Overview
Destin is an upscale resort town in the Florida Panhandle.
5 sights · 18 things to do · 15 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 14 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Destin
Big Kahuna's
Henderson Beach State Park
Coastal Shuttle Service
Airport shuttle service.
Sexton Taxi
Airport shuttle service to all local airports. Taxi service throughout the area.
The Track Family Recreation Center
Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club
Public championship course. Pro shop, lighted driving range, club rentals and snack bar.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Pensacola)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DSI Destin Executive Airport, Destin — 2 mi away. Directions
- VPS Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, Valparaiso — 6 mi away. Directions
- PNS Pensacola International Airport, Pensacola — 42 mi away (major hub). Directions
Primary access to Destin is by private vehicle. It is on US 98 between Pensacola and Panama City. From IH-10 west, take IH-110 south through Gulf Breeze, merge with US 98, and follow US 98 along the coast through Fort Walton Beach. From IH-10 east, take FL 285 south through Eglin Air Force Base, make a left on FL 20 to go east, then a right to go south on Mid Bay Bridge.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Track Family Recreation Center, Coastal Shuttle Service, Golf Garden of Destin
- Lunch The Back Porch
- Afternoon Emerald Bay Golf Club, One Mo'r Fishing Charter
- Dinner Boathouse Oyster Bar
- Evening Vin'tij Wine Boutique
Day 2
- Morning Henderson Beach State Park, Wet-n-Wild Watersports, Sexton Taxi
- Lunch Camellia Grill
- Afternoon Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, Adventure Charters
- Dinner Captain Dave's on the Gulf
Day 3
- Morning Big Kahuna's, Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club, Seascape Resort & Conference Center
- Lunch Destin Chops
- Afternoon Pelican Adventures, Boogies Water Sports
- Dinner Dewey Destin's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are any number of places to eat both on and off the beach.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Primary access to Destin is by private vehicle. It is on US 98 between Pensacola and Panama City. From IH-10 west, take IH-110 south through Gulf Breeze, merge with US 98, and follow US 98 along the coast through Fort Walton Beach. From IH-10 east, take FL 285 south through Eglin Air Force Base, make a left on FL 20 to go east, then a right to go south on Mid Bay Bridge.
By plane
The closest public airport is Okaloosa Regional Airport (VPS) (Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport). Car rental agencies are available at the airport, or offer a courtesy pickup service from the airport. There are 2 other nearby airports, Pensacola International Airport (PNS), about 1 hr 20 mins away, and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), about 1 hr away.
Get around
By public transit
Destin offers two public transits with limited availability but affordable prices. The transits are offered during the tourist season primarily and can be found at access points in the Crystal Beach shopping center and the Destin Commons.
By shuttle
See
The beach, with its distinctive emerald green water, earning it the nickname of the Emerald Coast. Destin's enormous stretch of beach is spectacular, with some of the finest, whitest sand in the world. The sand is so soft it literally squeaks under foot. You will be spoiled forever after experiencing this.
Do
Beaches
Destin is famous for its sugar white sand beach and emerald green water.
Golf
The area is renowned for its golfing opportunities. The climate is nearly ideal year-round.
Do Ft. Walton Beach Golf Club
Public championship course. Pro shop, lighted driving range, club rentals and snack bar.
Deep Sea Fishing
Do One Mo'r Fishing Charter
Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing Charters. Includes bottom fishing, trolling, and bay fishing.
Water Sports
Dolphin Cruises
Recreation Centers
Do Destin Laser Tag and Blacklight Minigolf
Do Pleasure Island Waterpark
Has go-karts, personal watercraft, pontoon boats, jet boats, parasailing, and refreshments.
Buy
Eat
There are any number of places to eat both on and off the beach.
Eat Camellia Grill
Old style diner with New Orleans touches. A favorite in the Carrollton section of New Orleans for generations; now has a branch in Destin in the HarborWalk Village Mall.
Eat Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill
Eat McGuires Irish Pub and Brewery
Steaks and ale.
Eat Ocean Club Restaurant
The grouper comes recommended!
Drink
Drink Vin'tij Wine Boutique
The wine list is extensive. The decor is an eclectic mix of local art and mosaics. The atmosphere is nice.
Sleep
Budget
Stay Motel 6
Stay Sleep Inn
Mid-range
Stay Country Inn & Suites
Stay Holiday Inn
Splurge
Go next
- Ft. Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a nature preserve and a civil war-era fort and museum. Activities include fishing, camping, historical research, and tours. A 7-day pass is $8, and covers a private vehicle and all passengers. It's located on the far west end of Santa Rosa Island, about 45 minutes west on Highway 98, then take the CR-399 bridge south at Gulf Breeze, then follow CR-399 right.
- Fort Walton Beach is just to the West on Highway 98 on the other side of Okaloosa Island.
- Navarre Beach is a relatively unoccupied resort area on Santa Rosa Island. Head west on Highway 98 about 30 minutes, then take a left on Navarre Bridge. An excellent beach with shower facilities is available at the bridge intersection.
- Panama City Beach is an area more targeted to the younger crowd. It is a popular spring break destination. Head east on Highway 98 about an hour.
Nearby
Fort Walton Beach
City / town · 11 listings · 7 mi away
Niceville
City / town · 4 listings · 9 mi away
Santa Rosa Beach
City / town · 9 listings · 20 mi away
Navarre
City / town · 41 listings · 22 mi away
Freeport
City / town · 8 listings · 23 mi away
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Park · 11 listings · 28 mi away
DeFuniak Springs
City / town · 12 listings · 32 mi away
Milton
City / town · 22 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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