Activities
Things to do in destin
Visitors to Destin, Florida are struck with the beauty of our emerald-shaded waters, beaches with fine white sand, and, of course, our weather. For sure, there is a full complement of beach-related activities to enjoy while you’re in Destin. Swimming, snorkeling, boating, paddle boarding, surfing, parasailing…you name it, Destin’s got it. For those who truly want to unwind, often it’s simply just laying on our expansive beaches, relaxing, reading, going for strolls down the beach, or dining at any of our numerous beach-front restaurants that fits the bill.
Away from the beach, we’ve also got numerous options for activities to suit interests of all shapes and sizes. Like to golf? We’ve got you covered, with over 20 golf courses inside of 20 miles. Like to shop? You’ll love Destin’s Harbor Boardwalk which offers over a quarter mile of shops and restaurants along the scenic Destin Harbor.
Family-friendly activities abound, including museums, water parks, our Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Gator Beach, the “World’s Greatest Alligator Park”, the Maximum Magic Show and more!
Want to learn how to build an amazing sandcastle? Good news! We’ve got you covered with lessons from Beach Sand Sculptures. Whatever your interest, there’s something for everyone in Destin. With a “lower-key” profile as compared to other more heavily traveled destinations in Florida, many come to Destin to truly unwind and enjoy the beauty that Florida has to offer.
Live Music In Destin
If you enjoy good music (and good food), we've got numerous options in Destin that offer both. Click the button to view a map of nearby Destin hotspots where you can catch good live music.
Live Music in DestinCraft Breweries In Destin
Who doesn't love a good brew after a day in the sun? Thankfully, we've got several great breweries in Destin to choose from.
Craft Breweries in DestinIce Cream In Destin
A trip to Destin wouldn't be complete without visiting at least one of our local ice cream shops!
Ice Cream in DestinCoffee Shops in Destin
It doesn't get any better than enjoying great local Destin coffee out on our balcony!
Coffee Shops in DestinGift Shops in Destin
You'll see gift shops scattered throughout Destin. You can view them on a map here...
Gift Shops in DestinParasailing in Destin, Florida
If you’re adventurous, parasailing is a great way to celebrate your Destin vacation! We are just 2.6 miles from Just Chute Me where you can schedule your parasailing adventure, snorkel tour, banana boat ride, waverunner rentals, or dolphin tour.
Big Kahuna's Waterpark
Looking for excitement for the entire family? Big Kahuna’s is the favorite place for fun in Destin and has something for everyone; From Lazy River to Speed Slides, your family will enjoy hours of fun at Big Kahuna’s.
Crab Island Dolphin Tours
Whether you want to rent your own boat or prefer a local captain to navigate for you, Crab Island Dolphin Tours is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the local Destin sights!
Eating While In Destin, FL
There is something for everyone in Destin. When you’re dining in Destin, it’s about the experience as much as it is the food. From locally caught seafood, “you hook it, we’ll cook it” options, fine dining, craft bars & breweries, ocean-front dining, pet friendly and kid-friendly dining including Boshamps Oyster Bar and The Back Porch Destin, the options are endless.
Golfing in Destin, Florida
The Destin area has a wide variety of outstanding golf courses. Popular Destin golf courses include Emerald Bay Golf Club, Indian Bayou Golf Club, Kelly Plantation Golf Club and Regatta Bay Golf and Yaht Club. With 8 golf courses in Destin, and another 17 golf courses with 20 miles of Destin, this is a fantastic vacation spot for golf lovers!
25 Best Things To Do in Destin, Florida (VacationIdea – Dream Vacation Magazine)
Other Nearby Attractions - Things to Do...
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Hurricane Lanes (.6 Miles Away)
Bowling is fun, even while on vacation in Florida! With 26 Brunswick-powered bowling lanes, an action-packed arcade featuring 6 pool tables, Rupert’s Sports Bar and the StrikeZone Café, Hurricane Lanes is Destin, Florida’s favorite destination for family fun!
Live Music - Club LA (.6 Miles Away)
Looking for live music? Located in Hurricane Lane, Club LA is a music venue for local & national artists offering 2 bars, a sizable dance floor, pool & ping pong.
Live Music - Graffiti & The Funky Blues Shack
Family friendly restaurant with a live music venue. Winner of Best Music Venue 3 years in a row! Fun and quirky atmosphere. Live music from 7-10 PM. Outside seating. No reservations. Happy hour from 4-7.
Beach Helicopter (.8 Miles)
Get a bird's eye view of Destin with Destin Beach Helicopter! The home of our renowned beach helicopter rides and tours. They offer several remarkable sightseeing tours!
AMC Destin Commons 14 (1 Mile)
Yes, it's OK to catch a movie when vacationing in Florida! Luckly, we have a theater just down the road. Click the check box or the theater name to view current showings.
Gator Beach - The World's Greatest Alligator Park (1.5 Miles)
Lively alligator park at Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill with exhibits & interactive experiences.
Destin Laser Tag - (1.5 Miles)
Rainy day or 120 degrees? Not a problem anymore! Come and visit Destin’s ONLY indoor, air conditioned Black Light Mini Golf and huge, 4000 square foot laser tag arena with arcade! Our basic setup for laser tag is a free-for-all, every person for themselves!
Fat Daddy's Arcade - (1.5 Miles)
Fat Daddy’s Arcade in Destin, Florida is one of the area’s top attractions for family friendly entertainment, featuring over 120 of the latest and greatest arcade games, in addition to traditional arcade favorites. Enjoy interactive arcade games like The Walking Dead, Jurassic Park, Pac-Man Smash Line, Fruit Ninja, Jumping Jackpot, Big Buck Hunter Open Season, Terminator Salvation and The Fast and The Furious & more!
Henderson Beach State Park (1.6 Miles)
Enjoy a majestic shoreline anchored by 30-foot, snow-white sand dunes where basking in the Florida sun or wading into warm gulf waters is the order of each and every day. No need to daydream — Henderson Beach makes this a reality. This protected strip of the Emerald Coast isn’t just for relaxation. Fishing, a nature trail and 60 campsites connected to the beach via boardwalk are among this park’s featured areas. This special place was established for the preservation and protection of the area’s natural features and public enjoyment, the last remaining coastal scrub area in Destin.
Norriego Point
Enjoy a majestic shoreline anchored by 30-foot, snow-white sand dunes where basking in the Florida sun or wading into warm gulf waters is the order of each and every day. No need to daydream — Henderson Beach makes this a reality. This protected strip of the Emerald Coast isn’t just for relaxation. Fishing, a nature trail and 60 campsites connected to the beach via boardwalk are among this park’s featured areas. This special place was established for the preservation and protection of the area’s natural features and public enjoyment, the last remaining coastal scrub area in Destin.
Urban Air Adventure Park (2.1 Miles)
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure park is the perfect place for kids to burn off excess energy. From their website: "With new adventures behind every corner, we are the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. Take your kids’ birthday party to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family and you’ll see why we’re more than just a trampoline park."
The Track - Destin (2.6 Miles)
Fun for everyone in the family! Amusement park with go-karts, mini-golf, bumper cars & boats, kids' rides & arcade.
Thrills Laser Tag & Arcade (4.2 Miles)
Thrills has pulled out all the stops when it comes to upending your expectations of typical laser tag, crafting a premiere competitive action playground. Want to see for yourself? Strap in, step into our “Temple of Doom,” and prepare to be stunned by structures and glyphs that will WOW tomb raiders of all types. Top-of-the-line from top to bottom, the “Temple of Doom” isn’t just a fantastical façade. It’s an interactive arena that fights back!
Rainforest Black Light Golf & Arcade (4.3 Miles)
Fun Family Entertainment 18 hole black light indoor miniature golf course and unique pay one price arcade located in Miramar Beach, FL.
Live Music - Tailfins Waterfront Grill (5.4 Miles)
Fantastic venue for open air dining, as well as live music. View their events calendar by clicking the check box or the title above.
Fishing Guide Service - Destin Inshore Guides (5.5 Miles)
Destin, Florida is known as "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village" and after one trip aboard the Reel Lucky you and your family or small group will understand why. Our Team at Destin Inshore Guides includes experienced fishermen who are natives to the area and have been navigating and fishing the local waters their entire lives.
Fishing Guide Service - IntraCoastal Experience (ICX) (5.5 Miles)
ICX has earned a reputation for providing the Best Fishing Charters in Destin Florida! Founded on the values of delivering 5 STAR Client Service and Fun Fishing Success, ICX caters to both the First Time Beginner Families to the most Avid Anglers. ICX provides Year-Round Privately Guided Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing Charters as well as Destin Inshore Bay Fishing Charters.
Gulf Coast Axe House (5.6 Miles)
While the kids are playing a round of mini golf, mom and dad can be throwing axes. Best of all, this is a BYOB venue (beer & wine...no liquor). Gulf Coast Axe House is Florida & Arkansas' #1 Axe Throwing Venue! With locations in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Miramar Beach/Destin, Florida! Whether you are looking to have a unique date night, birthday party, bachelor/bachelorette party, team outing, corporate event, or just a fun time out with friends, our team at the Gulf Coast Axe House will make sure you have a fun & unique experience throwing axes!
HarborWalk Village (5.6 Miles)
Lots to see and do here! This is a bustling destination for bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, boating & tourist attractions. Click the check box or title above to view local shops and restaurants at HarborWalk Village
Stoked Comedy Hypnosis Show (5.7 Miles)
Located in HarborWalk Theater. STOKED COMEDY HYPNOSIS! What will happen next? Not even “The Terrys” can predict the outcome as they pull one hilarious skit after another out of their endless bag of tricks. From curtain open as Stokes takes the stage he sets the crowd at ease with his warmth and humor. Adult show, ages 18+. Performance contains adult language and adult situations.
Destin History & Fishing Museum (5.7 Miles)
Experience the historic and educational exhibits detailing early Destin life from the 1830s. Witness the birth and evolution of a fishing industry that has become the heritage of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". View over 60 mounts of fish caught by anglers in Destin waters and learn about local fish and fishing. See the restored "Primrose", Destin's last seine boat and the original first post office building that served the early pioneers.
Hydrojet Thrill Ride (5.9 Miles)
If you are searching for some fun, then look no further than the Hydrojet dolphin cruise. Known as the world's largest jet ski, the Hydrojet jumps waves while cruising along the mesmerizing emerald coast in search of dolphins and native wildlife. So join in on the fun and catch a thrilling cruise today on Destin's one and only Hydrojet!
Boat Rental - Destin Vacations Boat Rental - (5.9 Miles)
Destin Vacation Boat Rentals proudly offers the largest variety of boat rentals in Destin, Florida. Choose a boat from our award-winning fleet of fishing, pontoon, power, and sail boat rentals and call us at (850) 650-2628 to make your reservation or book online
Pirate Ship Cruises in Destin - Buccaneer Pirate Cruise (6 Miles)
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime aboard the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise! Our popular boat tour is located at HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida. Join us as we take to the seas on the pristine waters off the Emerald Coast in search of undiscovered treasure. Entertainment and interaction create adventure, excitement, and merriment for the young and young at heart. Our captain and mates amuse the whole crew from beginning to end with pirate-themed activities, witty banter, singing, dancing, and family fun. The crew engages willing participants in pirate training, sword fighting, water gun battles, a treasure hunt, and authentic cannon fire. Thursday night fireworks cruises are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Gulf Coast Escape Room Destin (6 Miles)
Real-life room escape games are a type of physical adventure game in which people are technically locked in a room with other participants and have to use elements of the room to solve a series of puzzles, find clues, and escape the room within 30, 45 or 60 minutes depending on the room and location. The Escape Game provides sophisticated, high-level games that will challenge even the most hardcore gamers. Crack codes, solve ciphers and decode clues in under 60 minutes to escape. Do you have what it takes?
Crab Island Cruises (6.2 Miles)
Are you thinking about renting a pontoon boat, but you don't want the hassle of driving? We are a "private tour" company, with certified captains! Wouldn't you rather just sit back and enjoy the ride? Why not rent the boat & the Captain? Let Crab Island Cruises do the work for you! Whether you're vacationing in Destin or a year round local, plan your day with Captain Walt and Crew. We will strive to make it the best and most memorable day you have ever had on the water.
Destin Jeep Tours (7.4 Miles)
DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT! TAKE A JEEP TOUR WITH US! This is the perfect activity rain or shine! 15,000 acres of unspoiled Florida in its natural state. Placement between the bay and the gulf makes it an ecologically interesting place. All Jeeps on the tour will receive a radio to communicate back and forth. The forest is home to native animals so be on the lookout for deer, fox, exotic birds, snakes, and if you are lucky a black bear.
Wild Willy's Adventure Zone (10.7 Miles)
Family fun center with mini-golf, a roller coaster & indoor arcade, plus kitschy, prehistoric decor.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park (11 Miles)
Open since 1955, this marine park features dolphin encounters & shows with sharks, rays & dolphins.
Private Dinner Cruise in Destin - Pole Position (16 Miles)
"A night to remember" are the words that most of our guests say when departing our private dinner cruise. Picture the emerald green waters of Destin while you enjoy your custom meal with perhaps a glass of wine while watching the sunset. This is a great way to spice up romance or to simply spend a great night with friends and family. Life is short, but an experience aboard Pole Position Cruises will definitely be a memory that will last a lifetime!.
Have Your Own Suggestions?
If you have your own recommendations for things to see, do, or eat in the Destin area, we’d love to hear from you. Send us your recommendation(s) and we’ll be sure to share your experience so others can enjoy too!