Quick Summary:

  • Question: What is the Emerald Coast of Florida known for?
  • Answer: The Emerald Coast of Florida offers uninhibited access to the Gulf of Mexico along its roughly 100 mile stretch of coastline.
  • Question: What types of activities can visitors enjoy on the Emerald Coast?
  • Answer: Visitors will find a wide assortment of entertainment, restaurants, and high energy activities awaiting them no matter what time of year they visit.
  • Question: What historical and modern attractions can be found on the Emerald Coast?
  • Answer: From rich history tracing back 14,000 years to modern day adventures like helicopter tours, the Emerald Coast has something in store for everyone.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Emerald Coast Science Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Kids & Family
Emerald Coast Science Center | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Emerald Coast Science Center

2. Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Museums & Culture
Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Fotolia.com

3. Air Force Armament Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Air Force Armament Museum | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Air Force Armament Museum

4. Destin History & Fishing Museum

Category: Food & Drink
Destin History & Fishing Museum | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Destin History & Fishing Museum

5. Heritage Park and Cultural Center

Category: Activities
Heritage Park and Cultural Center | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Heritage Park and Cultural Center

6. Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Category: Activities
Destin Harbor Boardwalk | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of digidreamgrafix - Fotolia.com

7. Indian Temple Mound Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Indian Temple Mound Museum | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of fowler5338 - Fotolia.com

8. Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier

Category: Activities
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Kristina - Fotolia.com

9. Oak Tree Nature Preserve

Category: Activities
Oak Tree Nature Preserve | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Fotoluminate LLC - Fotolia.com

10. HarborWalk Village Mining Company

Category: Activities
HarborWalk Village Mining Company | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© HarborWalk Village Mining Company

11. The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge

Category: Activities
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Happy monkey - Fotolia.com

12. Okaloosa County Geocache Trail

Category: Activities
Okaloosa County Geocache Trail | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of sanderstock - Fotolia.com

13. Gulf Breeze Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
Gulf Breeze Zoo | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Nick - Fotolia.com

14. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

Category: Activities
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of samurai - Fotolia.com

15. Gulf Island National Seashore

Romantic Islands
Gulf Island National Seashore | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© NPS Photo

16. Destin Snorkel

Destin Snorkel | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Happy monkey - Fotolia.com

17. Destin Parasailing

Destin Parasailing | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of zefart - Fotolia.com

18. Henderson Beach State Park

Category: Activities
Henderson Beach State Park | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of duydophotography - Fotolia.com

19. Crab Island Cruises

Romantic Islands
Crab Island Cruises | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Crab Island Cruises

20. Mobile Sports Banana Boat Rides

Category: Activities
Mobile Sports Banana Boat Rides | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Dmitry V. Petrenko - Fotolia.com

21. Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

Tours
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of Patryk Kosmider - Fotolia.com

22. Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Tours
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park | Things to Do on the Emerald Coast of Florida
© Courtesy of leungchopan - Fotolia.com

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