Written by the team at Timber Creek Distillery in Crestview, Florida. Last updated: April 2026.
The Emerald Coast Zoo and Timber Creek Distillery are two of the most distinctive day-trip attractions in
inland Northwest Florida. Both sit in Crestview — about 30 miles north of Destin and 50 miles east of Pensacola — and only six miles apart from each other. As a result, the two attractions naturally pair as a complete half-day itinerary for travelers based on the Florida Panhandle. Specifically, the Emerald Coast Zoo is a hands-on family destination featuring giraffe feedings, sloth encounters, and over 200 animals across more than 100 species. Just 10 to 15 minutes east, Timber Creek Distillery is the only working grain-to-glass distillery on the Emerald Coast — featuring tours, tastings, and the world’s only Bourbon Blending Experience. Together, the two stops give visitors one of the easiest and most memorable inland day trips in the entire region.
Quick Facts About the Zoo + Distillery Day Trip
- Total time needed: 4-6 hours for a relaxed half-day itinerary
- Distance between attractions: ~6 miles (10-15 minutes by car)
- Best for: Families with kids, couples, multi-generation groups, military families based at Eglin or Hurlburt
- Emerald Coast Zoo address: 5262 Deer Springs Dr, Crestview, FL 32539
- Timber Creek Distillery address: 6451 Lake Ella Rd, Crestview, FL 32539
- Zoo founded: 1989 (originally Sasquatch Zoo)
- Zoo current ownership: The de Ridder family (since 2017)
- Zoo size: Approximately 200+ animals across 100+ species
- Distillery distinction: Only working grain-to-glass distillery on the Emerald Coast
- Distillery experiences: Distillery Tour & Tasting, Bourbon Blending Experience (world’s only), Wine & Chocolate Pairing
- Distance from Destin: 27 miles south (about 40 minutes)
- Distance from Fort Walton Beach: 25 miles south (about 30 minutes)
- Distance from 30A: 35 miles south (about 50 minutes)
Why Pair the Zoo and Distillery Together?
The two stops complement each other naturally. Specifically, the Emerald Coast Zoo offers an interactive, family-focused morning experience. Then Timber Creek Distillery provides an adult-focused afternoon experience nearby. As a result, mixed-age groups can spend the morning together at the zoo, then split or transition smoothly. Specifically, families with younger children can stop for lunch and head back to the coast. Meanwhile, adults can continue to the distillery for tours, tastings, or hands-on bourbon blending.
The proximity is a big part of what makes this itinerary work. Specifically, the six-mile drive between the two attractions takes only 10 to 15 minutes. As a result, visitors do not have to commit to another major highway segment after already driving inland from the coast. Furthermore, the route between the two attractions passes through quiet rural roads, open fields, and farmland. The shift in landscape changes the rhythm of the day in a meaningful way.
For travelers based on the Emerald Coast, this combination provides one of the most memorable inland day trips available. Specifically, visitors based in Destin, 30A, Miramar Beach, or Fort Walton Beach can reach Crestview in 30 to 50 minutes. As a result, the half-day itinerary fits comfortably into any longer beach vacation.
How to Get From the Coast to Crestview
For travelers heading inland from the beach communities, Highway 285 provides one of the most efficient routes north into Crestview. Specifically, Highway 285 places visitors directly on the east side of town near the zoo. As a result, travelers avoid heavier Highway 85 congestion. Furthermore, confirming distillery hours in advance allows for smooth timing between destinations.
Recommended Half-Day Itinerary
The following itinerary works well for most groups. Specifically, the timing assumes a 9:00 AM start at the zoo. Earlier or later starts work too, depending on personal preference.
9:00 AM — Arrive at Emerald Coast Zoo
Begin the day at the Emerald Coast Zoo at 5262 Deer Springs Drive. Specifically, plan about 90 minutes to two hours for the visit. As a result, families can move at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed.
Highlights include feeding the giraffes, walking through the kangaroo enclosure, visiting the sloths, and seeing the lemurs, reptiles, exotic birds, and giant tortoises. Furthermore, animal encounter programs allow guests to get even closer to certain animals.
12:30 PM — Distillery Tour or Bourbon Blending Experience
After leaving the zoo, drive about 10 to 15 minutes east to Timber Creek Distillery at 6451 Lake Ella Road. Specifically, the route passes through working farmland and quiet rural roads. As a result, the drive itself becomes part of the experience as the landscape shifts from structured animal habitats to open agricultural land.
At Timber Creek Distillery, visitors choose between several experiences. Specifically, the Distillery Tour & Tasting walks visitors through fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. Meanwhile, the Bourbon Blending Experience lets visitors taste individual grain whiskeys and blend their own custom bourbon to take home. As a result, the Bourbon Blending Experience has become Timber Creek’s most popular booking.
For groups that want something different, the Wine & Chocolate Tasting offers a more relaxed pairing experience. Furthermore, all experiences are bookable through the Tastings & Experiences page.
1:00 PM — Pick Up a Bottle and Head Home
Before leaving the distillery, visitors can browse the spirits lineup to bring home a bottle. Specifically, the lineup includes Florida bourbon, rye, rum, vodka, and gin. As a result, the day ends with a tangible take-home reminder of the experience. Furthermore, visitors heading back to the coast pass back through Crestview and onto Highway 285 toward Destin or 30A.
About the Emerald Coast Zoo
From Sasquatch Zoo to Emerald Coast Zoo
The Emerald Coast Zoo traces its origins back to 1989. Specifically, it began as the Sasquatch Zoo. Over time, ownership evolved. As a result, the property went through several transitions. In 2017, the de Ridder family purchased the zoo and committed themselves to rebuilding and expanding it.
The de Ridder family’s purchase was not a cosmetic refresh. Specifically, it required infrastructure upgrades, habitat improvements, and a renewed focus on long-term animal care standards. As a result, the zoo today represents nearly a decade of incremental, deliberate reinvestment. Furthermore, the family moved onto the property and embedded themselves in daily operations. That proximity influences the culture of the zoo.
What Makes Emerald Coast Zoo Different
The zoo operates independently and is supported largely by admissions and community participation. Specifically, the mission emphasizes responsible stewardship, joyful service to visitors, and compassionate care for animals. As a result, educational interaction is prioritized over spectacle. Enclosures are positioned for eye-level engagement. Furthermore, keepers are accessible and questions are encouraged.
For families, this creates an environment where children are not simply observing animals from a distance. Specifically, children learn about habitat, diet, physiology, and conservation in a way that feels natural. As a result, the experience blends recreation with education without becoming overly formal.
Animal Encounters
Emerald Coast Zoo is especially known for its interactive encounters. Specifically, guests may feed giraffes, participate in guided penguin feedings, interact with sloths, observe kangaroos up close, and learn about reptiles, birds, giant tortoises, and American alligators. As a result, families can choose the level of interaction that fits their comfort and interest. Furthermore, these experiences are structured carefully and offered as optional enhancements to general admission.
Practical Visit Information
Admission pricing remains accessible compared to large metropolitan zoos. Specifically, the property offers free parking, picnic areas for guests who bring food, and seasonal programming that encourages repeat visits. Furthermore, wagon and golf cart rentals improve accessibility for families with younger children.
The zoo also hosts field trips, group visits, birthday celebrations, and special events. As a result, it has become a recurring community destination for local families across Okaloosa County.
About Timber Creek Distillery
The Only Grain-to-Glass Distillery on the Emerald Coast
Timber Creek Distillery operates as a true grain-to-glass distillery. Specifically, corn, wheat, rye, and barley are milled, fermented, distilled, aged, and bottled on site. As a result, this level of control over production mirrors the zoo’s emphasis on stewardship. In both cases, oversight is direct and hands-on.
The distillery sits on a working family farm just east of Crestview. Specifically, the farm setting changes the rhythm of the visit. As a result, visitors transition from the structured animal habitats at the zoo to the open agricultural environment of the distillery in just a few miles.
Distillery Tour & Tasting
The most common visitor experience is the Distillery Tour & Tasting. Specifically, this guided experience walks visitors through fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling. As a result, guests learn how different grains and techniques shape the final spirits. Furthermore, the tour covers the full grain-to-glass process from field to bottle.
The Bourbon Blending Experience
For guests who want something more interactive, the Bourbon Blending Experience shows how Timber Creek makes bourbon by cooking one grain at a time. Specifically, visitors taste individual grain whiskeys, learn how mash bills influence flavor, and then blend a custom bourbon to take home. As a result, this is the only bourbon blending experience of its kind in the world.
Visitors interested in the background behind the process can also explore the separate grain distillation article. Furthermore, the Bourbon Blending Kit story explains how the experience started.
Wine & Chocolate Tasting
For visitors who want something different from whiskey, the Wine & Chocolate Tasting offers a slower, more relaxed pairing experience. Specifically, the experience pairs wines with curated chocolate selections. As a result, it works especially well for couples and smaller groups.
The Spirits Lineup
Timber Creek produces a full lineup of spirits made from grain grown nearby. Specifically, the spirits lineup includes Florida bourbon, rye whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin. As a result, visitors can take home bottles directly from the distillery. Furthermore, visitors interested in regional whiskey can explore the Florida Whiskey page for detailed information about each release.
Visiting from Eglin AFB or Hurlburt Field
Crestview is a popular off-base community for service members and families stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. Specifically, both bases sit roughly 30 minutes south of Crestview. As a result, the zoo and distillery work especially well for incoming-family welcomes, retirement celebrations, change-of-command gatherings, and unit functions.
For larger group bookings, Timber Creek offers private events at the distillery. Specifically, the property accommodates groups for tours, tastings, and bourbon blending sessions. As a result, military families and units have used the distillery for everything from PCS welcomes to retirement parties.
How This Day Trip Fits into a Larger Emerald Coast Visit
This Crestview day trip pairs naturally with longer beach vacations along the Emerald Coast. Specifically, visitors based in Destin, Miramar Beach, or 30A can build a full inland day around the zoo and distillery. As a result, the half-day itinerary breaks up beach time with something completely different from typical coastal experiences.
Visitors who enjoy the inland scenery can extend the day with stops in nearby Baker, DeFuniak Springs, or even Andalusia, Alabama. Furthermore, the broader Florida Panhandle travel guide covers additional inland destinations and beach communities throughout the region.
For travelers exploring the wider craft beverage scene, the Emerald Coast brewery guide covers 17+ working breweries from Pensacola to Panama City Beach. As a result, visitors can build longer multi-day routes that combine breweries, distilleries, beach time, and inland day trips.