With less-crowded beaches and restaurants, lower traffic, and cheaper rental prices, Destin, Florida is the perfect place to spend your winter months. Leave your winter gear at home and prepare for highs of 60 degree weather. Destin Luxury Beach Rentals offers all short term guests Xplorie Adventures for free! For each day of your stay, you get 1 free activity ticket to an array of different activities. Options include 1 free ticket to:
Golf at Regatta Bay, Emerald Bay, Bluewater Bay, Santa Rosa Golf Club, or Golf Garden
Baytowne Adventure Zone
Sea Blaster Dolphin Cruise
Destiny/Destin Princess Deep Sea Fishing.
Whether you are a new or recurring “snowbird,” you may want to check out Destin’s Snowbird Club, a club focused on providing fun activities for the wintertime. They have clubs for all to enjoy including golf, crafts, basketball, fishing, casino trips, quilting, writing, and much more. Check out their website for more details. Destin has a lot to offer with the most beautiful beaches in a safe and quiet community! Book your stay with Destin Luxury Beach Rentals today!
Celebrating the Holidays in Destin
Will you be in Destin this Holiday Season? If so, check out this list of events inclusive to all ages. Whether you are here to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Eve, there’s fun for all!
Thanksgiving
Solaris Yacht Lunch & Dinner Buffet Cruises
November 28, 2019: Celebrate this year’s Thanksgiving on the water! Forget the hassle of preparing and cooking this year and leave it to the chefs on Solaris yacht. This year, the Solaris is offering a buffet-style menu including flavorful carved meats, fresh vegetables, exquisite sides, and of course, the Chef’s desserts. They have openings for both lunch (12-2:30 pm) and dinner (6-8:30 pm) so be sure to reserve your seat now!
Black Friday Shopping in Destin
Get a head start on Christmas shopping this year! Destin Commons, Silver Sands Outlet, and Bass Pro Shops are just a few select options for this year’s Black Friday.
Christmas
Destin is a magical place to celebrate Christmas. Experience everything from tree lightings to parades. Have your very own ‘white’ Christmas without the snow!
12 Nights of Lights
A festive way to celebrate your Christmas spirit is to come to Baytowne Wharf Village. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday in December, there will be a light show along with some of your favorite holiday songs! Come with family or friends to have a joyful night.
Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting
November 22, 2019: Santa will be coming to town at Destin Commons. Bring your kids for free face painting and festive photo booths. Watch Santa light the Holiday tree and end the night with a firework finale!
Christmas Parade
December 2, 2019: What better way to get in the holiday spirit than to attend the annual Christmas Parade in Fort Walton! Bring along family or friends for festive music, floats, candy, and more.
Hanukkah
Grand Menorah Lighting
December 6, 2019: Located at HarborWalk Village, join the community for live music, delicious food, and of course, menorahs for everyone! Free Admission.
New Year’s Eve
Street Party at HarborWalk Village
Start the new year with a night of live music, tasty food, two firework shows, and ultimately, a ball drop over the Destin Harbor!
Baytowne Countdown
This New Year’s Eve, there is fun for all ages with kid’s activities, face painting, live music until 1 am, and two firework displays; the recipe for a night to remember!
(November 9- November 11)
Veterans Day is an important holiday for every American citizen and especially for those who have family members or friends who have served in the United States Armed forces. Each veteran has sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom and protect our lives; it is an honorable act. For me, my father is a veteran, and every day I remind myself of his strength and integrity. In the spirit of Veterans Day this year, here are some events in Destin to have some family fun while also showing your honor for our veterans.
Blues, Brews, and BBQ November 9, 2019
The 12th annual “Blues, Brews, and BBQ” is the perfect way to start your Veteran’s Day Weekend. Located at HarborWalk Village, local restaurants will be competing in a friendly competition for the best BBQ-style and signature coastal food. There will be plenty of mouth-watering BBQ dish and sauce samples to go around, along with craft brews. Treat your tastebuds while enjoying live music from John Hart & Tyler Mac. Bring along the family or friends for a day of relaxation and fun.
-Military Tickets: $25
Destin Vets Day 5K Run/Walk November 9, 2019
The 9th Annual Veteran’s Day Race is a great way for you to honor our veterans! Begin your morning with a fun running course and unique finisher prizes. After the run, join the rest of the community for an after-party which will feature local vendor food, beer, and raffle items! For just $30 you can experience all of this while also supporting and raising money for local veterans.
Ruck 22 Walk & Challenge Event November 9, 2019
Hosted by Emerald Coast Honor Games, this event is meant to honor Veterans and raise awareness while challenging yourself. Push your limits by competing in a series of fitness challenges, which are inclusive of any age or ability. The event will also have vendors, a huge raffle, music, a kids area, and of course, local heroes! Overall, it is a great opportunity to get active, have fun, and show appreciation for our veterans.
Veterans Day Ceremony November 11, 2019
The best way to celebrate your veterans is to honor their sacrifices. On Veterans Day, start your morning with an hour ceremony event at Navarre Park.
Looking for some FALL festivities in Destin this week? Embrace the spooky season by attending these local events:
Halloween Haunt – October 25, 2019 (6 pm – 8 pm)
Hosted at Destin Commons, bring along your kids for Halloween crafts, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and wicked face painting!
Pumpkin Palooza – Boos & Booze Bingo Pub Crawl – October 26, 2019 (7 pm – 12 am)
What’s better than a bingo-style pub crawl with killer drink specials. Visit Coyote Ugly for an adult costume contest and live music from Tyler Livingston!
Trick or Treat Street – October 31, 2019 (6 pm – 8 pm)
Come to Baytowne Wharf Village for some hauntingly fun festivities. Trick-or-treat at the merchants while listening to some spooktacular live music from Steve Hall. Stop by Coconut Kidz to receive free face painting and the chance to win their costume contest. At 8 pm, watch the night sky light up with fireworks. There’s no excuse to miss out on this free, family-friendly night!
McGuire’s Halloween Costume Party – October 31, 2019 (9:30 pm -1:45 am)
Mcguire’s Irish Pub is hosting an adult costume contest with many spooky categories. Enter for a chance to win a $100 Mcguire’s gift card! With Halloween falling on a Thursday, it is also Ladie’s Night, which means free margaritas, house wine, and more.
Halloween Horror – October 25, 2019 – November 3, 2019
Come to Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park for some frightful fun with scare zones, haunted attractions, thrilling rides, and delicious food!
Why should you take the time to visit Destin? What makes it different from any comparable beach?
Destin, Florida is more than a vacation spot; It will become your home away from home. Live in relaxation as you take in the beauty of Destin’s emerald waters and sugar-white sand; Live in awe as you start each morning watching dolphins at sunrise. What I love even more than the remarkable views, are the memories you have when you leave.
No matter the season, Destin offers endless adventure and new experiences. The beach is a go-to spot. You’ll find yourself spending the entire day relaxing under the sun while gazing at the view. There are multiple beach access points available to the public.
If you want a day away from the beach, spend it on Crab Island. A popular tourist spot, Crab Island is a submerged sandbar allowing you to walk from your boat to the floating restaurants. For family fun, try out the inflatable obstacle courses, paddleboards, jet skis, or bring along a frisbee!
Shopping, mini-golf, and arcades are some of the best options for a day away from the beach. Destin Commons, an outdoor shopping mall, has shops for all ages along with a marine-themed bowling alley and movie theater.
An alternative would be Harborwalk Village, one of my personal favorites. Here, you can sign up for water adventure trips such as SNUBA, dolphin watch tours, and parasailing. For those who love to fish, lucky for you! Harborwalk Village is home to the largest fishing fleet in the country. Destin is named “The Luckiest Fishing Village” for a reason. Looking for adventure? Try out the rope courses and ziplining. But don’t forget about the waterfront shops, live concerts, and fresh food!
After my first visit to Destin, I knew I’d be coming back. It has become my favorite beach simply because of the joy it brings me. A week of tranquility and excitement is just what I need on a vacation. I believe everyone should take the time to visit Destin to see just how special it is.
Personal Favorites in Destin:
Things to do
Gulfarium
Fort Walton Beach (a nook-and-cranny beach spot)
Destin Snorkel
Jet Skiing at Crab Island
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone
Food
Lulu’s Destin
Mcguire’s Sushi, Pizza, and Pub
Al’s Beach Club
The Gulf
Moe’s Original BBQ