When travel plans bring you to scenic Fort Walton Beach, you can easily pair your passion for sun, sand, and surf with a love for learning by adding these top 5 museums in Fort Walton Beach. Whether you’re one for history, military marvels, education, fishing, or prehistoric wonders, there’s a museum here that’s sure to thrill and inspire. Make sure to add these Fort Walton Beach museums to your list and you’ll find plenty of reasons to return time and again in the name of even more insightful experiences!
Top 5 Museums in Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach is an area that’s rich in history to discover and a great place to start your journey the next time you’re in town is the Indian Temple and Mound Museum. Located at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, this museum is a place where over 12,000 years of Native American legacy is on display as a way to educate and inform visitors about those who inhabited the lands long before European settlers ever arrived. The mound on-site speaks to the Native tribal practice of building these structures for sacred and burial purposes. Within the museum, guests will have access to exhibits and displays that showcase prehistoric ceramics, artifacts dating back to 1100 AD, and items from the Spanish exploratory period in the 1500s.
The Garnier Post Office Museum
If you find yourself spending time in Downtown Fort Walton Beach, you’ll be in the right place to explore The Garnier Post Office Museum. This intriguing stop is located within the Fort Walton Beach Heritage and Cultural Center at 127 Miracle Strip Parkway SE. The Garnier Post Office Museum tells the story of mail communication and innovation dating back to 1906. This was when the area’s post office was located in a local mercantile store before a formal post office was finally built in 1918 as the town began to grow and thrive. When you visit The Garnier Post Office Museum, you’ll have a chance to observe a variety of items from the early postal era in America, giving you an authentic glimpse into the past.
Explore The Air Force Armament Museum
Military history enthusiasts heading to Fort Walton Beach won’t want to leave without spending some quality time exploring the local Air Force Armament Museum. Located at 100 Museum Drive, this stop is a testament to all things military aviation and progress. There are displays and exhibits that showcase bombs, missiles and firearms that were used during periods of war. Within the museum, guests can explore four vintage aircraft while the outside of the museum hosts 29 aircraft on display including the always iconic SR-71. Start your journey through the museum with the informational video that lasts around 32 minutes. After you explore the informational displays featuring the Vietnam, Gulf Wars, and World War II as well, you’ll find the gift shop here has a collection of meaningful souvenirs to pick up to commemorate your visit.
Destin History and Fishing Museum
Fort Walton Beach and neighboring Destin are destinations that have both been built up on a cultural foundation of fishing over time. A top place in the area to learn more is the Destin History and Fishing Museum. Found at 108 Stahlman Avenue, this comprehensive museum provides great oversight as to how fishing has long defined local culture and expanded the local economy. The history covered here focuses on a timeline that runs from the 1830s up to the present day with fish on display as well as a captivating collection of reels, rods, and antique fishing accessories to check out. There’s even an original Penn Reel on display that belonged to Ernest Hemingway.
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum
The history of education can be explored in Fort Walton Beach when you make time to make your way through the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum. Located at 127 Miracle Strip Parkway SE within the Fort Walton Heritage and Cultural Center, this museum showcases a pine and oak schoolhouse that was once used to educate students back in 1912. It hosted students between grades 1 and 8 up until 1927 when an addition allowed the building to be the educational homebase for those in grades 9 through 12 as well. The school didn’t close until 1936. It was transformed into its modern museum form where you can spend time exploring and imagining what it would have been like to learn here in the early 20th century.
Book Your Stay in Fort Walton Beach Today
When you’re excited to turn your Fort Walton Beach getaway plans into a reality, make sure you have amazing accommodations to enjoy while you’re here by booking at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting and inviting vacation rental options available and to learn more about how we can help you elevate your stay in Florida in comfort and style. We look forward to seeing you here soon!
