About Valparaiso
Valparaiso is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. It is part of the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 4,752, down from 5,036 at the 2010 census.
Places to visit in Valparaiso
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Air Force Armament Museum
Museum · 4 mi from centreJust outside the gate of Eglin Air Force Base, this free museum displays military aircraft outdoors and weapons exhibits inside, including an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane.
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Henderson Beach State Park
Beach · 9 mi from centreIn nearby Destin, this park protects white sand dunes and a stretch of emerald Gulf of Mexico shoreline, with a boardwalk nature trail, picnic areas and a campground.
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Okaloosa Island
BeachA barrier island at Fort Walton Beach with wide white-sand beaches, a long fishing pier and boardwalk restaurants along the Gulf of Mexico, popular for swimming and sunset walks.
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Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
ZooA long-established marine park on Okaloosa Island with dolphin presentations, sea lions, penguins and aquarium exhibits of Gulf sea life, suitable for a half-day family outing.
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Indian Temple Mound Museum
HistoricIn Fort Walton Beach, a large prehistoric ceremonial mound sits beside a museum displaying pottery and artifacts from the Native peoples of the Gulf Coast.
Best time to visit Valparaiso
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Valparaiso is April and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 73–80°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Valparaiso weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 76° 49° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 81° 54° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 81° 56° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 78° 54° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 78° 60° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 81° 60° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Valparaiso
These are the airports closest to central Valparaiso. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- VPS Eglin Air Force Base3 mi (4 km) from the city centre
- EGI Duke Field10 mi (17 km) from the city centre
Getting around Valparaiso
Fort Walton Beach has two main arterials. The Miracle Strip Parkway (US 98) travels along the seacoast and through Eglin Air Force Base, and the Eglin Parkway (Florida SR 85) links the city with Okaloosa Regional Airport.
Valparaiso travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Valparaiso?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Valparaiso is April and October to November, when average daytime highs are around 73–80°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Valparaiso?
August is usually the warmest month in Valparaiso, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 40°F (4°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 220 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Valparaiso?
Eglin Air Force Base (VPS) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (4 km) from the centre of Valparaiso. Other nearby airports include Duke Field (EGI, 10 mi).
What time zone is Valparaiso in?
Valparaiso uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Valparaiso?
Fort Walton Beach has two main arterials. The Miracle Strip Parkway (US 98) travels along the seacoast and through Eglin Air Force Base, and the Eglin Parkway (Florida SR 85) links the city with Okaloosa Regional Airport.
What are the best places to visit in Valparaiso?
Top sights in Valparaiso include Air Force Armament Museum, Henderson Beach State Park, Okaloosa Island and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. Just outside the gate of Eglin Air Force Base, this free museum displays military aircraft outdoors and weapons exhibits inside, including an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance plane.
