Ft. Walton beach area, what to do??

[acejka]

So we were taking a road trip to wdw begginning on the 20th... then DH's job decided they needed some work done at an office in Ft. Walton, and since we would already be down in the area and he meets the specs, that is one less person they have to fly down, so they will just pay some travel expenses for us to stay in Ft. Walton for a few days before our scheduled trip.

I know its obviously too cold to hang out on the beach right now, what are some other must see/must do activites in the area, or things that are close to the beach area (I will not have the car while he is working) I've been searching and coming up with a lot of water sports and stuff, but I need some advice from people who've been there...

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[LMC]

Outlet shopping mall east of Ft Walton in Destin. Bass Pro Shop in Destin. Seafood dining. Other than that not much this time of year.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I live there

Uhm .. to be honest, there isn't anything to do unless you go to Destin.
There is a mall in Ft. Walton called Santa Rosa Mall.
In destin [about 30 minutes or less away] there is an outlet shopping center called Destin Commons that is nice.

 

[LMC]

There's also the Indian Temple Mound museum. I can't remember if they charge admission though.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Be sure to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. An incredible museum...and it's FREE! About an hours drive west of FWB.
http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

If you like history, you can also tour Fort Barrancas which is just a minute's drive from the naval museum.

http://www.nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-barrancas.htm

When you get to Navarre, take the bridge over to the beach and drive through the Gulf Islands National Seashore...miles of sugar white sand and sparkling water with nary a condo in sight. When you reach Pensacola Beach, you can continue on to Fort Pickens...which is also part of the National Seashore. This is one of my favorite places in the whole world.

http://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm

The beach can actually be quite pleasant this time of year...if it will warm up just a little. Will be too cold to swim, but is a nice time to walk the beach or just relax. If it's sunny, but a little breezy, you can get a half-tent thing or a beach umbrella (lay it on it's side) to block the wind.

Downtown Pensacola has a nice historic district if you like that sort of thing.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/default.cfm

 

[hairybottle123]

Is there a good place for vacation?

 

[natcat117]

I was just there for the new year. We spent a few hours at the Air Force Armament Museum. It's definitely interesting. We walked around the beach new year's eve. Some people were wearing swimsuits. I was walking around in my boots and jacket.

 

[Maridw]

I live there

Uhm .. to be honest, there isn't anything to do unless you go to Destin.
There is a mall in Ft. Walton called Santa Rosa Mall.
In destin [about 30 minutes or less away] there is an outlet shopping center called Destin Commons that is nice.

Wow, we're just down the road from each other. I am in Panama City. Had a friend live in Holley by the Sea for awhile. Were over there quite a bit. It has changed alot since the last time I was out that way.