Looks like I’m taking my family to Destin Fla for vacation due to the “white sand beaches” and “emerald green clear water”. Looking at guides there doesn’t seem to be a lot going on there but I’m sure twenty of you have been there and have some advice?
2 late 30’s adults and three children between 7 and 14. Thanks!
It’s in the alabama part of Florida. So presumably you get to encounter Florida Man, Alabama Man, and the mash up Floribama Man.
In reply to Patrick :
That alone has put it on my list of places to go.
The Naval Aviation museum in Pensacola is great if you're into planes. There's also a museum at Eglin AFB, but I haven't been to that one.
Patrick said:It’s in the alabama part of Florida. So presumably you get to encounter Florida Man, Alabama Man, and the mash up Floribama Man.
When you combine Florida man and ROLLTIDE! only good things happen.
I hope you are not into deep sea fishing.. that part of Florida is SHALLOW. You have to go some distance to find deep water
I’M not even into swimming so that will be fine with me. We are northerners so sunburn, beaches and warm water will all be our plan.
The plane museum sounds good, thanks for that.
Patrick - kinda scary huh?
chandler said:I’M not even into swimming so that will be fine with me. We are northerners so sunburn, beaches and warm water will all be our plan.
The plane museum sounds good, thanks for that.
Patrick - kinda scary huh?
Coming from a lifelong clevelander, yes quite scary. I stick out like a sore thumb. I can only sneak through the panhandle if I don’t get out of my truck and even then i get strange looks because i am at stock height on stock wheels and don’t have stacks.
Dewey Destin seafood on the harbor, interesting seafood shack, oldschool.
Its a nice area. I like that it isnt disneyland and theme parks. Its florida for what makes florida nice. Sunshine, nice beaches and good water to swim in.
It may have been negatively impacted by the last hurricane that came through. Make sure damage from that isnt going to muck up plans or destinations.
Enjoy! Oh and its getting to be silly hot here. Im closer to daytona but still. We’ll be getting our afternoon thunderstorms soon. Even with that in the forecast you still have plenty of outdoor time. The storms usually come in fast, dump a ton or rain then leave fast.
Redneck Riviera it is. Actually the beaches are fantastic, pretty laid back, there's a big place where everyone takes their boats out (crab island?) Near the bridge that becomes a big party with pop up bars and jumping water trampolines and stuff. I'll be done there for a conference at the seascape in 2 weeks.
Your travels will take you past Huntsville, AL and the Air and Space Museum if the kids are into such a thing.
Roughly 8 hr drive to Huntsville and then another 6 hr drive to Destin so it might be a good stopping point if you do not want to drive all the way through in one session.
Your route will also take you past...
Watch out for the "under tow" or rip tide. Don't take the warning lightly if you hear it.
I do a Destin family vacay every year. There may be a better beach around, but you can't convince me of it.
I have 3 kids under the age of 8. We go to the beach to relax, and enjoy the beach. The sand is beautiful, the water is clear, and it's not busy. The area is clean, traffic is mild, everything is affordable. There isn't alot of sightseeing to do, but if your goal is like ours where you go to the beach to beach, you'll love it.
Our must do list is pretty small. Top thing for us every year is the seablaster sunset dolphin cruise. Free beer and wine, which results in free entertainment too. Last year we caught a rather heavy storm 90 minutes in, and 30 minutes away. 90 minutes of beer meant nobody cared about the rain pelting you at 30-40mph.
We don't spend alot, and my wife doesn't do seafood so that eliminates most restaurants. Lulus is on the water and relaxing. The donut hole must be visited at least 3 times per vacation.
Biloxi(or any of the MS coast) is cheaper & less crowded. Sorry, no specific help on Destin though.
I like Destin. We go to the coast pretty frequently, it has all the mediocre attractions needed to spend unnecessary money: arcades, mini golf, etc. There's good food, golf, and nightlife that is mixed on the family friendly.
I'll add another recommendation for the naval air museum. It's always a good time. My kids get something different out of the visit each time. Being free it also pretty great. We usually plan the visit here for the worst weather day.
The blue Angels will run practice on some mornings up and down the beach.
It's close to Seaside which is worth the drive over for a dinner and a walk around.
How is the seaweed (Sargussum) situation there? Down here in sFl is a huge problem. We never had it until last year.
It washes onto the sand and it stinks.
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