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Destin, Florida
On the panhandle of Florida sits the picturesque town of Destin, also known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village!” This well-loved beach town rewards its visitors with sugar sand beaches and emerald-green water that make it a true gem on the Emerald Coast. Destin is known for its plentiful fishing, mouth-watering gulf seafood, unique shopping, and wide variety of activities, like parasailing, dolphin cruises, aquariums, theme parks, and so much more! In my opinion, it is the ideal beach destination for every type of traveler, from families, friends, and even couples. My family and I took a trip here in 2016, and it ended up being one of my favorite trips I have been on!
Best Lodging Options
Spend your vacation relaxing on the beach, taking a dip in the crystal-clear water of the Gulf of Mexico, and indulging on fresh Gulf-to-table seafood as a guest at one of the amazing Destin-Fort Walton Beach hotels. Let your hotel take care of all the details for you while you make the most of your time in paradise. Whether you are on a family vacation, a weekend getaway with friends, or a romantic escape with your significant other, Destin has the perfect hotel for you!
Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach
The family-friendly Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach offers a heated lazy river, a beachside tiki bar, and seasonal activities for your kiddos who dream of being mermaids and pirates! It can be found on beautiful Okaloosa Island, directly on the beach facing the Gulf of Mexico. There are beachfront rooms, inland view rooms, and even rooms with kid suites that you can choose from to ensure that you will have the best stay in Destin!
Henderson Beach Resort and Spa
If you desire the ultimate relaxing beach vacation, Henderson Beach Resort and Spa is the perfect choice! This beautiful resort is nestled between the sweeping emerald-green of the Gulf and the white sand of Henderson Beach State Park. Many of its guest rooms and suites offer breathtaking Gulf or pool views and balconies. Treat yourself at the luxurious spa, stroll on the resort’s private beach, or rent a kayak or paddleboard and head out on the water!
Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach
This newly renovated beachside resort on Okaloosa Island is perfect for every type of traveler! Swim up to the Grotto Bar for a fresh cocktail or take your kids to experience a magical meeting with the resort’s resident mermaid. When it’s time to call it a night, choose a delightful room in one of the resort’s four buildings, featuring incredible views of the Gulf, pool, or lush gardens!
Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach
Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach is a brand-new hotel located right on the beach, facing the Gulf of Mexico! Families, friends, and couples alike will love everything this hotel has to offer. Enjoy conversation and cocktails around the fire pit on the pool deck, read a good book on the beach in a beach chair rental, or choose to participate in a wide range of activities, like world-class golfing, fishing, shopping, swimming, and exciting watersports! This hotel’s completely custom design truly embraces the nature of the Gulf Coast, bringing the outdoors in!
Best Activities
We all know that the gorgeous sugar sand beaches and emerald-green water of the Gulf are what bring travelers to Destin, but there is so much more to this beach town! Beach lovers can lounge in the sand, go on a snorkeling adventure, rent a jet ski for the day, book a fishing charter, or fly high in the sky on a parasail ride. There are also plenty of activities you can do off the beach, like go shopping, get your adrenaline fix at an amusement park, or explore a world-class aquarium. Everyone traveling to Destin will be able to find an activity there that they enjoy!
Crab Island
Crab Island is one of the most popular attractions in all of Destin! The shallow water, obstacle courses, and floating bars make it the perfect place to anchor your boat and have some fun in the sun. Many people choose to rent a pontoon boat or a jet ski to get to the island, but you can also take the Crab Island Shuttle or book an excursion with a tour company. This family-friendly oasis offers many activities, like relaxing on your boat, jamming out to music, cooling off on a water float, renting a paddleboard from a local vendor, and even fishing! There are some floating food vendors on the island, but most people just pack their own food and drinks. It should also be noted that alcohol is not provided by any of the vendors, but you are welcome to bring your own. The possibilities are endless at Crab Island, and those of all ages are sure to have a great time there!
Fishing Charter
Believe it or not, Destin used to be just a small fishing village! Now, it has become one of the best places on the Gulf for fishing and offers more charter boats than anywhere else in the state of Florida. Booking a charter is a great way to try your hand at fishing for some unique species. Some charters offer a calm environment for fishing with the family, while others offer a party scene for large groups of people. The number of fish you catch, and the species of fish you catch depends on your location and the amount of time you spend on the water. Some of the most common species to catch are Redfish, Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, Amberjack, Triggerfish, and Blackfin Tuna. The charters will put you in the best location for catching your preferred fish species! When I traveled to Destin with my family, we booked a charter to catch Redfish. It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip!
Shopping
“Shop til you drop” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to Destin! One of the biggest draws to the town is the abundant shopping options. From visually attractive plazas and boardwalks to captivating shopping centers, travelers who love to shop will find their “happy place” there. Destin Commons was my favorite shopping center when I visited Destin! This unique and lively shopping center is filled with retail stores that sell clothing, accessories, and even beach gear you can use during your trip. No matter your demographic, there are plenty of stores that will fulfill your needs at Destin Commons. Another great place to shop is Silver Sands Premium Outlets. This unique outlet center is filled with all your favorite stores, selling items at amazing discounts. Make sure you save some space in your suitcase for the cool souvenirs and trinkets you find!
Parasailing
If you are searching for an unforgettable activity, parasailing is it! Parasailing offers thrill-seekers the opportunity to spot wildlife and admire the town of Destin and the Gulf of Mexico from a bird’s-eye view. There are several parasailing vendors in Destin, but my family used Just Chute Me Parasail and they were fantastic. I have a big fear of heights, so I was nervous about being 400 feet in the air, but I ended up having so much fun! We had a parachute that would seat two people, so my dad and I rode together and that helped alleviate some of my fear. I would highly recommend this activity for you and your family!
Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park stands out from the rest of the beaches in Destin! Imagine an isolated stretch of preserved beach spanning over 6,000 feet that includes 30-foot sand dunes and beach access. This 200-acre gem on the Emerald Coast offers its visitors the perfect opportunity for soaking up the sun and wading in the warm Gulf water! This protected strip of the Emerald Coast is not only for relaxation though. The park features a winding nature trail that provides a rare view of some of the last remaining endangered coastal scrub communities in the Florida panhandle. It contains four endangered or protected plant species and is a sanctuary for shore birds. You can bike, fish, hike, and even have a picnic there. We spent a day at Henderson State Park on our trip to Destin, and it was the perfect place to enjoy the Florida sunshine!
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park
Take the kiddos to Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park for an incredibly fun family day on your Destin vacation! This adventure park has something for everyone. From the Lazy River to Speed Slides, the attractions will keep you entertained for hours. Challenge yourself on the Honolulu Half Pipe or play a round of mini golf for some extra fun. The possibilities for fun and excitement never end at the largest water park on the Emerald Coast!
The Track Family Fun Park
Feel the need for speed? Head on over to The Track Family Fun Park! There is fun for the entire family, with thrill rides like Hurricane 360 and Skyflyer, go-kart tracks, miniature golf, bumper boats, bumper cars, Kids Country rides, and more. The signature attraction at The Track is the three-level Wild Woody go-kart track, where drivers race up three and a half stories and then circle back down with a thrilling drop at the bottom. The Track is a great place for some family-friendly competition!
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a fun and easy activity that can be enjoyed by the whole family! Destin is a prime location for snorkeling because of its gorgeous reefs filled with dense populations of marine life. You will be rewarded with an up-close view of the majestic creatures that call the Gulf their home. The Travel Channel awarded Destin Jetties as the number one destination to snorkel in Destin. Whether you are looking for beautiful aesthetics or a distinct sea creature population, I can guarantee that snorkeling at the Destin Jetties will be a truly memorable and enjoyable experience!
Best Restaurants
Destin is a foodie’s paradise! From grass-fed beef, fresh Gulf seafood, and southern favorites, the endless options are sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. When you are driving through Destin, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the restaurant options. I have compiled a list of my favorite restaurants in Destin to help you determine where to go for your next meal!
Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
This was by far my favorite restaurant in Destin! It is a family-friendly restaurant that serves the freshest Gulf seafood with a southern twist. The restaurant is casual so no need to worry about a dress code! Start your meal with a family-sized appetizer like Fried Green Tomatoes, Jumbo Lump Crab, or Spinach and Artichoke Dip grown by a local farmer. Then, order the “Off the Docks” Special to indulge on whatever fish is caught locally that day! The Boshamps Basket with Snapper or Grouper and Southern Slaw and Fries is a great choice if you desire a seafood basket. There are also plenty of non-seafood items on the menu, like Smoked Farm Chicken served with Local Veggies, or the Bobo’s Burger. Everyone in your family will love Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House!
The Crab Trap
Looking for beachfront dining and fresh local seafood? The Crab Trap is where it’s at! Start off your meal with a Southern-Style Crab Cake, the signature Seafood Gumbo, or Mozzarella Sticks. As the name suggests, this is the best place you can go for crab in Destin. Choose from Snow Crab, Red King Crab, and Alaskan Crab. Other dishes that are worth trying are the Jumbo Shrimp Skewers, and Beach Pastas with Cajun Chicken, Crab, or Shrimp. When I visited The Crab Trap with my family, I loved the live music and the pretty views of the Gulf!
McGuire’s Irish Pub
This pub has a cool environment, with its live music, special events, and intriguing décor! The walls and ceilings are filled with over one million signed one-dollar bills! It is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with daily specials beginning at 11:00 AM and ending at 3:00 PM. If you go during brunch, try the Omelets and Benedict or Belgium Waffles served with unlimited mimosas. On the dinner menu, you will find Senate Bean Soup, which is made using the same recipe that was served in the U.S. Senate in 1977. Other menu items include seafood specialties, pasta dishes, steak, and pork chops that have been named some of the best on the Gulf Coast. You just can’t go wrong with McGuire’s Irish Pub!
The Back Porch
The Back Porch has been a local favorite since 1974! It started off as a tiny beach shack serving seafood and oysters with a view but is now a beachfront dining destination serving tasty Gulf seafood in a laid-back setting. They are known for inventing the Chargrilled Amberjack Fish Sandwich, popularizing this unpopular fish! House specialties include Grouper Destin grilled and topped with shrimp, Porch Crab Cakes, or Gulf Shrimp stuffed with crab. If you have a large appetite and are not sure what to order, try the Fisherman’s Trio with Gulf Grouper, Amberjack, and Yellowfin Tuna! If oysters are your thing, you can order them fried, back porch style topped with cheese and crab, or on the half shell. This restaurant is a must for your Destin trip!
Why We Love It
We love Destin because it is the perfect beach destination for any type of traveler! Everyone who travels there is guaranteed to have an amazing time. There are so many wonderful activities, restaurants, shopping options, and lodging accommodations you can choose from to really elevate your experience and ensure that your trip is everything you have dreamed it to be. Let your favorite Pineapple Escapes’ agent help you plan a trip to Destin. You won’t regret it!
Video About Destin, Florida
https://youtu.be/6az2ipgWEqQ
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