Your Ultimate Destin Vacation Guide

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destin vacation guide

YOUR ULTIMATE DESTIN VACATION GUIDE

This guide features where to stay, what to do around town, and some of our favorite places in Destin. This will be your go-to resource for your Destin vacation or staycation!

 

Thank you so much to our Co-Title Sponsors for their support of this resource!

 

Heading to 30A? Click here for tips for that side of town!

WHERE TO STAY

There are a ton of options in terms of where to stay in Destin! Here are some things to consider when you are researching: 

 

+Beach Access: If you aren’t staying at a condo with beach access, you will need to look into where your closest access points are. Make sure to take note of that especially if your group are big fans of the beach!

 

+Will you have a car? Most people like having a rental car in Destin unless you plan to spend most of your time at your rental home/condo. If you would rather not have a car you can plan for ride share cost. 

 

+Neighborhood vs Condo: There are several developments where you can easily rent a condo. There are also many airbnb options in neighborhoods. Depending on your group and your preferences, it is nice to have choices!

 

+Here are some specific areas to look into: 

Fort Walton Beach / Okaloosa Island

Miramar Beach

Crystal Beach

Holiday Isle

Sandestin

Harborwalk Village

THINGS TO DO

VACAYZEN

Vacayzen is a luxury equipment rental company located in the heart of Santa Rosa Beach.  Vacayzen has been servicing Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, and Panama City Beach for over 10 years.  They have everything from bicycles and beach chair service, to golf carts, beach bonfires and everything in-between. Vacayzen also offers a wide-variety of equipment for your little ones.  So long are the days of making sure you load the pac-n-play into the car, Vacayzen will deliver all of your equipment to your rental address the day you arrive, and pick it up after your departure. Vacayzen’s baby gear covers everything from cribs and pac-n-plays to jogging strollers, baby gates, and even car seats!

BUCCANEER PIRATE CRUISE

Ahoy mateys! Unlock the treasure of your heart and let your dreams come true as you embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure on the high seas of the Emerald Coast! If ye dare step aboard the Buccaneer for a quest as pirates, you will be greeted with a friendly “YoHo!” and an atmosphere of family fun and merriment. Music and excitement fill the air as you and yer hearties board the boat, and the crew prepares for departure. Your captain will brief guests on safety procedures just before the cruise embarks. Our captain and mates will amuse your whole crew from beginning to end, engaging willing participants in pirate-themed activities, witty banter, singing, and dancing.

SOUTHERN STAR DOLPHIN CRUISE

Family-owned and operated since 1994, we aim to create a personal experience unlike any other. Our captain, crew, and office staff strive to ensure that every guest aboard our vessel is treated to the highest standard of service possible. It is our mission to create a fun and memorable experience that exceeds expectations, just as it has been for 25 years.

Witness the extraordinary aboard The Southern Star – Destin’s Original Dolphin Cruise! Our world-renowned dolphin cruise has been featured on CNN “Earth Matters,” National Geographic’s “Earth Watch,” and hosted writers for numerous blogs, national magazines, and other travel publications. Cruise the pristine emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico along the world’s most beautiful sugar-white sand beaches of Destin, Florida. Experience up-close viewing of dolphins, seabirds, and a variety of other marine life. Our cruises offer affordable, relaxing fun and sightseeing for the whole family!

PLACES TO EAT

RUBY SLIPPER CAFE

At Ruby Slipper, we believe in brunch.  We’re crazy about it.  Obsessed, actually.  We set out to create a place that celebrates the craveable & creative flavor and spirit of brunch, front and center, everyday.  Cause we’re all about #thatbrunchlife!

FORMULA FRESH

Formula Fresh Superfood Bar is a concept that emerged from a growing need for healthy, delicious and convenient nutrition. Our goal is to serve as a healthy hotspot that caters to individuals with specific dietary needs, as well the average consumer who is seeking healthier options.

From our signature cold-pressed juices to our superfood smoothies and primal snacks, we make 100 percent of all menu offerings in-house daily from whole ingredients. We have uniquely formulated our recipes to give your palette (and body) a daily dose of healthy bliss.

We offer an extensive list of healthy options for vegans, rawtarians, gluten-free followers and Paleos alike, without limiting our offerings to 100 percent of any traditional dietary labeling.

SERVICES TO KNOW ABOUT

THE GIRL WHO WANTS EVERYTHING

The Girl Who Wants Everything was created to curate a vacation experience like no other. We want our guests to focus on Sun Worshipping and not bothering with all the logistical details of their vacation.  

In comes our group of Guest Liaisons.  

We plan every detail of your days and nights on our beaches.

Bonfires

Beach Picnics 

Backyard Movie Nights 

Chef Prepared Meals

Daily Grocery Runs

and more! 

 

BE MY SHOPPER

The Premier Grocery delivery service of Destin & 30A

Since 2012 we have been serving the grocery delivery needs of Destin & 30A guests. We pride ourselves on our level of service and attention to detail. 

When you place your order with Be My Shopper you can be sure we will shop for and deliver your grocery order as if it were our own!

30APRON

In-house chef dinners. Stocking the fridge with menus for lunches and snacks. Menus for lunch + snacks. Simple to reheat prepared dinners. Bonfire fare.

Traci Veno, founder, and owner can accommodate it all! 

Also available are hot and freshly prepared dinners dropped off on your chosen night.

Connect with her to make food easy for your stay! (615) 579-2222
[email protected]

COLD TREATS IN DESTIN

COLD TREATS IN DESTIN

There is no shortage of delicious, cold treats to choose from in our area of Destin, Florida! Whether it’s the nostalgia of visiting the same place year after year on vacation or simply the love of a good treat that makes you want to visit new places, we have you covered.

OUTDOOR DINING

outdoor dining in destin 30a

When the weather is as beautiful as ours usually is, eating out is a must! We polled our amazing contributors on the best outdoor dining options in Destin/30A, and this is what they shared. There is something for everyone on this list: fancy, casual, kid friendly, and more!

THINGS TO DO ON A RAINY DAY

A rainy day is always a bummer on your Destin or 30A vacation. Heck, it’s even a bummer for locals on a rainy weekend. But don’t fear, here are some of our favorite ways to spend a rainy day!

WHAT TO PACK + TIPS FROM LOCAL MOMS

Depending on the time of year that you are visiting, your packing plan will change. But here are some tips from local moms to help! 

 

Pack layers! We are in the panhandle so it can be unpredictable weather, especially in the Winter/Spring. Oftentimes we have cooler mornings + evenings, but it can still get really warm during the day. So layers are smart.

 

If you are visiting in the Summer, prepare for rain. Most of the time it’s just for a short period during the day and then passes. 

 

Pack some inexpensive sand toys or plan to grab some at a local shop. 

 

Don’t forget sunscreen!

 

Not a packing tip, but if you are coming in the Winter or Spring… try to get an airbnb that gets you access to a heated pool. Although, let’s be serious… your kids will probably jump in even if it’s ice cold 😉 

 

During the busy months (spring break, the summer, holidays), the beach can get really busy. Head to the beach in the morning and/or at dinnertime. It’s more family friendly at those times and can tend to be really busy mid-day. 

PLACES TO EXPLORE

Here are some more of our favorite places to explore!

 

Breakfast

Crackings

Cafe Destin 

2 Birds Cafe

 

 

Coffee

East Pass Coffee Co

The Palms Coffeehouse

 

Shops

Destin Commons

Baytowne Wharf

Harborwalk Village

Grand Boulevard 

 

Head over to 30A for the day!

Click here for our guide to that area!

 

RED FLAG DAY TIPS

red flag day destin 30a

Red flag (and double red flag) days can throw a bit of a wrench in your beach plans during your Destin or 30A beach vacation. While they aren’t necessarily fun, they are definitely for your safety. So it’s important to follow the rules and we are here to help. Here are some ideas for things to do on a red flag day.

LOCAL EVENTS TO KNOW ABOUT

Every month we highlight local events in a round up on our site. We also share them weekly on our social media! Check them out on our Instagram.

Want your business featured in our next guide? Connect with us here!