DESTIN VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA

The Gulfarium, the world’s 2nd oldest marine, park offers daily dolphin, sea lion and multi-species shows, as well as interactive encounters with dolphins. You can even participate in the Dolphin Interaction Program where you get into the water with one of the Pan-tropical, spotted dolphins named Kiwi. See dolphin stars Princess and Delilah attempt feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot leaps toward the clouds. The park is open mid-May to Labor Day, daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. Gates close at 8 PM. From Labor Day to mid-May the park is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, with gates closing at 6 PM. Admission is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children 4-11. The Dolphin Encounter costs $100.

The regions’ only alligator attraction, Gator Beach offers a unique environment for viewing live alligators. There is no admission charge to Gator Beach and your family can participate in a free alligator show, too. Gator Beach features over 100 live alligators. Feed the alligators in a safe environment, from 11 AM – 5 PM daily. Stroll through the Florida’s wildlife exhibit area and have your picture taken while holding a live alligator. Gator Shows take place daily from 12 - 4 PM. Gator Beach is located at Fudpucker's in Destin.

The Track Family Recreation Center is packed with action for kids as well as adults. Activities include go-carting, rollercoaster rides, bumper boats, miniature golf, Kids Country rides, and lots more. Each attraction requires a different number of tickets and has different height/weight requirements. Discounted tickets can be purchased online in advance of your visit. Be sure to check the center’s hours in advance of planning a visit.

Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park has more than 40 water attractions and rides. Also at the park are 3 tropical mini golf courses, 2 go cart tracks and more. Tickets to Big Kahuna’s for all day admission, open to close, are $34 for adults, $29 for senior citizens (62 years and over) and children. Children 2 and under are free. Late admission tickets, for 3 hours before closing, are available, as are group and military discounts. Season passes are also available.

Located on the world's largest air base, Eglin Air Force Base, the museum traces military developments from World War II to Operation Desert Storm. Reconnaissance, fighter and bomber planes, including the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, are on display. Take the kids to for a close up look of those high flying machines. Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM.

The 6,000-piece exhibit, showcasing America’s largest collection of Southeastern Indian ceramic artifacts, journeys through 10,000 years of 4 prehistoric tribes. The largest Indian mound discovered along saltwater (1400 A.D.) stands guard beside the museum. Admission to the park is free, while entry to the museum is $2 for adults and $1 for children 6-17. Park opens daily from dawn till dusk. The museum is open Monday – Friday from 11 AM to 4 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM from September to May. During the months of June, July and August, the museum is open Monday - Saturday from 9 AM to 4.30 PM and on Sundays from 12.30 PM to 4.30 PM.

View the display of 100 ft. of wall space depicting the Gulf floor. View a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels. See the rod constructed of split bamboo with an original Penn Reel that belonged to Earnest Hemmingway. Discover what life in Destin was like before the arrival of electricity in the 1930s, visit the original Destin Post Office, and view historical photographs of early Destin life. Don’t forget to check out the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence, The Primrose, which was built in 1925. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 AM – 4 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and military and $3 for children. Children under the age of 4 have free admission.

William Henry Wesley, a lumber baron, built this southern mansion in 1898. Guided tours of the property are available Thursday – Monday, beginning at 9 AM and ending at 4 PM. The gardens are open every day.

At Pleasure Island Waterpark, you can enjoy waterslides, go-cart rides, wave runner rentals, pontoons, jet boats and parasailing. Snacks are available. Open daily. Call ahead for reservations.

Located in Fort Walton Beach, the Emerald Coast Science Center stimulates the visitor’s imagination. See exhibits such as a reflecting Castle of Mirrors, "adult-sized" bubble makers, a hair-raising Vandergraph generator, a flight demonstration wind tunnel and the electrifying Illuma Storm. The Nature Discovery Room features live animals. With over 250 interactive exhibits, you can learn more about natural phenomena and basic scientific principles. The science center is open daily, year-round, from 9 AM to 4 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 4 PM on weekends. It is closed on New Year’s, Easter, Independence, Thanksgiving and Christmas Days. Admission is $5 for adults; $3.50 for children ages 4-17, $4 seniors 55 and older, and free for children age 3 and under. Admission is free for mothers on Mother’s Day, fathers on Father’s Day and grandparents on Grandparent’s Day.

The Zoo, 15 miles west of Fort Walton Beach, is home to more that 750 animals. There you can see lowland gorillas, giraffes, white tigers and over 100 species of birds. Ride the Safari Line Train, or stroll through the wildlife preserve on an elevated boardwalk. Observe animals roaming free on over 30 acres. Botanical gardens, a petting zoo and carousel rides await you. The zoo is open daily, weather permitting, from 9 AM to 4 PM. The zoo is closed on the day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day. Admission prices are $10.95 for those 12 – 61 years old, $7.95 for children ages 3 – 11 and $9.95 for senior citizens 62 years and older.