10 Best Attractions in Destin, FL

Ready to soak up sunshine, sugar-white sand, and unforgettable coastal adventures? Here's your guide to the best of Destin.

Situated on the Gulf Coast, Destin is a heavenly paradise that has everything a beach lover could want—a beachy, laid-back atmosphere combined with spectacular attractions for all kinds of travelers. You will find twenty-four miles of sandy pristine beaches in the middle of Fort Walton Beach and this Emerald City that are fringed by the Gulf’s surf, transitioning to emerald from pale green glass and icing on the top? All of this is beautifully supported by blue sky.

Whether you are looking for popular attractions in Destin, hidden treasures, or places to see in the region, you are guaranteed to love the beautiful town of Destin. Continue reading as we uncover the top 10 Destin attractions that should be included in your travel plan.

HarborWalk Village sits along the waterfront of Destin's Harbor, an exciting and vibrant environment with shops, restaurants, live music, and weekly fireworks. You can also find charter boats to take you fishing in some of the best spots.

The waterfront shops offer everything from jewelry and souvenirs to crafts and holiday essentials like sunglasses and swimsuits. Make your trip fun and adventurous by renting a stand-up paddleboard, pontoon boat, or jet ski from one of the many rental shops.

For a thrill, try out the 1,000-ft. HarborWalk Adventures zipline for a picturesque view of the emerald waters and white sandy beaches. You will also find a wide variety of delicious local seafood, like red snapper and bluefin tuna, in many of the local seafood restaurants along the HarborWalk.

Address:

10 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, USA

To experience a beach community away from Destin, drive about 10 minutes east to Miramar Beach. Sitting on the Gulf Coast, Miramar Beach maintains a classic beach-town atmosphere with surf shops, beautiful roads, and plenty of good places to eat.

Whether you are looking to relax on the beach or play volleyball, jet ski, or parasail, you can find it all at Miramar Beach. Off the beach, you can also find golf, tennis, shopping, as well as bike trails that will take you along the first beach cruising zone.

Address:

Miramar Beach, FL 32550, USA

There is no shortage of fishing spots in the area. There are plenty of opportunities to fish either off a pier or bridge, as well as off a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or even right in the surf. You can fish inshore, nearshore, or offshore based on what type of fish you want to catch.

You will find red snapper, grouper, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and others. Anglers who are die-hard should plan on attending the Destin Fishing Rodeo in October to either see or compete against other anglers for the largest catch of the day.

If you're a novice to fishing and would like to go with an experienced fishing guide, you could always book a fishing charter in Destin.

The annual Destin Seafood Festival in September is an excellent way to sample some of the great seafood offered in the area. The Island Pier, which reaches into the Gulf of Mexico for about 1,200 feet from the shore on Okaloosa Island, is open for patrons 24/7.

Address:

The Island Pier, 1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA

The museum shares the city's history and early settlers and chronicles the fishing industry. Other displays include past and current items from the Destin Fishing Rodeo and over 100 mounted fish. The museum has a new scuba diving exhibit and uses artifacts, films, photographs, and other media to display historical information. There are also many scavenger hunts for children.

Address:

108 Stahlman Ave, Destin, FL 32541, USA

The city center of Fort Walton Beach is a shopping and dining spot that has a vibrant entertainment and arts community. It's just minutes away from Okaloosa Island via a lovely roadway. You can shop for your beach attire, create your own keepsakes at the pottery store to paint your own creation, and watch classic films while enjoying hot dogs and beer at Suds N Cinema.

The city center of Fort Walton Beach has fun pop-up events throughout the year, like children's Science Saturdays, music festivals featuring Native American music, and trivia with themes. The Farmers' Market takes place every other Saturday, featuring new artists and vendors.

Address:

Downtown Fort Walton Beach, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA

Henderson Beach State Park boasts one of the top draws: a sugar-white sand beach spanning a 1-mile-long stretch. The white sand found here was formed from pure Appalachian quartz, which remains cool even in the heat of the summer. This park features a beautiful, accessible oasis with a nature trail, BBQ/picnic areas, and campgrounds for both tents and RVs.

Address:

17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Destin Commons is an outdoor mall located at the center of Destin that has local and global brands, as well as multiple cinemas, a splash park, and a soft play area for children. In addition to shopping for popular retailers, you will find local artists all in one location. Not only will you find a variety of great restaurants, both inside and outside of the mall, but you will also find many great places to enjoy freshly caught seafood. Take a photo in front of one of several commissioned murals created by famous and local artists.

Address:

4100 Legendary Dr, Destin, FL 32541, USA

The Emerald Coast Centre is a little shopping complex located near Henderson Beach State Park and features an indoor trampoline park and adventure park. Shop for designer trends and contemporary fashions at Bealls Department Store and save a few dollars while shopping next door at the Bealls Outlet store.

The Dollar Tree store will help you find anything that may have been left behind, such as sunglasses and shampoo, at a very reasonable price. At an indoor adventure park, children can burn off energy while participating in virtual reality games, laser tag, climbing walls, and so much more.

Address:

14059 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, USA

The water park has around 20 attractions, including many types of slides, a lazy river, and the Honolulu Half Pipe (wave simulator). The water rides at Big Kahuna's will be open from approximately early May until September. However, visitors can still enjoy the park's Mini Golf Course and SkyCoaster.

Discounts are available for all active military, as well as veterans, doctors, nurses, and first responders. Adventure Park tickets and combo tickets will also be available.

Address:

1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

The Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island is located between the busy towns of Fort Walton Beach and Destin and boasts casual beachside shopping and dining on "Old 98," which is a scenic highway. Shopping here ranges from surfwear and kites to unique souvenirs. The Island trolley is a free ride service that runs the Santa Rosa Boulevard length.

Address:

1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA

Stay at Surfside Resort Miramar Beach and enjoy condo-style accommodations, on-site dining, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and tennis courts.