If a vacation is calling your name, but you only have a weekend to spare, heading to Fort Walton Beach, Florida in the name of fun is a must this year. Here, there’s always plenty of sun, serenity, and surf to go around no matter when you arrive or how many others you happen to be traveling alongside. Fort Walton Beach is an undeniably beautiful and inviting place on the map to enjoy, whether you’re one for beach hopping, shopping, dining, exploring, or including as many historical landmarks to the itinerary as possible. When you can’t wait to make the most of the thrills ahead, the following is your ultimate beach weekend in Fort Walton Beach with a stay in a weekend rental booked through The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach included.
Start With an Easy Breezy Journey into Town
Any time you decide to unwind and relax in Fort Walton Beach, you’ll be treating yourself to a Gulf Coast getaway that’s absolutely packed with options for outdoor fun, and just as much in the way of tranquil beach days too. The beauty of a weekend planned here is that making your way into town is typically just as smooth and seamless as your time on the sand itself!
Your travels into Fort Walton Beach should be stress-free and the idyllic location makes it wonderfully straightforward for visitors from just about everywhere to maximize their stay. Fort Walton Beach is located 16 miles East of Destin, and the vast majority of travelers flying in opt to land at the Northwest Florida Regional Airport. This landing point is a mere 15-minute drive from downtown and is conveniently served by a wide variety of major airlines, including American, Delta, United, and many more. Booking a non-stop flight from cities like Washington D.C., Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte is a simple task when you only have a few days to enjoy the experience, and getting to where you’re going as quickly as possible is a priority.
At the Northwest Florida Regional Airport, you’ll find that there are many on-site car rental options to choose from for making your way to your vacation rental with ease, and being able to head out and explore even more when the inspiration to do so strikes.
Make It a Weekend to Remember in the Travel Season You Prefer
There’s truly no “wrong” time of year to travel to Fort Walton Beach. However, when you have a weekend ahead of you to enjoy to the fullest, knowing what to expect seasonally can help you further maximize your options for fun. Start by considering peak travel season and whether or not that’s a time of year you would like to be a part of the vibrant crowds.
Between May and August, Fort Walton Beach welcomes summer travelers in droves as families look to take advantage of breaks from school and work, and the warm temperatures lend themselves well to time out on the water. This can be a fun time of year to spend a weekend here, but you’ll want to make sure to allow yourself a bit of extra room on the itinerary for your favorite activities or meals at local restaurants with so many more fellow visitors to contend with. Winter can be an equally busy time of year to travel to Fort Walton Beach, especially around the holidays when you’ll be venturing alongside others who are hoping to swap out cold and snow back home for the sand and sunshine of Florida. If you’re hoping for your weekend away in Fort Walton Beach to be a bit less crowded, we recommend booking a stay in the spring or fall. Temperatures are mild this time of year, but that goes hand-in-hand with increased tranquility and seamless access to the shorelines.
Tips for a Great Weekend in Fort Walton Beach Any Time of Year
No matter when you arrive in Fort Walton Beach to make amazing memories for a weekend with family and friends at your side, there are a few things to keep in mind to make your journey as successful as possible. In addition to having a car in place to get around when you want to head out and explore further, we highly recommend booking a rental bike for yourself for your weekend adventure here. Being able to hop on two wheels and hit the local nature and beach trails is a great way to customize your sightseeing even further.
How to Spend Three Days of Fun with a Focus on the Sand
Three days of weekend fun in Fort Walton Beach certainly go fast, but if you know what you want to add to your list ahead of time, it can help you maximize every single moment. Above all, make sure to treat yourself to some quality time on the sand. Fort Walton Beach hosts gorgeous stretches of shoreline to explore, and whether you’re digging your toes in and working on your tan, building sandcastles with the kids, or swimming, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The beaches are also the best places to be in the evening hours when the sun is on its way down and leaving stunning colors across the sky that are more than camera-worthy in all seasons. Yet another terrific sunset stop to add to your list is the nearby Okaloosa Island Pier. If you find yourself here in the daytime hours, it proves to be just as thrilling thanks to the opportunity to spot dolphins jumping in the surrounding waters. Afterward, make your way to the Fort Walton Beach Park to enhance your shoreline experience even further.
More to Explore in Fort Walton Beach
In between your much-deserved beach-hopping adventures, your weekend in Fort Walton Beach should also include some time treating yourself to delicious moments. There’s truly no shortage of options when it comes to palate-pleasing eateries in town, and if you find you’re more in the mood for a cocktail by the water, the beach bars abound here as well. However, if you’re craving fresh-caught fare paired with a stunning view, we recommend adding places like AJ’s Oyster Shanty, The Shack, or The Crab Trap to your must-try list when you have a weekend to spare in the name of vacation fun.
You can’t go wrong with a blackened grouper or a shrimp po’boy at any of these locations, but it’s often the friendly service that will keep you coming back for more. If you happen to be on the hunt for just the right brunch stop to fuel up for a day of weekend fun during your time in Fort Walton Beach, The Bay Café is always a terrific choice. Here, you’ll want to be sure to save room for the French toast in the morning, which goes best with a table overlooking the Choctawatchee Bay. If you drop by in the later afternoon or evening hours, this is the place to be for fantastic French fare as well.
Get out on the Water in Style
For all the land-based fun a weekend in Fort Walton Beach offers up to travelers, it might be your time on the water that leaves you most inspired. For weekend visitors who are excited to spend time paddling their way through a sunny afternoon in a kayak or canoe, the team at Island Watersports Company has you covered. There are also local companies in Fort Walton Beach that are happy to help you set up a guided snorkeling tour while you’re in town, and opportunities to pair a sunset sail with wildlife watching onboard alongside a naturalist should not be missed.
Family-Friendly Weekend Stops
If you’re planning a weekend away in Fort Walton Beach with the entire family in tow and you’re looking for activities that visitors of all ages will enjoy, you’re in luck. Be sure to head over to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park at least once if you’re traveling with kids who are interested in getting up close to incredible creatures. The park offers encounters with sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and more as you make your way from one interactive exhibit to the next. Downtown Fort Walton Beach is a wonderful addition to your weekend itinerary if you’re traveling with older kids who appreciate shopping while an afternoon at the Indian Temple Mound Museum is a fantastic way to learn more about Fort Walton Beach’s past and create a weekend stay that pairs education and engaging fun in tandem.
Make Sure Your Stay Includes Spacious and Welcoming Weekend Accommodations
No matter when you arrive in Fort Walton Beach for a weekend getaway, having the right accommodations to enjoy beginning the moment you arrive makes all the difference. At The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach, we offer our guests access to 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom luxury condos with room for everyone to feel right at home starting on day one of your weekend adventure.
Guests can count on finding spacious layouts to enjoy paired with tall ceilings and large windows throughout. Property options here are bright and welcoming and come with fully equipped kitchens in place as well as inviting living spaces, private patios and balconies, high-end tech, and welcoming bedrooms where getting a good night’s rest before days of fun ahead is always a breeze.
Elevate Your Weekend Fun with World-Class Amenity Access
During those times when you’re not out filling your weekend of fun with local activities, events, and attractions, you’ll find booking your stay at The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach means having just as much to look forward to right on-site. Here, our community amenities are designed to inspire, and include two resort pools for guests to use, a relaxing sauna, a fully equipped fitness center, an event room, concierge services, tennis and pickleball courts to try out, a grilling area, and shuffleboard and cornhole too!
Your rental will be within walking distance of the beach at The Breakers, and waking up each day to the sound of the waves is something that’s seamlessly built into the experience. Reach out to our team today to learn more about our on-site services as well as the gorgeous retreats we have available to book for your next weekend getaway to Fort Walton Beach!