Destination Guides: Destin, United States - Family Fun

Dancing Dolphin Watching

Dancing dolphins display mesmerizing grace and unabashed playfulness as they tumble and twirl within the breeding ground of the shallows along the Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor.

Daily dune side seating is compliments of Mother Nature.

Southern Star

Harborwalk Marina

346 Mountain Dr.

Destin, FL 32541
850-837-7741

Hours: Call for cruise schedule

Admission Charged
Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard the Southern Star, cruising the pristine waters of perhaps the world’s most beautiful beaches. The Destin shore area is known as a natural habitat for dolphins, seabirds and a variety of marine life.

 

Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

1007 Highway 98 E.

Destin, FL 32541

850-837-4061

Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged
Oversized water park offers more than 40 exciting water attractions. Includes three tropical mini golf courses, two wild and fast go-kart tracks and three high-thrill rides.

 

Kokomo Snorkeling Adventure

500 Hwy. 98 E
Destin, FL 32541
850-837-9029

Hours: Trips available daily, call for additional information

Admission Charged
This three hour adventure offers snorkeling in the bay for shelling and around the jetties in Destin Pass to enjoy the sights of this underwater fairyland. Snorkeling gear and instruction included, if needed. Sunset cruises are also available.

 

Beasley Park

1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy (Hwy 98)

Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

Admission Free

Situated on the largest stretch of public beach on the Gulf side of Okaloosa Island, 22-acre Beasley Wayside Park includes showers, picnic pavilions and a 400-seat restaurant, a beach club, children's playground, beach volleyball and plenty of fun for everyone. Beasley Park is a County Park which is located between Fort Walton Beach and Destin on Okaloosa Island. There's plenty of parking, handicap access, and restrooms.

Gulfarium

1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy. SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
850-244-5169
Hours: Vary by season, call for additional information

Admission Charged
One of America’s oldest marine parks (1955), Gulfarium is home to Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, Ridley turtles and more.  Dolphin stars, Princess and Delilah, delight with feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot (540cm) leaps toward the clouds.

U.S. Air Force Armament Museum

Hwy. 85 (outside main gate Eglin AFB)
Eglin AFB, FL 32542
850-882-4062

Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm, daily.  Closed on all federal holidays.

Admission Free
The Air Force Armament Museum is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of Air Force armament. A wide variety of bombs, missiles, and rockets are exhibited.  Visitors can also view a variety of historical Air Force planes, from a B-17 World War II bomber to an F-4 Phantom II jet. A 32 minute movie, “Arming the Air Force," a history of Eglin Air Force Base and its role in the development of armament, is shown continuously throughout the day.

The Zoo - Gulf Breeze

5701 Gulf Breeze Parkway

Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563
850-932-2229

Hours: Open daily, weather permitting, 9am-5pm, Closed the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving day, Christmas Eve day, but open that night for ZOOlights, and closed Christmas.

Admission Charged
A wildlife experience awaits you with over 700 animals surrounded by botanical gardens. Get a close look at bears, tigers, rhinos and zebras. Photograph the colorful birds, watch playful primates and see sleek otters slip through water. Take a ride on a camel or on the Safari Line Limited, a train ride through over 30 acres of free-roaming wildlife.  In addition, there are reptile demonstrations, face-to-face giraffe feedings as well as a petting zoo for children.