The 20 Best Things to Do in Navarre with Kids
So you’ve found the beautiful “hidden” gem of Navarre, Florida, and you’re wondering about the best things to do in Navarre with kids? We’ve got you covered! Navarre, FL, is one of my family’s favorite places!
Family vacations in Florida can be spent in busy cities like Orlando, Miami, or Tampa. However, they can also be spent in charming towns like Navarre Beach.
I prefer the latter on occasion because the calmer ambiance helps me relax and enjoy time with my family. Now, don’t start to think there is hardly anything to do in these smaller towns. There are plenty of things to do in Navarre!
You can easily spend an entire week in this part of Florida and still not check all the things to do in Navarre with kids off your list. But that’s okay because this quaint town will be waiting for you whenever you decide to make a return trip.
The 20 Best Things to Do in Navarre, FL with Kids
When you think of Northwest Florida, you might think of Pensacola or Destin, but some of the smallest towns have pretty spectacular things to do in NW Florida! Destin is great, but if you want a more laid back and quiet vacation with plenty of room to spread out, look into Navarre, FL.
Don’t forget to check out our SpringHill Suites by Marriott Navarre Beach Review – one of the few hotels in the area and definitely the best hotel in Navarre Beach. You won’t find a lot of hotels in Navarre, but there are plenty of vacation rentals available on VRBO!
If you’re flying into Pensacola or Destin, you’ll definitely need a rental car. I recommend renting a car from Discount USA Car Rental. I use Discount USA Car Rental every time I need to rent a car. They have the best prices and you don’t have to pack until you pick it up!
Go on a Dolphin Tour with Captain Mike and Coastal Life Charters & Adventures
Heading out to the water on a boat is a wonderful way to spend a few hours with your family while on vacation in Florida. During a tour with Coastal Life Charters & Adventures, you will have the opportunity to see wild dolphins.
Captain Mike leads these tours. He is pretty knowledgeable about being out on the water and near the dolphins. The dolphins will come right up to your boat.
You will also see them jump out of the water and do little tricks not too far from the boat. The dolphins are definitely quite playful, and it will look like they are putting on a show for you.
Take a Bike Ride Along the Florida National Scenic Trail
One of the best things to do in Navarre with kids is bike riding along the Florida National Scenic Trail. You can rent bikes from the Boardwalk Shop, so don’t think you need to pack those for your trip!
This bike trail continues for miles from Navarre Beach all the way to Pensacola Beach. You probably won’t ride along the entire trail. But the distance you travel will work wonders on tiring the kids out.
When you finish this, don’t miss 32 things to do in Destin Florida which is just down the road!
Go Fishing from the Navarre Beach Pier
When you are looking for things to do in Navarre Beach, fishing might be at the top of your list. It is best to fish from the Navarre Beach Pier at sunrise.
That is when the fish are the most active near the pier. You will need to purchase a daily pass to fish on the pier. The Navarre Beach Pier Bait and Tackle shop is the best place to rent a rod and reels too.
If you are not in the fishing mood or dislike fishing, you can always pay a small fee to walk along the pier instead. At a quarter of a mile long, it is the longest pier in the state.
Play a Round of Golf
There are plenty of options when it comes to playing a round of golf in Florida. When you visit Navarre Beach, I recommend considering the Club at Hidden Creek, Stonebrook Golf Club, Tiger Point Golf and Country Club, or the Marcus Pointe Golf Club.
Check Out the Coastline from a Helicopter
If you are searching for one of the more unique things to do in Navarre Beach, check out the helicopter tours with Navarre Family Watersports.
When the helicopter goes up in the air, it will take you along the Gulf Coast to see the sights from a different vantage point. The shorter flight will have you staying near the beach and hotels. A slightly longer trip will have you going all the way from the Gulf Islands National Seashore to Pensacola.
Of course, you can also choose the once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride for your family. During this adventure, you will also be taken out to the 1800s era shipwreck. The helicopter will hover above the wreck, so you can see the sharks and other marine life swimming around the ship.
Navarre Family Watersports also offers a variety of other fun things for your trip. So, you may want to check them out if you’re going to rent paddleboards, wave runners, kayaks, or pontoons for your vacation in Navarre Beach.
Relax on one of the Sandy Beaches in Navarre
There are five main beaches near the town of Navarre. However, only three of those beaches are right in the town. The main beach in the area is Navarre Beach. The other two beaches include East Beach and Southside Beach.
Navarre Beach is the place to go when you want to be in the middle of the action. There are also plenty of restaurants nearby, so it is easy to grab a bite to eat whenever your family is hungry.
You can also take surf lessons with Gulf Coast Surf School!
East Beach is the perfect option if your family loves to walk along the shoreline. The barbecues and pavilions are both excellent for picnic lunches and dinners.
Southside Beach has the shallowest water of all three beaches. This should be your beach of choice if you travel with small children. Navarre Beach is also one of the best shelling beaches in Florida.
Visit the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
Wandering through the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center is one of the most amazing things to do in Navarre with kids. As a family, you will find yourself watching a jellyfish glide through the water before checking out the starfish.
The highlight of your visit will be when you see Sweet Pea, the resident green turtle. She loves seeing new visitors. Safari and Flip Flop are the two resident tortoises. They will be happy to see your family as well.
Photo is property of Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center.
If you happen to plan your vacation in Navarre Beach for the end of June or the beginning of July, your family may have the chance to watch the Sea Turtle Rescue. During the rescue, volunteers line the beach to help the baby turtles find their way back to the Gulf of Mexico.
Visit the Animals at the Gulf Breeze Zoo
If visiting the turtles and tortoises at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center is not enough for your family, you can always make the fifteen-minute drive to the Gulf Breeze Zoo. There are more than 800 animals at this zoo. Those animals live amongst the fifty acres at the zoo. You should make sure everyone is wearing sturdy walking shoes for this adventure because you will do a lot of walking during your visit.
When everyone gets tired of walking, you can all hop onto the Safari Express Miniature Train. The train ride takes approximately fifteen minutes, perfect for when you need a little time off your feet.
Visit the Marine Science Center
Even more, animals can be seen when you take the time to visit the Marine Science Center. There are more than 10,000 animals here. Your family can learn all about marine life while participating in the numerous interactive exhibits.
Take a Walk Through Eden Gardens State Park
When you are searching for calming and tranquil things to do in Navarre, I recommend considering a walk through Eden Gardens State Park. As you walk around, you might notice that all the palm trees look slightly different.
There are more than 250 different types of palm trees within the park. Located on 163-acres, you may also see deer, tortoises, alligators, and birds on your walking adventure.
Photo is property of Edens Garden State Park.
Edens Garden State Park is open from 8 AM-sunset every day of the year. Admission is $4 per vehicle.
Attend the Navarre Beach Sand Sculpture Competition
The Navarre Beach Sand Sculpture Competition is one of the wonderful things to do in Navarre Beach. However, you must plan your vacation accordingly if you want to attend this event. The competition is held every year during the months of March and April.
During this competition, you can choose to watch everyone else create their own sand sculpture. Numerous professional sand sculptors attend this event. You can even join in on the sandy fun and create your own sand sculpture.
Walk Along the Navarre Beach Boardwalk
Whether you are searching for family-friendly things to do in Navarre Beach or romantic things to do, the Navarre Beach Boardwalk has you covered. Head out on a walk along this boardwalk to see gorgeous views of the Gulf of Mexico. Boutiques and restaurants are nearby, so you can quickly grab a bite to eat or do a little shopping.
Kayak to Fern Island
Fern Island is the perfect place to escape and get away from it all while on vacation in Navarre Beach. While you can reach this tranquil island by boat, I recommend hopping into a kayak and paddling out on your own. You will see a lot of marine life along the way.
Explore Navarre Lighthouse Park
A trip to the Navarre Lighthouse Park is a must when you are planning things to do in Navarre. The lighthouse is over 100 years old. The onsite museum offers a glimpse into the history of the lighthouse. After your history lesson, the kids can play on the playground while you relax with a picnic lunch.
Hike the Trails at Naval Live Oaks Area
The Naval Live Oaks Area is over in nearby Gulf Breeze. There are multiple hiking trails to choose from, so you will be able to find one that fits your family’s needs. There are picnic tables that overlook Pensacola Bay. So, make sure you pack a lunch or a few snacks to enjoy during your downtime with a view.
Dine at Juana’s Pagodas
Juana’s Pagodas is a restaurant that opened on the Navarre Beach Causeway back in 1989. Their menu is filled with family favorites. While you are eating, you can listen to live music on the weekends or DJ’d events throughout the rest of the year.
You can’t miss this restaurant; it’s located right off the bridge that brings you from Navarre to Navarre Beach!
Visit the Butterflies at the Panhandle Butterfly House & Nature Center
The Panhandle Butterfly House & Nature Center is located in the nearby town of Milton. Throughout the center, your family will be able to see the butterflies that are native to Florida.
The best part about visiting the butterfly house is you can learn how these creatures grow from little larvae into caterpillars and eventually butterflies. This attraction is only open between the months of May and August. So, you will need to plan your trip accordingly.
Grab Local Foods at the Navarre Farmer’s Market
The Navarre Farmer’s Market is held on Saturdays. It is an excellent place to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for your vacation. You can also find many different local foods at this market.
Go Horseback Riding at Bay Haven Farms
Bay Haven Farms is an excellent option when you want to add horseback riding to your list of things to do in Navarre with kids. The friendly staff will choose horses that are perfect for your family’s riding needs. So, you will not need to worry if you have beginner riders on your trip.
Watch the Blue Angels in Pensacola
The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is more commonly known as the Blue Angels. They are stationed at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. Between the months of March and November, you can watch this team practice their skills along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
They also perform two shows in the area each year. The first show is held in July, while the second is either in October or November.
The best things to do in Navarre with kids
These are the twenty best things to do in Navarre with kids. They are some of our favorites, anyway! For my family, are top two things to do in Navarre are relaxing on beautiful Navarre Beach and taking a dolphin tour with Captain Mike.
If you haven’t vacationed in this area of Florida before, you have really been missing out on some fun! Start planning your next family vacation and add at least a few of these amazing things to do in Navarre Beach to your itinerary.
About Florida Travel With Kids
Florida Travel with Kids was started by a family who loves to travel the state of Florida with kids! This site will help you explore the fun state of Florida and all of the kid-friendly activities you’ll find here.
Did you enjoy this post? I would love it if you would pin it for later! Or, make sure to share it with your friends on social media if they are looking for things to do in Florida with kids.
Don’t forget to check out some of our other top blog posts with things to do in Florida with kids:
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