Things to do in Destin

There is a reason Destin, Florida is one of the top destinations for families. With its warm weather, sandy beaches, reasonably priced restaurants, multiple attractions, and comfortably-sized condos along the coast, Destin is one of the top vacation spots. Located in the northwestern tip of Florida, Destin offers an ideal travel destination for Florida and Georgian residents, as well as vacation travelers throughout the United States.

Want to know the best places to visit and eat in Destin, Florida? Feel free to lie in the sun on Destin’s clean, sandy beaches, but if you want places to visit when you are done absorbing the sun’s rays, consider visiting the places listed below.

Tours and Activities for the Adventuresome: Below are suggestions regarding activities to do in Destin, Florida.  

Southern Star Dolphin & Sunset Cruises
Southern Star offers a two hour tour on its 76 foot glass bottom boat. If you want to see dolphins up close, this is the tour for you. The tour is also great for families with kids--allowing them to drive the boat for a while.

Just Chute Me Parasail
If you’ve never gone parasailing, give it a try at Just Chute My Parasail. The view is fantastic, and the adventuresome go all the way--going up 800 feet. People have described parasailing with Just Chute Me Parasail as an incredible experience with a friendly crew. Parasailing also makes a great, memorable date, especially if you are on a romantic vacation in Destin, FL.

Suggested Places to Eat: The following are restaurants to check out during your stay in Destin.

The Luck Snapper Restaurant
The Lucky Snapper overlooks the Destin Harbor, offering a unique dining experience that overlooks the harbor. This grill and bar restaurant serves crab cakes, popcorn shrimp, catfish, calamari, gator tail and crab legs for the seafood lovers as well as pastas, salads, smoothies and a wide selection or Martinis and Specialty drinks.

McGuire’s Irish Pub & Brewery
People describe McGuire’s as a fun restaurant with huge burgers, generous portions, tasty beer, and a fun atmosphere--all for a reasonable price. When you enter the restaurant, be sure to check out the ceiling, which is covered with over 170,000 dollar bills. The menu includes Martinis, Irish potato skins, Yellow Fin Tuna Steak, Peppercorn Steak, $9.99 steak burgers and Irish ale.

Callahan’s Restaurant & Deli
This family-run restaurant offers huge portions and excellent service. Consider ordering their made-to-order sandwiches and taking them on a picnic for lunch. Callahan’s also serves hamburgers, salads and desserts. It’s where all of the locals go for lunch, so go early to avoid the lunch crowd.

Places to Spend the Afternoon: The following are places to spend an afternoon in Destin.

Silver Sands Factory Stores
If you enjoy shopping, check out the Silver Sands Factory Stores. They have the stores you would find in your average mall, such as Gap, as well as higher end retailers like Saks, Kenneth Cole, Coach and BCBG. There is also a playground at the Factory Stores for kids to play at.

Emerald Bay Golf Club
This championship level, 18-hole course is one of the best in Florida. If you are a golfer looking for a nice course at a good price, check out the Emerald Bay Golf Club. Also, consider staying at a Destin, FL golf resort.

Destin History & Fishing Museum
If the weather outside is less than desirable, check out the Destin History & Fishing Museum. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and is only $5 for adults and $3 for children. This museum includes a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels, the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence, photographs of early Destin boat captains and exhibits that feature what life was like before electricity in the 1930s.  

Gator Beach
This is one of the best attractions in Destin, and best of all--it’s free. This educational site is great for families with kids. At Gator Beach, you can learn about alligators and snakes and see the rare alligator, “Mellow Yellow.” You can even feed the alligators and get a picture holding an alligator at Gator Beach.

If you are staying in Destin for more than a week, consider research Gulf Coast vacation rentals online. You may also be able to find a Destin Bed and Breakfast.