Fort Walton Beach Vacation Rentals

Stay awhile in sunny Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach is a seaside community in Okaloosa County, Florida bordered by the Santa Rosa Sound to the south and Choctawhatchee Bay and Cinco Bayou to the north. Fort Walton Beach makes the perfect backdrop for a Florida getaway, minus the fuss. Think the emerald green waters of Destin, the active nightlife of Tampa Bay, and the laid back vibe of the keys - that’s Fort Walton Beach. You’ll find endless parks, waterfront activities, and sugar white sand in this hamlet located between Pensacola and Panama City. This deep sea fishing capital is its own destination with plenty to do, not just a stop over. Fort Walton Beach is an excellent vacation spot for families interested in relaxation, shopping, and exciting local events.

There are hundreds of Fort Walton Beach vacation rentals available. Look through our inventory of vacation rentals and choose one that meets all your unique requirements. Whether it’s a Fort Walton Beach house rental with a pool, or a beach condo where you can hear the ocean, we’ll have it on our site.

Climate

Expect sunshine everyday in Fort Walton Beach - it’s Florida of course! It’s a comfortable 80 degrees most every day, with only a passing daily shower ruining your fun. Bring your best sunglasses and sunscreen and enjoy what makes Fort Walton Beach so special, the weather! Fort Walton Beach, part of the western Choctawhatchee Bay region of which Destin and Niceville are also part, is very wet, averaging 69 inches of rain each year, more than any other city in Florida, including Pensacola.

Top activities and attractions

Ready to recharge your batteries? Fort Walton Beach is the spot. The small-town atmosphere includes eleven traditional neighborhoods, seven of which are located along the shoreline, and each with their own distinct personality and charm. The perfectly manicured sands not only exist on the titular beach, but also nearby Okaloosa Island and Grayton Beach. Pack your towels, boogie boards, and beach toys and prepare for a long day in the sun and surf. Extending more than 1,200 feet from shore to the octagon at the end, the Okaloosa Island Pier offers fishing that is often just as great as a chartered boating trip costing you hundreds of dollars or more. From the pier, anglers can expect to catch tarpon, tuna, pompano, king mackerel, cobia, and several other species.

If you love the open sea, charter a pontoon boat out on the water or go on a deep-sea fishing excursion. Fort Walton Beach is a fisherman’s dream so you know you’ll be catching something delicious for dinner.

If you’re in the market for some souvenirs, Uptown Station is the premiere shopping area in Fort Walton Beach and features over 60 stores, special events, dining, and fun activities for kids. The Downtown Arts District is a great way to explore the city's local shops and restaurants, too.

There’s plenty here for families. Like Goofy Golf, the city’s favorite mini golf course. There’s a 23 foot T-Rex on the course - now that’s one big obstacle! The Emerald Coast Science Center has hands-on exhibits that will leave the entire family feeling excited. Don’t miss the planetarium inside! The center’s location next door to a neighborhood park near Santa Rosa Sound, a perfect spot for a midday picnic. The Gulfarium Marine Park is where you can see dolphin tricks and get up close and personal with sea life at the touch tank. Feed stingrays and frolick with penguins all in one day.

The Air Force Armament Museum is the #1 Fort Walton Beach Attraction on TripAdvisor - check out massive helicopters and fighter planes as well as other types of aircraft and weaponry. Inside, you can feast your eyes upon hundreds of artifacts from periods ranging from World War I to today’s combat zones. An onsite fighter cockpit simulator provides an interactive experience.

Food & Drink

Bring your appetite to FWB. One reviewer calls the shrimp at Stewby’s Seafood Shanty the “... best shrimp I’ve ever eaten!” Now that’s high praise. If you’re looking for a local vibe and local fare, stop in to Blue Collar Cafe for breakfast or lunch. The Bay Cafe has grub along with an incredible view of the ocean. For south of the border flavors, book a table at either Burrito Del Sol or Tijuana Flats - you won’t be disappointed!

When the sun goes down the excitement ramps up. Grab some drinks at Rockin’ Tacos for a beach bar experience unlike any other. Fokker’s Pub serves up pizza and beer to the late night crowd and you’ll want to grab a pitcher. For those with a palette for suds, try the craft brews at Props Craft Brewery & Grill.

Annual Events

Fort Walton Beach has a few famous events that keep visitors returning every year. Consider for instance the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, taking place at the end of May. Originally started in 1953 as a water skiing festival, it is now one of the most popular pirate festivals in the country. Or how about the Fort Walton Beach Kite Festival (late March) - the free public event on the boardwalk featuring family-friendly activities like face painting, kite making, and kite flying demonstrations.
Fort Walton Beach vacation home rentals on FloridaRentals.com

Book Fort Walton Beach vacations rentals on FloridaRentals.com can save you up to 20% over our competitors. Plus, we have a wide array of inventory appealing to any group size or traveler tastes. Happy planning!