DESTIN, FLORIDA FALL EXPERIENCE
When you’re planning a fall vacation in Florida, the Emerald Coast area is the perfect spot to relax and recharge. In fact, Good Morning America has called this one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Places in America."
There’s no better time for Emerald Coasting than in the fall, when crowds have dissipated and temperatures have moderated. From beach strolls to fishing, restaurant hopping to shopping, there are plenty of activities in the fall to appeal to families, couples or retirees looking for a Florida getaway.
So, spice up your autumn season this year with a getaway to the Emerald Coast of Florida! Fewer crowds, fantastic temperatures and great vacation discounts - there are several exciting reasons fall is a great time to book your getaway to Destin at Pelican Beach!
FALL IS EMPTY-NESTER SEASON
At the Resorts of Pelican Beach, we don't want to keep the secret that fall is the best time of the year to plan your romantic getaway to Destin, Florida. Fewer crowds, sugary beaches and warm weather - celebrate the season reconnecting with your loved one. For nest newly emptied, a retreat to the Emerald Coast is the perfect remedy to adjust to your newfound freedom. Experience why fall is the season to celebrate "you": travel without worrying about school breaks, enjoy foods you have yet to try and escape to our relaxing beachfront location. Turn your Destin vacation into an epic getaway for two with the Emerald Coast's vast selection of exciting events, "I can't believe we just did that" adventures and dining experiences that will make you fall in love all over again.
Once you've been to the Emerald Coast - you'll understand there is no need to go to the ends of the Earth for a tropical and romantic getaway! Experience the Emerald Coast's romantic vibes as you rekindle the passion on a playful, romantic escape for two enjoying the area's beachfront dining spots and charming events. Whether you're empty nesters ready to prove parents can have more fun or a couple looking for a second honeymoon experience- Destin, Florida has no shortage of romantic outings and unique experiences both of you will love. The ideal destination for couples, soak in our Gulf Coast lifestyle during your romantic retreat this fall!
FABULOUS FALL EVENTS
Fall brings milder temps and thinner crowds to the Destin and Fort Walton Beach area, unforgettable sunsets paint the sky in hues of blue and orange, and fish migrate through the waters below in abundance. Fall in Destin - Fort Walton Beach, Florida offers a bounty of events and festivals that are big on tradition. Come see why fall is a fantastically festive time to visit.
Greek Festival
The Greek Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition hosted at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island. Enjoy an extensive menu of traditional Greek food like spit-roasted lamb, as well as desserts and drinks.
In addition to authentic Greek food, enjoy live music and performances. Multiple local and national vendors showcase unique arts, crafts, and goods. Also on display is knowledge about the festival planner’s 2000-year-old Greek Orthodox Christian faith, tradition, and history.
Concerts in the Village - Fall
If you’re in Destin for the fall, Concerts in the Village at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village is the perfect way to spend a Thursday evening. A continuation of the summer series, the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation showcases musical artists for family-friendly evening concerts. Picnics are encouraged and food trucks serve up local cuisine to complement the performances.
Destin Seafood Festival
The Destin Seafood Festival is one of the biggest fall events on the Emerald Coast. The three-day festival takes place on the Destin Harbor in October - kicking off the Destin Fishing Rodeo. Food vendors ― many local restaurants ― line the Destin Harbor carnival style with fresh-caught seafood that displays the bounty of “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
In addition to all of the amazing food, the Seafood Festival also features live entertainment, arts and crafts, and fireworks. Three separate kid zones are spread out along the boardwalk, giving families plenty to explore. The Annual Mingo Toss contest ― an old-fashioned "fish throwing contest" just for kids ― is a fun photo op for parents, too.
Destin Fishing Rodeo
Fishing is life in Destin. The small beach town is known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” so it makes sense that they host the best fishing rodeo ever. Year after year, fishermen return in hopes of catching the big one.
It’s easy to get in on the action, all you need to do is contact a local captain and charter a boat for a day of fun on the water. Destin has the largest charter fishing fleet in the country, so booking a boat is a breeze.
Once you’ve got your catch, head into AJ’s for weigh-ins. Everyone’s welcome to share in the fun and excitement as anglers show off their winning catch of the day.
Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts
The Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts provides an entire weekend of art, music, food, and fun for everyone. More than 100 exhibits from artists representing countries all over the world are on display in the Cultural Arts Village, just north of Henderson Beach State Park and two miles west of Destin Commons. And more than 22 different art mediums represented, from acrylic and clay to photography and digital art.
The festival, presented by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation also features live music, a sampling of the local culinary arts scene, and a beer and wine garden. Entertaining street performers and a kid’s art tent create a family-friendly festival feel.
From bountiful fish hauls to drawing artistic inspiration from the sea, fall events showcase all that is special about life on the water. Browse our events calendar to find your new fall tradition.
EXPLORE THE EMERALD COAST
If getting out on the town is on your itinerary - take time during your retreat to discover the charming coastal towns of Destin. Explore the Emerald Coast's enchanting farmers' markets and spend the day getting lost living our lifestyle in the sweetest setting with our other half. Within a short drive of our Resorts of Pelican Beach location, take a drive on Scenic Highway 30A and you will find a captivating journey through the Emerald Coast's gulfside towns - each with their own signature appearance.
FALL ACTIVITIES
Don't worry about dense crowds and over-the-top heat - fall is one of the best times to explore the area's unique experiences. Destin has a variety of charters and unique activities that are sure to turn your trip into an unforgettable escape on our tropical coast.
Book the Nathanial Bowditch Schooner Sailing "Wine & Cheese Cruise" for a relaxing sunset cruise featuring your choice of six fine table wines, a hand selected variety of seven imported or exotic cheeses and free beer. Spend quality time together among adults as the Schooner sailboat creates a dreamy experience on the water to enjoy our stunning sunsets.
Another wine-tasting opportunity- visit Chan's Wine World's Friday Wine Tastings from 5:00 - 7:00 PM for a social event among wine enthusiasts that lasts throughout the season.
Take your vacation to the next level with these great bonding opportunities and turn your romantic vacation into an epic adventure! Book a customized, private sailing charter with Sailaway Destin - a truly exhilarating way to absorb our coastal lifestyle and Destin's tropical beauty. With Sailaway Destin, create your ideal sailing trip of your choice - snorkeling, fishing, dolphin cruising or sunset cruising!
If you are ready to take your romantic retreat to new heights, spend quality time four-hundred feet in the air riding together on a parasail trip with Just Chute Me! Parasailing and witness some of the best views in Destin!
If you prefer being just a few inches from the water, jump on a waverunner with Boogies Watersports' Dolphin Excursion and get ready for an up-close and personal experience with the Destin area's dolphins.
For the ultimate adventure, swim just like a dolphin and walk on water with JetPack Destin flights! The newest thrill of the coast- JetPack Destin allows guests to fly up to thirty-feet high, thirty-feet below the water and thirty miles per hour on this action-packed ride!
DINING OUT
Enjoy a vacation where the hardest decision during your Resorts of Pelican Beach escape will be deciding which award-winning dinner-for-two you will choose first!
For casual dining close to HarborWalk Village's late-night fun, Jackacudas Seafood & Sushi is a great option - especially if you're looking for the best fish tacos in town and water views! Jackacudas is also well known for participating in a program called "Fish Trax" which gives guests the ability to look up exactly when and where your seafood meal was caught.
Visit the best daily happy hour in Destin during your vacation at The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House. A top locals' spot to unwind after a day on the coast since 1974 - The Back Porch is popular for their seafood happy hour menu and for continuing the tradition as one of Destin's most celebrated seafood restaurants.
Another locals' dining destination, couples will love dining at Marina Cafè and their popular weekly specials. Enjoy Marina Cafè's nightly Early Dining Special from 5:00 - 6:00 PM and Marina Cafè Lounge Specials: Half Price Happy Hour Monday - Friday nights from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Wednesday Ladies' Night for $2 drinks and Thursday Martini Night for $6 martinis.
Turn up the romantic and celebrate your retreat on the water with a Dining, Sunset & Dancing Cruise aboard the SunQuest Cruises' Solaris. Arguably the best fine dining experience in the Destin area, spend the evening on one of the most romantic places on the Emerald Coast - the water. You and your loved one will be captivated by the romantic ambiance and views of the Solaris yacht's decks while dining and dancing under the stars.
Located near the best of the Emerald Coast - book your stay with the Resorts of Pelican Beach this fall and turn your Destin vacation into a treasured retreat. Take advantage of Destin's more relaxed fall season, which gives you the chance to authentically experience our Gulf Coast lifestyle and turn your Destin getaway into the vacation of a lifetime.