Beth's Vacation Guidebook
Beaches
This is the closest public beach and my favorite. It is in Crystal Beach in Destin. It has a long board walk, shaded pavilions, public restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off sand. It has a big parking lot and also has the popular Crab Trap restaurant on the boardwalk along with a beach front bar.
10 locals recommend
James Lee Beach
This is the closest public beach and my favorite. It is in Crystal Beach in Destin. It has a long board walk, shaded pavilions, public restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off sand. It has a big parking lot and also has the popular Crab Trap restaurant on the boardwalk along with a beach front bar.
Public beach on Okaloosa Island, close to Fort Walton Beach. It has parking, public restrooms and a pavilion. It is right next to the boardwalk with lots of restaurants and shops.
55 locals recommend
John C Beasley Park
1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEPublic beach on Okaloosa Island, close to Fort Walton Beach. It has parking, public restrooms and a pavilion. It is right next to the boardwalk with lots of restaurants and shops.
This is the Walton County public beach just east of Crystal beach. It also has lots of parking, public restrooms, and a restaurant, Pompano Joe's, right on the water.
9 locals recommend
Public Beach Access - #49 @ Pompano Joe's
2375 Scenic Gulf DrThis is the Walton County public beach just east of Crystal beach. It also has lots of parking, public restrooms, and a restaurant, Pompano Joe's, right on the water.
Same emerald beaches of Destin protected as a state park. The park has pavilions and restrooms. There is a nominal fee to enter the park.
209 locals recommend
Henderson Beach State Park
Emerald Coast PkwySame emerald beaches of Destin protected as a state park. The park has pavilions and restrooms. There is a nominal fee to enter the park.
Beach on the bay side of Okaloosa Island. Calmer waters for snorkeling, paddle boarding, jet skiing or just floating or swimming.
32 locals recommend
Gulf Islands National Seashore
1 Gulf National Sea Shore DrBeach on the bay side of Okaloosa Island. Calmer waters for snorkeling, paddle boarding, jet skiing or just floating or swimming.
St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park LnPanama City. Boat tours to Shell Island.
Restaurants on the beach
Destin is full of good restaurants, but if you want to see the water while you eat, try these.
On the boardwalk at Crystal Beach in James Lee Park. It also has a beach side bar.
117 locals recommend
Crab Trap Destin
3500 Scenic Hwy 98On the boardwalk at Crystal Beach in James Lee Park. It also has a beach side bar.
Back porch is so close to the beach you can put your toes in the sand from your table. It also has a large bar. East of Destin in Miramar Beach.
109 locals recommend
The Surf Hut
551 Scenic Gulf DrBack porch is so close to the beach you can put your toes in the sand from your table. It also has a large bar. East of Destin in Miramar Beach.
Pompano Joe's
2237 Scenic Gulf DrRestaurant on the public beach in Walton county.
One of the original Destin beach restaurants recently renovated to include a large outdoor deck with seating areas.
21 locals recommend
Back Porch Restaurant station
One of the original Destin beach restaurants recently renovated to include a large outdoor deck with seating areas.
Great view from this second floor restaurant on the boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
65 locals recommend
Rockin Tacos
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGreat view from this second floor restaurant on the boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
Great happy hour dinner specials starting at 4 pm. Enjoy dining outside on the deck right on the beach, or inside in the dining room.
43 locals recommend
790 on the Gulf Restaurant
14073 Scenic Hwy 98Great happy hour dinner specials starting at 4 pm. Enjoy dining outside on the deck right on the beach, or inside in the dining room.
Other Restaurants
Floyd's Shrimp House
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEAll you can eat shrimp! On the boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.
Right around the corner from the Clay House. Sports bar with lots of TVs throughout, good food, great fries, friendly bar tenders.
Hurricane Grill & Wings
4579 East Highway 20Right around the corner from the Clay House. Sports bar with lots of TVs throughout, good food, great fries, friendly bar tenders.
In Bluewater Bay just across Hwy 20 from the Clay House. Good Italian food, great bread. Also has Bella Blue Bar attached.
10 locals recommend
Ciao Bella Pizza
4400 E Hwy 20In Bluewater Bay just across Hwy 20 from the Clay House. Good Italian food, great bread. Also has Bella Blue Bar attached.
Fun place to eat and drink. Just at the foot of the Destin bridge in Destin.
318 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin
33 US-98Fun place to eat and drink. Just at the foot of the Destin bridge in Destin.
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
116 Harbor BlvdOn the harbor in Destin.
Great rollatini and everything else Italian. Small and cozy. Make reservations.
76 locals recommend
Mimmo's Ristorante Italiano
979 U.S. 98Great rollatini and everything else Italian. Small and cozy. Make reservations.
Things to do
Kids love this. It's so big, you can spend all day. 40 different water play areas, rides, slides and pools. Wave pool and lazy river. Cabanas for rent.
314 locals recommend
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
1007 US-98Kids love this. It's so big, you can spend all day. 40 different water play areas, rides, slides and pools. Wave pool and lazy river. Cabanas for rent.
The Track in Destin has five Go-Kart Tracks, two Mini Golf Courses, Blaster Boats, Bumper Cars, Kids Country Rides, the high flying SkyFlyer, the spinning Hurricane 360, and Fat Daddy's Arcade. The 3-level Wild Woody and Family Track have single and double go-karts.
174 locals recommend
The Track - Destin
1125 US-98The Track in Destin has five Go-Kart Tracks, two Mini Golf Courses, Blaster Boats, Bumper Cars, Kids Country Rides, the high flying SkyFlyer, the spinning Hurricane 360, and Fat Daddy's Arcade. The 3-level Wild Woody and Family Track have single and double go-karts.
Go karts, bumper boats, laser tag, 2 adventure golfs and kiddie golf, reverse bungee trampoline, tree top challenge, 4D movie experience, arcade, food and ice cream.
93 locals recommend
Wild Willy's Adventure Zone
1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGo karts, bumper boats, laser tag, 2 adventure golfs and kiddie golf, reverse bungee trampoline, tree top challenge, 4D movie experience, arcade, food and ice cream.
Aquarium, dolphin and sea lion shows and various animal encounters.
232 locals recommend
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEAquarium, dolphin and sea lion shows and various animal encounters.
Popular sand bar just off the Destin bridge, accessed by boat only. Rent a pontoon boat or take a water shuttle. Floating vendors, restaurants and an inflatable obstacle course all in waist high water.
138 locals recommend
Crab Island
Popular sand bar just off the Destin bridge, accessed by boat only. Rent a pontoon boat or take a water shuttle. Floating vendors, restaurants and an inflatable obstacle course all in waist high water.
Great place for fishing, viewing dolphins and fireworks every Wednesday at 9 pm in the summer.
101 locals recommend
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGreat place for fishing, viewing dolphins and fireworks every Wednesday at 9 pm in the summer.
Beautifully landscaped zoo west of Navarre. Feed the giraffes and see the pink flamingos! Interactive petting zoo and bird feeding aviary.
266 locals recommend
Gulf Breeze Zoo
5701 Gulf Breeze PkwyBeautifully landscaped zoo west of Navarre. Feed the giraffes and see the pink flamingos! Interactive petting zoo and bird feeding aviary.
Just outside of Eglin AFB, real planes on display outside.
87 locals recommend
Air Force Armament Museum
100 Museum DrJust outside of Eglin AFB, real planes on display outside.
Outdoor shopping mall with Belk, IMAX theatre, Bass Pro Shop, and Stay Fountain for kids to play in.
306 locals recommend
Destin Commons
4100 Legendary DrOutdoor shopping mall with Belk, IMAX theatre, Bass Pro Shop, and Stay Fountain for kids to play in.
AMC Destin Commons 14
4000 Legendary DrIMAX movie theater in Destin Commons with reclining seats.
This state park is right down the street from the Clay House on Hwy 20. It's right on Rocky Bayou and has swimming and canoe and kayak rentals. It also has several different hiking trails. Entrance fee is nominal.
11 locals recommend
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
4281 FL-20This state park is right down the street from the Clay House on Hwy 20. It's right on Rocky Bayou and has swimming and canoe and kayak rentals. It also has several different hiking trails. Entrance fee is nominal.
East of Destin. Crocs, Coach, Columbia, Eddie Bower, Fossil, Nike, Oakley, Old Navy, Reebok, Salt Life, Sketchers and many others.
463 locals recommend
Silver Sands Premium Outlets
10562 Emerald Coast Pkwy WEast of Destin. Crocs, Coach, Columbia, Eddie Bower, Fossil, Nike, Oakley, Old Navy, Reebok, Salt Life, Sketchers and many others.
Destin Snorkel
56 A Harbor BlvdSnorkeling, dolphin cruises, firework cruises.
Souvenirs, beach supplies and clothes in a two floor department store format.
Alvin's Island - Destin #11
1073 US-98Souvenirs, beach supplies and clothes in a two floor department store format.
Shops and restaurants on the harbor, fishing excursions, snorkeling and dolphin tours available plus a great view of East Pass.
295 locals recommend
HarborWalk Village
34 Harbor BlvdShops and restaurants on the harbor, fishing excursions, snorkeling and dolphin tours available plus a great view of East Pass.
Antiques/Flea Markets
Smith's Antique Mall
12500 Emerald Coast PkwyDestin - Largest antiques dealer in the area. Quality items.
Southern Agenda
27 South Trade StreetNiceville - Nice gift shop with some vintage furniture and home decorating items.
Fort Walton Beach - Large store with lots of consignment booths and quality items.
16 locals recommend
DeFrance Antiques
230 Eglin Pkwy SEFort Walton Beach - Large store with lots of consignment booths and quality items.
Bluewater Bay - Nice items from estate sales and consignment vendors. Very close to the Clay house.
Lily Pads Interior Market
4650 FL-20Bluewater Bay - Nice items from estate sales and consignment vendors. Very close to the Clay house.
Consignment booths with lots of neat flea market stuff and some antiques.
Fort Walton Beach Flea Market
125 Eglin Pkwy SEConsignment booths with lots of neat flea market stuff and some antiques.
Fort Walton Beach - This store benefits PAWS (Panhandle Animal Welfare Society.
Junkyard Dog Gift n Thrift
179 Eglin Pkwy NEFort Walton Beach - This store benefits PAWS (Panhandle Animal Welfare Society.
Vintage Barn
419 Beal Pkwy NWFort Walton Beach- Across from Wal-Mart, small store with consignment booths.