Fort Walton Beach Things to Do

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I feel so lucky to come from such a rich heritage and I am very proud of where I come from. We all come from different tribe sort to speak of, but our descendants are the same. I missed visiting this place the last time I was in Ft. Walton. I was going to make a point to see it so I made sure I made extra time for my stay. It is filled with some wonderful artifacts and to actually stand on a mound where there was an actual ceremonial temple (800 AD to 1500 AD). I think you will enjoy it, but the folks that manage the museums are not very nice.

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When it was announced, we went to see the Dolphin show (four bottlenosed dolphins including one two year old who was born at the Gulfarium).

We weren't supposed to stand up during the show, so I went up to the top seat where no one would be behind me. There was quite a brisk wind blowing through at that point, and I was glad to have my winter coat with a hood. There was a roof over the bleachers, but they were not enclosed. Some of the kids (and their parents) were completely inadequately dressed for a December day outdoors in Fort Walton Beach. Bob was down farther in the stands where it was warmer.

We both got some terrific pictures of the dolphins leaping as much as 25 feet out of the water. They jump through hoops (first photo), all four jumped at once (photo 3) and one of them took a fish from the trainer's mouth (photo 4). They train the dolphins to come out on a platform (photo 2) so they can have a physical exam. At the close of the show they all came up to the surface and chittered at us (photo 5).

At this time admissions are 7 days a week from 9 to 4 and the park closes at 6. When we were there in December, they were closed Monday and Tuesday.

General Admission Rates

* Adults (ages 12-61): $17.50
* Seniors (age 62 and over) $15.50
* Children (ages 4-11) $10.50
* Ages 3 and under are free when accompanied by a parent paying the regular rate.

Six percent Florida state sales tax will be added to all admissions and fees. Rates are subject to change without notice. Visa and MasterCard accepted in admissions and gift shop. Snack bar accepts cash only.

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We walked past the sea lion performance area on the way to the Dune Lagoon where they were feeding the brown pelicans. The sea lions were sitting on some of the platforms kind of sleeping. (photo 2)

After the dolphin show, we had the Sea Lion show. The girl trainer had one adult and a baby (named Libby - photo 5) up on their little stands, and there was a boy who had an adult on the other side. I thought their most spectacular trick was balancing a ball on the nose while standing on the front flippers with a tail in the air. They also did flips and spins and played basketball, and tossed around a Frisbee. They are funny when they clap and bark.

They weren't doing the MSP (Multi-Species) Show when we were there. In this show Bottlenose Dolphins and a California Sea Lion perform together. We got $1.00 off the admission price because this show wasn't running.

The rehabilitation pools were behind the bleachers for the Sea Lion show, and behind that was the Seal and Sea Lion Rookery, so after the Sea Lion show we went over there but I couldn't really tell which was which.

In the summer the park is open 7 days a week Admissions: 9:00am until 4:00pm. Park closes at 6:00pm, but check with the website or phone number

General Admission Rates

* Adults (ages 12-61): $17.50
* Seniors (age 62 and over) $15.50
* Children (ages 4-11) $10.50
* Ages 3 and under are free when accompanied by a parent paying the regular rate.

Six percent Florida state sales tax will be added to all admissions and fees.

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On our last day, we went to the Indian Mound Museum, which is a Fort Walton Beach city museum ($2 each for old people - currently the price we would have had to pay was $4.50 each plus tax). In addition to the actual museum the Indian mound itself dating to 800 A.D. is a National Historic Landmark.

The museum had lots of interactive exhibits for children, and I tried my hand at weaving with reeds. The interpretative exhibits depicted 12,000 years of Native American occupation during the four prehistoric cultural time periods - the Paleo, Archaic, Woodland and Mississippian. There is also a fine collection of Fort Walton Period ceramics. Exhibits also include artifacts from the European Explorers, local pirates, Civil War soldiers and early settlers.

Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday Closed

Admission for the Indian Temple Mound Museum is included in the general admission for the City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center.

Adults (18years +) $5.00 + Tax
Seniors (55years +) $4.50 + Tax
Military W/ID $4.50 + Tax
Children (4-17years) $3.00 + Tax
Children (3yrs. and under) Free

The beaches around Fort Walton Beach are among the most beautiful in the USA. This beauty reflects in pretty high prices for motel and hotel rooms on or near the beach. I've discovered that the camping cabins at Grayton Beach State Park are an economical alternative. They are very comfortable, within a walk to the beach, and near Seaside and many other pricey panhandle beachfront paradises.

the gulfarium is fort walton beach's aquarium. this beachside aquarium has dolphin shows and a living sea tank. if you are expecting seaworld you will be disapointed but this a very nice place to take children when in the fort walton beach area.

fort walton and destin is known for it's excellent off shore fishing. this area is one of the best off shore fishing spots in north florida. fort walton beach and nearby destin has a number of marinas where you can charter off shore fishing trips.

located in central fort walton beach is the okaloosa island fishing pier. a great place to fish or watch the sunset over the gulf of mexico. next to the pier is the fort walton beach boardwalk which has a nice collection of restaurants and bars.