Introduction to Destin Vacations

First off, congratulations on picking the perfect spot for your next vacation! Destin, Florida is the ideal location for a family getaway, romantic holiday or adventure vacation. There are few beaches around the world that can compare to the sugary white sand and emerald waters of the gulf of Mexico.

In order to begin your vacation, you need to figure out the best way of getting there. Destin is located at the far end of the panhandle about an hour and a half from the Alabama border. This makes the beaches accessible to vacationers of colder climates to the north such as Missouri, Indiana and Ohio. A number of direct flights are offered from locations such as Memphis, Atlanta, Dayton, Charlotte, Dallas and Des Moines. If you are coming from a different location, you’ll likely have to connect through Atlana, Houston or elsewhere. During the peak summer season, there are many connecting flights so layovers shouldn’t be that long.

Please see our Air Travel to Destin for other airport options.

Accommodation in Destin

There is certainly no shortage when it comes to finding a suitable accommodation to suit your needs. There are luxury, mid-range and budget options available either in hotels, condos, villas, apartment rentals or camping. If you’re planning a vacation during the peak summer season or April vacation, it’s advisable to book well in advance.

Our Pick

Our recommendation for those looking for a mid to high end accommodation is Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach on Destin’s eastern side. You’ll want to escape the madness that is highway 98 in the summer and this resort enables you to enjoy the serenity of the beach while providing all amenities.

There are some fabulous restaurants a short walk or bike ride away down the old highway. Our favorite is the newly re-opened Whales Tail on the beach. Enjoy a meal or cocktails out on the deck while watching the sunset on a calm summer evening. Seascape has new high rise hotels as well as quaint golf and lake condos where you can walk out onto the 17th green or throw a line in the water.

The golf and lakeside 1-2 bedroom condos are very affordable and are perfect for families on a budget. The best thing about staying at Seascape is being able to avoid the traffic and mayhem in downtown Destin, while still not being in total seclusion. Bike rentals, water sports, fishing and exploring are easily available from local vendors.

An alternative option is the largest and most well known resort in Destin is the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort . Within Sandestin alone there are over 20 different neighborhoods with beach, golf and lake front hotel and condo options available. This resort has created its own town that has every possible amenity imaginable. Prices will vary depending on the season, resort capacity and type of accommodation. Check out their website for the most up to date information. There is typically a lot of congestion in this area of town in the summer due to beach traffic and the Outlet Mall so be wary!

Other recommended luxury options:

Destin Gulfgate
Silver Beach Towers
Silver Shells Resort
Shoreline Towers

Mid-range ($1000-1500/wk)

There are so many different mid-range options to choose from that it can make your head spin if you’ve never been to Destin. Many will promise that they are just minutes from the beach. What you need to make sure to find out is if the resort is on the beach side of highway 98 or if you will need to cross it. You may be a 5 minute walk from the beach, but perhaps there is no cross walk and you’ll be waiting 20 minutes to cross the street. The Palms of Destin is an example of promising ocean views and close proximity but also requiring you to cross four lanes of traffic to reach the beach.

Recommended mid-range options:

Sandpiper Cove
Amalfi Coast

Budget Accommodation (under $1000/wk)

In the summer months, you can probably expect to pay at least $700-1000 per week for any low-end condo or apartment rental. These will typically include all amenities and be fully furnished. There are a large number of vacation rentals available in Destin and this can be found through Real Estate Agencies, individuals themselves through vrbo.com, or through the Condo’s sales office. Here are a few locations that offer lower end pricing:

Gulf Terrace Condominiums
Indian Lake Condominiums
Sandpiper Cove

Things to do

This is an endless list of activities to do in Destin. Below we’ve listed just some of our favorites! Watersports – Wave Runners, Parasailing, Surfing, Wind Surfing, Pontoon Rentals. Spend a few hours or a day exporing the coastline and the amazing wildlife that resides.

• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling – Learn to scuba dive or just grab your mask and flippers and head to the beach. There are a number of great snorkeling spots which will expand on shortly.
• Deep Sea Fishing – charter a boat from the Harborwalk in Destin and hit the seas fishing for shark!
• Swim with Dolphins in the Gulf – Wait for sunset to try to chase the Dolphins swimming by or take a dolphin tour and jump in with them.
• Golfing – some of the best courses in Florida are here in Destin and a full couple weeks could be spent playing rounds at each of the different ones.
• Exploring the numerous state parks along the Emerald Coast – There are a couple handfuls of them and each offers its own unique attributes and attractions
• Kayak and Canoe adventures
• Shopping at the Destin Commons or Silver Sands Outlet Mall (largest in the country) – not my thing but my wife can’t get enough of either of them. Even on a perfect beach day, she’ll sometimes prefer to hit the outlets.

Getting Around Destin

We suggest learning some back roads in order to avoid Highway 98 at all costs. There are definitely some less congested routes if you traveling short distances along the coast. There are also numerous seasonal trams that shuttle between condos and the beach. These are either free or cost only a dollar.

There are also plenty of cab companies readily available during the summer months. Unfortunately, Destin is not the most bike and walk friendly town. If you stay on the old highway then you can get around fine. If you are looking to go from one end of town to the other however, we highly advise against walking or biking along the highway. Be on the lookout for scooters buzzing across the highway and sticking to the shoulders as well!

Dining

There is no shortage of fine eateries around town. There are a number of tourist traps that will jack up prices but not necessarily the quality of food. Seafood is king in Destin and here are a few of the ‘can’t miss’ spots in town.

Maguire’s Irish Pub – take a step back into the old country for some of the best pub food in town. The specialty beers are outstanding and the Irish Wake will leave you all but standing straight. The food portions are huge and the atmosphere is great.

The Lighthouse – great place for cheap eats in a casual environment. The food is outstanding and a great value for the price!

The Donut Hole – diner type feel with friendly service and great food. This place carries a full menu for those not interested in donuts. Breakfast is served all day and is the portions are immense.

Merlin’s Pizza – Best pizza we’ve had in town. You can get 2 for the price of 1 but you need to ask. The Alfredo base with chicken and mushrooms is tops!

Entertainment

If you’re into live music then you’re in luck. There are multiple venues which will have live bands every night of the week. Free concerts are often available on the Harborwalk and in the Village of Baytown Wharf in the Sandestin Resort. Some of our favorite spots:

Rum Runners – check out the live band which claim to be able to play anything. Drop a tip in the jar and be sure that you’ll hear your song at some point throughout the evening.

Maguires Irish Pub – great atmosphere and a lot of fun. Thursday night is Ladies Night so get there early!

Club Overboard – this club is decent and often has a number of big name bands. Most recent acts include Vanilla Ice and Fuel This is just a very brief overview of some of the highlights of a Destin vacation. Please explore the site further to find all the gems this town has to offer!

AJs - world famous AJs has live music every night and is typically the most popular spot in town day in and day out.

This is just a very brief overview of some of the highlights of a Destin vacation. Please explore the site further to find all the gems this town has to offer!