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Here's hoping this insider guide to Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, and Duke Field (Fort Walton Beach, FL) will help ease your transition to this new assignment. Read on for all the insider tips, favorites, and local gems.
Churches near Eglin AFB and Hurlburt/Duke Field (Fort Walton, FL):
Intergenerational, lots of military. The main demographic of the church is skewed toward older folks, but there are singles, married couples, and families with kids. Sound Biblical theology and teaching straight from the Bible. Very welcoming. Bible studies before service and children’s ministry for all ages. Children of all ages are also welcome in Bible studies & service.
(Nondenominational, multisite): Destiny Worship Center offers modern worship with topical teaching.
· Community Life Church (Gulf Breeze, FL)
· Liberty Church (Gulf Breeze, FL)
· Live Oak Church (Navarre, FL)
· The Gathering (Fort Walton Beach, FL)
· First Presbyterian Church, (Niceville, FL)
· Crosspoint, (Niceville, FL)
· Rocky Bayou Baptist, (Niceville, FL)
· Church on Bayshore, (Niceville, FL)
· Manna Chuch, (Niceville, FL)
Recreation Near Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, or Duke Field in Fort Walton Beach:
The Hurlburt/Eglin AFB area abounds with recreational opportunities, not the least of which is the beautify white sandy beaches of the area. However, if beaches aren’t your preference, there is plenty of activities to keep you entertained in the area around Fort Walton.
· The Beach:
Navarre Beach is a fan favorite because it’s less touristy and more local. This beach offers less of a party scene and is more geared toward families with nice bathrooms and shower stations to get rid of all the sand. ALL Of the beaches are beautiful. Consider investing in beach chairs and a beach umbrella or beach canopy.
Henderson Beach State Park and Grayton Beach State Park are also favorites.
Offers a venue overlooking the stunning Santa Rosa Sound on Hurlburt Field. This facility is open ot all DOD ID cardholders and their dependents, families, and guests. It offers versatile spaces and spectacular views. This facility has a fishing pier, picnic area, dog-friendly beach by the fishing pier, family swim area, and a marina.
Offers rentals of pontoon boats, paddle boards, kayaks, life jackets, tents, canopies, campers—anything you could want for outdoor/beach fun.
This park offers a shaded playground, splash pad, and a pool.
· Crab Island Sand Bar, Destin:
Offers a clear and waist-deep water accessible only by boat.
A family-friendly, dog-friendly camping area with fishing and hiking trails. Very clean bathrooms.
· Visiting Pensacola, Destin, Rosemary Beach, 30A, Panama City Beach
· Bowling/mini golf (we’ve been to Fort Walton Beach Bowl)
This library offers numerous events, including baby/toddler story times & baby social hours (most of the attendees are military spouses with kids)
This zoo is home to over 1000 animals from early every continent and of almost ever size, from 1-ounce budgies to 6,000 pound rhinos. It’s an adorable and pretty zoo which includes a petting zoo section, boardwalk with lookout over “safari zone,” a train ride through safari zone, a shaded playground, a restaurant, and a cute giftshop. Family memberships are recommended.
· Splash Pad at Navarre Park (open May through September)
· Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base - Free entertainment!
Recreation - Day Trips near Hulburt Field, Eglin AFB, or Duke Field:
· Karrick Lake: Great spot for fishing & tent camping for a weekend.
· Panama City Beach: Great hotels and white beaches
· Pontoon Boats to Crab Island: You can rent boats from the base marina and boat out to Crab Island. This is a unique way to experience the pretty water here. With family, we boated to Dewey Destin’s Seafood restaurant, docked at their pier, and had lunch there.
· 30 A beaches and shopping such as Seaside, Watercolor, Alyce, and Rosemary Beach
· First Pickens National Park in Pensacola
· The Navy's Bue Angels air demonstration team offers performances and Air Shows around the Fourth of July over Pensacola Beach.
· Pier Park in Panama City Beach
· St George Island, Florida
· Cape San Blas, Florida
Restaurants (local restaurants) near Hurlburt Field, Eglin AFB, and Duke Field:
· Lost Pizza (Fort Walton, Destin): really good local pizza place. Gluten-free friendly.
· Domo Cafe (Fort Walton): whole-in-the-wall hidden gem! Sushi, Japanese & Korean food, boba tea. Fan favorite!
· Main Brew (Fort Walton): super cute local coffee shop with lots of seating, Christian-owned.
· The Car Wash Food Trucks (Fort Walton): Sunset Bowls (acai & smoothies), Rive Cafe (bowls, wraps, sandwiches), Coffee Ave. (coffee & boba tea). Fresh & really good, great hangout spot, shaded seating, gluten-free & dairy-free friendly. I meet friends there & take my baby almost every week.
· Taste of Summer (Navarre): acai bowls. They have a cute, clean playroom for small children with toys & games
· Maui Bus Stop (Fort Walton): Hawaiian plate lunches, lots of shaded outdoor seating, good for big groups
· Parlor Donuts (Fort Walton): fancy, fun donuts & support military
· Aegean Restaurant and Aegean Express (Fort Walton, Destin): local chain, Greek food, great gyros
· Magnolia Grill (Fort Walton): good sandwiches & friendly staff
· Ali’s Bistro (Fort Walton): a little more expensive but good Italian-fusion
· Maas Coffee Roasters (Fort Walton): good coffee & can walk around the park behind the shop/go to the playground
· Fernweh Coffee (Fort Walton): limited seating but good coffee
· Burrito Del Sol (Fort Walton & Destin): Cali-Mex style burritos
· Beignets & Brew (Destin): cute walk-up-and-order coffee & beignet shop on the pier
· Thai Noodle Place (Mary Esther): local family-owned Thai food, friendly staff.
· Perfect Blend Coffee Company (Navarre): cute, small coffee & smoothies. There are games at each table.
· Wharf 850, Niceville
· Basil and Baxter's, Niceville
· Brother's Kitchen, Niceville
· Tradewinds Italien Restaurant, Niceville
· Cafe Bienville, Niceville
Restaurants (not local but still good):
· First Watch (Destin)
· Maple Street Biscuit Company (Miramar): not normally a huge fan of chain restaurants but we’ll drive to Miramar for the biscuits
· Pepper’s (Fort Walton & Shalimar): good Tex Mex, good for groups, & the Fort Walton location has an indoor playground
· El Paso Tacos & Tequila (Navarre)
· World of Beer (Destin): good flatbreads, burgers, & pretzels
· Formula Fresh Superfood Bar: good acai bowls & smoothies
Interesting Shops
· Grand Boulevard at Sand Destin
· Silver Sands Premium Outlets at Miramar Beach
· Seaside and Rosemary Beaches Town Center have fun shopping
· Cottonwood Company home store in Niceville
· Pier Park in Panama City has a large outdoor shopping area
· Cordova Mall in Pensacola, FL
Veterinarian near Hurlburt Field or Eglin AFB:
· Murphy Veterinarian (Navarre): military discount. We had the other dog neutered & treated for another ear infection here and they did a great job.
· Parkway Vet
· MidBay Vet
Dentist near Hurlburt Field or Eglin AFB:
· Dr. Jean Woo, DDS, PA (Fort Walton): accepts Tricare, very friendly & professional.
· Jeffrey Dental Clinic
Other Recommended Favorites Near Hurlburt Field or Eglin AFB:
· Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast (Miramar Beach): phenomenal OBGYN care & amazing birthing center, amazing staff, only NICU in the Florida panhandle (avoid Eglin for OBGYN care—if on Tricare Prime, get a referral or switch to Select). Specifically recommend Dr. Whitlock & Dr. Sledge.
· PrimeTime Physical Therapy (Fort Walton): Dr. Shyla Scott for pelvic floor therapy which is covered by Tricare.
What’s the Best Part about Living there?
· The beaches are gorgeous and it’s great being able to enjoy being outside year-round. This area is nice because it feels “small town” without being too small of an area and there still being fun things to go do and a lot of opportunities to be outside. Hurlburt has a great, tight-knit community.
· Family & friends who live farther away are also willing to visit here.
What’s the Most Challenging Part about Living There?
· It’s a smaller area than what we’re used to (especially after being in large cities) so sometimes we can feel a little bored or like we’re just going to the same places and doing the same things. But some of those “same things,” like the beach, are nice every time and we can always drive a little bit to explore more of the Panhandle. Next on our list is to look for state parks in Georgia/Alabama and go to the mountains in Georgia.
· Tourists keep the place busy and crowded in the Spring and Summer it is hot and humid in the summer.
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