Category Archives: Destin

Insider Interview: Destin, Florida

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Destin - Emerald Coast

One of Destin's Beaches

Destin is home to virtually every water sport and activity imaginable.  The water is consistently warm with temps reaching 86 degrees in October. Vacationers can go boating, parasailing, jet skiing, or snorkel with some of the local marine life including manatees, dolphins and sea turtles.  You don’t even have to take a charter out of the harbor to find a great snorkeling location.  Local’s tip: snorkel on the jettys off of Gulf Shore Drive on Holiday Isle, where you can park for free and walk down to the water. The snorkeling here is amazing!

For other activities, there are dozens of golf courses, the Big Kahuna waterpark, the Gulfarium (mom and pop type aquarium that is popular with kids and families) or the Harbor Docks in downtown Destin, offering free parking and a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors – a great place to rent boats and snorkeling equipment.

Destin is also known for its great dining and shopping.  On the East end of town there is the Silver Sands Outlet Mall, the largest designer outlet mall in the US, and in Mid-town Destin is the newly built Destin Commons, which is home to a Hard Rock Cafe as well as a 14 screen cinema and other retail shops.

The Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, a bustling sub-community of Destin, has lots of shops and it is a great place to take the family or head out to for a night on the town.   At Christmas they even bring in an ice skating rink and put up lights!

Taken off of Dewey Destins dock

Taken off of Dewey Destin's dock

For food, here are our picks:

  • The Back Porch – known for their fresh seafood and oysters
  • Dewey Destin’s (the town was named after his family!) – located on the harbor and serving up large portions of great downhome cooking
  • Pompano Joes Restaurant – its right on the beach on Scenic 98, and also has outside as well as inside dining, casual entertainment and a casual beach bar
  • Bonefish Grill – good service, consistently great food, and a nice, quiet ambiance – perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion
  • Donut Hole – a popular locals spot that has been a staple since the towns conception  - makes a great keylime pie
  • Broken Egg – fresh and nutritional food, over 130 menu items, great for breakfast, brunch or lunch
  • Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ – great southern food made from scratch

Destin’s peak season runs from the end of May through the first part of August but “the luckiest fishing village in the US” as Destin is also known, hosts one of its main annual events in October – the annual “Fishing Rodeo” where the person with the largest catch nets $100,000 in prize money!

Destin Beach Houses For Rent

White Sand Beaches of Destin

What keeps people returning to Destin year after year for a great vacation spot?

We think it is the beauty of the water – it’s turquoise, clear and breathtaking, as well as the clean white sandy beaches.  People can’t believe it when they first pull up to the water.

It’s still family oriented. A quaint town – no crowds or high-rises – and the people are down to earth…good ‘ol boy people.

Destin has managed to maintain this small-town feel, yet is only 55 miles from the Spring Break-type of vacation one can find in either Pensacola, Florida and Panama City, Florida.

And the sluggish economy hasn’t hit Destin as hard as other popular vacation destinations – perhaps due to its central location on the Florida panhandle, making it easy to get to on not too much gasoline from southern Florida, and the neighboring states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.  Destin is also more accessible thanks to the addition of an International Airport.

Book your dream vacation now in Destin! Check all of our options from private houses with pools to beachfront condos with many amenities, on BeachHouse.com.

5 Reasons Why You Need A Beach Vacation In Destin, Florida

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According to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, 80% of visitors to Florida’s Emerald Coast choose Destin as their destination. There are many reasons why people seeking a beach vacation choose Destin in preference to other sea cities. Here are just 5 of them.


Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay

 #1. The white beaches and emerald sea 

The white sand found on Destin’s beaches originates from the Appalachian Mountains and is composed of fine granules of quartz that resemble sugar. Quartz-rich mountain rocks are eroded by the action of wind and rain, and tiny quartz crystals are carried into the Gulf of Mexico by the Apalachicola River before being washed ashore in Destin. The resulting pristine beaches are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

But not only the sand here is stunning. The Emerald Coast is called this because the crystal-clear seawater is so green. A combination of bright sunlight, white sand below, and harmless algae living in the water give the sea around Destin its spectacular and unique color.

Sometimes a beach vacation is all about the beach. You and your family don’t want to rush off to do a bunch of activities. You just want to be together and chill. The gorgeous white beaches and emerald waters of Destin provide the perfect place to focus on your family and deepen your family bonds.

If you stay in a beach house in Destin, you can step straight out onto the beach with no worry or stress. And if you rent a Destin condo or beach house, you can also prepare a picnic each day or just pop “home” for food and drinks any time you want. So, gather your family, pack a picnic, take along your travel cooler, and get down to the beach for some quality family time.


Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay

 #2. Enjoy splashing around in the water

But if your family are the kind that loves activities and adventure, Destin still has plenty to offer. Check out Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park. This is a great place to take your kids to cool off on hot summer days.

This is the biggest water park on Florida’s Emerald Coast and boasts over 40 different speed slides, tube rides, pools, and water play areas. You can relax in the slow-moving Lazy River or fight the currents in safety inside the giant wave pool.

There are many water rides and slide for thrill-seekers, such as the Kowabunga Racer. Riders lay face-down on a mat and plunge 5 stories down a racecourse the length of a football field. There are twisting tubes along the way and a breath-taking final drop. And there are also calmer rides for the youngest in your family, such as the Blue Mamba, Hydro Max, Piranha, and Tahiti Twister kiddie slides.


Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay

#3. Educate while you entertain

Sometimes you want to educate your children while entertaining them. Sometimes you feel the need to educate yourself. Get your whole family down to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park on Okaloosa Island just outside Destin. It’s a great place to learn all about alligators, birds, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, tortoises, and other creatures that live along Florida’s coastline.

Your kids will love the touch tank, where they’ll be permitted to pet crabs and hold starfish. For a small fee, there are options to swim alongside the dolphins and stingrays or just watch a fun dolphin show.

For younger kids, there’s a sandbox area and an obstacle course. And if your family is hungry, there’s a snack stand with ocean views. This is a wonderful place to come if you want to inspire your children to contribute toward preserving our wildlife and environment.


Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay

#4. Enjoy a round of golf

Destin is a fantastic place to enjoy a round of golf or introduce your children to this popular game. Check out the Sandestin Golf & Resort. This is a family-friendly golf facility dedicated to providing fun and education to golf enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

The 9-hole, executive golf course is a great location for honing your short game skills or coaching a beginner. At par-29, you’ll find challenges along the way. Bring your own golf clubs from home in their travel case or hire everything you need here. And if you are serious about improving your game while on vacation, there are PGA instructors available.

If you’re a serious player, there are several private golf clubs in Destin, such as Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club, Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Regatta Bay Golf & Yacht Club, and Emerald Bay Golf Club. Also, nearby Sandestin offers another 4 private golf courses: Baytown Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, the Raven Golf Club, and the Links Golf Club. Golf is a popular game on the Emerald Coast!


Image by Terri Cnuddde from Pixabay

#5. Charter a boat

Destin is also a popular destination for anglers. Visitors often charter fishing boats from the harbor to enjoy saltwater fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. For example, Fish In Daze offers family-friendly charters, from short 2-hour bay trips aimed especially at kids to deep-sea shark fishing adventures in a customized offshore fishing boat.

Every October sees the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo, which has been held there since 1948. And in the same month is the Destin Seafood Festival. If you love angling, or simply like to eat fresh fish, Destin is the best destination for you.

There’s so much more…

Destin is also a fantastic destination for birdwatching, swimming, snorkeling, and as a base for exploring the Emerald Coast. If your family is wondering where to go for a beach vacation, you couldn’t choose anywhere better. Book your own Destin condo or beach house today!

Contributing writer: John Paul

Best Beachside Cities in Florida

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By: Ben Holdt

Spending a few days at the beach is a great way to get away from the daily stresses of life and relax. With over 8,000 miles of coastline, Florida is second to just Alaska for the amount of land they have touching, sparkling ocean waters. However, the Sunshine State has the upper hand on being near the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. While there may be a lot of towns and cities dotting the Florida coast, there are only a few that indeed offer the best quality of life. Check out the best beachside cities in Florida for your next beach getaway.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach Rentals

Panama City Beach Skyline

With 27 miles of white sandy beaches, Panama City Beach is widely known for its ability to ease away any stress that you brought with you on your vacation. This famous town offers waterfront restaurants as well as plenty of scuba activities thanks to its nearby artificial reefs. Families will enjoy the many water parks in town as well as two state parks that offer an up close and personal look at nature. There are plenty of nearby amusements to fill a vacation at the beach when the sand castle building is all done.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach House Rentals

Cocoa Beach House Rentals

This popular surfing destination is just south of Cape Canaveral along the Atlantic Ocean. Cocoa Beach is known for the waves that descend upon its shores at the end of the hurricane season that offers a great opportunity for avid surfers. Check out local events to book a vacation with plenty of action out on the water as you soak up the sun from the beach. You’ll also find many things to explore in the area including tours of the Kennedy Space Center, the Dinosaur Store, and many fishing charters.

Destin

Destin Florida Vacation Rental homes

Destin Sandy Beaches

Located in Northwest Florida, Destin features plenty of sugar white beaches and sunshine. As a popular destination point for many Midwesterners, the area is well known for its wide range of fishing activities as well as shopping opportunities. You’ll find excellent fishing charters as well as plenty of events year-round to make your vacation unique. Local restaurants feature fresh seafood from the gulf, and you’ll also find plenty of golf courses in the area as well.

Palm Beach

This widely known beach is as far East as you can get on the Florida coastline. Palm Beach features beautiful palm trees along white sandy beaches and plenty of luxury. The beach sits on a 16-mile-long island that is just 0.5 miles wide with plenty of beach area all around. Many wealthy families choose this area for winter homes which have created a luxury experience in town. You’ll find the most excellent restaurants and upscale shops when you’re not enjoying the beautiful beach.

Fort Walton Beach

Fort Walton Beach House Rentals on the beach

Fort Walton Beach

The beautiful emerald waters along Fort Walton Beach are enough to attract plenty of visitors each year. Located between Pensacola and Panama City, the beach is in an excellent location for visitors to get to from other parts of the country. Fort Walton Beach has powdery white beaches and offers plenty for the family to do once a day at the beach is done. You’ll find golf courses, aquariums, and many other attractions that help make this destination a vacation to remember.

There are plenty of places to choose from when looking for a great vacation on the beach in Florida. White sandy beaches mixed with enough great food and nightlife to keep you busy after a long day on the beach is standard for many of these hot spots. Consider any one of the best beachside cities in Florida for your next vacation to the Sunshine State.

Ben Holt is a fresh air enthusiast and loves writing about it. Ben is always looking to make the most of a summer day, whether he is relaxing in his garden, hiking on an off-beaten trail or entertaining friends on his newly renovated patio.

Destin, Florida has it all!

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Destin is an all-encompassing destination spot located on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Destin is also referred to as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” as it has the largest fishing vessel in Florida.

Attractions and activities in Destin include high-end shopping and dining, golfing, fishing, boating, water-sports, renowned beaches, forests, scenic state parks that are perfect for hiking, Broadway shows and well-known art galleries. This beautiful city truly has something for everyone!

Destin has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world with crystal clear water and white sand. The emerald green surf of the Gulf of Mexico is breathtakingly gorgeous and it is bordered by Destin’s beautiful beaches. There are fourteen gorgeous beach communities on this wonderful vacation spot and an abundance of water-related activities offered, including fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and boating.

There is a magnificent festival called Autumn Tides in South Walton, which is just ten miles away from Destin. This festival takes place on the beaches of South Walton and it offers a music concerts, art galleries, wine tasting, nature and cultural events, theatre, and film presentations. It is the perfect way to experience the uniqueness and beauty of the beaches around Destin!

In addition to the beaches, Destin offers a host of activities and attractions. The Gulfarium is a renowned marine park just across the bridge from Destin that has live marine shows and an enjoyable dolphin interaction program. Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park has over 40 exciting water activities including body fumes, speed slides and the world’s biggest man-made waterfall. This park is enjoyable both for the family and for couples.

Golf is very prevalent in Destin; the city has some of the best golf courses in the country including the Emerald Bay Golf Course with its three large, tropical mini-golf courses.

You ought to visit the Indian Temple Mound Museum which displays the lives of Native Americans that lived in that area 10,000 years ago. The preserved temple mound was used for political and religious ceremonies; it is an amazing site that is a must-see for everyone.

Destin also has amazing shopping malls including Alvin’s Island Tropical Department Stores and Silver Sands Factory Stores. These malls have pretty much any store that you can think of!

Finally, Destin is also known for its world-class dining; some of the restaurants in this city are nationally rated. There is a wide range of restaurants and cuisines to choose from.

Destin is truly an extremely exciting and versatile city that has something for everyone!