9 Best Things to Do in Destin, Florida

While plenty choose to visit the Destin Harbor Boardwalk as the sun goes down, coming here first thing in the morning lets you take in the sublime views from another perspective as well as escape the evening crowds. 

Running for almost a quarter of a mile along the harbour front, this is the place to stretch your legs and get your day going in earnest as you breathe in the Gulf of Mexico’s fresh ocean air. Afterwards, take a stroll to The Breakfast Table or the Donut Hole Bakery Cafe; both open early and serve hearty, comforting breakfast fare.

Destin delivers on educational activities just as well as it does with its powdery white sands. Alongside Fort Walton Beach, just a 10-minute drive from downtown Destin, is the Indian Temple Mound Museum. 

As far back as the year 800, the large mound here – now a National Historic Landmark – supported the temple used as the residence of the leader of the area’s native inhabitants. The museum alongside the mound itself exhibits artifacts of the Native American way of life, as well as pieces from other periods of the area’s history.

There’s no shortage of beaches to spend time on in Destin, but Henderson Beach State Park is something special. The 6,000 feet of shoreline within the park make up the last coastal scrub area surviving in the Destin area. 

The beach’s sparkling white sand is truly stunning, and a great spot to spend the day relaxing, while the clear Gulf waters offer both swimming and the chance to spot an abundance of aquatic life. Back on land, there are trails to follow through the conserved sand dunes, and if you can’t quite bring yourself to leave then there are even camping opportunities here.

Shoppers are well taken care of in Destin, so there’s no need to panic if you get the urge for some retail therapy during your beach vacation. Having said that, it would be a shame to hide away indoors when the weather is nice, and you’re surrounded by so much natural beauty – which is where Destin Commons comes in. 

This handsome open-air mall is decorated with tall palm trees befitting its location and, as well as a good range of popular national stores, there’s a cinema, restaurants, and a children’s play area, so everyone is entertained.

Every great getaway should include a stunning sunset, but Destin offers one with a true difference. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay are rich with bottle-nosed dolphins, and numerous operators on the harbour take out open-topped and glass-bottomed boats for beautiful sunset vistas and great chances of spotting dolphins. 

Cruises are offered year-round, but they’re best enjoyed in the summer. Most begin with a harbour tour, before departing for open water in search of these magnificent creatures. The views back towards Destin – offering a different perspective than you might have had so far – are an added bonus.

A celebration of Destin’s attractive harbour, the HarborWalk Marina might be set up to kick-start a day of aquatic fun (it’s the jumping-off point for boat rides, cruises, and other tours) – but it’s also a romantic spot to take a walk as the evening begins to set in. 

In fact, the marina has been voted the ‘best date night spot in Destin’ and, with the spectacular views out into the Gulf of Mexico and of flashy boats bobbing on the water, it becomes obvious. Feel the sea breeze and pick up a souvenir of your visit to Destin, before heading off to dinner at one of the nearby seafood restaurants.

The village of Baytowne Wharf is ideal to head to when you decide you’ve had long enough on the sand – but the array of nightlife options mean it’s also great for a night on the town. 

Lit up by night on the edge of Choctawhatchee Bay, Baytowne Wharf is a gorgeously serene spot, and the boutiques and restaurants mean simply taking a lazy wander of the wharf can be a pleasant way to spend an evening. For something more energetic, the Village Door is the area’s only nightclub with live music, while the Fat Tuesday Daiquiri Bar shows sports matches on the big screen.

What better way to celebrate the Emerald Coast’s bountiful seafood, and the idea that Destin itself is ‘The world’s luckiest fishing village’, than by getting out into its own natural habitat for lunch? 

Once an actual island, paradise-like Crab Island has since been eroded to an underwater sand bar that makes for shallow, wade-able water. It attracts countless locals and visitors to pull up on rented pontoon boats and splash around in the calm, sheltered and clear sea. Seasonal floating restaurants like WaterWorld serve up everything from seafood to Mexican dishes, while individual boats sell Cajun boiled peanuts and ice cream.

There’s no getting around it: you’re not doing Destin properly unless you’re indulging in its famously delicious seafood. The difficulty might be picking somewhere to eat, since you’re spoilt for choice. 

Destin’s harbour has a concentration of great seafood restaurants, from the quirky décor and casual atmosphere at the Boathouse Oyster Bar to AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, which evokes the good life with great views from right on the docks. Dewey Destin’s harbourside location is next door, with a lovely outdoor deck, while the elegant Primrose Restaurant at the Henderson Beach Resort & Spa is a 10-minute drive away.