Fort Walton Beach
Food scene
Easy to walk to for lunch or dinner. We love to go for ice cream & putt putt golfing next door afterwards!
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdEasy to walk to for lunch or dinner. We love to go for ice cream & putt putt golfing next door afterwards!
We literally come here every time we visit the beach! Fun and challenging putt putt course and ice cream afterwards is a treat we always look forward to.
18 locals recommend
Okaloosa National Mini Golf & Ice Cream
225 Santa Rosa BlvdWe literally come here every time we visit the beach! Fun and challenging putt putt course and ice cream afterwards is a treat we always look forward to.
Wow! These are amazing. Just right over the bridge you’ll find these donuts and coffee.
39 locals recommend
Parlor Doughnuts
191 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEWow! These are amazing. Just right over the bridge you’ll find these donuts and coffee.
The fish and chips are excellent. So is the grilled fish sandwich if you are looking for a slightly healthier option. Kids meals are often served on a frisbee.
Lunch specials are available and if you are down for an early dinner, they offer a discounted dinner special on their fish and chips between 4 and 6pm
25 locals recommend
Floyd's Shrimp House
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThe fish and chips are excellent. So is the grilled fish sandwich if you are looking for a slightly healthier option. Kids meals are often served on a frisbee.
Lunch specials are available and if you are down for an early dinner, they offer a discounted dinner special on their fish and chips between 4 and 6pm
Delicious food, but a tad bit higher priced than Floyd’s (and similar menu). The balcony has a great view of the beach and ocean. Kid’s meals often come with a bucket and shovel.
59 locals recommend
Crab Trap, Fort Walton Beach
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEDelicious food, but a tad bit higher priced than Floyd’s (and similar menu). The balcony has a great view of the beach and ocean. Kid’s meals often come with a bucket and shovel.
Al’s is often closed in the off-season. They open back up in March.
Al’s has nightly live music and fun events throughout the week.
28 locals recommend
Al's Beach Club
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEAl’s is often closed in the off-season. They open back up in March.
Al’s has nightly live music and fun events throughout the week.
Walking distance of our condo and has pizza, wings, & more. Great view of the bay.
47 locals recommend
FUBAR Pizza Bar
114 Amberjack DrWalking distance of our condo and has pizza, wings, & more. Great view of the bay.
People name this as one of the best places to eat breakfast in Fort Walton. They have fantastic breakfast bowls.
42 locals recommend
Asiago's Skillet
110 Amberjack DrPeople name this as one of the best places to eat breakfast in Fort Walton. They have fantastic breakfast bowls.
We’ve tried several tacos and love them all. Also the margaritas are great!
65 locals recommend
Rockin Tacos
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEWe’ve tried several tacos and love them all. Also the margaritas are great!
Sightseeing
Great restaurant selection as well as fishing from the pier. They have weekly activities such as free movies on the beach, fireworks, hula dancing shows, and live music. There is a playground and splash pad area for kids.
We recommend walking. It’s only a 15 minute walk along the beach (It will take you just as long to drive there and find parking during the busier season)
52 locals recommend
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGreat restaurant selection as well as fishing from the pier. They have weekly activities such as free movies on the beach, fireworks, hula dancing shows, and live music. There is a playground and splash pad area for kids.
We recommend walking. It’s only a 15 minute walk along the beach (It will take you just as long to drive there and find parking during the busier season)
Expansive pier known for its saltwater fishing, birdwatching & summer fireworks.
Fishing passes include a license. Rods avaible to rent. Kids aged 5 and under fish for free.
101 locals recommend
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEExpansive pier known for its saltwater fishing, birdwatching & summer fireworks.
Fishing passes include a license. Rods avaible to rent. Kids aged 5 and under fish for free.
Park for swimming & fishing, with a playground, picnic spots & an interpretive trail. Also, has a boat launch ramp.
13 locals recommend
Ross Marler Park
1275 Santa Rosa BlvdPark for swimming & fishing, with a playground, picnic spots & an interpretive trail. Also, has a boat launch ramp.
The shallow water is the perfect depth for wading or floating next to your boat while enjoying the tropical atmosphere reminiscent of the Caribbean.
138 locals recommend
Crab Island
The shallow water is the perfect depth for wading or floating next to your boat while enjoying the tropical atmosphere reminiscent of the Caribbean.
Groceries
Easy access grocery shopping that also has delivery options via Instacart. I find using this very helpful when arriving at the beach, or when we need a quick and easy meal for lunch or dinner.
36 locals recommend
Publix Super Market at Shoppes at Paradise Pointe
251 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEEasy access grocery shopping that also has delivery options via Instacart. I find using this very helpful when arriving at the beach, or when we need a quick and easy meal for lunch or dinner.
Just a short distance further down the road after Publix.
There is a nice playground in the middle of the parking lot if you want to leave the kids and an adult out in the sun while you shop.
Winn Dixie offers delivery through Shipt; you can order online and have your groceries delivered right to your door.
123 locals recommend
Winn-Dixie
65 Poinciana BlvdJust a short distance further down the road after Publix.
There is a nice playground in the middle of the parking lot if you want to leave the kids and an adult out in the sun while you shop.
Winn Dixie offers delivery through Shipt; you can order online and have your groceries delivered right to your door.
There are 2 Targets nearby, Mary Esther and Destin. The Mary Esther target is likely quicker to drive to during the summer as traffic towards Destin increases. Otherwise they are both about equally close.
55 locals recommend
Target
250 E Miracle Strip PkwyThere are 2 Targets nearby, Mary Esther and Destin. The Mary Esther target is likely quicker to drive to during the summer as traffic towards Destin increases. Otherwise they are both about equally close.
Kids Activities
Delight in watching dolphins leap and sea lions play during their spectacular shows or interact directly with these marine animals. Enjoy educational exhibits and beautiful gulf views.
87 locals recommend
Gulfarium Gift Shop
1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEDelight in watching dolphins leap and sea lions play during their spectacular shows or interact directly with these marine animals. Enjoy educational exhibits and beautiful gulf views.
Need something to do with the kids on a rainy day? They offer programs fun for ages 2 to 102. Experience workshops, exhibits, and opportunities for a wide range of interests at the museum.
35 locals recommend
Emerald Coast Science Center
31 Memorial Pkwy SWNeed something to do with the kids on a rainy day? They offer programs fun for ages 2 to 102. Experience workshops, exhibits, and opportunities for a wide range of interests at the museum.
If you need something to-do before check-in with children in-tow, I would recommend checking this place out. Fun mini golf courses, arcade games, go-cards, ice cream and more.
93 locals recommend
Wild Willy's Adventure Zone
1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEIf you need something to-do before check-in with children in-tow, I would recommend checking this place out. Fun mini golf courses, arcade games, go-cards, ice cream and more.
1,000 feet of waterfront with play structures, pavilion, picnic tables, fishing pier.
17 locals recommend
Liza Jackson Park
338 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW1,000 feet of waterfront with play structures, pavilion, picnic tables, fishing pier.
Waterfront park with a playground, small rock-climbing wall & a concert stage.
41 locals recommend
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SE Waterfront park with a playground, small rock-climbing wall & a concert stage.
Traveler advice
Traveling with kids
Kids toys
We usually have a good selection of toys for playing in the sand and pool floats in our outdoor bench box on the balcony.