camping, picnicking and relaxing with family and friends.

Blackwater River State Park

This is a popular destination for kayakers, canoeists and fishing enthusiasts and offers an excellent range of opportunities for outdoor activities of every kind. With soft sand underfoot, the river is perfect for swimming and paddling, while the shaded campsites just a short walk from the river banks are an excellent place to stay the night. There are also more than 600 acres of undisturbed forest to enjoy, with trails for hikers of every fitness level.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

This 357-acre state park is a popular choice for walkers, campers and fishermen and is noted for its diverse animal life and mature sand pine forest. Visitors can fish along the saltwater shoreline in Rocky Bayou Aquatic Preserve or within the freshwater Puddin Head Lake.

Shoal River Paddling Trail

The gold-tinted Shoal River is every nature lover’s dream. You’ll be able to paddle easily upstream as the river winds its way through the sandy hills and broad sandbars. All this is surrounded by a forest of maple, birch, oak and cypress trees.

Yellow River Trail

Due to its high elevation, the upper Yellow River can flow quickly with high sand banks and hardwood forests framing the waterway. As you progress further downstream, the river deepens and slows as it passes through cypress and gum swamps, making this a great place to experience the ecological diversity of the area.

Timpoochee Trail

Named after Timpoochee Kinnard, the most influential Indian Chief of the Euchee Indians, this paved trail runs parallel to the beautiful beaches and emerald seas of the Gulf, offering stunning views and taking in seven nearby beach communities. As you stroll, you’ll be able to enjoy the sight of migrating birds, trees and the beautiful wildflowers.

Health, wellness & spa tourism in Fort Walton

Brava Day Spa

Located in the Historic Downtown area of Fort Walton Beach, this is the premier spa in the area offering an excellent range of treatments.

Dragonfly Yoga Studio

If you like nothing more than a little peace and tranquility during your time away then the Dragonfly Yoga Studio and its wonderful staff is the perfect place to find it.

Samana Healing Clinic

With yoga and massage therapists specialising in reiki, LED light therapy, sports massage and energy work, this is a fantastic opportunity to heal all kinds of ailments, whether it’s muscle pulls, back pain or old injuries that haven’t healed.

Stress Busters Massage Therapy

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle and want some quality ‘you’ time, these relaxing surroundings, without the usual trappings of a health spa, are a great way to get back to basics. The Stress Busters commonly work with those struggling with stress or suffering from pain.

Wendy Ballasch Sports & Therapeutic Massage

If you’re looking for a real sports massage delivered by an expert who has worked with Olympians, triathletes and professional wrestlers then Wendy is the person to see. Her treatments include MPS therapy, Kinesio Taping and orthopaedic massage.

Sport Activities in Fort Walton

Emerald Coast Golf Courses

With ten championship golf courses to choose from, scratch players and hapless amateurs alike have a fantastic range of options that make the most of the surrounding woods and wetlands.

Kelly Plantation Golf Course

The 4 and a half star Kelly Plantation Golf Course is a tremendous example of what golf courses on the Emerald Coast have to offer. The Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club is another firm favourite in the area and is rated as one of the top courses in Florida, while the Walton Beach Golf Club, with its tree-lined fairways, features an array of water hazards to challenge even the finest swing. All of the golf courses on the Emerald Coast have pro shops and restaurant facilities onsite.