Fort Walton Beach is approximately 8 square miles. It's renowned for its emerald-green Gulf of Mexico waters and the pristine white sands of Okaloosa Island.
Nearby Eglin Air Force Base provides much of the economic activity of Fort Walton Beach. At 724 square miles, Eglin is one of the largest U.S. Air Force bases.
Fort Walton Beach hosts the annual Billy Bowlegs Festival the first week of June. The festival honors local pirate legend; it resembles Mardi Gras with its parades, fireworks and related celebrations.
Fort Walton Beach was home to four southeastern American Indian tribes dating from the 1300s. The Indian Temple Mound and Museum is situated on a ceremonial mound and exhibits over 6,000 artifacts of stone, bone, clay and shell.
Fort Walton Beach Art Museum houses a collection of American painting, sculpture and pottery. There's also a small collection of Chinese artifacts.
