TEN REASONS TO VISIT DESTIN, FLORIDA
The readers of USA Today and Southern Living Magazine recently
voted Destin, Florida as the best beach destination in America. Once
a sleepy fishing village, today Destin is home to luxury
condominiums, championship golf courses, and the most
spectacular beaches in the United States.
THE BEAUTIFUL EMERALD COAST
The shallow, clear water of the Gulf of Mexico provides a safe beach
for even the tiniest of children to play. The beach drops off very slowly
and is protected by a sand bar close to shore. The fine white sand is
unlike any other in the world because it’s composed of pure quartz
crystal, washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over millions
of years. The Gulf water acquires its crystal clarity by literally being
washed clean after flowing through the estuary of Apalachicola Bay,
leaving behind any silt. The purity of the shallow water combined with
the high reflectivity of light off the bright white sand creates the
emerald green water, earning the area the name the “Emerald Coast.”
DESTIN HOTELS, CONDOS AND VACATION RENTALS
Destin offers a large range of accommodations from hotel rooms to
six bedroom houses for rent. The best choice for families is to rent a
completely furnished condominium with a kitchen. The rental price of
a one-bedroom condo (almost all include a sleeper sofa for the kids)
is usually comparable to the price of a hotel room, plus you can save
money by eating most meals in. If you’re traveling with other families,
check into renting a townhouse or a large condominium to bring the
cost per family down even further.
DESTIN GOLF COURSES
Destin is home to some of the finest year round golfing available. Golf
Digest ranked the Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, a public
championship course designed by Robert C. Walker among its “Top
200 Places to Play in North America”. Also included in the list were
three of the Sandestin Resort’s courses, Burnt Pine Golf Club, Links
and Baytowne. The resort’s new Raven Golf Course, opened in 2000,
has already been voted the best new course in Florida.
ECOTOURISM IN DESTIN
At Destin you'll see plenty of playful dolphins frolicking close to shore
and maybe even an endangered sea turtle. The enormous female
turtles swim to shore between May and August to dig nests and lay
their eggs. Resident volunteers walk the beach daily to mark the
nests and to keep a careful eye on the eggs. Months later, the eggs
hatch and the baby turtles follow the light of the moon back to the surf.
DEEP-SEA FISHING IN DESTIN
Named the “Luckiest Fishing Village in the World” Destin is a
fisherman’s paradise. Home to the largest charter fishing fleet in
Florida, over 90 sport fishing boats offer anglers an opportunity to try
their hand at deep-sea fishing or inshore trolling. The crews will even
clean your catch and pack it on ice upon your return. A word of caution-
though it sounds like fun, deep-sea fishing trips are not for young
children. Boats will not return to shore if a child becomes seasick.
SHOPPING AT DESTIN'S FACTORY OUTLET
The Silver Sands Factory Stores, the largest designer factory outlet in
the United States features nearly 100 outlet stores with brand names
ranging from Ralph Lauren to Anne Klein. If you’re shopping for
something unique, take a drive along Scenic Highway 30-A where you’
ll find a variety of unusual antique shops and art galleries.
THE BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON
Don’t miss taking a drive down Scenic Highway 30-A, a two-lane road
winding through thirteen unique beach areas making up the
“Beaches of South Walton.” Immediately upon exiting onto 30-A, turn
right into the entrance of Topsail Hill State Preserve, a 1600-acre state
park that has been identified as the most pristine and environmentally
protected piece of coastal property in Florida. Take the time to explore
the abundant nature trails meandering around two freshwater coastal
dune lakes and towering sand dunes.
GRAYTON BEACH NAMED ONE OF TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE
WORLD
After passing four freshwater lakes covered in blooming water lilies,
you’ll soon reach Blue Mountain Beach, the highest point on the Gulf
of Mexico in the United States. Next on the route is Grayton Beach, a
100-year-old community consisting of sand roads and cypress
wooden homes. In 1994, the famous “Dr. Beach” awarded Grayton
Beach the honor of the being named one of the top ten beaches in the
world.
The most famous of all the beach towns along Highway 30-A is
Seaside, Florida; the picture-perfect coastal village featured in the
major motion picture “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carey. The
planned community of pastel colored houses framed by white picket
fences has won numerous architectural awards and is the host to
several art and music festivals.
DESTIN WEATHER
There’s never a bad time to visit Destin. In the winter, the high
temperature ranges from the sixties to the low seventies-perfect for
strolls on the beach and golfing. May is the optimal time to visit with
temperatures in the eighties, warm ocean water and shoulder
season rental rates. Rental rates rise Memorial Day weekend and fall
after the first week in August. Even though most visitors leave after
Labor Day the weather and the Gulf water remains comfortably warm
until mid-November.
Whenever you go, plan on falling in love. Most visitors return year after
year, bringing their children and eventually their grandchildren back
with them to enjoy the Emerald Coast.
DESTIN RESTAURANTS
If you like to eat fresh seafood, Destin can’t be beat. Over 20 types of
delicious fish are caught in the local waters and brought daily straight
from the docks to the restaurants. Red snapper, amberjack, pompano
and yellow fin tuna are a few of the local favorites. Most restaurants
offer a children’s menu and several even have playgrounds to
entertain the children while they wait.
Family Friendly Restaurants in Destin:
Fudpuckers:
This is the place for a fun, casual night out with the kids. The menu
choices range from hamburgers to seafood so there’s something for
everyone. In the summer, live entertainment plays from lunch until
closing and a large playground gives the children a place to run off
steam. 850-654-4200
The Donut Hole Café and Bakery
A trip to Destin would not be complete without a breakfast visit to this
landmark restaurant a few miles outside Destin. It’s packed in the
summer, so arrive early for their big Southern-style breakfasts. The
bakery supplies specialty breads to local gourmet restaurants so be
sure to try a loaf. 850-267-3239
DESTIN CONDO RENTALS
Captain Dave’s on the Gulf
On the waterfront beside the harbor is the oldest and most famous
Destin seafood restaurant. Ask for a table by the window to watch the
sunset before dinner. 850-837-2627
DESTIN VACATION RENTALS
DESTIN ACCOMMODATIONS AND CONDO RENTALS:
Abbott Realty-www.abbott-resorts.com, 1-800-336-4853
Dune Allen Realty-www.beautifulbeach.com, 1-888-267-2121
Sandestin Hilton-www.Hilton.com-1-800-367-1271
The readers of USA Today and Southern Living Magazine recently
voted Destin, Florida as the best beach destination in America. Once
a sleepy fishing village, today Destin is home to luxury
condominiums, championship golf courses, and the most
spectacular beaches in the United States.
THE BEAUTIFUL EMERALD COAST
The shallow, clear water of the Gulf of Mexico provides a safe beach
for even the tiniest of children to play. The beach drops off very slowly
and is protected by a sand bar close to shore. The fine white sand is
unlike any other in the world because it’s composed of pure quartz
crystal, washed down from the Appalachian Mountains over millions
of years. The Gulf water acquires its crystal clarity by literally being
washed clean after flowing through the estuary of Apalachicola Bay,
leaving behind any silt. The purity of the shallow water combined with
the high reflectivity of light off the bright white sand creates the
emerald green water, earning the area the name the “Emerald Coast.”
DESTIN HOTELS, CONDOS AND VACATION RENTALS
Destin offers a large range of accommodations from hotel rooms to
six bedroom houses for rent. The best choice for families is to rent a
completely furnished condominium with a kitchen. The rental price of
a one-bedroom condo (almost all include a sleeper sofa for the kids)
is usually comparable to the price of a hotel room, plus you can save
money by eating most meals in. If you’re traveling with other families,
check into renting a townhouse or a large condominium to bring the
cost per family down even further.
DESTIN GOLF COURSES
Destin is home to some of the finest year round golfing available. Golf
Digest ranked the Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, a public
championship course designed by Robert C. Walker among its “Top
200 Places to Play in North America”. Also included in the list were
three of the Sandestin Resort’s courses, Burnt Pine Golf Club, Links
and Baytowne. The resort’s new Raven Golf Course, opened in 2000,
has already been voted the best new course in Florida.
ECOTOURISM IN DESTIN
At Destin you'll see plenty of playful dolphins frolicking close to shore
and maybe even an endangered sea turtle. The enormous female
turtles swim to shore between May and August to dig nests and lay
their eggs. Resident volunteers walk the beach daily to mark the
nests and to keep a careful eye on the eggs. Months later, the eggs
hatch and the baby turtles follow the light of the moon back to the surf.
DEEP-SEA FISHING IN DESTIN
Named the “Luckiest Fishing Village in the World” Destin is a
fisherman’s paradise. Home to the largest charter fishing fleet in
Florida, over 90 sport fishing boats offer anglers an opportunity to try
their hand at deep-sea fishing or inshore trolling. The crews will even
clean your catch and pack it on ice upon your return. A word of caution-
though it sounds like fun, deep-sea fishing trips are not for young
children. Boats will not return to shore if a child becomes seasick.
SHOPPING AT DESTIN'S FACTORY OUTLET
The Silver Sands Factory Stores, the largest designer factory outlet in
the United States features nearly 100 outlet stores with brand names
ranging from Ralph Lauren to Anne Klein. If you’re shopping for
something unique, take a drive along Scenic Highway 30-A where you’
ll find a variety of unusual antique shops and art galleries.
THE BEACHES OF SOUTH WALTON
Don’t miss taking a drive down Scenic Highway 30-A, a two-lane road
winding through thirteen unique beach areas making up the
“Beaches of South Walton.” Immediately upon exiting onto 30-A, turn
right into the entrance of Topsail Hill State Preserve, a 1600-acre state
park that has been identified as the most pristine and environmentally
protected piece of coastal property in Florida. Take the time to explore
the abundant nature trails meandering around two freshwater coastal
dune lakes and towering sand dunes.
GRAYTON BEACH NAMED ONE OF TOP TEN BEACHES IN THE
WORLD
After passing four freshwater lakes covered in blooming water lilies,
you’ll soon reach Blue Mountain Beach, the highest point on the Gulf
of Mexico in the United States. Next on the route is Grayton Beach, a
100-year-old community consisting of sand roads and cypress
wooden homes. In 1994, the famous “Dr. Beach” awarded Grayton
Beach the honor of the being named one of the top ten beaches in the
world.
The most famous of all the beach towns along Highway 30-A is
Seaside, Florida; the picture-perfect coastal village featured in the
major motion picture “The Truman Show” starring Jim Carey. The
planned community of pastel colored houses framed by white picket
fences has won numerous architectural awards and is the host to
several art and music festivals.
DESTIN WEATHER
There’s never a bad time to visit Destin. In the winter, the high
temperature ranges from the sixties to the low seventies-perfect for
strolls on the beach and golfing. May is the optimal time to visit with
temperatures in the eighties, warm ocean water and shoulder
season rental rates. Rental rates rise Memorial Day weekend and fall
after the first week in August. Even though most visitors leave after
Labor Day the weather and the Gulf water remains comfortably warm
until mid-November.
Whenever you go, plan on falling in love. Most visitors return year after
year, bringing their children and eventually their grandchildren back
with them to enjoy the Emerald Coast.
DESTIN RESTAURANTS
If you like to eat fresh seafood, Destin can’t be beat. Over 20 types of
delicious fish are caught in the local waters and brought daily straight
from the docks to the restaurants. Red snapper, amberjack, pompano
and yellow fin tuna are a few of the local favorites. Most restaurants
offer a children’s menu and several even have playgrounds to
entertain the children while they wait.
Family Friendly Restaurants in Destin:
Fudpuckers:
This is the place for a fun, casual night out with the kids. The menu
choices range from hamburgers to seafood so there’s something for
everyone. In the summer, live entertainment plays from lunch until
closing and a large playground gives the children a place to run off
steam. 850-654-4200
The Donut Hole Café and Bakery
A trip to Destin would not be complete without a breakfast visit to this
landmark restaurant a few miles outside Destin. It’s packed in the
summer, so arrive early for their big Southern-style breakfasts. The
bakery supplies specialty breads to local gourmet restaurants so be
sure to try a loaf. 850-267-3239
DESTIN CONDO RENTALS
Captain Dave’s on the Gulf
On the waterfront beside the harbor is the oldest and most famous
Destin seafood restaurant. Ask for a table by the window to watch the
sunset before dinner. 850-837-2627
DESTIN VACATION RENTALS
DESTIN ACCOMMODATIONS AND CONDO RENTALS:
Abbott Realty-www.abbott-resorts.com, 1-800-336-4853
Dune Allen Realty-www.beautifulbeach.com, 1-888-267-2121
Sandestin Hilton-www.Hilton.com-1-800-367-1271
DESTIN FLORIDA
DESTIN HOTELS
HOTEL DESTIN FLORIDA
DESTIN HOTELS
HOTEL DESTIN FLORIDA
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