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 Crestview,
one of fastest growing cities in the state of Florida with a
growth rate of 49 percent in the last decade. People have
discovered this beautiful city, located in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida,
where residents enjoy the advantages of a mild climate, low crime
rate, country living, a beautiful historic downtown area, and one
of the lowest cost of living in the state. Security,
comfort, and peace of mind are found in Crestview. In addition,
world famous shopping and Destin’s
sugar-white beaches are just minutes away.
Downtown Crestview features a quaint historic architecture on Main
Street. The historic buildings have been restored
and turned into various offices and quaint small-town businesses
that are beginning to thrive because of the central location.
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Schools
Okaloosa
County School District is committed to providing safe, challenging
educational opportunities to enable all students to acquire the
knowledge, skills and values required for responsible citizenship,
personal development, and life-long learning.
 The Okaloosa County School District
serves over 30,000
students from pre-kindergarten to adult education. Each of
our 38 schools is fully accredited by the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools. Okaloosa County students consistently
score above the state and national averages on standardized tests
including the SAT and ACT.
For those with special educational preferences or needs, the
Crestview area also offers alternative educational choices,
including an independent charter public school and a wide range of
accredited denominational and non-denominational private schools.
The Crestview Schools include Walker
Elementary, Davidson
Middle School, and Crestview
High School.
The local post-graduate schools include Okaloosa-Walton
College, University
of West Florida, the
Graduate Engineering & Research Center, and Troy
State University.
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Local Activities
Families find a lot to do in Crestview. The temperatures in
Crestview are moderate, averaging 80 degrees in
summer and 51 degrees in winter.
There are several city parks with ball fields and
playgrounds. There is a 3/8-mile clay track available to the
public at the Old Spanish Trial Park, which is the site of the
Family Fun Day festival, the Crestview Music Fest, and the Old
Spanish Trail Festival. Visit the City
of Crestview web site for activity calendar.
In the fall, cascades of amber and fuchia-colored leaves adorn
the
tree-lined streets. In spring, azaleas, dogwoods, wisteria,
and jasmine enchant, reminiscent of days gone by. And
everywhere, people walk, children play, and neighbors visit.
Three scenic rivers, numerous lakes, acres of unspoiled forests
and fine golf courses make the Crestview area a true paradise for
those who love boating fishing, golfing, and other outdoor
activities. For the golf enthusiast, there are two 18-hole
golf courses in town and a new 9-hole, par 3 course located in the
nearby Baker community.
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Culture and The Arts
The Okaloosa County area has a long and fascinating history dating
back before the colonization of the new world. There are
many museums in the area documenting much of the heritage of the
area. A few of the museums include the Carver-Hill Museum,
the Air Force Armament Museum, the Heritage Museum, and the Indian
Mound Museum.
The Arts
Center at the Okaloosa-Walton Community College, Niceville
Campus, is the cultural artistic center for all of Northwest
Florida. The 120,000 square foot fine and performing arts
complex features a 1,650-seat theater, which hosts an annual
series of Broadway shows. In addition, other theaters are
available along with a dance studio, music wing, and an art wing
featuring the college's multi-million dollar permanent art
collection as well as traveling exhibits.
Northwest Florida is home to a wide array organizations committed
to the cultural development of the area. Some are the Mattie
Kelly Arts Foundations, First Arts, The Arts and Design Society,
Northwest Florida Ballet, Northwest Florida Symphony Chorus,
Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Emerald Coast Community
Band, Emerald Coast Barbershop Chorus, and others.
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Okaloosa County
Okaloosa
County supports three military installations, Eglin Air Force
Base, Hurlburt Field, and Duke Field; all major contributors in
Okaloosa County's growing technology-based economy. Over 27% of
all Department of Defense funding for base operations in the state
of Florida is spent in Okaloosa County.
Although the primary attractions are shopping,
the beautiful sugar white beaches and bountiful fishing, there are
many other recreational activities to enjoy in Okaloosa County and
along the beautiful Emerald Coast. The Emerald Coast beaches have
been named in the "Top 10 Best Beaches in the United
States" year after year. They have been voted Best Beach in
the South and Top Family Destination five years in a row by
Southern Living Magazine. USA Today,
Parent Magazine and Florida
Living Magazine have also selected Okaloosa County beaches as the
“Best Beaches” for vacationing.
Information and photos provided by the Crestview
Chamber of Commerce
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