Embrace Coastal Charm in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is a dazzling gem on the Emerald Coast, where vibrant seaside living meets a welcoming community spirit. This coastal haven is perfect for those craving the warmth of the sun and the gentle rhythm of the Gulf waves. Known for its stunning white sand beaches and emerald-green waters, Fort Walton Beach offers residents a picturesque backdrop for everyday life. With an array of outdoor pursuits, from paddleboarding to beach volleyball, there’s never a dull moment for the adventure enthusiast.

But it’s not just about the beaches. Fort Walton Beach is brimming with colorful local culture and a thriving arts scene. Explore the city's history at the Indian Temple Mound Museum or enjoy live performances at the Emerald Coast Science Center. The vibrant downtown area is a delightful mix of quaint boutiques, quirky restaurants, and captivating galleries, providing plenty of opportunities to connect with the local community.

Families thrive in Fort Walton Beach, thanks to its excellent schools and numerous family-friendly parks. The city boasts a delightful blend of small-town charm and modern amenities, ensuring every resident feels at home. Whether you’re a young professional, a retiree, or raising a family, Fort Walton Beach promises a warm, sunny embrace.

A Waterfront Reborn: How Fort Walton Beach Is Reimagining Its Downtown for the Next Generation

HelloNation Staff Writer

Fort Walton Beach’s downtown waterfront has always been the emotional center of the city, a place where families gather for festivals, fireworks, and breezy nights along the Santa Rosa Sound. But after Hurricane Sally pummeled the Landing’s boardwalk and stage in 2020, the city faced a choice: rebuild what was lost, or transform the waterfront into something stronger, smarter, and ready for the next fifty years.
Today, that choice is becoming unmistakably visible. The Landing Park redevelopment—an eight-million-dollar, multi-phase initiative funded through a strategic blend of RESTORE Act grants, Natural Resource Damage Assessment dollars, tourist development taxes, the county surtax, and the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency—is reshaping the heart of Fort Walton Beach without tapping the city’s general fund. It’s the kind of long-range investment residents can feel proud of, and one that demonstrates just how forward-leaning Fort Walton Beach leadership has become.
“Public spaces tell the story of who a city wants to be.”
Phase I, completed in early 2025, quite literally rebuilt the edge of the city. A new 700-foot seawall now secures the shoreline, paired with a wide, well-lit concrete boardwalk lined with new railings, benches, and water access points. A reconstructed T-dock and a renovated multi-slip dock give boaters safer, more convenient space to come ashore. On the east end, a terraced seating area leads to a pocket beach and kayak launch created in partnership with the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance—a simple but powerful shift that reconnects residents with the water in a way the old park never could.
What might be most innovative, though, sits just off the edge of the boardwalk: a “living shoreline.” Instead of relying solely on hardened structures, the city opted to integrate oyster-shell reefs and native plants designed to stabilize sand, soften wave energy, and support local marine life. It’s a subtle reminder that resilience isn’t just a buzzword here; it’s baked into the blueprint.
Phase II, now under construction and expected to wrap by the end of 2025, is where the Landing begins to take on its new identity as an everyday festival space. A covered performance stage with a circular awning will anchor the park, facing new tiered amphitheater seating. Two new restroom buildings, improved lighting, and refined walkways will elevate the visitor experience, while an adjacent food-truck zone and a recently approved 35-space public parking lot expand the park’s ability to host large community events. The city selected GLC Contracting, Inc., continuing the consistency of local project leadership from Phase I.
And this isn’t happening in isolation. On the north side of town, Fort Walton Beach is investing nearly eight million dollars into a 12-acre expansion of the Preston Hood Athletic Complex—adding multi-purpose turf fields, a 13-court pickleball facility with eight covered courts, expanded parking, new restrooms, a recreation operations building, and other upgrades aimed at boosting both local recreation and sports tourism. It’s a clear indicator of a city designing for growth, families, and year-round activity.
Together, these projects signal something important: Fort Walton Beach isn’t simply bouncing back from past storms; it’s building forward with purpose. The Landing’s rebirth is shaping a downtown that’s more accessible, more resilient, and more vibrant than ever—and it’s doing so in a way that will leave a lasting impression on residents and visitors for decades to come.

Workforce & Industrial Development

Located along Florida’s Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is strategically positioned for industrial and business growth, benefiting from its proximity to major highways (US-98, SR-85), regional airports, and the Port of Pensacola. The city serves as a gateway to the Florida Panhandle, providing access to both regional and national markets.

Recent investment in industrial parks, such as the Fort Walton Beach Commerce and Technology Park, has expanded opportunities for logistics, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing firms. Okaloosa County’s low industrial vacancy rates and rising demand are driving new construction and redevelopment of existing sites.

Fort Walton Beach is home to a skilled workforce, supported by collaborative programs with Northwest Florida State College and CareerSource Okaloosa Walton. These initiatives focus on advanced manufacturing, aviation, defense, and technology sectors—key industries in the region.

Incentives for new and expanding businesses are robust. Florida offers statewide programs like the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund and the Capital Investment Tax Credit, while Okaloosa County supplements these with local incentives and expedited permitting processes. The city’s economic development office provides hands-on assistance to streamline site selection and workforce recruitment.