Fort Walton Beach Things to Do Tips by grandmaR Top 5 Page for this destination

Dolphins at the Gulfarium

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.

Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE

Other Contact: 800-247-8575

Phone: 850-244-5169. info 24 hour

Sea Lion Show at the Gulfarium

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.

Address: 1010 Miracle Strip Pky SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL

Other Contact: 800-247-8575

Phone: 850-244-5169. info 24 hour

Indian Temple Mound Museum

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

Address: 139 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE

Phone: (850) 833-9595

Website: http://www.fwb.org/index.php/museums.html

Emerald Coast Science Center

Although we often drove past here, there just didn't seem to be a convenient time to go. It is supposed to be full of hands on interactive exhibits which I always enjoy with what I suppose might charitably be called childlike enthusiasm.

According to the website there are seven galleries which include:

* Color and Light- discover the fascinating world of light and color with 18 illuminating exhibits. Try out our new LASER HARP!
* Fly and Land a model airplane in our mini-air tunnel
* Explore Energy with exhibits such as the Laser Spirograph, Jacob's Ladder and Van de Graff Generator
* Explore Nature and meet creatures such as a tarantula and Giant Millipedes in our Nature Discovery Room
* Discover the systems of the human body in the Hall of Life including the skeletal system, digestive system and the senses

They have a variety of programs including Homeschool Days on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, where you and you family can explore the science center, participate in activities and workshops and watch a Bill Nye the Science Guy video (we have then ALL!). Each Homeschool parent receives a curriculum guide with vocabulary and additional activities to further you child's science education at home!

There is also a store. Some of the items at the store are pictured.


Hours:
Weekdays 9am to 4pm
Weekends 11am to 4pm

The Emerald Coast Science Center is open year-round, but is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, Fourth of July and Easter Day.

Prices:

Adults $5.00
Children (4-17) $3.50
Seniors (55 and older) $4.00
Children 3 and under Free
Admission fees and hours are subject to change.

Address: 139 Brooks Street

Phone: (850) 664-1261

Website: http://www.ecscience.org/

The Beach - John Beasley Wayside Park

This is an Okaloosa park, which is free and parking is also free. It is just a few yards from the Okaloosa Boardwalk.

Hours: Daily 6am-8:30pm

The visitor's center is a large weathered-wood building with hipped metal roof and it houses changing areas and restrooms for men and women, along with vending machines. Sheltered picnic tables welcome families, and lifeguards are posted during the tourist season.. Offers surfing, diving and snorkeling.

When I asked at the Okaloosa Island Visitor's Center who John Beasley was, they said he was one of the pioneer settlers in the region. I have not been able to find out any other information about him.

Directions: Along U.S. 98 Highway on Okaloosa Island, 1.25 miles east of Fort Walton Beach.

Phone: 850/651-7131

Website: http://www.floridaparks.com/beaches/northwest/okaloosa_county.htm