Anyone ever been to Destin, Florida?

[Kim&Chris]

I'm looking for a beachy-type place that DH and I can enjoy for 2 or 3 nights. Destin looks nice on the internet, but so do alot of places that aren't so great when you get there .

Have any of you been there? If so, can you recommend a nice place that is beach front or gulf front?

Also, what airport is it near?

 

[babytrees]

I lived there for a summer back in 1990. I thought it was beautiful and the hotel I worked at was nice...not to far from the beach. We drove down so I can't answer the airport question. Hope all your questions get answered and have fun at the beach!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Sandestin... You will love it!

It is just what you see online.

PS: You are right about a lot of places. Panama City Beach, Daytona Beach, etc. NO comparison!

I would book it in a heartbeat.

We are currently looking for a timeshare exchange availibility there.
I can't wait!

 

[rgf207]

Yep. I have been there 2 times. Did an install at Eglin. Nice place. Quiet, some nice restaurants and some nice beaches. Good time all together.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

I'm looking for a beachy-type place that DH and I can enjoy for 2 or 3 nights. Destin looks nice on the internet, but so do alot of places that aren't so great when you get there .

Have any of you been there? If so, can you recommend a nice place that is beach front or gulf front?

Also, what airport is it near?

My martial arts instructor used to work at two places right on the beach, EMERALD TOWERS and MAINSAIL , the latter is out in Sandestin right across from Silver Sands Outlet. I've seen both and they are EXTREMELY nice!

DH and I visit Destin every chance we get on our date nights on Saturday nights. So many awesome places to shop and you'll have no problem with places to eat either.

As far as what airport are they near I suppose you could say Okaloosa Regional Airport which sits right outside of Niceville FL near Eglin Air Force Base. That would be about an hour away depending on traffic through Niceville.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I'm a local and I help you out the best way I can.

Denise

 

[Kim&Chris]

My martial arts instructor used to work at two places right on the beach, EMERALD TOWERS and MAINSAIL , the latter is out in Sandestin right across from Silver Sands Outlet. I've seen both and they are EXTREMELY nice!

DH and I visit Destin every chance we get on our date nights on Saturday nights. So many awesome places to shop and you'll have no problem with places to eat either.

As far as what airport are they near I suppose you could say Okaloosa Regional Airport which sits right outside of Niceville FL near Eglin Air Force Base. That would be about an hour away depending on traffic through Niceville.

If you have any other questions, let me know! I'm a local and I help you out the best way I can.

Denise

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate all the helpful hints

I'm going to shoot for September (that is, if DH can arrange for more time off).

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate all the helpful hints

I'm going to shoot for September (that is, if DH can arrange for more time off).

I am glad I could help, but please remember that September is hurricane season, so plan accordingly okay? Those "beachy" places in Destin are some of the first to evacuate when hurricanes head our way. If that happens to you, head North towards my city, Crestview, okay? There are several hotels in the area and you are much further from the water. Let me know if I can help any other way.

 

[snappy]

I also vote for Sandestin. My mom and I stayed with DSis and her hubby early March in their newly purchased timeshare. The place is awesome, very nice grounds. If you stay in any resort at Sandestin, you can rent bikes and tool around the place and there is a tram system that gets you around the place, including to the beach.

Years ago Dh and I stayed in various places, Destin, Ft Walton beach, Panama City, Navarre beach, Pensacola, Perdido Bay and others. I think the Destin/Sandestin beaches are the best, although I really like out accomodations in Perdido Key. They were doing beach reclamation when we were there last month. They are doing parts at a time. Make sure the beach by your resort is not being reclaimed while you are there.

I just saw your post about going in September. I think the reclaimation should be finished by then, but it could not hurt to ask.

 

[penguingirlie]

We lived down there for a while and I got married in Pt. Washington, FL. I would have to suggest Beachwood Villas in Santa Rosa Beach. They are incredibly spacious and near the beautiful communities of Seaside and Rosemary. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the outlet malls. I find it less crowded than Destin proper and cheap. You get an actual condo vs. a hotel room. We had our wedding reception there and everyone loved it.

 

[marybet]

Two other airports you can try are Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach. Might get a better price with Pensacola and it is only about an hour drive. Ft Walton is a little closer, might be 35 to 40 minutes.

I have not stayed in Destin but I have gone to the Silver Sands outlets a couple of times and the area looks very nice, lots of stuff to do.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Two other airports you can try are Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach. Might get a better price with Pensacola and it is only about an hour drive. Ft Walton is a little closer, might be 35 to 40 minutes.

I have not stayed in Destin but I have gone to the Silver Sands outlets a couple of times and the area looks very nice, lots of stuff to do.

That's the airport I'm talking about. I don't know why they say it's the FWB airport when it actually sits in Valpariso. Could be just a tad over 40 minutes, but again, that depends on how traffic moves.
I do agree on getting a better deal out of the P'Cola airport. Never could figure that out, but whatever works I suppose.