Attractions for Guests of Fort Walton Beach Vacation Rentals

Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals, situated just a few miles west of Destin on the Florida Panhandle's gorgeous Emerald Coast, make the perfect home base for a relaxing getaway.

Visitors to Fort Walton Beach, Florida delight in the dazzling white sand and emerald green water as they enjoy shelling, sunning, swimming, and water sports at some of America's most beautiful beaches. The surrounding waters also offer some of the best fishing and dolphin watching in the country. Off the water, guests of Fort Walton Beach rentals will find a variety of attractions, including a marine park, museums, fabulous golf courses, and great shopping.

Okaloosa Island vacation rentals are located on a barrier island between Fort Walton Beach and Destin. Vacationers who rent an Okaloosa Island condo rental will be ideally situated to enjoy the numerous attractions of the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area.

Vacationers staying in a Fort Walton Beach vacation rental can learn more about the history of the area at the Indian Temple Mound Museum (139 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE, 850-833-9595). The Temple Mound, a National Historic Landmark, is believed to have been built between 800 and 1400AD. The mound is 17 feet tall and measures 223 feet across at the base. The adjacent museum displays artifacts from prehistoric Indian cultures and also features interpretive displays on the European explorers, the Civil War, and early settlements in the area.

The Indian Temple Mound Museum and exhibits are open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday year-round, and also on Sunday from Noon to 4:30 p.m. in June and July. Admission for the Indian Temple Mound Museum is included in the general admission fee for the City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center. Fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4-17.

One of the most popular Fort Walton Beach attractions is Florida's Gulfarium (800-247-8575). This educational marine park features three different marine shows starring trained Bottleneck dolphins and California sea lions. Visitors can also see the shark, penguin, and otter exhibits and demonstrations between shows. To get up close and personal with the dolphins, sign up for an unforgettable 40-minute dolphin encounter with two Pantropical Spotted dolphins. Park hours vary by season. Admission is $17.50 for adults and $10.50 for children ages 3-10.

Another favorite with visitors who stay in a Fort Walton Beach rental is Big Kahuna's Water Park (1007 U.S. Hwy. 98 East in Destin, 850-837-8319), a beautifully landscaped 25-acre park featuring more than 40 water attractions, including three rushing rivers, water slides, body flumes, white water tubing, lagoons, wave pools, an enormous waterfall, and four children's areas. The Adventure Park at Big Kahuna's offers 54 holes of miniature golf and an arcade, as well as the Grand Prix Raceway, the Cyclone, the Sky Coaster, and the Super Speed Raceway. General admission to the Water Park is $34.99 for adults 48 inches tall and over and $28.99 for kids under 48 inches in height, plus a $4 parking fee. Children under two years of age are admitted free. The rides and games in the Adventure Park are each priced individually. Park hours vary by season.

Families will enjoy the Emerald Coast Science Center (139 Brooks St., on the landing, 850-664-1261), which features hands-on encounters in science and technology for all ages. Other attractions for guests of Fort Walton Beach condos include the Air Force Armament Museum (850-651-1808), located on Highway 85 just outside the main gate to Eglin Air Force Base, and Gator Beach (20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy. in Destin 850-654-4200 ext. 40), a free attraction where visitors can see alligator shows and even hold and feed alligators from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Visitors who rent a Fort Walton Beach condo will find great shopping and dining in downtown Fort Walton Beach FL, which features boutiques, galleries, antiques shops, bookstores, gift shops, and restaurants. Golfers can choose from 60 area courses, set amidst beautiful woods and wetlands, while tennis enthusiasts have access to 104 courts in the area.

Fort Walton Beach vacations are fun for the entire family. For more information about tourism in the Fort Walton Beach area, call the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council at 850-651-7131.