There’s no question that Louisvillians love Destin and the Emerald Coast (wonder why? Click here!). Since so many locals travel to “Little Louisville” for vacation every year, we’ve compiled a handy-dandy guide for where to go and what to do in Destin and the surrounding areas.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the article or click here to learn how you can enter to win a four-day beach vacation to Destin from Louisville.com and Newman-Dailey Resort Properties:
Hit the Beaches
The white sand and clear blue-green water of the Emerald Coast is warm and welcoming almost year-round. Here’s a list of beaches around Destin; be sure not to disturb any sand dunes, bother any wildlife or leave the beach covered in bourbon bottles and garbage. Rosemary Beach in particular is highly recommended.
Explore HarborWalk Village
HarborWalk Village has waterfront shopping, paddle board and kayak rentals, pontoon and jet ski rentals, parasailing, glass bottom boats, world class fishing, pirate ship excursions, dolphin cruises, concerts and live music, weekly fireworks, weekly Fat Tuesday parades, live entertainment, and an array of restaurants. It’s your one-stop-shop for fun in Destin: make sure to check out the giant carved Magnolia tree at the entrance. After the iconic tree died at 170 years old, artist Marlin Miller sculpted the dead branches into an art piece.
Drive Scenic Highway 30A
Take a drive down Scenic Highway 30A to take in the beaches and the beach houses. The drive provides a great view of the “exciting and eclectic mix of hot Caribbean colors and soft pastels, with architecture to match each community’s charm, whether it be Old Florida’s traditional 2-3 story homes, or the cottages of Seaside with white picket fences and pedestrian pathways to New Urbanism, or its miles of greenway trails connecting state parks, preserves and residential areas.”
Learn at Gulfaraium Marine Adventure Park
Skip SeaWorld and learn about marine life on the Gulf Coast by visiting Gulfararium Marine Adventure Park. It’s “dedicated to educating, entertaining, and inspiring our guests to respect and preserve wildlife by providing unique and memorable experiences for visitors of all ages to connect with marine life” and has been open for 60+ years. The animal shows and exhibits at the Gulfararium are centered around education and information rather than exhibition of the animals.
Take a Sea Blaster Dolphin Tour
There are many dolphin tours offered around Destin, but this company’s been in operation since 1955, and their tours are light-hearted, held on 73-foot United States Coast Guard-approved custom-built boats: the Gulf’s largest speedboats The Sea Blaster tours are known for their effusive crew members, their complimentary soda, water, beer, wine and their awesome cruising playlist. The view of the Destin harbor offered at one of these sunset tours is incomparable.
Visit the Destin History and Fishing Museum
If it rains and keeps you from the beach during your vacation, take some time to learn about the history of Destin, and view a large collection of antique fishing rods and reels, including an original Penn Reel that belonged to Ernest Hemingway.
Shop at Silver Sands Premium Outlets
What’s a vacation without a little outlet shopping? Silver Sands Premium Outlets is home to 110 designer and name-brand outlet stores including Coach, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.
Paddle with SUP Express
Stand-up paddling is fun way to explore the ocean on your vacation and SUP Express will get you set up for a day out on a rental paddle board and even deliver to you at many of the beautiful park areas in and around the Destin and the Ft. Walton beach area.
Play at Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park
Big Kahuna’s has water slides, rides, a wave pool, mini golf, fun fountains, a sky coaster and lots more. A must-visit for vacationers with kids.
Putt- Putt at Goofy Golf
No trip to Florida is complete without at least one round of miniature golf. Goofy Golf has two courses with 17 holes each, but the real fun is snapping pictures of your traveling companions in the throat of a monster, next to a triceratops, lolling in the hands of a giant monkey. Imminently Instagram-able.
Eat (and drink!) at these places:
Here’s a list of ten places you should try to hit during your vacation around Destin: for everyone from late night noshers to bright and early brunchers.
Contest:
[2]Louisville.com is giving away a vacation package to gorgeous Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort [3], a Newman-Dailey property [4]: see all the details of the vacation and review the rules of this giveaway here! [5]
To enter, leave your name and email address below - by doing so, you agree to receive communication from Louisville.com and Newman-Dailey. Winner will be contacted March 1. Good Luck!
Images: Elizabeth Myers, except for The Destin History Museum [6], Silver Sands Outlet [7], SUP Express [8] and Big Kahuna's [9]: linked.