Anything going on near Ft. Walton Beach, FL?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm stuck out here on a never-ending work trip, eating and drinking heavily is fun and all but I'm looking for new ways to amuse myself. Any suggestions?

[Seahawk]

The Naval Aviation museum in Pensacola.
My name is on one of the cruise placques.

[Roosterrusek]

Boat...go fishing.

[KevinTodd]

+1 on the Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Also there are several historic underground forts still tour-worthy on NAS Pensacola.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Already did NAS Pensacola as well as the Armament Museum at Eglin. The Navy museum was awesome, but I didn't know to look for the name of our illustrious Pelican. Fishing was considered but the weather has generally been crap, hence the reason I am stuck here. Flight testing and heavy rain don't mix well.

[MRM]

There is an excellent museum at Eglin Air Force Base that is open to the public. It is small but comprehensive. It is geared toward armaments, because that has been Eglin's main mission. It's right off the highway as you drive north to the main entrance of the base. There are signs directing you to the Air force Armament Museum. Outside the museum building there is a very nice display of aircraft, including some War Birds and an SR-71.

There isn't much night life there that I could tell, but with the country's largest Air Force base in town, you'd think there must be something. The only places I liked were just over the Mary Ester bridge right on the beach. There are a couple of places right there that were fun. The Gulfarium is in that area. Some people like it. I don't know, I've never been there.

There isn't much to eat that's worth going out for in Ft. Walton proper. Instead of eating out, the best food and the best prices are at the hole in the wall the fresh seafood place on the Miracle Strip Parkway just before you get to the Mary Ester bridge that leads to Okaloosa Island. Buy whatever they have that's the freshest and cook it in your room, if you have any ability to do that at all.

The outlet mall is really a good place to shop.



The fishing pier is fun to walk. I think it costs a buck to go out on. You can even rent poles and fish if you want.

We really enjoyed driving out to the Harbor Walk Village over toward Destin. It's supposed to be like a historic town, but it has shops and food and things. It's a lot of fun.

The best day trip is toward Pensicola. Make sure to see Fort Pickens, a Civil War era fort. It was the farthest south military installation that remained loyal to the Republic during the Civil War. It's a matter of pride for northerner's to note that. It's apparently impolite to comment on when you get back to the hotel and mention what you did that day to the people around the pool.

Ft. Pickens is surounded by one of the most beautiful state or national parks in the world. The dunes are breathtaking. You could spend a few hours at Ft. Pickens, that's about what it's worth, and then walk or drive around the park.

While you're in the Pensicola area, the Navy Air Museum is out of this world. It's worth a whole day, but you can do Ft. Pickens and the Naval Air Museum in a day.

And if you're up for a long day trip, the USS Alabama is within driving distance in Mobile. It is worth the trip if you have the time.

That's about it off the top of my head.

[Seahawk]

See if you can rent a kayak and paddle the Bays. I used to put in at the Mustin Beach O'Clu and paddle across to Parrots Point, the entrance to Pensacola Bay.

Great run. Have a friend go with you.

For the weekend New Orleans is in reach. Vicksburg is a great historical visit as well.

[URY914]

Drive to New Orleans. I-10 west.

[yazhound]

Could be much worse problems. Hate to nay say fellow pelican, but there are good digs in FWB. Go to Sealand on the Miracle Strip about 500 meters or so west of Brookes Bridge. Food fantastic, prices good. Get a mask fins snorkle at Destin's East pass / jetties at high tide. You may have to worm your way into parking place as the condo crap sorta taken over. Otherwise you can book a trip through the Scuba Shop .... if you are water inclined. Bit cool but you can rent a wet suit and it will be fine.

If you like sushi, Harbor Docks in Destin is very much worth the stop! Long time sushi chef Yoshi has been flown out to Cali to cater the likes of Jack Nicholson, Mike Meyers and others...

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm stuck out here on a never-ending work trip, eating and drinking heavily is fun and all but I'm looking for new ways to amuse myself. Any suggestions?

Unfortunately Matt I had to go to Atlanta and do a job or I'd come down and show you around. The posts above are pretty good but everybody has overlooked the helicopter museum at Fort Rucker. About a 100 miles north of you but like the Naval Aviation Museum, it is worth the drive.