Eglin AFB is located in northwest Florida and was established in 1935. It is an Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) base and is responsible for development, acquisition, testing, deployment, and sustainment of all air-delivered non-nuclear weapons. Eglin is home to the 96th Test Wing, 20th Space Control Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 Lightnings, 325th Fighter Wing F-22 Raptors, 53rd Test Wing F-15 Eagles and F-16 Falcons, 6th Ranger Training Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, and the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal among others. Eglin AFB along with nearby Hurlburt Air Base and the Army’s 7th Group are the home for the Air Force and Army’s most elite special operations forces.  Eglin is also the only initial training base for the F-35 allowing us to care for not only our Air Force, Navy and Marine fliers and technicians but also their fellow NATO Airmen from multiple countries.

• Bring your swimsuit and sandals to hit the beaches! You'll have no shortage of options.

- Some of our favorite beaches are Okaloosa Island, Crystal Beach, Princess Beach, Navarre Beach, Henderson Beach, Grayton Beach, Crab Trap Destin

• Spend a day at Destin, our local vacation destination with beautiful beaches, shopping, waterparks, water sports, restaurants, and more 

• Outdoor parks for walkers, swimmers, hikers, and bikers

  • Topsail Park, Henderson State Park, Ponce de Leon Springs, Timber Lake Bike Trails, Blackwater River State Forest, Morrison Springs

• Pontoon Boat Rentals: There are multiple rental companies for pontoon boats including the MWR on base. One popular activity is to split a pontoon boat and to head over to Crab Island.

• Check out the Air Force Armament Museum (free!!)

• Golf: Numerous quality courses for golfers of all skills

  • Less expensive: Eglin Golf Course, Fort Walton Beach

  • More expensive: The Raven, Emerald Bay, The Links, Kelly Planation

• Go scuba diving or get certified- there are plenty of companies that offer dive certification/trips, including the Eglin AFB MWR

• Deep sea fishing- Destin is also known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village." There's no better place to hop on a charter and spend the day at sea.

• Bike, run, or drive parts of the scenic Highway 30A along the Gulf Coast

• Italian: TradeWinds, Clemenza’s, Mimmos

• Mexican/Latin: Burrito del Sol, Tony's Latin Food, Don Cha Peruvian Food, Taqueria Mi Gente, Peppers, Fuego Grille and Cafe, Pedro's Taco and Tequila Bar

• Asian/Pacific Island: Domo (Sushi), Dosirak House (Sushi/Japanese), Think Poke (Poke), Maui Bus Stop (Hawaiian), Pounders (Hawaiian), Holi (Indian), Thai Me Up (Thai), Kim's Korean Restaurant,

• Seafood: Doc's Oyster Bar, Stewby’s Seafood Shanty, Dewey's, Boshamps, Marina Cafe, The Wharf 850

• Bars/Pubs/Breweries: McGuire’s, The Gulf, 3rd Planet, Strange Colt, Wood Foot, Cheers, Fort Walton Brewing Company, Beach Camp, Ivy & Ale, Salt Hop Brewing, local's Eatery

• Coffee: Small Batches, Beach Weekend Coffee, East Pass Coffee, Main Brew Coffee, Debs Coffee, MJs Coffee, Wondah Coffee, Tehillah, Maas

• Sweet treats: Pink Coyote (ice cream, coffee, floats), THICK Cookie Co (so good), Parlor Doughnuts, Okaloosa Donuts, Bon Appetit French Bakery, Peach Cobbler Factory, Beignets & Brews

• Brunch/Breakfast: Beachview (right on the water!!), The Wharf 850, The Little Griddle, Ivy & Ale, Basil and Baxter's, Angler's, Bistrology

• Burgers/BBQ/Southern: Tops, Cow's Head, Jim N' Nicks, Mary's Kitchen, Evie Mae's

• Pizza: Lost Pizza, Task Force Pizza, TradeWinds, Clemenza's, FUBAR, Sam's Club (lol)

If you are looking for a little get away within driving distance, there is plenty to do for a day-trip or long weekend:

• Pensacola (1 hour)

• Panama City Beach (1 hour)

• New Orleans (4 hours)

• Atlanta (5 hours)

• Jacksonville (5 hours)

• Orlando (6 hours)