Things to do and Attractions in Destin, Florida

Destin is rich in attractions and tours; there are so many things to do for adults and kids besides enjoying the beach. Especially in peak seasons, most activities can not be booked by walk-ins as they are sold out.

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  • Top attractions in Destin, Florida

  • Things to do in Destin, Florida

    • Visit Destin Marina and Harborwalk Village; there are nice restaurants with a view (AJ’s is the most famous one), kids activities as well as water sports. At nights, you can check if they have fireworks. Sunset is great.
    • Visit Village of Baytowne Wharf preferably at night, there are kid’s activities, a large playground as well as great restaurants and shopping. As you walk to Marina, there are 2 tree houses for kids on the boardwalk. There is live music and entertainment too. Do not miss the fireworks in season. Sunset is also great. Slick Lips is our seafood suggestion there.
    • Our favorite Destin restaurants are Back Porch (very long wait), Crab Trap, Pompano Joe, A.Js, Boshamps, Brotulas (relatively less busy, you can walk to harbor), Bayou Bill’s Crab House, Stinky’s Fish Camp, The Whale’s Tail Beach Bar, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Buster’s Oyster Bar, Ocean Club Restaurant (live entertainment on select nights), Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, Fat Clemenza’s, Kenny D’s Beach Bar, Bijoux,  and Aegean (Greek). Shrimp Basket on US-98 in Destin is a faster option if you want to have seafood in a less fancy restaurant. Pazzo Italiano and LaFamiglia are great Italian restaurants, reservation is recommended. Crackings Café across the street is great for breakfast. Camille’s at Crystal Beach is also a small café with partial ocean view for breakfast or lunch.
    • Lone Wolf Pizza (used to be Mellow Mushroom) and The Pancakery are on the next block (west) if you prefer to walk. We love ice creams of Shake’s Frozen Custard just next to Chick-fil-A.
    • AJ’s Rocking L at Shoreline Village Mall is a specialty gourmet and meat market, just one block away from our resort.
    • For shopping, Destin Commons is 4 miles east. We also recommend a visit to the Silver Sands Premium Outlets, 8 miles to the east. They sell designer brands at a discount.
    • Indian Bayou Golf Club is the nearest public golf club which is 2 miles away.
    • Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Gulf Breeze Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Eden State Gardens, Emerald Coast Science Center,  and Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park  (across our Condo) are other entertainment facilities that can be visited. The Track-Destin is an outdoor Go Cart and arcade center.

  • Best public beaches in Destin, Florida

    • Henderson Beach State Park: This beach is close to Pelican Beach Resort and a public beach (with fee) with restrooms, parking lot, grills and pavilion. There are no vendors so make sure to take food and water with you
    • Topsail Hill Preserve State Park: This is a huge state park with RV park and 2 lakes in it, with trails. It also has a nice beach. At the convenience store at the entrance, you can rent bikes and even kid carriers.
    • June Whitedecker Beach Park: This is a public beach stretching parallel to Scenic US-98 Highway (known as the beach in front of Back Porch). There are beach rentals but you can also settle without renting anything. You can buy drinks and food from Back Porch bar.
    • Norriego Point Beach Park: is a public beach on east side of Destin Bay. It has showers and very nice water.
    • Santa Rosa Island Beach: is a public beach across Norriego Point, west leg of Destin bridge. Most of the time, the water is very clear and nice. There are no facilities at all, you are just next to dunes. You may need to haul your equipment for a distance from the parking lot.

  • EV chargers in Destin, Florida

    • Pelican Beach Resort has 2 x J-1772 chargers on the 2nd level of the garage (for registered guests only)
    • There is Blink J-1772 at McDonalds at 895 Harbor Blvd but usually ICEd. You may want to wait some time until the customer hopefully leaves
    • There are free J-1772 chargers at The Palms of Destin, Tru by Hilton Destin, Destin Commons Mall and Whole Foods Market
    • Fairfield Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites, Emerald Grande, Henderson Beach Resort and Fair Point Hotels have Tesla Destination Chargers
    • Tesla Supercharger at Winn-Dixie is planned to be open soon