The heart of Florida's Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach, is a popular place for vacation getaways. Long sections of sugar white sand beaches have attracted visitors since before 500 B.C. It is also the principle city for Okaloosa County.

Eglin A.F.B.
Historic active-duty military facility also houses the Armament Museum.

Gulfarium
Marine world type facility is a popular family attraction.

Indian Temple Mound Museum
139 Miracle Strip Pkwy., Ft Walton Beach, FL 32549; (850) 833-9595;
Open Daily: Mon-Sat 11AM-4PM / Admission: Adult $2 / Child (6-17) $1;
Exhibits cover over 10,000 years of Indian life along the northwest Florida coast. Giant collection of Woodland pottery. Adjacent to the museum is the temple mound, topped by a replica temple. The temple mound was constructed around 1400 A.D.

Crestview is located just north of Eglin AFB.

Sasquatch Zoo
5262 Deer Springs Dr., Crestview, FL 32539; (850) 682-3949;
Collection of over 250 animals.

Destin is a coastal resort community located just across the bay from Fort Walton Beach.

Destin Fishing Rodeo - October
44 plus year tradition featuring "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Over 1,000 eager anglers from around the world come to this event. Month-long event visits areas inshore, offshore and bayou locations.

Beach Lovers Condo at Grand Caribbean East-7nt Minimum
3291 Scenic Highway 98, Destin, FL, 32541

Comfort Inn Destin
19001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL, 32541

Hampton Inn Destin
1625 Highway 98 East, Destin, FL, 32541

Florida's Gulfarium
1010 Miracle Strip Parkway - Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548; (850) 243-9046; Aquarium Website;

Aquarium / Marine world. The biggest feature are the antics of the dolphin and sea lion show. Exhibits include:

• Shark aquarium
• Moray Eels
• Sea Turtles - glass en closed tank / natural environment
• Penguins
• Otters
• Alligators

Eglin AFB covers a vast range just north of Fort Walton Beach. During World War II, it was where Gen. Jimmy Doolittle trained his "Raiders" for the special bombing mission of Japan. Today is headquarters for the Air Force Development Test Center and the climatic laboratory.

Armament Museum
(850) 882-4062; Free Admission; Open Daily (9:30-4:30) exc. federal holidays.

Located on SR-85 just outside the Eglin AFB west gate. Exhibits of over 30 famous restored aircraft and a large collection of missiles, bombs and rockets. Also noteworthy is the extensive collection of old pistols and six-shooters.

• B-52 Bomber
• B-17 Bomber
• SR-71 Blackbird spy plane
• F-16 Jet fighter
• Soviet Mig jet fighter