Introduction
Destin is easily one of the most beautiful cities on the Emerald Coast – if not all of Florida! Whether you are looking to enjoy the beach or explore local attractions, there is plenty to do in this dreamy part of Florida.
Here are our top picks for Destin, Florida:
- Destin Beaches
- Destin Harbor Boardwalk
- Village of Baytowne Warf
- Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
- Silver Sand Premium Outlets
- Destin Commons
- Destin Crab Island
For great deals on even more things to see, do, and eat all around Destin and the surrounding area, check out Groupon HERE.
Destin Beaches
Let’s face it, this is one of the main reasons that you’re heading to Destin. After all, it is one of the premier beach destinations in all of Florida–the whole country for that matter. In fact, nearly 4.5 million people visit Destin every year, and its no wonder why! The sandy, white beaches of the Emerald coast are absolutely gorgeous, and some of our personal favorites!
Cool fact–most of the beaches are oriented facing south–so the shoreline runs east and west–that means that you are going to see a spectacular sky at sunrise AND sunset! So get your camera ready!
Destin Harbor Boardwalk
If you’re looking for a place to eat, shop, or have a fun family time, the Harbor Boardwalk is for you! Not only does the boardwalk offer various restaurants and stores, there are also many opportunities to have a good time including boat rides, jet skis, an arcade, miniature golf and so much more. The boardwalk also offers many scenic views of the beautiful blue waters, so be sure to bring your camera for this too! The Harborwalk is located just behind the Emerald Grande Resort by Wyndham. We typically park in the resort’s parking garage to enjoy the resort.
Village of Baytowne Wharf
Village of Baytowne Wharf is located within the Sandestin Resort. When you arrive at the gate, just let them know that you are there for the Baytowne Wharf, and they will direct you to the location. Baytowne Wharf is an excellent option if you’re make memories with your family. We tend to think of the buildings as having a New England vibe. Not only does the Village have various restaurants and shops, it also has a small marina, a carousel, and a playground for the children! Honestly, Vivian just enjoyed running around on the grassy area in the courtyard, and it looked like the other children did as well. It’s the simple things in life!
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin
Sandestin’s Grand Boulevard is THE place to go if you love to shop ‘til you drop and have a good bite to eat afterwards. This upscale shopping area has 86 establishments to choose from, you won’t be disappointed!
Silver Sands Premium Outlets
Located at the intersection of Highway 98 and Highway 20, Silver Sands Premium Outlets is one of the most popular shopping destinations in the area. The outlet mall offers over 200 stores, and even a few places to get some snacks. It was one of our absolute favorite places to shop on the entire Emerald Coast. When we lived in Pensacola, we would drive all the way over to Destin to spend the day, and the bulk of our time was spent here and at the next location…
Destin Commons
If you’re looking for a shopping mall, this outdoor shopping location is the place to go. It has a movie theater, food court and many other things for all ages! There is also a bowling alley, miniature golf course and roller skating rink if you want to make special memories with your family. Along with all of the standard shopping mall staples, you’ll also find an Outdoor World, and even if you’re not an outdoor enthusiast, who doesn’t love that?!?
The best part for us, is that there is a playground located right in the center of everything, and this is a fantastic place for your young children to run around, climb on things, and exhaust their energy so they’re not exhausting you! Vacation is always better when you can get your kids to climb on something other than your last nerve!
Did we mention that there’s a small train that runs along the outdoor pathways as well?
Destin Crab Island
Crab Island is one of the most popular places to visit in Destin. The shallow emerald green waters, obstacle courses, and floating concessions have made it one of the most popular things to do on the entire Gulf Coast. In most places on Crab Island, the depth of the water is about 1-4 feet, making crabbing very accessible for children or anyone who wants to hang out in shallow water while they wait for their catch. It’s also a great place to anchor your boat down and have a good time out in the sun!
Groupon is a great place to book boat excursions out to Crab Island, by the way: https://www.kqzyfj.com/click-100656272-15230314?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.groupon.com%2F
There are so many wonderful things to do in Destin!
There are so many things to do in this area of Florida. We hope that we have helped you find some ideas on what to do with your family or friends while visiting!
For great deals on even more things to see, do, and eat all around Destin and the surrounding area, check out Groupon HERE.