Go Fish
Kids love to fish, but parents don't always have the skill and patience to teach them. So why not take them out on a fishing boat with a pro? Little Nemo specializes in trips for children, exposing them to sea life and fishing action. The kids fish for live bait, feed and release blue crabs and troll for mackerel and ladyfish.
Little Nemo
210 Harbor Blvd.
East Destin, Florida 32541
(850) 837-2404
littlenemofishing.com
The Gulfarium
You can get up close and personal to sea creatures at Florida's Gulfarium. The whole family will enjoy the aquarium; dolphin, sea lion and multispecies shows; and exhibits of alligators, loggerhead turtles, river otters, sharks, stingrays and tropical penguins. Young kids love the touch pool with its horseshoe crabs, sand dollars and sea stars, and older ones are thrilled to get in the water with the dolphins.
Florida's Gulfarium
1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548
(800) 247-8575
gulfarium.com
Family Fun
The Track Family Recreation Center offers at least a day of excitement to kids and parents. There's go-karting, with two junior-level tracks and a more challenging one that includes three tiers and a roller-coaster effect. You'll also find miniature golf, bumper cars, blaster boats, bungee jumping and a video game arcade. Young children enjoy the miniature train, carousel, Ferris wheel and small airplanes.
Track Family Recreation Center
1125 Highway 98
Destin, Florida 32541
(850) 654-4668
destintrack.com
Young Scientists
The Emerald Coast Science Center is educational but also so much fun the kids won't notice they're learning. Exhibits include interactive displays of how the body works; a mini-wind tunnel where visitors can fly a model airplane; experiments with static electricity; and a color display that contains a high-tech kaleidoscope and fascinating holograms. You'll also find a section with living critters such as geckos, snakes and tarantulas.
Emerald Coast Science Center
139 Brooks St.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548
(850) 664-1261
ecscience.org
Wild Rides
After all that science, head outside for action at Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park. It has more than 40 water rides including a daredevil slide, a wave pool, a river for tubing and the Honolulu Halfpipe, an endless wave for surfing or body boarding. Other attractions include miniature golf, go-karting and exciting rides such as the Cyclone and Sky Coaster.
Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park
1007 Highway 98 E.
Destin, Florida 32541
(850) 837-8319
bigkahunas.com
About The Author
Barbara Dunlap is a freelance writer in Oregon. She was a garden editor at "The San Francisco Chronicle," and she currently specializes in travel and active lifestyle topics like golf and fitness. She received a master's degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and has been a Knight Foundation Fellow.
