Let Us Entertain You
YOUR TICKET TO FAMILY FUN
From symphonies and stage lights to pirate ships, dolphins, and upside-down museums, Northwest Florida delivers show-stopping entertainment from Fort Walton Beach to Panama City Beach. Traveling with toddlers, teens, or grandparents? These 12 can’t-miss stops promise memory-making moments beyond the sand.
1 Sinfonia Gulf Coast — The Coast’s Professional Orchestra
For an elevated night out, Sinfonia Gulf Coast presents classical masterworks, pops concerts, and genre-blending collaborations. It is the only fully professional orchestra in Northwest Florida and performs most frequently at the Destin–Fort Walton Beach Convention Center in Fort Walton Beach. It’s a true cultural gem of the region.
SinfoniaGulfCoast.org
2 Emerald Coast Theatre Company — Big Talent, Intimate Stage
In Miramar Beach, Emerald Coast Theatre Company delivers Broadway-caliber performances in a welcoming, community setting. Expect musicals, comedies, holiday favorites, and youth productions that bring audiences to their feet.
EmeraldCoastTheatre.org
3 Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village — Music Under the Stars
Pack a picnic and head to Destin’s Dugas Pavilion for spring concerts from Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation. Thursday evenings feature tribute bands, classic rock, and family-friendly fun beneath the open sky. Proceeds benefit ArtsReach, giving access to the arts for all.
MKAF.org
4 Gulf Breeze Zoo — Wild Side of the Coast
Animal lovers flock to Gulf Breeze Zoo, home to giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and more than 800 animals. The safari train and animal encounters make it feel like a mini-expedition.
GBZoo.com
5 Destin History & Fishing Museum — Reel Local History
Explore why Destin is known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” at Destin History & Fishing Museum. Vintage rods, historic photos, and towering fish mounts bring the harbor’s story to life.
DestinHistoryAndFishingMuseum.org
6 Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park — Dolphin Delights
Meet dolphins, sea lions, turtles, and penguins at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Equal parts entertainment and conservation education, this longtime favorite creates unforgettable animal encounters.
Gulfarium.com
7 Buccaneer Pirate Cruise — Swashbuckling in Destin
Climb aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise in Destin for sword fights, treasure hunts, face painting, and full-throttle pirate fun on the harbor. Kids (and secretly, parents) love every minute.
BuccaneerPirateCruise.com
8 Indian Temple Mound Museum — Ancient Gulf Coast Roots
At Indian Temple Mound Museum, part of Heritage Park, prehistoric artifacts and archaeological discoveries reveal thousands of years of Gulf Coast history.
FWB.org
9 National Naval Aviation Museum — High-Flying History
In Pensacola, the remarkable National Naval Aviation Museum houses more than 150 restored aircraft. Blue Angels exhibits and immersive displays make it one of the largest aviation museums in the world. Admission is free.
NavalAviationMuseum.org
10 Topgolf Panama City Beach — Swing into Fun
Rain or shine, Topgolf Panama City Beach offers climate-controlled bays, interactive games, and crowd-pleasing bites. It’s competitive fun with coastal flair.
Topgolf.com/us/panama-city-beach
11 WonderWorks Panama City Beach — The Upside-Down Adventure
You can’t miss the upside-down building housing WonderWorks Panama City Beach. Inside, more than 100 interactive exhibits, laser tag, and a ropes course blend science with high-energy fun—perfect for a beach break or rainy day.
WonderWorksOnline.com/panama-city-beach
12 SOLARIS Yacht — Sunset Dining on the Bay
For a more refined evening, sail aboard the SOLARIS Yacht, departing from Baytowne Marina at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. This three-deck dining yacht pairs live music and chef-prepared coastal cuisine with panoramic sunset views over Choctawhatchee Bay.
SunQuestCruises.com
