Discover Shalimar

Shalimar offers several ways to shape your stay: parks with pavilions, picnic tables and playground equipment; a sandy beach for sunbathing and a boat ramp; and a personal reading experience at the Shalimar Library. There is also the story of Port Dixie, a planned city that was once under development. As you choose your destination, consider whether you’re mainly looking for time outdoors, a particular experience or historical discoveries.

Parks for celebrations, picnics and play

At Combs Park, you can reserve a pavilion for celebrations. This is a practical option if you’re planning to use a pavilion for a celebration during your vacation. Longwood/Poquito Bayou Park also has pavilions, along with picnic tables and grills.

Leo Norred Park has playground equipment, park benches and picnic tables. If you’re traveling with children, you can plan to spend time playing at the park and then take a break; the benches and tables provide a dedicated place to sit. So, when choosing between the parks, what matters is what you’d like to focus on: a pavilion for a celebration, picnic facilities or playground equipment.

Sunbathing and getting out on the water in small boats

Meigs Park has a sandy beach for sunbathing. The park also has a boat ramp that gives small boats access to Choctawhatchee Bay.

Longwood/Poquito Bayou Park also has a boat ramp, providing boat access to the bayou. If you’re interested in a vacation rental in Shalimar, you can first consider whether visiting a park, sunbathing or access by boat is among your vacation priorities.

A reading experience and the history of Port Dixie

READing Paws at the Shalimar Library offers a personal reading experience with a trained therapy dog and a trainer. This is quite different from a day at the park and gives you a separate reason to consider including the library in your plans. If you’d like to bring together different interests during your trip, you can consider this reading experience alongside time outdoors.

Port Dixie reveals another side of Shalimar: the planned city was developed in the 1920s, but the project was later abandoned. The story, then, is not of a completed city, but of an idea that was not pursued. For visitors interested in local history, this distinction is especially revealing. It makes Port Dixie a topic in its own right alongside the parks’ recreational offerings.

When looking for a vacation rental in Shalimar, it helps to first decide what kind of stay you want.

Discover more places

More places in the same selection: NicevilleNiceville, Mary EstherMary Esther, CrestviewCrestview, Fort Walton BeachFort Walton Beach, DestinDestin.

For the broader travel overview: Okaloosa.