Fort Walton Beach Family Vacation Activities

Fort Walton Beach has drawn countless families to the area over the decades for its family friendly attractions and activities. We’ve put together a brief guide below to just a few of the many delightful family friendly activities that you and your family can enjoy together in Fort Walton Beach.

Play a Round of Goofy Golf

Goofy Golf is THE classic pastime in Fort Walton Beach; this attraction has been around since 1958! Goofy Golf has 2 outdoor 17-hole mini-golf courses that share an 18th hole. It’s an inexpensive and fun place to visit for a daytime outing! A Fort Walton Beach family vacation will be one to remember!

Visit the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

A place like Fort Walton Beach attracts visitors not only for its pristine beauty, but for its fascinating ocean habitat. At Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, you and your family can experience the wonder and majesty of marine animals firsthand, with up-close encounters with animals ranging from loggerhead turtles and stingrays to sharks and penguins.

Enjoy Edutainment at Emerald Coast Science Center

Though the Emerald Coast Science Center is more geared toward children than adults, it’s a fantastic place to take your kids if you want to encourage them to broaden their horizons while you’re on vacation. Here, they can explore hands-on exhibits that cover physics, light, color, robotics, animals, and more. Fort Walton Beach family vacation has your name on it!

Spend a Day on the Beach

It wouldn’t be a trip to Fort Walton Beach without spending time laying on the sugar-white sand and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Whether you sunbathe, swim, paddleboard, kayak, or jet ski, the beaches of Fort Walton Beach have plenty of activities and recreation to offer.

Even More to Enjoy in Fort Walton Beach with the Entire Family

The beauty of taking a trip to Fort Walton Beach with the entire family in tow is the opportunity to indulge in a variety of activities and events that speak to everyone’s interests along the way. Both Fort Walton Beach and nearby Destin offer up a plethora of options when it comes to vacation fun. When you’ve checked the science center, aquarium park, and mini-golf off your must-do list, there’s no reason to worry because there’s plenty more waiting!

Wander Along the Okaloosa Island Pier

As picturesque as it is inviting, the Okaloosa Island Pier is a place the entire family will be excited to check out while you’re in town. Located at 1030 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, the Okaloosa Island Pier is the perfect place to find yourself in the early morning hours if you’re part of a family that finds fishing to be the ideal way to spend a vacation. This popular place to drop a line is particularly tranquil in the morning, long before afternoon crowds come and filter in to make the most of a stroll along the pier and options to enjoy the amazing view! Of course, if you’re up for some crowded fun, head this way later in the day and enjoy people-watching, gazing at the waves, and maybe catching the view of a dolphin or two in the distance.

Visit the Destin Harbor Boardwalk

It doesn’t take long to get to Destin from Fort Walton Beach and if you’re excited to spend some family time shopping and dining, a visit to the Destin Harbor Boardwalk promises to be a highlight of your stay. This vibrant and high-energy area is a great place to take a stroll and watch the boats sail by or enjoy hopping in and out of the many restaurants and shops that line the area. It’s not uncommon to stumble upon a live musical performance or two in this part of town and if you’re up for an on-the-water adventure, several tour companies set up shop on the Harbor Boardwalk and bookings are made that much easier.

Take a Dolphin Spotting Cruise and Pair Education with Intrigue

When you’re up for getting close to some of the area’s most incredible marine creatures, be sure to book a dolphin-spotting cruise that will seamlessly pair education with unforgettable memories. Many local companies offer tours where guests can not only get an amazing view of jumping dolphins but can learn about the complex ecosystems that allow them to thrive as well.

Have Fun with Dinosaurs at Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone

An all-ages amusement park themed around dinosaurs, Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone has indoor and outdoor fun for everyone. Inside, there’s a 4D movie theater where the seats move, an enormous 17,000 square-foot arcade, and a maze made from laser obstacles. Outside, visitors can enjoy a rope-climbing course, remote control boats, a roller coaster, and 2 mini-golf courses catered to young children and older children.