Year 2012
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Press Kit: Attractions
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Attractions
At Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island, where the only castles are made of white sand and the most razzle is the dazzling jewel tone of the Gulf, simplicity is celebrated with fun "flip-flop" museums, aerial and aqua acrobatics, and the purest of pleasures -- dancing dolphins, sand dollars and postcard perfect sunrises and sunsets.Natural Inspirations
Whether likened to fine sugar or powdery snow, pearls, chalk or porcelain, the shores stretch like miles of ribboning white satin and are simply sensational – perhaps even shockingly, sun-bleached white. Acclaimed as the “Number One Beach Town in the South” by the readers of Southern Living for 14 years in a row, the water is illuminated brilliant emerald green by the near-blinding whiteness, creating a collaboration, which is undeniably the star “attraction.” Continuing to surpass expectations – the coupling showcases both sunrises and sunsets.Dancing dolphins display mesmerizing grace and unabashed playfulness as they tumble and twirl within the breeding ground of the shallows along Santa Rosa Sound, Destin Harbor and Okaloosa Island. Daily duneside seating is compliments of Mother Nature.
Amusements
Florida’s oldest marine park (1955) hosts Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, tropical black-foot penguins, loggerhead sea turtles, American alligators, nurse and lemon sharks, tropical fish aquariums, as well as a cownose stingray feeding exhibit and more than 14 fascinating Gulf-edged exhibits. The four-bottlenose dolphin stars: Lili, Princess, Zac and Delilah – who was schooled by the “Flipper’s” original trainer – delight with feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot (540 cm) leaps toward the clouds. Special “Meet & Greet” poolside programs at the Gulfarium allow for up close and personal hand-to-flipper dolphin experiences. The Gulfarium offers a variety of shows to give guests an acrobatic performance that will entertain kids and adults of all ages.Riddled with bombs, this museum – one of only three U.S. museums dedicated to the display of Air Force armament – is “protected” by 25 reconnaissance, fighter and bomber planes such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane. Four wars – WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf – are spanned through a fighter cockpit simulator, thousands of weapons, war films, photography exhibits and more.
The Destin History & Fishing Museum is dedicated to preserving, documenting and sharing the stories of the little fishing village that was founded on the sandy shores of East Pass in the 1830s. The museum features the largest collection of native Gulf Fish on display in Northwest Florida, Destin’s oldest seine boat, the 1925 Primrose, and other artifacts such as the fishing rod used by Ernest Hemingway for big game fishing.
A child’s fantasy museum of science, it stimulates the imagination with interactive fun and great kids’ stuff like a reflecting Castle of Mirrors, “adult-sized” bubble makers, a literally hair-raising Vandergraph generator, an electrifying Illuma Storm and more.
Located in the heart of Destin and encompassing 25 acres (10 hectacres) of fun-filled space, Big Kahuna’s offers more than 40 water attractions, including slides, lazy rivers, twisters and an Adventure Park with mini golf, a Vertical Accelerator, raceway and the new Honolulu Half Pipe.
For fun in the fast lane, the recreation center lets families race around in go-karts and enjoy bumper rides while Kids Country is perfect for the younger kids.
On the corner of Highway 98 and Mid Bay Bridge, this shopping center hosts numerous unique and upscale stores, fine dining and casual eateries, a 14-screen Rave Motion Picture Theatre, child’s play area, Hard Rock Cafe and Bass Pro Shops.
The 6,000-piece exhibit, showcasing America’s largest collection of Southeastern Indian ceramic artifacts, journeys through 10,000 years of four prehistoric tribes. The largest Indian mound discovered along saltwater (1400 A.D.) stands guard beside the museum. Heritage Park and Cultural Center, now three museums including the School House and Post Office is a passport to history from 12,000 BC to the 1950s.
Nearby Attractions
Observe more than 700 animals – including towering giraffes and white Bengal tigers – with a 50-acre African veldt, 30-acre preserve, petting zoo, reptile demonstrations and face-to-face giraffe feedings. The Zoo features a new batch of youngsters and newborns to The Zoo family including: baby llamas and black-bear cubs, New Guinea singing dogs, golden-headed lion tamarins, a clouded leopard cub, as well as two small otters – Lucy and Grimace.Dripping with stalagmites and stalactites, Florida’s only limestone caverns wind through underground depths for fascinating public tours.
An 1895 Greek revival estate, surrounded by a Southern spread of immense moss-draped oaks and resplendent gardens of camellias and azaleas, overlooking the picturesque Choctawhatchee Bay with the charming character of days gone by.
Additional visitor information about these and other area attractions is available by calling the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. at (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 or by visiting www.emeraldcoastfl.com.
