Gulfarium
- Making its grand debut in 1955, Gulfarium is America’s second-oldest marine park, and is home to Peruvian penguins, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Ridley turtles, and other creatures from the deep. The facility also hosts dolphin shows in which the star cetaceans show off their soccer skills and 18-foot leaps. Gulfarium offers a Rent-A-Park Program to host group functions, seminars, lectures, and concerts. www.gulfarium.com
Destin History & Fishing Museum
- Get a taste of old Destin with a collection of vintage photographs and view an impressive selection of the award-winning fish caught in Destin. Also on display are antique fishing rods and reels; the most unique is constructed of split bamboo with an original Penn Reel, which belonged to Ernest Hemmingway. The museum is open to groups and can host up to 30 after-hours. www.destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org
Beverly McNeil Art Gallery
- Featuring Southeastern artists and others from around the world, the art gallery exhibits original paintings, sculpture and pottery. It offers two spaces for groups, including the back warehouse, which can be used for dinners, while the front gallery can host small receptions and events for up to 100. Both spaces combined can accommodate about 200. www.beverlymcneil.com
The Daniel Webster Clements
- Launched in 1996, The Clements is a replica of the Julia Delacruz, which was constructed in the Mississippi Sound in 1924. The builders were able to acquire copies of line drawings and photographs from the archives of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Today, it is available for private charters for groups of up to 47 and includes ample deck space. www.sailingsouth.com
Heritage Park & Cultural Center
- The cultural center, in Fort Walton, consists of the three museums—the Indian Temple Mound Museum, the Camp Walton Schoolhouse and the Garnier Post Office Museum. Together the three present the history of the Fort Walton Beach area from prehistoric times through the close of the post office in the 1950s. The center showcases the largest collection of Southeastern Indian ceramic artifacts in the country as well as the largest Indian mound discovered along saltwater. Groups can hold small meetings of up to 25 in the education center at the Temple Mound Museum. www.fwb.org/content.php?page=55