04/15/2026
‼️Free & Cheap Activities‼️
We use running lists of our favorite activities in the area and categorize them for our guests! One of our most popular lists is our Free & Cheap Activities list! Feel free to chime in on some of your favorite free or cheap favorites, we love new ideas!
Here’s our free & cheap faves!
~Okaloosa Island Pier! See dolphins, turtles and sometimes sharks! Best time is Morning or sunset especially on calm water days! ($2/pp to walk the pier, $8-10 to fish off the pier)
~Armament Museum (Free! Near the VPS airport) The Air Force Armament Museum is a free museum just by the airport that showcases historic military aircraft alongside the bombs, missiles, and weapons they carried, spanning from World War II to modern warfare.
~Visit 30a! These towns are just east of Destin. They are beautifully planned, highly designed towns great for shopping, foodies or just walking and taking pictures! (The Truman Show was filmed in Seaside!)
~Spot Hermit crabs off the docks at Harborwalk, watch the daily catch come in as well as fish cleaning on the docks, The birds’ favorite part of the day! Watch unique boats come in and out of the harbor.
There’s also shopping & restaurants but if you want to keep it cheap, enjoy the free live entertainment, stroll the docks and catch a sunset on the second floor balcony above the stores, plus fireworks weekly. ($15 to park across the street/$20 onsite)
~Shop Destin Commons for souvenirs, take photos by the murals & play on the playground or spalshpad! Free!
~Visit the Village of Baytown Wharf in Sandestin, playground for the kiddos, a great place to stroll, shop and grab a light snack. Free to visit!
~Visit the Okaloosa Island Boardwalk shopping and restaurant area. Free!
Be sure to check the calendar of events at the Boardwalk, specifically Al’s Beach Bar as they offer free pirate shows, beach movies, fireworks, live music and so much more!
~Feed the Gators at Fudpuckers ($4)
~Visit a Natural Spring in the area! (Ponce De Leon ($4 per car), Morrison ($4) & Cypress (free, but you can only access this one with a kayak or canoe)are wonderful!
~Visit Captain Leonard Destin Park for sunsets and a splashpad! (Free)
~Gulf Islands National Seashore (free) spot hermit crabs along the shoreline and dolphins from the quiet beach area!
~Visit downtown Fort Walton Beach! Cool shops, murals and occasional festivals.
~Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton Beach ($5)