Ready to escape the hustle and bustle of your daily life? Then a trip to Fort Walton Beach, Florida is just what you need! This charming beach town offers everything from endless days spent soaking up the sun to fun-filled nights exploring local shops and restaurants. Plus, with its close proximity to attractions like Destin and Okaloosa Island, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Fort Walton Beach.
Tucked away in the Florida Panhandle on the Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is a hidden gem. This charming beach town has everything you need for a relaxing vacation, from white sand beaches and emerald-green waters to delicious seafood and fun activities for the whole family. Keep reading to learn more about this little slice of paradise.
Fort Walton Beach was originally inhabited by the Mississippian people, who built a large temple mound overlooking the Choctawhatchee Bay. The site of this temple mound is now home to the Heritage Park & Cultural Center, which features a museum with artifacts from the Mississippian period as well as a replica of the temple mound.
In the early 1800s, the area now known as Fort Walton Beach was settled by American pioneers. These settlers built a fort to protect themselves from attacks by the Seminole people. The fort was named after Colonel George Walton, who served as Florida’s Secretary of State during this time period. Today, a replica of the original fort can be found in Heritage Park.
The 20th century brought massive changes to Fort Walton Beach. In 1939, Eglin Air Force Base was established nearby, which led to a population boom in the area. Then, in 1955, Hurricane Opal caused massive damage to much of the town. However, Fort Walton Beach was quickly rebuilt and today is better than ever!
Now that you know a little bit about the history of Fort Walton Beach, let’s talk about what there is to do in this beautiful beach town.
Of course, one of the best things to do in any beach town is simply to relax on the beach! With its gentle waves and soft white sand beaches, Fort Walton Beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the stunning views. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, you can try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking on Santa Rosa Sound.
For those interested in learning more about local history and culture, be sure to visit Heritage Park & Cultural Center. In addition to being home to a replica of an ancient Mississippian temple mound, Heritage Park also features a museum with artifacts from prehistoric times up through the early 20th century.
And no trip to Fort Walton Beach would be complete without indulging in some fresh seafood! There are plenty of great restaurants serving up delicious crab cakes, shrimp po’boys, and much more. So whether you’re looking to relax on the beach or explore local history and culture, Fort Walton Beach has something for everyone!
Here are 5 of the best things to do in Fort Walton Beach:
One of the most popular attractions in Fort Walton Beach is the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Here you can get up close and personal with some of the most fascinating creatures of the sea, including dolphins, penguins, stingrays, and more. There’s also a great view of the Gulf of Mexico from the park.
What’s more fun than being out on the open water, surrounded by dolphins? On a dolphin cruise, you’ll not only get to see these playful creatures up close, but you might even get to swim with them! There are several different companies that offer dolphin cruises in Fort Walton Beach, so be sure to do your research and choose one that’s right for you.
The Okaloosa Island Pier is a must-see when you’re in town. Stretching out over 1400 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, it’s the perfect place to fish, watch the sunset, or just take in the incredible views. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can capture some amazing photos!
Of course, no trip to Fort Walton Beach would be complete without spending some time at one of its many beaches. Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place where you can catch some waves, you’re sure to find it here. Be sure to pack your sunscreen!
Fort Walton Beach is home to many unique shops and restaurants that you won’t find anywhere else. So be sure to explore some of the local businesses during your stay! You might just find your new favorite place.
Fort Walton Beach is also known for its fishing history. For centuries, the area now known as Fort Walton Beach was inhabited by Native Americans who fished the waters of the Gulf of Mexico for sustenance.
In 1528, Spanish explorer Pánfilo de Narváez became the first European to set foot in what is now Fort Walton Beach. The Spaniards did not stay long, but they did fish in the waters around the area. In the early 1800s, American settlers began moving into the area and establishing settlements. These settlers also fished the Gulf waters for their livelihood.
Fishing has always been an important part of Fort Walton Beach’s history. Today, the city is home to several charter fishing companies that offer visitors a chance to experience the same Gulf waters that have been fished for centuries. So whether you’re an experienced angler or a novice, consider spending a day on the water fishing in Fort Walton Beach. You just might catch a glimpse of the city’s rich fishing history.
If you’re looking for some of the best fishing spots in Fort Walton Beach, here are our top picks:
Okaloosa Island Pier – When most people think of Florida, they think of Orlando and all of the theme parks. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that Florida is a huge state with lots to offer. If you’re looking for a place to go fishing, then you should definitely check out Okaloosa Island Pier in Fort Walton Beach.
Okaloosa Island Pier is one of the most popular places to go fishing in Florida. It’s located right on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can imagine how beautiful the views are. The pier itself is 1,261 feet long, so there’s plenty of space for everyone. And if you’re not into fishing, there’s still plenty to do. You can go for a walk, take some pictures, or just enjoy the view.
There are also tons of restaurants and shops nearby, so you can make a day out of it. And if you’re looking for something to do at night, there’s always live music playing somewhere.
Choctawhatchee Bay is also a great spot to fish. The bay is located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is known for its clear water and great fishing. There are many different types of fish that can be caught in the bay, including redfish, trout, flounder, and tarpon.
The best time to fish in Choctawhatchee Bay is from April to October. During this time, the water is warm and the fish are active. The best bait to use depends on the type of fish you want to catch. For example, live shrimp or minnows are good baits for redfish, while artificial lures work well for trout. Flounder can be caught using either live bait or artificial lures.
There are many different ways to fish in Choctawhatchee Bay. You can fish from the shore, from a pier, or from a boat. If you want to increase your chances of catching fish, it is best to fish during the early morning or late evening hours when the sun is not as bright. Fishing at night can also be productive.
Charter Fishing – Lady Luck Adventures is the best fishing charter in the area and they offer a wide variety of services that will make your trip one to remember.
When you go on a fishing charter with Lady Luck Adventures, you can expect to have an amazing time. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and they will do everything they can to make sure that you have a great time. They will provide you with all of the equipment you need and they will even clean your fish for you when you are done.
The staff at Lady Luck Adventures is also very safety conscious and they will make sure that you are always safe while on the charter. They will give you a safety briefing before the trip and they will be there to help you if anything happens. You can rest assured knowing that you are in good hands when you are on a Lady Luck Adventures fishing charter.
When you go on a Lady Luck Adventures fishing charter, you can expect to catch a wide variety of fish. Some of the most popular fish that people catch on these charters include redfish, trout, flounder, and tarpon. No matter what type of fish you are looking to catch, the staff at Lady Luck Adventures will do everything they can to help you catch it.
Fishing in Fort Walton Beach is a long-standing tradition that locals and visitors alike enjoy. Whether you’re casting your line from the shore or taking to the open sea, there is plenty of fish to be caught here. If you’ve never been fishing in Fort Walton Beach before, we hope this post has given you some ideas about where to go and what to catch.
So grab your tackle box and get ready for a good time! Have you ever gone fishing in Fort Walton Beach? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.
Sources:
https://www.ladyluckadventures.com/
https://www.visitflorida.com/places-to-go/northwest/fort-walton-beach/
