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Attractions

Museums & Activities

Air Force Armament Museum - located outside the main gate of Eglin Air Force Base, the museum features a theater, gun vault, mural painting, outside exhibits, picnic area, and a gift shop. The museum gives an overview of the history of the U.S. Air Force and is the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to the display of both Air Force aircraft and armaments. Housing over 1,000 artifacts and memorabilia, one of the main attractions is the SR-71 "Blackbird", a supersonic spy plane, which is located in front of the museum building. The latest addition is the MOAB, designed and developed at Eglin AFB. Other attractions include the B-52, B-17 "Flying Fortress", the B-25, P-51, P-47, the F-15, A-10, F-111 and a variety of other aircraft. The Museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed all federal holidays. Free admission. (882-4062) Official website: http://www.eglin.af.mil/museum/

Emerald Coast Science Center - Discover the excitement of science with over 250 interactive "hands-on" exhibits that teach the scientific principles behind color, light, force and motion, electricity, flight and the human body. Located on the beautiful Fort Walton Landing, it is an ideal place for a day with the family! 139 Brooks Street, Fort Walton Beach. Hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for youth (ages 13-17), $3.50 for children (ages 3-12) and children 2 and under free. (664-1261 or www.ecscience.org)

Gulfarium - The oldest marine show aquarium in the world. Daily shows feature amazing dolphin performances, sea lions, otters, birds and many other exotic sea species. (244-5169, www.gulfarium.com)

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida - The museum celebrates the rich history of northwest Florida, covering the full span of the region's history from prehistoric times to the mid-twentieth century. Permanent and temporary exhibits focus on economic and social history with emphasis on early Native American culture, the era of pioneer settlement, agricultural development, the lumber and naval stores industries, the coming of the railroad, and the establishment of Eglin Air Force Base. (www.heritage-museum.org)

Education is central to the museum's mission. Each year thousands of school children benefit from curriculum-based programs, and every summer the museum offers its "Young Settlers" camp program to provide an in-depth experience of pioneer life from everyday chores to traditional music and crafts.

Public events include "Saturday in the Park" in the spring, and the "Yule of Yesteryear" celebration in December.

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are available by appointment. The Museum Shop, featuring handcrafted items and old-fashioned toys, is open the same hours. General admission is free. For further information, call 678-2615.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park - facilities include campgrounds with electricity and water, swimming area, boat launch, freshwater fishing, picnic area, playground and nature trails. Open year round, it is located on Highway 20E, Niceville. Open 8:00 a.m.-Sunset, $4.00 per vehicle (8 people maximum) or $1.00 per person and $2.00 for boat ramp. Call for camping and pavillion reservations and costs. (833-9144 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/rockbayou/default.cfm)

The Gulf of Mexico - just a 20-minute drive away via the Mid-Bay Bridge, the white sugar sand beaches, dunes sprinkled with sea oats, and crystal clear waters make the Gulf a favorite choice of area residents and visitors alike.

City Parks

Doolittle Park - on the border of Valparaiso and Niceville, located on John Sims Parkway. During World War II many pilots trained at what is now Eglin Air Force Base. A very special group, the Doolittle Raiders, trained here for their bombing mission over Japan under the leadership of General James Doolittle. They trained at auxiliary fields where a runway the length of an aircraft flight deck was marked off to practice takeoffs.

Florida Park - in Valparaiso, located on Florida Avenue, features a boat ramp, dock, picnic area, and swings. Other parks are: Twin Cities and Perrine Park.

Lincoln Park - in Valparaiso, located on Bayshore Drive, features a boat ramp, swimming and picnic area, dock and playground.

Lions Park - in Niceville, located on Bayshore Drive, features a boat ramp, swimming, and picnic area. Other parks are Meigs and Kelly Hill.

Turkey Creek Walk - The City of Niceville is excited about the multipurpose Turkey Creek Walk Project which is located in the heart of our city. It is a 20 acre recreational area made possible through the generosity of a local citizen who provided the land and several state and local grants. Visitors and residents alike are invited to enjoy the pavilion, picnic areas, fishing platforms, swimming areas and boardwalks. This project is a conservation area that protects endangered species and highlights local flora and fauna along more than 3,300 feet of boardwalk. The project is being constructed in phases and when finished it will connect with College Boulevard and assure access to Turkey Creek for generations to come.

William C. Jordan Children's Park - dedicated October 11, 1997 to the memory of William C. Jordan, a long-time Niceville councilman. This beautiful, nationally recognized park in Niceville offers state-of-the-art playground equipment, as well as comfortable picnic tables for family outings. You will find children's music playing throughout the park, a sea horse sprinkler, and much more. The park offers reservations for birthday parties and other special events. A special feature is the inside wall of the park. You will find bricks lining the wall with individual names, families and special quotes on them that have been purchased by local businesses as a fundraiser for the park. The outdoor amphitheater is used for dramatic productions, musical entertainment and puppet shows. The park is accessible to the physically challenged and is open Tuesday-Sunday. The hours of operation vary by season. (642-3535)

Youth Center - in Niceville, includes a skateboard arena, bicycle facilities, skating arena, paintball fields and other youth oriented activities. This is a state-of-the-art facility for the enjoyment of our area youth. A park attendant is on duty when the park is open. The Youth Center is located at the intersection of Palm Blvd. and Campbell Drive. (729-0758 or www.niceville.org)

Libraries

Niceville Public Library - offers a wide variety of programs for all ages throughout the year, including: toddler and preschool storytimes and family programs, adult book discussion groups, adult programs on topics ranging from financial planning to women’s self defense, teen advisory council and book club, as well as various seasonal programs. Programs are free and open to the public.

Library cards are available to all residents of Okaloosa County.  Fees are applicable for those residents of Cinco Bayou, Shalimar, Laurel Hill and anyone living outside of Okaloosa County.

Valparaiso Public Library - provides universal access to information and learning through print, electronic resources, cultural activities and specialized programs. The Louise K. Fitzgarrald Genealogy Department boasts one of the finest small genealogy collections in the state of Florida. Over 3,000 volumes of printed materials and 1,200 microfilm reels from Federal Census records and other references are available for use. Genealogy workshops for the beginner and advanced researcher are offered throughout the year. Special programs for children are available including weekly Story Hour and Summertime Reading Programs. Library hours are Monday - Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Weekends: Closed. (729-5406 or vcl.valp.org )

Leisure and Recreation

Saturday in the Park - held at Perrine Park in Valparaiso the fourth Saturday in April, this annual event is sponsored by The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. Artisans and crafters, food, entertainment, a 5K run, and demonstrations of heritage crafts are featured. Hundreds of artists and craftsmen display their wares. This event has grown to be one of the largest in the area, drawing thousands of people from surrounding communities. (678-2615)

The Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival - held on the third weekend in October, this popular festival is one of the largest in the Northwest Florida region. Attendance is estimated at 100,000 during the 3-day event. Highlights of the festival are arts, crafts, food and non-stop entertainment featuring well-known performing personalities. Montgomery Gentry, LoneStar, Ricky Skaggs and Diamond Rio are only a few of those who have performed at previous festivals. For information call 729-4545 or 729-4008.

Community Patriotism - memorial services honoring our veterans are held at Doolittle Park in Valparaiso and at Heritage Gardens in Niceville on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Bay Area residents are aware of the importance of a military presence and respectfully honor the men and women who have served our country.

Yule of Yesteryear - sponsored by the Heritage Museum, is an old-fashioned Christmas celebration. Held in Perrine Park in Valparaiso, this is a fun day-long event for the family. (678-2615)

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