Destin, FL Guidebook

Sanna
Destin, FL Guidebook

Food scene

The pancakes are HUGE and they have a variety of flavors!
28 locals recommend
The Pancakery
960 U.S. 98
28 locals recommend
The pancakes are HUGE and they have a variety of flavors!
Casual, funky breakfast/lunch spot, perfect for a quick (and delicious!) bite
51 locals recommend
The Local Market
950 Gulf Shore Dr
51 locals recommend
Casual, funky breakfast/lunch spot, perfect for a quick (and delicious!) bite
A must for Taco Tuesday! Street tacos are $2 each & the margaritas are amazing too. You can’t go wrong with Mexican food any day of the week.
28 locals recommend
La Paz
950 Gulf Shore Dr
28 locals recommend
A must for Taco Tuesday! Street tacos are $2 each & the margaritas are amazing too. You can’t go wrong with Mexican food any day of the week.
New Orleans style seafood prepared with a Creole flair, paired perfectly with the waterfront dining experience
105 locals recommend
Louisiana Lagniappe
775 Gulf Shore Dr
105 locals recommend
New Orleans style seafood prepared with a Creole flair, paired perfectly with the waterfront dining experience
Adorable family-owned café that serves great coffees, sandwiches, acai bowls, and treats
9 locals recommend
East Pass Coffee Co.
121 Harbor Blvd
9 locals recommend
Adorable family-owned café that serves great coffees, sandwiches, acai bowls, and treats
A sweet little Italian café offering the authenticity of Italian bites and coffee – served with smile
43 locals recommend
Capriccio Cafe
810 Harbor Blvd
43 locals recommend
A sweet little Italian café offering the authenticity of Italian bites and coffee – served with smile

Things to do

Experience the sights and sounds of the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, where the city of Destin started. Here you can find 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, and an array of restaurants.
138 locals recommend
Destin Harbor Boardwalk
102 Harbor Blvd
138 locals recommend
Experience the sights and sounds of the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, where the city of Destin started. Here you can find 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, and an array of restaurants.
While dolphins can sometimes be spotted from local beaches, the right cruise company will allow you to see these lovely creatures up close. With Southern Star, you’ll board a glass-bottomed boat with plenty of viewing spots as you snap pictures of dolphins.
29 locals recommend
Southern Star Dolphin Cruises
100 Harbor Blvd
29 locals recommend
While dolphins can sometimes be spotted from local beaches, the right cruise company will allow you to see these lovely creatures up close. With Southern Star, you’ll board a glass-bottomed boat with plenty of viewing spots as you snap pictures of dolphins.
You’ve enjoyed the views of Destin from the beach, but there’s nothing quite like the perspective of parasailing. Experience Destin’s breathtaking panorama in a whole new way!
29 locals recommend
Just Chute Me Parasail
500 Harbor Blvd
29 locals recommend
You’ve enjoyed the views of Destin from the beach, but there’s nothing quite like the perspective of parasailing. Experience Destin’s breathtaking panorama in a whole new way!
Get your thrill on at Big Kahuna’s, where you’ll find a great blend of relaxing water features and exciting slides. You could easily spend a full day here, but if you only have a few hours, be sure to hit up the Kowabunga racer, the Honolulu Half Pipe, and the Maui Pipeline.
314 locals recommend
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
1007 US-98
314 locals recommend
Get your thrill on at Big Kahuna’s, where you’ll find a great blend of relaxing water features and exciting slides. You could easily spend a full day here, but if you only have a few hours, be sure to hit up the Kowabunga racer, the Honolulu Half Pipe, and the Maui Pipeline.

Best beaches

All the beaches in Destin are sugar-white, soft, and surprisingly cool underfoot even in the heat of the summer. Why? The sands here contain finely ground, rounded quartz crystals that originally washed down from the Appalachian Mountains at the end of the last Ice Age. Those white sands also reflect the sun brilliantly back through the shallows of the Gulf of Mexico, creating a stunning emerald cast to the water.
9 min drive
208 locals recommend
Henderson Beach State Park
Emerald Coast Pkwy
208 locals recommend
9 min drive
5 min walk
20 locals recommend
O'Steen Public Beach Access Sign
320 Gulf Shore Dr
20 locals recommend
5 min walk
11 min drive
10 locals recommend
Crystal Beach Drive
Crystal Beach Drive
10 locals recommend
11 min drive
14 min drive
10 locals recommend
James Lee Beach
10 locals recommend
14 min drive

Traveler advice

Getting around

Destin is a wonderful place for biking!

If you’d like to rent a bike, here are a few options- WET INC 818 US-98. One Day Bike Rental: $28 One Week Bike Rental: $55 COASTAL CRUISERS 12605 Emerald Coast Parkway. One Day Bike Rental: $18
Getting around

Transport Options

LYFT / UBER Using Lyft or Uber is an easy way to get around. TAXI SERVICES Destin Sunrise Taxi, Phone: 850-586-5694 Ok Taxi, Phone: 855-465-8294 BUS (EC RIDER) Bus transportation within the area is $2. Emerald Coast Rider bus routes 30, 32, and 33 serve the Destin area along U.S. 98, more commonly referred to as the Emerald Coast Highway. Popular stops include Henderson Beach State Park and Crystal Beach. WATER TAXI A fun way to get around Destin is to take the Destin water taxi. It costs $5 per person a ride each way, and it can be a fun way to get around the Destin harbor.
What to pack

Don’t forget to pack

Sunscreen, a good book, hat, portable charger, frisbee and a beach umbrella
Getting around

Emergency information

Hospital - Ascension Sacred Heart Medical Park Urgent care - White Wilson Medical Center