When you’re looking to re-center, unwind, and relax someplace beautiful and inviting, heading to Fort Walton Beach, Florida is a choice that’s always bound to be inspiring. Here, visitors have easy access to sand, surf, and sunshine in abundance, no matter when they arrive, how long they stay, or how many others are a part of their traveling and adventuring crew. At The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach, we’re passionate about the places and people we serve. We know what a difference the right destination and accommodations can make when you’re planning a fun and meaningful beach getaway to Fort Walton Beach. When you only have 24 hours to spare, we highly recommend planning a day trip to Fort Walton Beach this year, and making the most of the moment by booking one of our stunning rentals too.
Make It a Day Trip with a Focus on Scenic Charm
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is always a fantastic place to find yourself when you’re excited to enjoy some much-needed downtime. It’s also an alluring locale for those who are planning a day trip in this direction! Sitting on Florida’s famed Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is a day trip getaway spot that’s sun-drenched in every season and offers its visitors unsurpassed access to thrilling shorelines too. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a day of entertainment, fun, and amazing views, whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in the company of family and friends.
Get an Early Start to Maximize Your Time
No matter when you find yourself with extra time to spare on a getaway to Florida for a day trip to Fort Walton Beach, you’re going to want to be sure to get things started early so you can maximize your time in this incredible place. It’s always an amazing experience to roll into town around sunrise and settle into a tranquil place on the sand to see the light make its way over the water. There’s something special about enjoying this view long before midday crowds roll in to make the most of beach fun, but there’s a good chance you’ll be accompanied by a shore bird or two.
Fuel Up Well for the Day of Fun Ahead
Before you really dive into your day trip itinerary in Fort Walton Beach, you’re going to want to be sure you take time to fuel up for the adventures and sights ahead. A great place to do exactly that is the Beachview Breakfast & Grill located at 928 Whelk Court. They open promptly at 8:00 am and stay open until 9:00 pm daily so even if you decide to indulge elsewhere at the beginning of the day, this is a place to keep in your notes for a meal later on. If you do choose to eat breakfast here, you’re in for a treat.
Beachview Breakfast & Grill offers patrons a laid back dining room to enjoy with opportunities to pair every plate with inspiring vistas as well. The breakfast menu here is crafted to impress with options including everything from French toast and omelets to customized skillets, shrimp & girts, brisket benedict, croissant sandwiches, biscuits & gravy as well as country-friend steaks. Your selection can be paired with a hot cup of coffee, fresh-pressed juice, or tea depending on preference. If you’re day tripping this way with little ones in tow, you’ll love that Beachview Breakfast & Grill also has a full kid’s menu on hand to enjoy. Keep in mind that here, it’s never too early for sweets so don’t hesitate to order something off the dessert menu too when you’re in the mood for a churro, a slice of carrot cake, or some key lime pie to start your day right.
Linger on the Sand in Good Company
After breakfast, you’re going to want to give yourself the inviting opportunity to relax on the sand for a while. Here, the beach is never far, and whether you’re looking forward to some time sunbathing, swimming, shelling, or building sandcastles with the kids, the shorelines of Fort Walton Beach prove accessible and welcoming year round.
Once you’ve had time to get comfortable with your surroundings, consider renting a paddleboard or kayak and taking to the gentle waves at your own preferred pace. Of course, if you’re someone who enjoys picking up the pace of your on-the-water fun, Fort Walton Beach has plenty of beachside options for renting jet skis for an hour as well. If you’ve packed snorkeling gear for your day trip here, that’s a great morning exploration option as well.
Take a Stroll Downtown
Next, you’ll want to dry off and head downtown for an hour of strolling through this charming area alongside family and friends. If you’re someone who always enjoys infusing retail therapy into your beach getaway to Fort Walton Beach, your day trip stop here is a chance to check out a variety of unique boutiques and storefronts. This is also a great place to browse local art galleries, and maybe find just the right piece to add to your own collection back home. If you’re needing to refuel, you’ll find downtown Fort Walton Beach hosts a number of coffee shops where you can pick up a cappuccino, latte, or espresso.
Connect with Local History
Once you’ve had a chance to fill your shopping bag with apparel, home décor items, or whimsical souvenirs, it’s time to connect with local history. You can do this during your day trip to Fort Walton Beach by heading over to the Indian Temple Mound Museum in town. This is an incredible place to learn more about the region’s rich indigenous roots, while viewing artifacts and exhibits that tell a story that spans thousands of years.
This local stop is truly fascinating and insightful and can be found at 139 Miracle Strip Parkway SE within the greater Heritage Park & Cultural Center. In the event the museum is closed for any reason on the day you visit, its location means you’ll have options to replace this stop with time exploring the Garnier Post Office Museum or the Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, which are also on-site.
Plan to Enjoy a Delicious Lunch
By this time, there’s a good chance cravings will be calling once again. That means it’s time to treat yourself to a delicious lunch at AJ’s Oyster Shanty. This vibrant stop is located at 108 Santa Rosa Boulevard on nearby Okaloosa Island, and is a popular place to indulge in delicious seafood while enjoying live music and outdoor seating options too. The Gulf Coast oysters are always a fan-favorite item on the menu here with good reason, but if you’re in the mood for shrimp & grits, crab claws or redfish, those are readily available options to enjoy as well.
From the peel & eat shrimp options to the tailgate nachos available seasonally and the firecracker shrimp offered year-round, this is a place that demands you bring your appetite along with you for the experience. AJ’s Oyster Shanty is typically open from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm daily, and the service is often praised by guests for its high levels of friendliness, making your time here even more memorable and meaningful.
Check Out the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Because you made it a point to get your day trip underway as early as possible, there should be plenty of time to head over to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park next and explore in good company. You’ll find the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park located at 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE in Fort Walton Beach, not far from rental options at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach.
A visit this way is great when you’re traveling with kids for the day and looking to enjoy the sea lion encounters on-site, up-close experiences with stingrays, and dolphin shows too. There are opportunities for guests to purchase special behind-the-scenes tours if they’d like, which provide insight into how the park is run, more on marine conservation efforts, and a close look at some truly incredible marine creatures at your own preferred pace.
Enjoy a Sweet Treat and Friendly Competition
For the day tripping group that is looking to infuse some friendly competition into their Fort Walton Beach adventures, and perhaps a sweet moment too, time at the Okaloosa National Mini Golf & Ice Cream is a must. Located at 225 Santa Rosa Bouelvard, this dual fun destination in town hosts two mini golf courses to enjoy that each feature 18-holes. Once you’ve put your short game skills to work, you can treat yourself to an ice cream cone, thanks to the on-site shop that showcases no less than 23 rotating flavors daily.
Slow Things Down on the Okaloosa Pier
After so much fun and excitement all day long, a relaxing stroll on the Okaloosa Pier could be the perfect follow-up experience. This pier is a popular place for visitors to enjoy taking photos to commemorate their visit, watching the water for dolphins in the distance, or just enjoying people-watching stress-free, exactly the way a day trip in Florida is supposed to be.
Savor Dinner at Old Bay Steamer
Dinner is served daily at the Old Bay Steamer in Fort Walton Beach from 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm, and it’s definitely worth your while to be a part of the experience here. You’ll find Old Bay Steamer at 102 Santa Rosa Boulevard, and the casual ambiance is just right for an end-of-day bite. Start things off with a handcrafted cocktail on the patio before moving on to main dish selections like steamers for one, crab cakes, catch of the day, BBQ ribs, mussels, filet, or a full seafood medley upon request.
Wind Down in Your Inviting Rental Booked Through The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach
Make sure your day trip this way ends in comfort, luxury, and style by booking accommodations at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach while you’re in town. Here, guests are invited to pick and choose from 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom stays that are spacious, bright, and always showcase stunning shoreline and waterfront views. Our property options are outfitted with fantastic furnishings for guests to enjoy as well as private balconies so you can savor the surrounding vistas with ease. Imagine how refreshing it might be to end your day with a glass of wine in hand, sitting under the stars from the comfort of your private deck or patio.
Our rentals feature cozy living spaces, inviting bedrooms, and peaceful surroundings to help you unwind with ease. When you’re looking for more from your day trip, booking accommodations here puts you within easy reach of our community amenities too. Guests at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach are invited to enjoy time in the heated outdoor pool and hot tub, or take time to unwind on the tennis and pickleball courts. Our rentals in the Fort Walton Beach, FL area have private beach access included, as well as a fitness center, sauna, community grills, and shuffleboard courts as well. No matter what your interests might be or what your idea of the perfect getaway entails, booking your stay at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach gives you the option to enjoy it all and more.
Book Your Beach Getaway to Fort Walton Beach Today
There’s never been a better time than now to turn your Fort Walton Beach day trip plans into reality, and no reason to wait when you’re ready to experience the best this vacation destination has to offer for yourself. Whether you only have 24 hours to spare, or you’re lucky enough to be heading this way for an extended visit, booking your accommodations through The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach keeps you close to the fun and living in style every step of the way. While our team takes care of the details, you and your traveling crew will be free to focus exclusively on the getaway fun ahead.
Make time to reach out to our team of hospitality experts today to learn more about our exciting and inviting rental options available in Fort Walton Beach, and how we can help you further customize your getaway to match your unique travel style. We can’t wait to help you plan a one-of-a-kind trip you won’t soon forget, and look forward to welcoming you to sunny Florida soon.