Fort Walton Beach vacations - the perfect getaway

Despite what you may have heard regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Northwest Florida's beaches are still open for business. The Emerald Coast Convention %26 Visitor's Bureau is now posting daily updates on their website: www.destin-fwb.com to let people know what's happening.

But just because water activities are less than desirable some days is no reason to stay away. Fort Walton Beach vacations offer myriad activities that allow vacationers to enjoy their time in paradise.

Many of the beachfront hotels and resorts offer wonderful activities that can still be enjoyed, even if you aren't able to visit the beach. They all have huge pools you can splash around in. Some put on concerts and pool-side barbecues.

No matter where you stay, you don't have to travel far to enjoy some of the other attractions the area has to offer. There are many parks and golf courses for families to enjoy, but perhaps the biggest draw is the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of artifacts and memorabilia associated with Air Force Armament and its platforms of delivery.

Inside the museum are four aircraft as well as a wide variety of bombs, missiles and rockets, including the AMRAAM and GBU-28 bunker buster that were developed for use during Operation Desert Storm. You will find many interactive displays that entertain as well as educate. The museum, located on Eglin Air Force Base, is free and open to the public.

The good news is the Armament Museum isn't the area's only attraction that makes summer learning fun. The Emerald Coast Science Center features hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to experiment, touch, discover and explore. And when they visit The Indian Temple Mound and Museum, history comes alive. The lifestyles of four southeastern Native American tribes, dating from the 1300s, are depicted through artifacts and exhibits.

While the oil spill may be keeping people away from the beaches, there is a silver lining here. People who normally would be unable to afford Fort Walton Beach vacations are getting to see the city this summer, many for the first time. You can find cheap hotels up and down the beach. Do your part to support tourism in Ft. Walton Beach during these tough economic times by booking a trip today.

Courtesy of ARAcontent