15 Best Things To Do In Niceville, Florida

Alisa
Posted Apr 13, 2021
| 4 min read

Niceville is a hidden gem in Florida. Once known as Boggy, this city is just shy of 13,000 people. Niceville overlooks Choctawhatchee Bay and is a great place to visit if you are a nature lover, or if you’re interested in historical small-town America. The tranquility of this city is quite appealing, drawing visitors who are weary of the big cities and their boisterous atmosphere. With a sedate persona and a quaint appeal, Niceville is a perfect getaway destination. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in Niceville, Florida.

1. Pounders Hawaiian Grill - Niceville


A fast, casual Hawaiian barbecue restaurant in Niceville, Florida, Pounders Hawaiian Grill has a vision and mission that claims the restaurant as a meeting spot of the big American Dream and the aloha spirit. The restaurant offers mouthwatering delectables in a casual spot with eclectic decor. While here, try out the small kine or pounders, along with some in-house drinks such as apple iced tea, passion orange, and more.

Pounders Hawaiian Grill - Niceville

Address: 142 Palm Blvd N, Niceville, FL 32578, United States

Website: Pounders Hawaiian Grill - Niceville

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)

2. 3rd Planet Brewing - The Mothership


The first craft brewery in Niceville, Florida, 3rd Planet Brewing offers craft beer in a vibrant atmosphere. Owned by two military veterans, this craft brewery features 14 tap handles that pour out both craft brews and signature drinks. This casual hangout spot is also a kid-friendly and dog-friendly place, so you don’t have to leave behind your two-legged and four-legged babies back at home. You can also enjoy outdoor yard games such as corn hole and Jenga with your family and friends. All-in-all, this is a great place to catch up for drinks and endless conversations.

3rd Planet Brewing - The Mothership

Address: 1400 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578

Website: 3rd Planet Brewing - The Mothership

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 3pm - 9pm; Wed: 3pm - 10pm; Thu - Fri: 12pm - 10pm; Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

3. MidBay Sailing


Do you love sailing or are you fascinated by people who do? Do you want to learn how to sail? Then why not book a session with MidBay Sailing and check off the activity from your bucket list? MidBay Sailing offers unique experiences near Emerald Coast, Florida. You can book the session either when you want to try something new, to plan a fun weekend adventure, or to get your sailing certification course, MidBay Sailing does it all. It is a sailing academy and sailing charter based out of Niceville.

MidBay Sailing

Address: 290 Yacht Club Dr, Niceville, FL 32578

Website: MidBay Sailing

Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)

4. L4K Charters


If you are a first-timer or even a pro at fishing and you want to have a great fishing experience, then why not check out what L4K Charters has to offer? L4K Charters offers both near-shore and inshore experiences in fishing. They provide you with all the equipment, license, and even bait to make sure you have a seamless fishing experience. You can choose from various options such as a half-day tour or a full-day tour. Whatever you choose, rest assured you’ll have a blast!

L4K Charters

Website: L4K Charters

Opening hours: Mon, Wed & Fri: 7am - 6pm, 7pm - 12am; Tue, Thu & Sat: 7am - 6pm; Sun: 1pm - 6pm

5. Yoga Junkie Studio


Yoga Junkie Studio in Niceville, Florida, will have you calm and relaxed during and after the yoga session. The yoga classes held here will relieve all your stress and tension through breathing techniques and exercises. Besides strengthening your flexibility from a routine yoga class, you can also enroll in other yoga sessions, including hot yoga and gentle yoga. Several workshops are also held here frequently.

Yoga Junkie Studio

Address: 1157 E John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578

Website: Yoga Junkie Studio

Opening hours: Mon, Tue & Thu: 9:15am - 8pm; Wed: 7:30am - 8:15pm; Fri: 9:15am - 6:45pm; Sat: 8:30am - 4pm; Sun: 9:30am - 8:15pm

6. Henderson Beach State Park

Are you looking for beautiful, crystal clear blue water with a white sand beach? Then head down to Henderson Beach State Park. This park features more than 6,000 feet (1,828 meters) of shoreline, which borders the Gulf of Mexico. There are a few boardwalks that provide access to the beach for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. If you’re looking to picnic or BBQ, this state park is equipped with four large and two small pavilions.

There is also a nature trail for all of you nature lovers, with a large playground along the way for the kids to enjoy. The trail is pet-friendly and filled with Floridian wildlife. If you want to stay the night, you can enjoy camping at over 60 campsites that are located in the secondary dune system. Included at these sites are basic necessities like water and electric hookups, as well as access to air-conditioned and heated bathhouse facilities. The camp grounds also have a separate beach access boardwalk with outdoor showers.

Henderson Beach is A.D.A. accessible and there is wheelchair availability. Come down to Henderson Beach State Park and enjoy breathtaking, selfie worthy sunsets next to the warm, crystal clear Gulf of Mexico waters.

Henderson Beach State Park

Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Parkway Destin, FL 32541

Website: Henderson Beach State Park

7. James Lee Park


Further along the Gulf Coast, you can find James Lee Park. James Lee Park is famous for its beach, which is located on the Walton/Okaloosa County line. If you are looking for a space to BBQ or picnic, this park has 3 pavilions and 41 picnic tables. If you are a nature lover, there are 9 dune walkovers. A playground is also available for the children. And last but not least, if you’re here for the sea, then there are washrooms with changing rooms right along the beach.

James Lee Park

Address: 3510 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin

Website: James Lee Park

8. U.S. Air Force Armament Museum

Take a journey through the history of aviation warfare armament, from the early days of World War I to today’s high tech planes and bombs. Peruse the extensive collection of weaponry and cockpit simulators both new and old. There are even outdoor displays that feature vintage military aircraft, including the fastest plane ever built - the SR-71 Blackbird!

U.S. Air Force Armament Museum

Address: 100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida 32542

Website: U.S. Air Force Armament Museum

9. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

This beautiful state park was named after U.S. Air Force Colonel, Fred Gannon, whose valiant efforts contributed greatly to preserving the site. Many visitors enjoy the trailing arm of Choctawhatchee Bay, whether they are boating or fishing. For all of you boaters out there, this state park features a double-lane boat ramp, where saltwater fish are found.

Nature lovers who don’t necessarily want to spend the day in a boat can still easily enjoy hiking, biking or a nice relaxing picnic amongst the park’s breathtaking scenery and wildlife. If you are interested in staying overnight, there is a campground with full-facility camping.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

Address: 4281 S.R.20 Niceville, FL, FL 32578

Website: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

10. Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Park

If you enjoy walking through the outdoors on a boardwalk, then Turkey Creek Nature Trail may be your ideal spot. Visitors to the trail are welcome to walk, hike or tube in the park. If the weather is too hot, try jumping into the water from some of the platforms that are set up especially for this purpose!

Turkey Creek Nature Trail and Park

Address: 340 W John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578, USA

Website: Turkey Creek Nature Trail

11. Lions Park


If you’re looking for a great place to spend the day, then consider a visit to Lion’s Park. This park has a great view of the bay and is known for its luminous sunsets.

Lions Park

Address: 940-958 Bayshore Dr, Niceville, FL 32578, USA

Website: Lions Park

12. King's Castle Art Studio


Are you interested in local art? If you are, then you should take a trip down to King’s Castle Art Studio and see what Suzanne King has been up to. This local art studio has a showroom where you can view the different works and purchase some unique souvenirs.

King's Castle Art Studio

Address: 209 2nd Street Niceville, Florida

Facebook: King’s Castle Art Studio

13. Mattie Kelly Arts Center


Mattie Kelly Arts Center is located on the campus of Northwest Florida State College and is home to the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. This arts center has a main-stage theater, which accommodates touring Broadway shows. In addition to this, there is also a flexible Sprint Theater, two galleries, a music wing, a visual arts building and an amphitheater. If you’re planning a trip to Niceville, you must visit this arts center. Check out their website for further information about shows and schedules.

Mattie Kelly Arts Center

Address: 100 E College Blvd, Niceville, FL 32578, USA

Website: Mattie Kelly Arts Center

14. Niceville Skate Park


Are your kids active? Do they like to skateboard, inline skate or ride BMX bicycles? If your answer is yes, then bring them down to Niceville Skate Park where they can spend the day rolling in the sunshine! This 5-acre (2-hectare) park features street obstacles, ramps, tables, a box, stairs, and Woodward skate equipment. Make skate dreams come true with a visit to Niceville Skate Park today!

Niceville Skate Park

Address: 200 Campbell Dr., Niceville FL

Website: Niceville Skate Park

15. Niceville Dog Park


Did you bring your fur-baby on vacation with you? Niceville has a 3-acre (1.2-hectare) dog park, with a specialty enclosure for small dogs that has its own private entrance. Aside from this, the park features a fenced unleashing area, lots of parking, picnic tables and water stations. There is plenty of shade in this park so no need to worry about overheating.

Niceville Dog Park

Address: 208 N Partin Dr, Niceville, FL 32578

Website: Niceville Dog Park

A lovely place to spend some quality time

If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing destination that offers a beautiful outdoor setting, then a trip to Niceville, Florida is definitely in order.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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