AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
AJ’s World Famous Seafood and Oyster Bar is a Destin favorite for locals and visitors alike. Located right on the Destin Harbor, there’s no place like AJ’s for outstanding Gulf and Harbor views, amazing sunsets, spectacular food and a great time. AJ’s offers dining with fresh seafood, great views, a friendly staff, cold drinks and live music.

Pompano Joe’s
Pompano Joe’s has become a destination restaurant for tourists and a favorite among the locals. Their Caribbean flair shines through in the Reggae Rolls and Garlic Crusted Grouper to the brightly colored window frames that line the walls of this beachfront open-air restaurant.

Dewey Destin Seafood
Voted the best outdoor restaurant on the Emerald Coast, Dewey Destin is passionate about offering the finest meals and seafood you can find in a laid-back open air environment. Located ON the water, you’ll experience outstanding sunsets with tranquil views of the bay while able to keep an eye on the constant action.

Back Porch
The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House has been a local beachfront favorite since 1979 serving the finest smoked tuna dip, ice-cold oysters and famous char-grilled Amberjack. Enjoy some of Destin’s best Seafood in the open air dining room or grab a refreshing drink at the bar.

Of course, the freshest seafood will always come straight from the line to a plate, be sure to ask our Concierge  service for information on setting up full or half day fishing excursions.

The city’s extensive variety, laid-back charm and tropical landscape has the Travel industry’s biggest names raving over this Emerald Coast gem. The only thing equal to Destin’s countless activities, is its list of accolades and awards.

Voted the “Number One Beach Town in the South” by Southern Living for 14 years in a row and currently ranked by US News Travel as the #3 Best Alternative Spring Break Destination, #4 in Best Florida Beaches and #7 for Best Relaxing Getaways in the USA.

The U.S. News Travel website provides trusted Travel Rankings with all-in-one Travel Guides, in addition to sharing tips from travelers and travel professionals about where to stay, places to eat and things-to-do in the world’s most popular travel destinations.

The site compiled a series of quotes from around the web on Destin and can be found posted in this Tips On What To Do In Destin article or just read below for a glimpse at what they have to say about this leading Emerald Coast destination.

On Destin

“In Destin, the heart of the Panhandle, wake up early in the morning and take a stroll with the pelicans and sandpipers on the beach just as the fishing boats head out to sea. Feel free to join them and drop your own line to catch snapper and grouper.” — Away.com

On Destin’s Beaches:

“It’s not sand — it’s pure, powder-soft Appalachian quartz that was dropped off by a glacier a few thousand years back. Since quartz doesn’t compress (and crews clean and rake the beach each evening), your tootsies get the sole-satisfying benefit of soft, sugary ‘sand.’ Sand so pure it squeaks.” — Fodor’s

“Like an oasis in the middle of Destin’s rapid development, the 208-acre Henderson Beach State Park, east of Destin Harbor on U.S. 98, allows easy access to swimming, sunning, surf fishing, picnicking, and seabird-watching along its 1 1/2 miles of beach.” — Frommer’s

On Fishing:

“You don’t have to go to sea to fish from the catwalk of the 3,000-foot Destin Bridge, over East Pass. The marinas and bait shops at Destin Harbor can provide gear, bait, and fishing licenses.” — Frommer’s

On Kid’s Attractions:

“In addition to the beach, families will enjoy an outing to Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park which offers thrilling water rides, plus go-kart tracks and a miniature golf course. Or take the kids to see and learn more about the region’s unique marine life at the Gulfarium, in nearby Fort Walton Beach.” — TripAdvisor

On Destin’s General Community:

“Residents are generally very friendly and happy to help out. According to TripAdvisor, “Although Destin is not as laid back as its neighbor, Fort Walton Beach, it is not stuffy or snobby either.”

When planning for your next Destin vacation, be sure to check out US News Travel’s comprehensive Travel Guide for tips on dining, activities and recommended attractions.

Photo Credit | www.emeraldcoastfl.com

Destin fl rentals

One of the complaints that many people have after returning their expensive vacation is that they did not have a satisfactory holiday. This does not mean that everyone goes through such a negative experience when they go on a vacation. There are hundreds of families that have highly satisfactory holiday in Destin Beach. We have total freedom to put together a fabulous holiday, it is totally up to us to make the right choices so that by the end of the day everyone has something pleasant to carry back home. You just need to know the factors that make up a satisfactory Destin Beach vacation so that you can design a vacation to your liking.

Here are some important factors for your consideration when you are getting ready for your vacation. The first factor that you should take into consideration is the vacation destination itself. The vacation destination that you choose should be a pleasing destination for everyone in the family. As far as Destin Fl is concerned you will not have to worry because this is one of those magic destinations for vacationers. You will never get bored in Destin Florida.

Another key factor is your vacation accommodation. Choose your Destin Fl accommodations carefully so that you will be able to have a luxurious stay. Destin beach offers excellent accommodation options for the vacationers. You will find a wide range of Destin beach rentals that meets your requirements. You will be able to find vacation rentals with all the up to date amenities and fine furnishings. You just need to spend adequate time to review your Destin beach rentals before you book your accommodation.

What you do during your vacation is also an important factor that decides whether you have a satisfactory vacation or not. Destin beach is ideal for surfing and there are also many golf courses. So choose the right vacation activity to keep yourself busy during your holiday. Here again you should choose your Destin Fl rentals carefully so that all the top places of interest are easy to access from your vacation rental.

You are totally free to decide whether you want to have a quiet holiday in Destin Florida or an adventurous vacation. As you can see planning a satisfactory vacation is totally within your control. So your final experience depends on how well you plan and how well you organize your vacation. If you do not put in enough efforts in choosing your vacation accommodation or putting together your holiday activities, you cannot expect to have a satisfactory vacation. If you do not want to become one of those complaining vacationers, it is important that you pay attention to the above factors.

These days it is hard to find time to go on family vacations because everyone is busy and it is also difficult to raise funds for luxurious vacations. If you have managed to get through all these hurdles then you should also make sure that you get the best out of your family vacation.

This Valentine’s Day, celebrate your love with one of these highlighted events listed in our “Valentines Day Guide” and create memories equally unique to the love you share.

VALENTINE’S DAY GUIDE to Destin’s Holiday Events:

SIZZLE AND BLING
Date: Feb 7   Time: 5-7pm
Details: Ruth’s Chris’  team up with McCaskill & Company’s for their “Sizzle and Bling” event. The first 50 guests will be entered in drawings to win a dinner-for-two at Ruth’s Chris Steak House and a $500 McCaskill & Company gift certificate. Complimentary Hors D’Oeuvres and Half-Price Bar Menu & Drinks from 5-7pm.  Complimentary Chocolates provided by EverythingsCandyDesign.com and St. Valentine’s Day Jewelry from McCaskill & Company kick off this holiday weekend.

DINE, DANCE & CRUISE
Date: Feb 11 & Feb 14
Details: Come aboard Solaris, for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day celebration. Experience a romantic cruise of candle light, moonlight, love songs and fun. Our Valentine’s Day cruise includes a special menu that makes dining a lover’s delight. Dance the night away to live entertainment featuring the songs you fell in love to, or sneak away for a private moment under the stars on the sky deck as you watch moonbeams ride the tide of the Choctawhatchee bay

CHOCOLAT’ FARE
Date: Feb 11  Time: 9am-1pm
Details: The 9th annual CHOCOLAT’ FARE, sponsored by Destin United Methodist Women. Lots of yummy homemade chocolates will be available for purchase with proceeds going to the Church Benevolence Fund. Enjoy sitting down with friends over a cup of coffee and a bowl of chocolate trifle or some fruit dipped in the chocolate fountain. Beautiful handcrafted jewelry will also be for sale, just in time for Valentines!

ANNUAL HEARTS & ART NIGHT
Date: Feb 14  Time: 6-9pm
Details: Spend the evening unlike any other! Share wine, refreshments and laughter as you and your loved one paint a canvas together. A fun-filled night of artistic expression and a painting to cherish after.

MATTIE KELLY ARTS CENTER presents “Brigadoon”
Date: Feb 15
Details: Broadway’s Tony-Award-winning musical “Brigadoon” is a sentimental adventure that blurs the boundaries between love and loss, past and present, and fantasy and reality. Lerner and Loewe’s sweeping romantic score includes all the classic songs featured on Broadway and in the 1954 MGM classic starring Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Will love conquer the very laws of physics again?

Rejoice with love and build lasting memories, in one of the world’s premiere travel destinations

Here are some of the important Destin vacation services that will make your holidays memorable. Imagine having to drive to the grocery store as soon as you check in to your Destin vacation rental for your vacation supplies. Grocery shopping is something that you do on your regular days and you should not be wasting your time in shopping for your grocery items when you are on your vacation. If you can find dependable grocery delivery services along with your Destin vacation rentals then you will find it very convenient. If you find grocery delivery services do make use of it, send a complete list of groceries and other items that you like to stock ahead of time so that when you check-in your Destin Beach front rentals are fully stocked.

The next useful service that you will need is housekeeping services. When you are on your vacation you don’t want to do the regular housekeeping chores that you normally do at home. It will be wonderful to have someone to clean up the mess after your exciting party. You don’t have to worry about doing the dishes or about cleaning the couches, you can hire professional housekeeping service providers to take care of such needs. Check whether your Destin vacation rentals company also caters to such needs so that you can have a hassle free holiday.

If you are going to make all these arrangements after you reach your Destin Beach rentals then you are very likely to lose a lot of time. Today it is possible to make all these arrangements online and that is what most travelers to Destin do when they get ready for their Destin vacation. Look for concierge services along with your Destin Beach front rentals. You will be able to make the best use of your time during your vacation while at the same time all your needs will be taken care of by hiring dependable concierge services.

You might also like to have bikes ready for you at the vacation rentals when you arrive. Check with your vacation rentals company whether they will be able to hire the bikes for you and have them picked up after you leave. Not many people spend time making all these arrangements leaving to their vacation destination, but if only you can plan ahead have all these things taken care you will not lose your time in making such arrangements.

For vacationers taking a trip to the Florida panhandle, Destin vacation rentals are the way to go. The glorious scenery found in this area will absolutely take one’s breath away. Its spectacular white-sand beaches festooned with several stunning beach properties and resorts have made Destin a very popular holiday destination. In fact, plenty of people dream of residing in this area for good but not everyone gets to make it a reality. This is the reason why Destin beach front rentals have been such a massive hit.

Choosing to stay in luxury Destin vacation rentals spells out a really exceptional beach getaway. If one avails of these remarkable Destin beach rentals, one could have a limitless access to all sorts of indulgences all throughout his stay. For instance, if vacationers are in the mood for ultimate fun and excitement, they can choose to take part in those numerous adrenaline-inducing water sports and games. If they decide to sit back, relax and enjoy the sun right in front of their Destin fl rentals, they can do so while sipping ice cold Piña coladas and gazing at the magnificent ocean view. A splendid treat is also made available for those individuals who can’t seem to stay indoors at night. Indeed, the fun does not stop once the night begins as the nightlife in Destin is an all-out extravaganza.

The outstanding guest services offered by the Destin beach front rentals staff are one of the things that set Destin apart from other beach destinations. From the guests’ arrival at their Destin gulf front rentals until their departure, they will be enjoying the best facilities and amenities Destin beach rentals have to offer like daily maid services, spa treatments, breakfast deliveries, bike and car rentals, dry cleaning services and so much more. They can even provide guests with personal chefs! In addition to that, people that avail of Destin gulf front rentals need not worry about running out of groceries as their kitchen will be fully stuffed with all necessities.

Opting to stay at one of those amazing Destin fl rentals is definitely the best move if holidaymakers are on the lookout for a truly remarkable beach getaway.

Do you enjoy a lively beach with numerous areas to wander about, complete with water-rentals and snack shops? Perhaps you’re traveling with small children and need a location capable of providing calm waters for toddlers to play in?

One of Destin’s greatest feats is being able to provide natural environments suitable for any vacationers needs or wants.

In this guide, we take a look at James Lee Park, Henderson Beach State Park, Beasley Park, Navarre Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park (aka: The Boardwalk) as well as Ross Marler Park and Gulf Islands National Seashore. Below you can find more information on each of these magnificent locations.

James Lee Park is a beach on the Walton/Okaloosa County line. A locals-insider site, This-Is-Destin.com dubbed James Lee Park as a personal favorite due to the consistently clear water and miles of pristine beach. The park has 3 pavilions, 41 picnic tables, 9 dune walkovers, a playground, restrooms with changing rooms, and 166 parking spaces.

Henderson Beach State Park Pristine white sugar sand beaches and more than 6,000 feet of natural scenic shoreline border the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Natural features of the park include sand pines, scrub oaks, and dune rosemary. Boardwalks provide access to the beach for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing. Four large and two small pavilions allow for picnicking and grilling. A playground is the first stop on our nature trail and is sure to be a success with the kids. The nature trail provides visitors a rare glimpse of the coastal dune ecosystem and abundant wildlife and is pet friendly.

Beasley-Park Beasley Park is a wonderful public beach park located on Okaloosa Island between Destin and Fort Walton, FL. It offers a more casual beach visit suited for families or couples looking to relax and enjoy the surf and sand. John Beasley Park is a large beach park with 2 dune walkovers to the Gulf of Mexico. This park has 2 large pavilions, 12 picnic tables, an octagonal platform, restrooms with changing rooms and 208 parking spaces.

Navarre Beach Navarre Beach is another of the most popular Destin beaches along with Fort Walton and Henderson Beach. It is situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound. Sand does not get much more powdery or white than on this particular beach where visitors have access to a selection of guest accommodations, fine dining restaurants in close proximity, and many opportunities for beach activities. Navarre Beach is large enough that it is possible for some people to enjoy beach sports while others simply lie back and enjoy the soothing sounds of the ocean, soaking up the choice Florida sun. Lifeguards are on duty and there are sufficient public facilities, although not nearly as many as at Fort Walton Beach.

Fort Walton Beach Fort Walton Beach is located on Okaloosa Island less than five miles to the west of downtown Destin. It features miles of unfettered shoreline that is accentuated by gorgeous, turquoise water and powdery white sand. You will find no shortage of activities to enjoy, from diving and snorkeling to kayaking and surfing. Guests of Fort Walton Beach have access to a full range of public facilities, including changing rooms, showers, concessions, parking, and much more. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, as well as a host of options for places to rent gear and equipment for the activities of your choice. There are lifeguards on duty at Fort Walton Beach

Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park (Also known as The Boardwalk!) This park is on Okaloosa Island adjacent to the fishing pier. It offers several pavilions, 41 picnic tables, restrooms with changing rooms, volleyball nets, a children’s playground, dune walkovers to the beach and lots of parking. Playing in the surf and sand is easy here. Generally, you’ll see more surfers here than anywhere else locally, and there’s several volleyball nets for those great pick-up games.

Ross Marler Park Refurbished in 2006, Ross Marler Park provides boating, swimming and fishing access to the Choctawhatchee Bay. It is located on the inland waterway of Okaloosa Island, so the water is very peaceful and quiet. Just the occasional ripple of a passing boat. This is particularly good if you have small children.There are 20 boat trailer parking spaces, 80 auto parking spaces and a tram stop. Amenities include a handicapped accessible fishing platform, two boat ramps, two sets of bathrooms, several pavilions, a roped off swimming area, and a walking trail with interpretive signage. A FRDAP grant in 2009 provided funds for development of the Marler Mini-Explorer Tot Lot playground which offers a completely fenced, rubber surfaced children’s playground and walking perimeter, all of which is completely Handicapped Accessible.

Gulf Islands National Seashore Shallow water is one of the best features of Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. This makes it a favorite spot for families with small children. The shallow water (generally not more than 2-3 feet deep) extends about a 100 yards out into the sound.

In addition to researching beaches, read the  Destin Fl Vacation Checklist article for extensive information on vacationing in Destin, Florida.

Destin’s coastline is a visual playground for runners and marathon walkers, with some courses offering water views and others leading along undeveloped areas of Okaloosa Island.

If you’ve never considered adding “Marathon Running or Walking” as a thing-to-do on vacation, this is your chance. Below you’ll find a brief snapshot of marathons and events for January 28-March 17.

January 28 Destin’s “Bayou, Bay & Back” 5K/10K Run/Walk & Half Marathon: Clement Taylor Park at 131 Calhoun Avenue, 7:30am. While all courses offer water views, the half marathon course yields breathtaking views of the Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin Harbor, and East Pass, as it leads you through Destin, along a 4-mile undeveloped stretch of Okaloosa Island & back. Visit www.active.com for more information.

January 29 “Winter Concert Series” 2pm-4pm
Enjoy a free concert every Sunday on the Destin Harbor. Harbor Walk Village, Stage 10.

February 4 “Mardi Gras Parade” 2pm at the Harbor Walk Village, Stage 10.
Enjoy dazzling floats, colorful costumes, street performers and float riders tossing handful of beads! Stay and enjoy live music on the Main Stage after the parade. Visit www.destinshines.com for more information.

February 11 Valentine’s 8K “Kiss ‘Em To The Finish” at The Track Recreation Center, 9am. Contact: 850-651-8958 or visit www.active.com for more information.

February 18 “Son of a Beach” 5K at The Back Porch. Enjoy this 5K run on the white sand beaches of Destin, FL. Event benefits the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Visit www.active.com for more information.

March 17 City of Destin’s “12th Annual Run with the Dogs” 5K at the Destin City Hall. A nice flat 5K course beginning and ending at the Destin City Hall Annex across from the ball fields. The awards and post race party will be held at Calhoun’s Pub & Grub. Visit www.active.com for more information.

Accommodation – This should be on the top of your vacation planning because only on the availability of your Destin Fl accommodation you will be able to make further arrangements. So it is best to finalize your Destin accommodation. There are many rentals in Destin on the beach but you need to spend time choosing your Destin Beach rentals. So do not put this off until the last moment.

Vacation Activities – It is best to review your options on vacation activities even before you visit Destin Florida . This will help you plan your vacation better and make the best use of the time in Destin Beach. It is also important to decide your vacation activities in advance so that you can choose your rentals in Destin on the beach based on your preferences on Destin Beach vacation activities. If you are planning to get some tan on to your skin, you should pack your sun screens and other skin care products. In case you are planning to go skiing you should go prepared or at least find out where to get the best jet ski rentals. If you plan to play golf during your Destin Beach vacation you should pack your golf kit. As you can see if you do not include your vacation activities in your check list you are likely to run into a lot of problems as you would not have packed the right things for the vacation.

Car Rental – You should also find cheap car rentals if you are not taking your own vehicle. This again needs to be handled carefully so that you find the most competitive prices for your Destin Beach car rentals.

Destin Beach Sightseeing – If you want to get the best out of your Destin Fl vacation you should not forget to make arrangements for Destin Beach sightseeing. You will easily find many sight seeing packages from which you can choose something that fits your budget.

Check The Weather – Before you pack your bags you should remember to check the weather so that you can travel with the right kind of clothing.

Medication If Any – In case you are on any regular medication make sure to have adequate supply of medication so that you are not commuting back and forth from your rentals in Destin on the beach and local pharmacy just to get your medication.

These are some of the very basic factors to be taken into account when you are planning your Destin Beach vacation but you will be surprised to learn how many people forget to pay attention to these basics and run into problems in the last minute. You can easily save yourself from all such problems and have an enjoyable vacation in Destin Beach.