There are fantastic opportunities to have family fun in Destin, Florida. I visited by myself recently as part of a hosted familiarization tour and wished my family was with me. It is a great place for families! With lots of easy, affordable options for things to do, Destin is a beach getaway you can enjoy with the whole family.
Why visit Destin?
Destin is like the wild, rambunctious little sister of all the beach destinations. She doesn’t take herself too seriously but points to the aquamarine waters, lapping at the soft pillow of sand at the shore and shrugs. Destin knows she doesn’t have to try hard to impress you. This is not a place made for the Resort Wear section at Macy’s. It is made for flip-flops and old work shirts turned into swimsuit cover-ups. People don’t hurry in Destin unless they are fresh off the plane from NYC or the road from Atlanta. And even those tourists, like me, learn to slow down after a day or two. It is a destination that allows families to take a deep breath and just be.
8 Things To Do In Destin Florida
Destin makes having an adventure easy, fun, affordable and accessible. You can take advantage of their bite-sized Little Adventures for kids ages 3 to teens, including observing sea turtles in their natural habitats or fishing off a local pier. This area is surrounded by water, making it a great place to try a new water activity like kayaking or standup paddleboarding. I appreciated the sustainability and eco-conscious I saw throughout the area.
1. Enjoy the beach.
Obviously, visitors should allow plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful beaches. When I visited, the ocean was closed due to dangerous rip currents, so be aware of the marine warning flags. While I couldn’t go in the water, I could still curl my toes in the sand. In Destin, the sand is made of quartz, making it bright white, soft and surprisingly not scorching hot. Remember, leave only footprints and take only memories.
2. Try snorkeling or scuba diving.
The Gulf of Mexico is teeming with fish, reptiles and all sorts of wildlife. I spoke to divers who compared the area to the Maldives regarding the quality of scuba diving! Visitors can explore one of the artificial reefs built to enhance and protect the marine environment). Walk down to the East Pass Jetty for the perfect place for beginning swimmers. This fun family outing can make it easy to see redfish, crabs and maybe even a sea turtle!
3. Go fishing.
Destin is called the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” making it the perfect place for anglers of all ages and skill levels! You can fish from paddleboards, charter boats, fishing piers or even go surf fishing along the sugar white sand. There is bound to be a type of fishing that works for you and your family!
I was lucky to be paired with Captain Gabby of Lady Luck Adventures for a morning nearshore fishing trip. We caught four gigantic fish (and released them all back into the Gulf). I was honestly very proud of myself! Destin has the fastest access to deep-sea fishing in Florida. Many kinds of fishing expeditions are available for families, especially during the spring and summer. I was on a private four-hour fishing trip, which may have been too long for kids under 10, but it was the perfect amount of time for me.
4. Enjoy a boat tour.
A boat tour is fantastic for family fun in Destin, Florida. You might be able to spot dolphins and sting rays or experience the vibrant boat culture. Seeing bottlenose dolphins cavorting and a school of sting rays swimming by the boat was an extra highlight of my fishing excursion. You may also see sea turtles and other fish and marine life that will delight your kids (and you, too).
5. Take a hike.
The Destin Fort Walton Beach area is wonderful for hiking! Ensure you bring lots of water and put on insect repellant and sunscreen. You can visit Henderson Beach State Park to hike its nature trails or have a picnic. Or, striding along the beach will give you a great backdrop for a deceptively strenuous workout.
6. Shop!
There are lots of cool things to find in Destin. With older kids and teens, shopping is a crucial part of having family fun in Destin, Florida. Destin Commons is an outdoor shopping center that’s a laidback locale for shopping, dining and entertainment. For shopping on the harbor, the shops in HarborWalk Village in Destin are the place to be. It is also the embarkation point for water adventures, dolphin or pirate cruises and fishing charters. Be sure to save time to explore the unique local stores and restaurants at the Okaloosa Island Pier. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk is another great option that providesshopping, food, and live music.
7. Check out the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Don’t miss the oceanfront Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park to enjoy exciting marine life, including the popular sea lion and dolphin shows! I found this attraction to be geared toward elementary school-aged kids or those with an intense interest in marine life.
8. Protect the sea turtles.
One of the most unique features of the beaches in Destin-Fort Walton Beach is that they are home to four species of sea turtles. Sea turtle season is between April and November. During this time, the female sea turtle comes ashore at night to lay typically 80 to 120 eggs in the sand before heading back to sea. The hatchings slowly travel across the beach in late summer to start their lives in the ocean. Only 1 out of 1,000 sea turtle babies survive to adulthood.
Due to human exploitation and habitat destruction, sea turtles are threatened with extinction. In Destin, locals and visitors do everything possible to protect these creatures and help ensure they can continue their life cycle. It is fascinating to see sea turtles paddling through the crystal clear water, but even more so to see them on their journey to lay eggs or watch little ones find their ocean home. Here are 5 things to do to protect sea turtles:
- Keep the beach dark at night. If you are on the beach, use red lights or no lights at all.
- Do not shine lights in a turtle’s eyes or take flash photos.
- Shut off balcony lights and close blinds at night.
- Fill in holes and take beach gear off the beach each evening.
- Never disturb a sea turtle as they make their journey.
5 Places To Eat In Destin, Florida
One of the best things about a family vacation in Destin is the food! If you like seafood, fresh ingredients and a really diverse variety of cuisine, Destin is your place. There are tons of awesome places to eat. Check out five favorites.
1. Harbor Docks
Like most restaurants in Destin, Harbor Docks is a casual eatery serving seafood and some other things. This restaurant is part of the Destin Lionfish Restaurant Week. They were my winner for the creative presentation of their parmesan-crusted lionfish dish.
2. Harbor Tavern
Locals and visitors find their way to this hidden jewel off Harbor Blvd. No pretentiousness allowed at Harbor Tavern! Just delicious, fresh, Mediterranean-inspired food with more of a global menu than I would have expected. Their Lionfish Restaurant Week dish was a yummy Greek-inspired Mediterranean bowl that was so light and fresh.
3. Crab Trap
The Crab Trap is another great spot for seafood with a laid-back vibe and the best oceanfront seating off the sand. I splurged on a Mudslide and fried fish caught from the Gulf the day before. It was a delicious meal, and the salty ocean air drifting through made it much better.
4. Dewey Destin’s Seafood & Restaurant
Dewy Destin’s Seafood & Restaurant was recommended as a local favorite for fresh seafood in a casual setting. This longtime eatery prides itself on serving sustainable seafood in its family-owned restaurants in three Gulf Coast locations, including Destin and Navarre.
5. AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Located on the Destin Harbor docks, one of my dining companions raved about AJ’s. This well-known eatery features raw oysters, various grilled fish, and live music on most nights.
Where I Stayed In Destin
The Destin and Fort Walton Beach area has several hotels and resorts, but the vacation rentals offer the most space and value. They also may have the best ocean views. My Brooks and Shorey Resort rental at Gulf Dunes was an immaculate 2 bedroom, 2 bath, plus bunk room oceanfront condo. It would have easily worked for my family of six. From one of two balconies, I relished how the rush of the ocean drowned out most other sounds. The view of the ocean, which I could enjoy from the comfort of the couch, was spectacular. They also offer condos ranging from 1 to 4 bedrooms to fit most size families.
The outside of the complex may have been nondescript, but the minute I walked into unit 315, I wished my family was with me to enjoy this impressive vacation rental. Even my picky, rather bougie teens would have loved it. The complex had two tennis courts, a small fitness room and an outdoor pool, but its best quality was its proximity to the beach.
Bottom line: Family fun in Destin, Florida is easy to find.
Destin, Florida, offers a wealth of fun for all kinds of families with its immaculate white-sand beaches, pristine ocean water, and a number of activities on land and sea. Families can enjoy adventures in a relaxed, easy atmosphere. Destin’s family-friendly vibe and diverse attractions make it an outstanding destination for all ages.
If you want more information on why to choose Destin-Fort Walton Beach, chat with Scouts, local moms who are experts on everything to see, do and discover in the destination.
