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Go ahead and break out of your usual
routine and try something you haven't done before. The Emerald Coast
offers its visitors great opportunities for fun, excitement and, of
course, relaxation! Click on an area of interest and learn about what our
are has to offer:
AMUSEMENT
Family fun and excitement
abound in this vacation paradise! Make your choice of thrills, water-fun,
or a challenge of speed!
Big Kahuna's
Lost Paradise --
A family theme park located across from the Resort. Big Kahuna's features
more than 40 water attractions, including four kiddie areas. Big Kahuna's
also features two go-kart tracks and mini golf.
(850) 837-4061
The Track Family Recreation
Center -- A recreation complex featuring Go-Karts, Bumper Boats, Kiddie Rides,
Bumper Boats, Mini Golf, Arcade and Bungee. (850) 654-4668
BOATING
Boaters and sailors of all
abilities levels find area waters perfect for setting out in all varieties
of boats. Hundred of miles of scenic Gulf waters, bays, bayous, inlet and
lakes make exploring by boast a favorite pastime.
Choctawhatchee
Bay extends about 30 miles from east to west, one of the largest inland
bays in the country. Sailing enthusiasts from all over the world are
attracted to its beautiful waters.
If you don't
bring your own boat, crafts of all kinds are available for rent or
charter. Everything from windsurfers to sunfish to pontoon boats and
canoes can be rented by the hour or for extended times.
Scuba
Capt. Nancy -
Scuba Tech – 850 837 2822
Snorkeling
KoKoMo Snorkeling Adventures– 850 837
9029 –
www.kokomosnorkeling.com
Harbor Cruise
Southern Star – 850 837 7741 –
www.dolphin-sstar.com
Sailing Charters
Nathaniel Bowditch 850 650 8787 –
www.bowditchsailing.com
More Water Fun
The Sea Blaster 850 654 6888 –
www.seablasterdestin.com
Para-Sailing – Boogies Water Sports –
850 654 4497 –
www.boogieswatersports.com
Pontoon & Wave Runner Rental
Luther’s’ Pontoon Rental- 850 650
8733
www.lutherspontoon.com
EVENTS
In addition to the sugar-white
sands and the clearest water you've ever seen, Destin - Ft. Walton Beach
offers a wide variety of special events year-round.
No matter what time of the
year, the weather is terrific and the events are plentiful. So, whether
you fancy the chance to catch a record-breaking cobia or to see some of
the country's finest art, you'll find it here in Destin! For more
detailed information please call the Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors
Bureau at 1-800-322-3319.
FESTIVALS
Mayfest Music Festival ...
DESTINed to be GREAT!
Annually in May
The harbor-front setting of HarborWalk,
make outdoor concerts and Mayfest the perfect place to be the third
weekend of May! Stroll through this family festival of over a hundred,
sought-after artists and crafters, sample the seafood Destin is famous
for, and enjoy free, live entertainment!
Mayfest is a
well-orchestrated tradition for the entire family. A 'tad to do' in
Tadpole Town offers kids of all ages games and rides, as well as their own
arts and crafts booths to choose from.
The breathtaking view of HarborWalk and all
the fun of Mayfest can be found just east of the Destin bridge, between
Capt. Kidd's, Hooters and The Lucky Snapper restaurants.
Catch the Fun at the Destin Seafood Festival
Annually in October
Located in the "World's Luckiest Fishing
Village," the Destin Seafood Festival has been chosen as one of the top
ten festivals by the Southeast Tourism Society! Organized by the Destin
Area Chamber of Commerce, the 2009 Destin Seafood Festival will be the
31st year of this prestigious festival.
The Destin Restaurant Association,
consisting of a true sampling of Destin Area Restaurants exemplifies "The
Taste of Destin," and must be experienced! The sights and sounds
surrounding the Destin Seafood Festival include the picturesque,
waterfront setting of HarborWalk, fine arts and live, nationally-known
music entertainment.
Mayfest and Destin Seafood Festivals
memorabilia include a poster and a tee shirt designed by local artists and
judged by the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce. These are annually
collected items that can be purchased at the festivals. Plan to stay in
Destin during these fun weekends of May and October … its DESTINed to be
GREAT!
Call (850) 837-6241 or e-mail the
Destin Area Chamber of Commerce at
chamber@destin.net for more information.
FISHING
Destin has earned the title "World's Luckiest
Fishing Village," and so it's no wonder it harbors the largest charter
fishing fleet in Florida with over 200 boats.
An
off-shore shelf dips straight from Destin's East Pass to
100-foot depths within 10 miles, making it internationally recognized as
the quickest deep-water access on the Gulf of Mexico. Over 20
species of edible game fish are always
in seasonal runs, one being the famous billfish. There are plenty
of party and charter boats waiting to take you out for the fishing
thrill of your lifetime!
Fishing – Inshore Angler
Capt. Daniel Pike
(Red Fish, Speckled Trout, & Spanish mackerel) 850 862 9722 –
www.inshoreanglercharters.com
Fishing – Gulf Charters
Capts.
William Frank & Tony Davis – Anastasia
850 837 9519
Capt.
Tommy Browning – The Finest Kind
850-837 6629
Capt. Todd
Allen – Big John
850-837-1947
SPA SERVICES
Edge of Paradise Day Spa
Vickie Edge – 850-650-4569 –
www.dayspadestin.com
GOLF
From challenging links
designed by world-renowned architects to panoramic enticements engineered
by Mother Nature, the golf courses on the Emerald Coast capitalize on
woods and wetlands for scenic contrasts. Within a 15 minute drive of
Pelican Beach are many of the area's finest golf courses: Bluewater
Bay, Regatta Bay, Kelly Plantation, Indian Bayou, and Emerald Bay!
Additionally, Pelican Beach offers golf packages which includes play
on many of these courses. Please inquire when making your reservation.
HISTORICAL
The Emerald Coast is rich in
historical treasures ... from the distant past to more recent times. Both
military museums are outstanding exhibits and make great family
entertainment!
National Museum of Naval Aviation --
Pensacola
Third largest air and space museum in the country with over 170 aircraft
on display, flight simulator and IMAX theater. Admission is free to
museum. (850) 453-2389
Air Force Armament Museum -- Eglin Air
Force Base
Exhibits of aircraft and armaments dating back to World War I. Great for
adults and kids! Free. (850) 882-4062
Indian Temple
Mound Museum -- Ft. Walton Beach
Houses more than 4,000 native American artifacts as well as a temple mound. (850) 243-6521
NATURE/SCIENCE
Nature plays a large role in
life on the Emerald Coast. The area is abundant with wildlife and a
variety of habitats and eco-systems.
FOCUS Center Science Museum --
Fort Walton Beach Enjoy a unique and inspiring museum filled with
more than 200 touchable, workable exhibits, including optical illusions, a
nature discovery room, and interactive hurricane. (850) 664-1261
Gulfarium -- Fort Walton Beach.
Continuous shows everyday featuring dolphins, sea lions, sharks, turtles,
and more. (850)
243-9046
The Zoo -- Gulf Breeze
Catch the Safari Line Train and ride through a 30-acre wildlife preserve.
Or venture upon the elevated boardwalk that overlooks Gorilla Island.
More than 700 animals awaits you at The ZOO. (850) 932-2229
RESTAURANTS
The Destin area is renowned for it's quality and variety of
dining establishments!
FINE DINING
Fine dining in Destin does not require a coat and
tie. Casual is the rule -- and dress shorts are very acceptable in
all restaurants.
Zamperi’s
Harbor Grill
US 98, Destin 850 650 3900
The finest in fine dining. www.zamperisharborgrille.com
Guglielmo's La Fiamma
529 E Highway 98, Destin 850-654-9880
Great northern Italian. Reservations
suggested.
Criolla's Restaurant
170 E County Hwy 30A, Destin 850-267-1267
Rated as one of the top-ten
restaurants in Florida. Reservations suggested.
Louisianna Lagniappe
775 Gulf Shore Dr, Destin 850-837-0881
Located in the Sand Piper Cove
resort property. Good food and reservations are not accepted.
Get there early to avoid an hour wait.
DINING
Harbor Docks
538 E Highway 98, Destin 850-837-2506
Locals favorite for lunch and dinner. Best sushi bar in Southeast
US! Outdoor deck overlooking the Harbor is the "Dance Place".
AJ's Seafood & Oyster
House
116 E Highway 98, Destin 850-837-1913
The upstairs deck overlooking the Harbor is the dancing place.
Sunday afternoon and evening is the locals place to be. The
downstairs restaurant is always an excellent lunch or dinner choice.
Hog's Breath Saloon
541 E Highway 98, Destin 850-837-5991
Food is good and the band is a great dance band. Get ready for a late
night here!
Callahan’s
850 837 6328
Where the locals eat!
Dewey’s (On the
Harbor)
850-837-7575
–
www.destinseafood.com
McGuire’s Irish Pub
850 650 0000
Fun, lots of food and
micro-brewery.
Chan's Market Cafe @ Sandestin
Market
850-837-1334
Best wine cellar around. You pick your selection from the cellar
and you pay liquor store price without corkage fee. Great menu.
Capt. Kidd's Seafood
Buffet
100 E Highway 98, Destin 850-650-1666
Largest seafood buffet on the coast. Good value. Dinner only.
Lucky Snapper
76 E Highway 98, Destin 850-654-0900
Good food and great view of the harbor!
Destin Commisary
Memphis-style Bar B Q. Very good and catering is available.
The Rib Shack
605 E Highway 98, Destin 850-837-9314
Award-winning Bar B Q and catering.
Great Scotts
837 E Highway 98 in Shores Shopping Center, Destin
850-654-9344
The best sandwich shop around!
CATERING
Blue Mountain Catering
850-259-8021
no other choice -- Jim Richard is the best!
SHOPPING
The Destin area is renowned for it's quality and variety of
shopping excursions!
Silver Sands Factory Stores
10562 Emerald Coast Parkway,
Destin
The largest designer factory store center in the nation!
Outstanding selection of designer labels!
Destin Commons
Mid-Bay Bridge and Emerald Coast Parkway,
Destin
Destin's Destination for Fashion, Food, and Film
Banana Bart’s -
850-837-4435 |
