Top 5 Activities for Family Learning Vacations in Destin

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

A great place to start for an overview of our coastal environment and native marine life. Gulfarium staff host animal shows during the day, and are also stationed throughout the park to share their knowledge about the animal ambassadors and the Gulfarium's conservation efforts. Consider signing up for the turtle encounter for a behind the scenes sea turtle tour, providing a deeper understanding of these endangered and threatened species. 

Fudpucker’s Gator Beach

Families can get up close and personal with the Florida Alligator at Gator Beach. Guided shows educate visitors about this often intimidating reptile that lives in the waterways throughout our state.

State Parks

Five state parks and Point Washington State Forest provide acres of natural coastal lands for self-guided or guided tours. Guided ranger tours are offered at Topsail Hill State Preserve or through South Walton outfitters. The area’s diverse ecosystem, including rare coastal dunes lakes and a range of upland communities such as Sandhill, Coastal Scrub, Hammock, Beach Dune, and Pine Flatwoods, provide diverse learning opportunities. The Grayton Beach State Park, dune trail allows visitors to hike through the fragile dune system providing an up-close and personal view of the patchwork of scrub oak and native plants that hold the dunes in place. Indigenous species in Northwest Florida, including the endangered Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse call the dunes home.

EO Wilson Biophilia Center

Another endangered local species is the Gopher Tortoise, and nobody is better educated on this species than Turtle Bob who has made it his life’s work to educate families on these special reptiles. Turtle Bob is one of the regular presenters at EO Wilson Biophilia Center, which is open to the public on weekends and filled with fun, interactive exhibits, providing life lessons in science and biology.

Emerald Coast Science Center

Move the lesson indoors at the Emerald Coast Science Center in downtown Fort Walton Beach for a fun afternoon of science. From Robotics to wind to color and light, interactive exhibits and daily programs make science fun. 

30A Sea Life Discovery Center

Appleseed Kids Sea Life Discovery Center is a non-profit organization developed to connect kids to the ocean through hands-on discovery programs. At 30A Sea Life Discovery Center, the team combines lab studies, in-field science studies and experiential adventures. With incredible hands-on programs, students gain a sense of purpose and hopefully a desire to be involved in conservation programs that protect our ocean environment. Address: 37 Logan Lane Unit 1, Santa Rosa Beach. 

Start Planning Your Fun Destin Learning Vacation

Consider planning a Destin learning vacation to fuse fun and knowledge. And depending on which activities interest your family, Newman-Dailey has the perfect South Walton or Destin vacation rental nearby. View our available rentals online or call one of our friendly vacation specialists to find the perfect Destin condo or rental home. 

Nature's coastal classroom is in session.

See you @ the beach!