Bryan's Ultimate Guide to the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Area
City/town information
Welcome to our home! Fort Walton Beach (or FWB for short) is a hidden gem along the gulf coast.
We think that the Fort Walton Beach area offers the best beaches, nightlife and restaurants, while being away from the traffic and craziness of Destin. However, Destin is always an easy drive away for those looking for it's bustling atmosphere.
We hope you love it here as much as we do!
45 locals recommend
Fort Walton Beach
Welcome to our home! Fort Walton Beach (or FWB for short) is a hidden gem along the gulf coast.
We think that the Fort Walton Beach area offers the best beaches, nightlife and restaurants, while being away from the traffic and craziness of Destin. However, Destin is always an easy drive away for those looking for it's bustling atmosphere.
We hope you love it here as much as we do!
Our Recommended Beach
Our town is known for it's world class beaches. The water is a crystal clear emerald green, and our sand is a white soft sugar.
We recommend the beach at "The Boardwalk" because of the easy access, parking, and restaurant availability. There is a variety of activities, to include fishing from the pier, or open to the public beach volleyball. You can walk for miles on the sugar white beach, or float for hours in our gentle waves.
52 locals recommend
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEOur town is known for it's world class beaches. The water is a crystal clear emerald green, and our sand is a white soft sugar.
We recommend the beach at "The Boardwalk" because of the easy access, parking, and restaurant availability. There is a variety of activities, to include fishing from the pier, or open to the public beach volleyball. You can walk for miles on the sugar white beach, or float for hours in our gentle waves.
Our Favorite Restaurants
This is the spot if you want a taste of our local seafood. Stewby's orients very casual, and very local. Just the way we like it!
As an added bonus, their prices can't be beat, and they are located less than a 5 minute drive away.
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdThis is the spot if you want a taste of our local seafood. Stewby's orients very casual, and very local. Just the way we like it!
As an added bonus, their prices can't be beat, and they are located less than a 5 minute drive away.
A real hole in the wall local's joint for outstanding sushi/ramen/korean food. Warning: local's love this place and it can get packed! Might not be the best place for groups.
Also a 5 minute drive from the townhome.
37 locals recommend
Domo Café
1823 Hurlburt RdA real hole in the wall local's joint for outstanding sushi/ramen/korean food. Warning: local's love this place and it can get packed! Might not be the best place for groups.
Also a 5 minute drive from the townhome.
Hands down one of the best new restaurants in FWB.
A poke bowl is diced raw sushi fish on a bed of rice and vegetables customized to your toppings. It is healthy, and delicious to boot. We love this spot because of the vast selection of toppings, and fresh products. They are extremely affordable, but do not offer much seating space indoors.
14 locals recommend
Think Poké
73 Eglin Pkwy NEHands down one of the best new restaurants in FWB.
A poke bowl is diced raw sushi fish on a bed of rice and vegetables customized to your toppings. It is healthy, and delicious to boot. We love this spot because of the vast selection of toppings, and fresh products. They are extremely affordable, but do not offer much seating space indoors.
The most famous restaurant in Destin!
McGuire's has been a staple of the Destin tourism scene, and for good reason. The food here is great, and the ambiance is even better.
Be advised that the line can build up quickly here, and it can often be an hour or more wait. We recommend either going outside peak dinner hours if you have a larger group, or putting you name down in the waitlist and walking across 98 to check out the Destin Boardwalk.
McGuire's is known for its generous portions, and hearty atmosphere. Check out the wall decor, and their excellent home brewed beers. We recommend looking at their happy hour menu online as well. Tuesday is our favorite for half off Martini night!
318 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin
33 US-98The most famous restaurant in Destin!
McGuire's has been a staple of the Destin tourism scene, and for good reason. The food here is great, and the ambiance is even better.
Be advised that the line can build up quickly here, and it can often be an hour or more wait. We recommend either going outside peak dinner hours if you have a larger group, or putting you name down in the waitlist and walking across 98 to check out the Destin Boardwalk.
McGuire's is known for its generous portions, and hearty atmosphere. Check out the wall decor, and their excellent home brewed beers. We recommend looking at their happy hour menu online as well. Tuesday is our favorite for half off Martini night!
This is our favorite formal dining spot in Destin.
Expect dishes around $45, in a moderately formal dining setting overlooking the Destin Harbour. Our recommendation is show up a few minutes before 5pm, which is when they have a buy one get one happy hour for entrees.
77 locals recommend
Marina Cafe
404 Harbor BlvdThis is our favorite formal dining spot in Destin.
Expect dishes around $45, in a moderately formal dining setting overlooking the Destin Harbour. Our recommendation is show up a few minutes before 5pm, which is when they have a buy one get one happy hour for entrees.
Sightseeing
Perfect for rainy days. This is a hole in the wall spot just minutes from the Bungalow.
The games here are cheap, and drinks for mom and dad are well priced as well. Call ahead, as leagues book many of the weekday afternoons.
Fort Walton Beach Bowl
745 Beal Pkwy NWPerfect for rainy days. This is a hole in the wall spot just minutes from the Bungalow.
The games here are cheap, and drinks for mom and dad are well priced as well. Call ahead, as leagues book many of the weekday afternoons.
This is a must stop for those visiting Destin.
The HarborWalk is more of a "boardwalk" than a beach. This is a row of restaraunts/bars along the water. Visit during the sunset for a view of fishermen bringing in their catch, backlit by a beautiful view of the Destin Harbor.
This is where the majority of Destin's restaurant's and charter fishing boats are based out of. Would recommend for both families looking for a stroll, or groups looking to find nightlife.
295 locals recommend
HarborWalk Village
34 Harbor BlvdThis is a must stop for those visiting Destin.
The HarborWalk is more of a "boardwalk" than a beach. This is a row of restaraunts/bars along the water. Visit during the sunset for a view of fishermen bringing in their catch, backlit by a beautiful view of the Destin Harbor.
This is where the majority of Destin's restaurant's and charter fishing boats are based out of. Would recommend for both families looking for a stroll, or groups looking to find nightlife.
Our local's version of the Destin Harborwalk.
This is a tucked away backstreet in the downtown corner of FWB. Come here on the weekend for concerts in the park, and more of a local's getaway.
Downtown FWB has a large number of eateries and local hangout spots. Would recommend more for groups looking for a casual night out. Check out KCs, the Salty Duck and the Boardroom.
41 locals recommend
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SEOur local's version of the Destin Harborwalk.
This is a tucked away backstreet in the downtown corner of FWB. Come here on the weekend for concerts in the park, and more of a local's getaway.
Downtown FWB has a large number of eateries and local hangout spots. Would recommend more for groups looking for a casual night out. Check out KCs, the Salty Duck and the Boardroom.