Fort Walton Beach, FL
Destin Harborwalk
Destin Harborwalk is a collection of dining, shops, water activities, and amusement. If you are ready to eat AJ’s will not disappoint you. AJ’s started out as an oyster bar with very good drinks for locals. It has grown to four locations, and the shrimp, oyster, fish entrees are amazing, and you will need to try some of their speciality drinks that AJ is famous for serving. The other dining options are East Pass Seafood & Oyster House, Coyote Ugly Saloon, Harry T’s Lighthouse, Margaritaville of Destin, and many other options. You can also go to the Fudgery, Tiki Time for Ice Cream, and you can get your cotton candy from Spun Fun Cotton Candy so you will be able to find something to eat while at the Harborwalk.
The shops will range from Christmas, Airbrush shirts, Surf, Jewelry, Beach Gear, Kites, Soaps, Sunglasses, Clothing, and Shoes so you have plenty of options for shopping.
Water Activities include fishing charters, paddleboats, jet skis, Pontoon boats, Parasailing, Glass Bottom Boats to name a few. The Cruises can be a Pirate ship, Sunset Cruises, Firework, and Dolphin Cruises. We did a sunset cruise recently, and it included a Destin Harbor Tour and a ride to see Dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. It also included two drinks, and don’t forget the sunset where they played slow music while the sun was setting. Have you ever did parasailing. You get an incredible view while being high up in the sky looking down at everything that is happening below you. You will truly enjoy this experience.
As far as amusement, you can throw an Axe at the Gulf Coast Axe House. What about doing a Zipline, Freefall, or climbing a Rockwall? The area also has a theater that has comedy, magic, and hypnosis. Mini Golf, 7 Dimension Virtual Rides, and an Escape Room are a few other things that you can do. I know I did not mention everything.
For more information, please click on Destin Vacation Resort | Emerald Grande at HarborWalk Village
McGuire’s Irish Pub
McGuire’s Irish Pub has a huge selection of food. They are famous for their steaks that include Filet Mignon, New York Prime Strip, 16 Oz Grilled Hickory Smoked Prime Rib, and more options. The ¾ Lb hamburgers are incredible, and they have close to 25 different hamburger options. You can also order an .18 cent bean soup. Seafood, Pasta, Ribs, Pork Chops, and Lamb Chops are a few other selections. The combo Snack Plate is a great selection for an appetizer, and I always like to order my Irish Red Ale, which is a very good beer that is served in a Frosted Mug. McGuire’s brew five different beers, which are a Porter, Irish Stout, Old Fashioned Ale, Irish Pale Ale, and my favorite Irish Red Ale so you should be able to find one that you like.
McGuire’s Irish Pub boasts one of the largest wine cellars in the world for a restaurant. McGuire’s award winning wine cellar and wind list are proud recipients of the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence award for 19 years now. This wine cellar most recently received the Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence as well.
Make sure you kiss the moose as well. You will find out what I mean when you go with the live entertainment.
For more information, please click on McGuire’s Irish Pub (mcguiresirishpub.com)
Destin Commons
Destin Commons has everything you need from shops to a Movie Theater to a bowling alley and finally the food. A few of the shops are Bass Pro Shop, Belk, Build a Bear, Crocs, Express, Foot Locker, H&M, Kay Jewelers, Lowes, Loft, Pandora, Sephora, Soma, Southern Living, Steve Madden, and Sunglass World just to name a few shops.
Another Broken Egg is one of the better breakfast places that you will enjoy on your beach vacation. Destination Little Donuts are amazing, and they also have gluten free donuts available as well. You can get anything from Sushi to a Smashburger, pizza, Fish, Mexican dishes, Chicken, Shrimp Dishes so you have a ton of selections for dinner.
For more information, please click on
Best Shopping & Dining in Destin, Florida(destincommons.com)
Crab Island
Crab Island is not really an island, but more like an underwater sandbar. It has crystal clear water that will attract jet ski’s, Party barges, and Boats of all Sizes. A Crab Island Adventure Tour, complete with inflatable waterslides and other water toys, will be a great day for family fun for your family. At Crab Island, the ice cream man will pull up by you with selling your favorite treat. Note that this popular sandbar area is only accessible by boat due to strong currents. If you don’t have a boat and don’t want to rent one, you can buy a ticket for the Crab Island Shuttle Boat. Crab Island is know as a party atmosphere, but it has a lot of family friendly fun as well so everyone can enjoy it.
For more information, please click on Crab Island Reviews | U.S. News Travel (usnews.com)
Destin Dolphin Cruises
Destin Dolphin Cruises – are offered by several different vendors, but I wanted to mention AJ’s Water Adventures and Southern Star Dolphin Cruises. Make sure you have your camera ready when you see the dolphins for the first time. We loved seeing the dolphins when we went on a Dolphin Cruise, and I am sure your family will also have an excellent time enjoying the dolphins.
For more information, please click on Destin Dolphin Cruises Reviews | U.S. News Travel (usnews.com)
Sail Away
Sail Away offers several this water options that include Sunset Cruises, Firework Cruises, Parting on Crab Island, Snorkeling Tours, and of course Dolpin Excursions. With so many options, you will not have enough time to do everything. Enjoy your time at the beach.
For more information, please click on Sail Away Destin
Silver Sand Premium Outlets
Silver Sand Premium Outlets is home to 110 designers and name brand outlet stores. The stores include Tory Burch, Coach, Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, Poloe Ralph Lauren Factor Store and Saks. You will have many choices ranging from women’s apprarel to sporting goods all the way to housewares. The outlet mall has covered sidewalks, beautiful landscaping, and a kid’s area where the kids could have a great time with dad while you shop. The dining ranges from Carrabba’s Italian Grill to Gelato with Auntie Anne’s Pretzels and your favorite Haagen Dazs Ice Cream and many more selections. If you are ready to shop, you may want to get Silver Sands a chance.
For more information, please click on About Silver Sands Premium Outlets® – A Shopping Center in Destin, FL – A Simon Property
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Kelly Plantation Golf Club is consistently rated as the best golf courses in Destin Florida. Kelly Plantation Golf Club offers very challenging play with beautiful Florida scenery. The golf courses are maintained very well. The course has over 7,000 yards of greens, and they are taken care of well with manicured fairways with excellent panoramic views of Choctawhatchee Bay.
For more information, please click on Kelly Plantation Golf Club | Destin Florida Courses
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
Are you ready to see dolphins jump in the air? You will see gators, reptiles, penguins, sea lions, and stingrays. You will have the opportunity to interact with the dolphins with touching, feeding, playing, and giving behavior signals to the dolphins. Have you ever snorkeled with stingrays? You can do any one of these activities. It will cost you some extra dollars, but you should have a great time doing it.
