Things To Do in Destin, Florida!
Sunshine complements the shopping at Destin Commons, where more than 90 businesses line the quaint brick roads of this town-like shopping center. It’s half a million glorious square feet of retail stores to explore, including the charming Southern Living Store — one of only a handful in the United States — and the mouthwateringly scented Spice & Tea Exchange. All that shopping requires energy, so there are plenty of places to refuel. Grab a sweet treats at Kilwins or IT’SUGAR, or enjoy a savory meal at El Jalisco, Yuga Sushi & Sake House, Gulf Coast Burger Co. or World of Beer.For an entertainment and food combination, there’s underwater-themed Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill -- a bowling alley with shark and alligator bowling balls. Yearly special events include the Smoke on the Coast barbecue and fireworks festival for the 4th of July, Halloween Haunt, and Santa’s Arrival to kick off the Christmas season.
HarborWalk Village is a bustling hub for so many fun things to do in Destin. Choose from dolphin watching on a dolphin cruise, water sports, fresh seafood, and shopping for souvenirs. Visitors can ride in a glass-bottom boat, take a sunset cruise on a charter boat, or board a pirate ship. Water sports include wave runner, kayak, stand-up paddle board (SUP), and pontoon boat rentals. To really dive in, try out snorkeling or “SNUBA,” a hybrid form of SCUBA and snorkeling. For the real thrill-seekers, rise above it all and try out parasailing. HarborWalk Village also offers an array of things to do for the adrenaline junkie like a zip line, a free-fall ride, and a 40-foot rock-climbing wall! For a birds-eye view, book a helicopter ride and see all of Destin from new heights. With all this sporting, you are sure to work up an appetite for food and for shopping. Restaurants serve up the fresh catch of the day as patrons watch the boats and paddle boards go by. HarborWalk Village shops are the place to buy cool nautical treasures and beach fashions to keep your Destin vacation memories alive when you return home.
For youngsters to the young at heart, Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park is a top place to cool off. As the largest water park in the area, there are more than 40 ways to have summer family fun. It boasts thrilling rides that race, twist, turn and speed through tunnels, a giant wave pool, a lazy river, waterfalls, fountains, and splash pads. Drying off just takes a ride on the Skycoaster or a round of miniature golf.
Start your engines! The need for speed is satisfied at The Track, where go-kart lovers can screech down three-and-a-half stories on the Wild Woody, peel out on the Slick Track, or let a little one enjoy their first time behind the wheel.Beyond that, it really is all fun and games, from the classic carousel, ferris wheel and bumper cars rides, to an arcade with nearly 50 games, and much more!
Soft, sugar-white sand carpets Henderson Beach State Park’s more than one-mile beach, offering a stark contrast to the emerald-green water and brilliantly-colored sunsets. Dunes reach up to 30 feet tall like giant snow banks.Among the nature parks in Destin, it’s the last true stretch of coastal dune terrain, and a prime spot for ecotourism. Sand pines, scrub oak and sea oats are scattered along the landscape. Wildlife includes rabbits and gopher tortoises on land; herons and sandpipers near shore; and dolphins and sea turtles in the warm Gulf. Migrating monarch butterflies flock in during the fall. Amenities include a hiking trail that peaks on a dune, 60 campsites, six pavilions with grills and tables, and a playground.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf is fun for the whole family! With an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and nightlife -- not to mention a jam-packed schedule of outdoor festivals and special events for the entire family. For the younger travels visit adventure park. Relax while the kids play morning through evening on this imaginative nautical themed playground. Adventure Landing Playground is an enclosed fenced area, where kids can safely climb, swing, run and play. They have a terrific Farmers Market Saturday & Sundays from 10am-2pm. This spectacular setting, all within the gates of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, is the perfect spot to spend a vibrant afternoon or evening on vacation.
The Baytowne Adventure Zone in The Village of Baytowne Wharf will give you five more reasons to "hang" around Sandestin longer. Get an aerial view of the Village and its surroundings as you soar across the lagoon on the Baytowne Zipline, then head over to the Sky Trail Ropes Course to test your balance and agility. If you still haven't had enough fun and excitement, the Tower Climb and Eurobungy are Destin attractions sure to thrill you.
Blast Arcade and Laser Maze is an exciting, fun filled Family Entertainment Center located in Sandestin's Village of Baytowne Wharf. We offer family fun and activities that will surely have the entire family coming back for more. Our Arcade has over 60 redemption and video games that you can collect tickets for great prizes.
Fun fact: Crab island is actually a National Park!Crab Island in Destin, Florida is the perfect combination of sun, sand, and sparkling emerald waters! Once just a tiny island on the south side of Choctawhatchee Bay, the sandbar known as “Crab Island” is now one of the most popular things to do in Destin for boaters, paddlers, and swimmers alike! Large enough for hundreds of boats, kayaks, and waverunners to anchor down and hang out, some of the area’s top events take place at the sandbar all spring and summer long!
Sunshine Watersports is your one-stop shop for all water sports activities from parasailing, snorkeling, dolphin tours and pontoon boat rentals.
At Cloak and Dagger Escape Room, our mission is to bring the escape room experience to a whole new level. We pride ourselves on offering high tech rooms and great story lines that allow for the most immersive adventures possible. Escape rooms are live action, immersive games that require teamwork, curiosity, wit and strategy. You and your team are “locked” in a themed room and are faced with a series of challenging riddles, clues and puzzles. Solving them will allow you to escape! Escape rooms are for people of all skill levels with no special knowledge needed to solve the room and have a great experience. You will have 60 minutes to overcome the challenges. Move quickly before time runs out!
At LuLu’s, we serve scratch-made menu options with recipes created by Lucy Buffett herself. From seafood favorites to allergy-friendly choices, there is something for everybody. Pull up a seat at our table and enjoy good cookin’ served with a southern flair. Enjoy the Choctawhatchee Bay and all it has to offer. Come by boat or jetski, and drop anchor and wade into LuLu’s beach. The soft, sandy bottom is perfect for a wade up to the stairs. LuLu’s Beach Arcade offers fun games for all ages. Come and enjoy a wide variety of redemption games and old-school favorites. Be sure to redeem your prizes after you play! They also partnered with the Destin Paddle Company to bring the paddle boarding experience right to LuLu’s. Last but not least they offer custom hair wraps, glitter and airbrush tattoos, and henna for all ages seasonally. The station is located in the East Beach area, just off the patio, and is open during the summer months.