Year 2008
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Press Kit: Fast Facts
“THE MOMENTS YOU LIVE FOR LIVE HERE”
Famous sugar white sands stretch like miles of white satin. Emerald-jeweled waters. Endless strings of fishing fleets. Links and links of golf. Seaside celebrations. Dancing dolphins. Undeniably fresh seafood. The easy-paced Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island area represents paradise with a laid back mesmerizing atmosphere that is nothing short of perfection.
Fishing village, Southern Sea Towns and Islands-- Destin • Fort Walton Beach • Okaloosa Island -- comprise the Emerald Coast.
Anchoring Florida’s upper north coast, the Gulf of Mexico borders the south, Pensacola and Panama City are west and east respectively and Alabama edges the northern cap.
The collaboration of shocking white sands and brilliant green waters ribbon for 24 miles (38 km) along the Gulf. More than 60 percent of the beaches will be preserved forever in their sweeping, virgin purity.
Surrounded by the Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. Lakes and bayous are riveted with miles of docks and harbors.
Sparsely scattered with sea oats, sand pines and blossoming magnolias, six-mile (10 km) stretches of gentle sand dunes alternate with glimpses of “civilization” and pockets of beach parks with pavilions, gazebos and beach access walk overs along a picturesque coastline.
An aquarium of treasures is found ranging from loggerheads and leatherbacks to lion’s paws and horse conchs. Beach-basking feathered friends are as simple as sandpipers and as expressive as snowy egrets.
Threaded with serpentine marshes and laced with
sun-kissed creeks, a number of wildlife preserves quietly claim the beauty of Mother Nature.
SURPRISINGLY -- CENTRAL
Natural time warp for its leisurely pace.
Acclaims from the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" to undeniably fresh seafood and the starring role in famous Hollywood films.
* Complete list on tidbits sheet.
Named "Number One Beach in the South" and one of the top five "Favorite Family Vacation Destinations" by the readers of Southern Living for twelve consecutive years, to name a few.
Average of 297 Sunny Days Per Year
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More Than 300 Annually
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Enticements include searching for eight-pound (4 kg) queen helmet shells in underwater sunken forests, challenging 1,080 holes of famous golf, fishing from Florida's largest charter boat fleet for the elusive big blue, sailing along the emerald-freckled surf, tubing down meandering moss-draped rivers and sun bronzing on pure white powdered shores.
THE BEACHES * THE WATER * THE SHALLOWS
FLORIDA'S GULFARIUM U.S. AIR FORCE ARMAMENT MUSEUM -- Only one in U.S. Heritage park & Cultural Center -- Largest by saltwater DESTIN COMMONS -- Shopping center with Bass Pro Shop THE TRACK THE FISHING PIER BIG KAHUNA'S EMERALD COAST SCIENCE CENTER -- "Hands-on" science teaching museum -- only one between Jacksonville and New Orleans
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TOTAL OF MORE THAN 201 RESTAURANTS
Emerald Coast restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood in Florida. A justified claim as there are always various tasty types of fish available for savoring during any one season. Bordering the gulf, harbor, bay or bayou, culinary characters range from cedar seafood shacks, lighthouse-bedecked oyster bars and tiki-topped harbor decks to gracious antebellum estates and elegant Gulf-air cafes. Emerald Coast specialties spotlight tastes of the South, from authentic Louisiana Cajun crawfish gumbo, beer-battered fried mullet, hush puppies and pecan pie to continental and European cuisines.
Total of More Than 14,800 Beach Rooms
Reasonably priced options from seaside cottages and a beachside bed and breakfast to spacious condominiums and popular chain hotels. The area can even accommodate guests at one of the four campgrounds.
70,000 Total Square Feet
Emerald Coast Conference Center Emerald Grand Ballroom 21,000 sq. ft./Divisible in Four Sections Palm Ballroom 1,575 sq. ft./Divisible into Two Sections Sunset Ballroom 1,170 sq. ft./Divisible into Two Sections Island Ballroom 900 sq. ft./Divisible into Two Sections Sand Castle Ballroom 425 sq. ft. Dolphin Ballroom 425 sq. ft. Pre-Function Space East – 2,544 sq. ft./South – 1,272 sq. ft. SPECIAL TOUCHES Wi-Fi Technology ISDN Video Conferencing LCD projection Surround Sound Speaker System STSN High-Speed Internet Access In-house Catering Convention Services and Meeting Planning
Easy
U.S. 98 travels along the Emerald Coast, edging the Gulf through Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island From I-10, exit on to Highway 85 south at the Crestview/Fort Walton Beach exit 56 and head straight into Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island 256 miles (412km) from New Orleans 268 miles (431km) from Birmingham 316 miles (509km) from Atlanta
Airports -- Six Major Carriers
THE OKALOOSA REGIONAL AIRPORT Serviced by Atlantic Southeast Airlines/Delta Connections, ComAir, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest Airlines and USAirways Express One hour and 15 minutes from Atlanta One hour and 30 minutes from Nashville Two hours and 30 minutes from Dallas/Ft. Worth
Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway P.O. Box 609 Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32549-0609 (800) 322-3319 or (850) 651-7131 www.destin-fwb.com.