Destin, FL??

[Alicia87]

DH and I are thinking of a trip to Destin, FL the first week of April. We've never been before and have been told it's a wonderful place to visit. We LOVE the Caribbean and have a Disney cruise scheduled for June.

Can anyone offer some insight on this area? Places to stay, things to do??

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[rie'smom]

The Emerald Grande at Harbor Walk Village is super nice. There were specials when we were there in July. We had a 2 bd-in effect, 3 bd because of the bunkroom, kitchen, 2 baths,living room and 3 balconies for under $300/night. Other rooms were less expensive. It might still be a little chilly for the beach but you never know.There are lots of restaurants in the area and a ferry to take you to Noriega Pt. right across the harbor.

 

[Alicia87]

Thanks for the suggestion!!!

 

[minkydog]

Can't help you with accomodations. We camp nearby every summer at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Destin is one of our favorite DESTINations. We always eat at The Crab Trap. It's right on the beach and after you eat lunch you can walk out the back door and play on the beach. It should be warm enough in April to swim in the Gulf and probably no jellyfish or seaweed,too. Hope ya'll have a great time!

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for the suggestion!!!

You're welcome. The Emerald Grande is built on the property where I spent my summers as a child. My great grandparents lived there.

 

[SydSim]

My very picky sister and OCD niece are presently at the Sandestin - and absolutely love it! They are in condo style accomodations and love being able to cook some meals. I was on the phone with my sister and she must have said "gorgeous" at least 10 times during the conversation

 

[misskate]

My family and I camped there for a weekend when I was in 9th grade! We LOVED it. We talk often about going back. (We had a trip scheduled when I graduated high school but a hurricane derailed that plan!) The beaches and the gulf were absolutely gorgeous. I can't speak much on resorts, since we were in an RV but it was wonderful. Relaxing and serene.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I live there
I may suggest crab island, especially on a boat!
Everyone just takes the boat a little out and everyone gets out [its like up to your hips] and parties, lol.

If that isn't your thing, then eat at mcguires! I love that place. I go once a month.
The crab trap is great too!

If you want good breakfast-for-dinner and other stuff, try The Donut Hole. YUMMALICIOUS! Great pies too!

 

[disneyfanforever]

When I was younger, my family used to go there during the summer. We stayed at a condo complex named Mainsail. We loved it there. I am thinking about taking my family there within the next year or two. My problem is that I can't take off of work hardly at all during the summer. I wonder how it is during the winter. It is definitely beautiful.

 

[minniecarousel]

DB & DSIL go every summer for a dental convention and they love it there!

 

[DisneyLover83]

Sandestin is a great resort. Everything from golf, bike rentals,tennis, beach front, places to eat and shop right in the resort. My family went every year growing up and we always loved Sandestin. You can rent a condo, anywhere from 1 to 3 bedroom or they have an Inn if you don't want a full kitchen/living room area.

There is a large outlet mall (can't remember the name) and they have every store you can think of! There are also many waterparks, mini golf and amusement go cart type places.

 

[BelleWDW]

We always stay in one of the condos on Holiday isle-road is called Gulf Shore drive at Destin-its like a magical quiet place in the heart of hectic Destin-right off the main road. There are several there we've stayed at ....here's one of them....

http://www.jettyeast.net/

Here is a popular condo rental place at the end of Holiday Isle
Each unit is photogrphed and each unit's view-some face the beach and some face the pass-where all the boats go out of
They have a huge bar-b-q "hut" there and the entrance is locked -so only people staying there have access

 

[Tiggerlover91]

There is a large outlet mall (can't remember the name) and they have every store you can think of! There are also many waterparks, mini golf and amusement go cart type places.

That would be Silver Sands. It's cool and the stores are numerous, but I prefer the Commons. Baytowne Wharf out in Sandestin is VERY, VERY nice. I went there for the first time a few months ago(lived here for 15 years, so don't know what took me so long ) and was quite impressed!

 

[BelleWDW]

Destin Commons is cool and groovy with regular stores.Silver sands is a true OUtlet Mall with bargains

Dh and I always take a long drive to see Seaside (lunch there) and the other Picture perfect "created" "towns" over there-it's so "Disney-esque"!!

 

[minniebeth]

Lol, I know nothing about Destin except one day this past summer I went to the grocery store and at the deli counter I saw THE most tan mom with her kids and I said to her "you look like you just got back from the beach" and she told me how they just got back from Destin. She said it was the funest (for the kids), most relaxing (for her) vacation and she just loved, loved it.
She said they stayed in a really nice condo with a water park. No idea, what that might be but I said to myself, "I'd love to go there someday!"

Destin looks really nice!!

 

[ms mouse]

We didnt really like sandestin resort, but with condos it could be what you get. Also if we are at the beach we really like to be on the water or within walking distance. Seaside is really a nice little town, and very close to everything at Sandestin. The shopping is great. But as far a activites, its not Disney.

 

[PatsGirl]

I know I am in the minority here but I spent two weeks at Fort Walton Beach (a few miles from Destin) and was underwhelmed We stayed at a nice condo with private beach but I don't like having high rise condos on the beach and the water wasn't all that nice. Now, to be honest, I'm picky about my beaches, having grown up on the Cape and travelled quite a bit in the Caribbean and Mexico.

There wasn't alot to do for myself and tween. We did find a Go-Kart place that had awesome tracks (maybe it's called "The Track"?) and we LOVED McGuires for dinner. Destin Commons was fun for a day of shopping and eating but we can do that here at home. We wanted to rent a pontoon and go to crab island but that didn't happen.

We did drive that 1A? water road about 50 miles in each direction and that was nice. Pensacola Beach looks like a nice area too, we thought we might stay there next trip if we head to the Panhandle.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I can recommend Sandestin, which is also right Next to Tops'l, where the State Preserve Park is that another poster has mentioned.

Yes, Sandestin is 'overdeveloped'.
They now have thousands of units per their length of beach.
But, it is NICE!

If you will be traveling anywhere around Spring Break time, and want something a little more upscale that should not be a Spring Break Zoo (like Panama City) then a large, gated, upscale, resort like Sandestin would definitely be worth checking into.

www.sandestin.com

PS: Drive over to Pompano Joe's and spend the afternoon for some good decent food, the most gorgeous sand and water in the area, and even a frozen libation or two.

We have been in May, and absolutely love it.
(except for this last year where the great May Monsoon of 2009 dumped TEN inches of rain while we were there... Not to worry, this is unusual)

Just one caveat about your plans... If you think April means hot sunny tropical beaches, you would have to travel further south. It can sometimes be chilly.

PS: To the last poster, Ft. Walton Beach may be a few miles and across the bridge from the Destin/Sandestin/Seaside area, but yes, it really is a far cry and a big difference.

 

[Wishing on a star]

For a 'couple's' trip - If you don't want the 'big resort' experience... look up the Henderson Park Inn, which I think is a bed and breakfast....

www.hendersonparkinn.com/