This summer, we were lucky enough to head on a quick weekend getaway to Destin, Florida. If the destination isn’t already on your radar, I would highly recommend it for a family trip. We had such a great time and were able to make such strong memories together — I truly won’t forget this vacation.
Not only is Destin a beautiful location, but there certainly isn’t a shortage of family-friendly activities, great restaurants, and water-based adventures for travelers of all ages. Our host was Destin-Fort Walton Beach, which I would highly recommend using as a resource as you plan your own trip.
Whether you’ve already got a Destin vacation planned or you’re looking for summer vacation ideas, consider this your go-to guide on where to stay, eat, and drink along the Emerald Coast.
Where to Stay in Destin, Florida
Regardless of where you’re traveling, finding a comfortable, safe, and welcoming place to stay can be a challenge (especially if you have kids!)
Southern Vacation Rentals hosted our accommodations during this trip and we had such a great experience from start to finish. We felt right at home and would definitely book through them again. Plus, they have a ton of properties all over the Gulf Coast.
We ended up booking a condo at Sandpiper Cove and loved that the complex had private beach access. It’s one of the most popular vacation spots in Destin because it has so many incredible amenities available to guests. There were tennis courts, five pools, a mini golf course, BBQ grills, and more, all within the same little community.
We were also able to rent umbrellas and beach chairs without having to trek anywhere — and there was a beachside tiki hut that served the tastiest food and drinks. Talk about a win-win for both parents and kids!
This is the exact condo we stayed in. It had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, complete with a washer and dryer. It felt so cozy (we loved cuddling up on the couch at night to watch movies) and the location could not have been more perfect. There’s just something that’s so special about waking up on the water — you honestly can’t be in a bad mood while you’re in Florida!
If you’re looking for a quality place to call home during a trip to Destin, I would definitely recommend booking through Southern Vacation Rentals. Everything about it was just perfect and I can’t wait to go back.
Things to Do in Destin, Florida
How to plan your activities
Because the city is located along the coast, there’s a high focus on getting kids and their families in the water. However, activities in Destin go far beyond basic swimming and beach activities.
During our trip, we booked all of our excursions through the Little Adventures Program, a tourism company developed in collaboration with local moms. These moms are trained to assist families in selecting and booking their outings via Destin-Forth Walton Beach’s convenient chat feature.
This made the planning process so simple and straightforward — meaning there was more time for me to actually get pumped for our trip rather than stress over the small details. Everyone I worked with was so welcoming and helpful, which was the icing on the cake.
Private charter in Destin
The highlight of our trip was hands down our experience with Captain Brandy’s Catch & Cook Private Charter. We went on a 4-hour private charter fishing trip that’s specifically designed for beginners (making it ideal for those traveling with kids).
Before we kicked off the main fishing event, everyone had to catch their own bait. I was honestly so impressed with how well Maddie, Sammy, and Soon did — they were practically pros by the end of the trip!
It did rain during our boat ride but there was an indoor section onboard where you could sit and stay dry. Soon caught a red snapper which he had to throw back in the water, but it was still so cool to see. We learned so much on the boat ride and I honestly think it’s the perfect day activity for families visiting Destin.
Once we got back to the shore, the fish was cut and prepped for us by East Pass Seafood & Oyster House, which takes your catch and turns it into a meal. We got to relax and enjoy some appetizers while it was being made. The fish we caught was prepped three ways: blackened, grilled, and fried. It was served family style on a platter with sides and it was all so delicious.
Other activities in Destin
We unfortunately weren’t able to squeeze in paddle boarding during this trip but I know that it’s a super popular activity in Destin (we’ll get to it next time!)
As I mentioned above, I think the best way to organize your trip is to use Little Adventures Program as a resource. You can find the best land adventures, water adventures, fishing excursions, family-friendly museums, events, and more through them.
Instead of paddle boarding we ended up going to dinner a bit early one night and then we spent a little bit of time snorkeling the next day. If your kids love being in the water then I would suggest brining some snorkeling masks — it’s such an affordable and low-key activity that is still a crowd pleaser.
Where to Eat and Drink in Destin, Florida
I have a full list of my Destin restaurant recommendations here, but these are some standouts from our most recent trip.
The Gulf Okaloosa Island
The first stop we made for food was to The Gulf Okaloosa Island, which I would score a 10/10. It had such a stunning ambiance, super fresh food, and really great drinks. You can choose to eat at standard dining tables or opt for a meal in the sand — so much fun!
We ordered the mahi bowl, mixed salad with grouper, smoked fish dip, and the sparkling grapefruit drink.
The Donut Hole
In all my research of dining recs in Destin, I kept seeing this donut place pop up. My husband did a morning run for us and I can confirm that it lives up to the hype. Sammy loved the blueberry donut and we thought the cheese and bacon omelette and cinnamon apples were also some must-order items.
Fish On
We stopped in and enjoyed a bite to eat at Fish On Seafood House and everything was so fresh. I can’t say enough about how wonderful the service was — definitely a great spot to go with a group. Don’t leave without trying the crab cakes, Cioppino, and greek salad.
LuLu’s
Want to combine dinner with entertainment? LuLu’s is going to be your best bet for a full night out. There’s live music, games, food, and festive drinks. Some of our favorites are the seafood trio with red snapper, grilled shrimp, and oysters, the jerk chicken sandwich, shrimp and grits, and shrimp salad with fried green tomatoes. You will leave feeling very full and I will tell you that it is so worth it.
The Back Porch
If you’re in the mood for oysters, make sure you snag a reservation at The Back Porch. They were so flavorful! The kids were big fans of the Florida sunshine cake, an orange cake with layered orange mousse and white chocolate icing.
Boshamps
We tried snagging a seat at this seafood and oyster house twice with no luck, but the third time was the charm! It was definitely worth the wait and it will be at the top of my list next time we come to Destin.
The sautéed crab claws, grilled grouper sandwich, wedge salad with grilled shrimp, pan seared snapper pasta, and oysters Rockefeller were all on our tab (and they were all amazing). Everything at the restaurant is homemade and organic which is an added bonus.
More Photos From Our Trip
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