Destin Area - More than Beaches and Fishing?
Jan 28th, 2003, 10:00 AM
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Destin Area - More than Beaches and Fishing?
My wife and I went to Destin for our honeymoon. Our five year anniversary is coming up in August and we'd like to go back. We are staying in the same place and will visit some of the same restauarnrs including Scampis and Louisiana Lagniappe (really good).
We enjoyed the beach and I would like to do a fishing charter this time. What would you reccommend for activities and day-trips? We are more into natural items than tourists things...(i.e. would enjoy hiking more than a putt-putt or go-carts)
Any ideas?
We enjoyed the beach and I would like to do a fishing charter this time. What would you reccommend for activities and day-trips? We are more into natural items than tourists things...(i.e. would enjoy hiking more than a putt-putt or go-carts)
Any ideas?
Jan 29th, 2003, 05:23 AM
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BigRed,
Sorry I can't help you but usually there are some panhandle experts on the board. We're planning a trip for the summer and are considering Mexico Beach. There was also a pretty extensive trip report about this part of Florida on MSNBC travel recently, but when I looked again I couldn't find it.
Good luck.
Sorry I can't help you but usually there are some panhandle experts on the board. We're planning a trip for the summer and are considering Mexico Beach. There was also a pretty extensive trip report about this part of Florida on MSNBC travel recently, but when I looked again I couldn't find it.
Good luck.
Jan 29th, 2003, 06:07 AM
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Alot of "non touristy" things to do in the panhandle area. You could go to Pensacola and the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola Lighthouse, and historical sites. Just before you cross the bridge into Ft. Walton from Destin there is a recreational park, stop there and walk as far as you can down the beach towards Destin. Secluded, pristine beach and no crowds. Nearby Destin has some great quaint beaches-Grayton, Santa Rosa, Seaside, Seagrove. All with wonderful establishments and eateries. Destin to me still is "the luckiest fishing village" anywhere.I have fished out of Destin many times and the memories are endless. My parents actually moved there 13 years ago and every chance we get we are out fishing and trying to land the "big one"! Chances are real good you will reel in one of 'em! Lastly you will notice how much has changed in the five years since. Destin and area has become quite a vacation mecca. Happy Anniversary!
Feb 5th, 2003, 04:11 PM
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We don't know about fishing, but we took a day trip to Seaside, FL, and not far. Loved every minute of it. Did you see "The Truman Show"? If you liked that movie, you will love Seaside. Some scenes filmed there. Fun to rent a bike for two/four with surrey top and check out the village.
Feb 5th, 2003, 04:21 PM
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We just spent 9 weeks in Destin and love the area. It has built up tremendously in the last year since we had been there so I imagine there will be a lot more stuff there than when you honeymooned. There is a large outlet mall with many shops, plus numerous strip malls and specialty shops. They are in the process of putting in another large mall type development as well as a Bass Outdoor Shop.(I can't wait for that one!)
There has ben a lot of development and it's always a nice day riding the coast road to Seaside and the other little clone villes.
The traffic was pretty heavy considering we went in the cooler months.(Nov., Dec. and 9 days in Jan). Even so, it's still a quiet area compared to some.
We tried fishing from shore and were thankful we didn't have to survive on what we caught. LOL Enjoy.
There has ben a lot of development and it's always a nice day riding the coast road to Seaside and the other little clone villes.
The traffic was pretty heavy considering we went in the cooler months.(Nov., Dec. and 9 days in Jan). Even so, it's still a quiet area compared to some.
We tried fishing from shore and were thankful we didn't have to survive on what we caught. LOL Enjoy.
Feb 7th, 2003, 04:12 PM
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People like me from Memphis have been going to Destin for years. Since Hurricane Opal in 1995, there has been a development frenzy in Destin that, as far as I'm concerned, has completely ruined it as a place to stay or visit. Last summer one evening we attempted to drive into Destin from Blue Mountain Beach (used to be a 15-20 minute drive) and it took 2 hours!! and then Harbor Docks had a 2 hour wait. Driving back to the Donut Hole at Santa Rosa (a much les satisfying dinner option) took the usual 15 minutes.
My point is that Destin has let development get to the point that their infrastructure doesn't have a prayer in trying to handle all the traffic. Witness the comment from the folks that were there in Dec. who found the traffic bad.
I'd say, forget your memories - it won't be the same. Make a reservation at a duplex at Gulf Trace through Rivard or Dune-Allen Realty or at Grayton Beach or Blue Mountain Beach. You might actually have a little peace and quiet. You will have a nice condo, not a hotel room. And you will have all the retail, wonderful dinner places and beautiful beach you need - you might actually see a crab.
If you want any more info on the Shores of South Walton area, they have a website that I have found by doing a google search. Or email me at [email protected] and I can give you more info.
Happy anniversary and have a big time.
My point is that Destin has let development get to the point that their infrastructure doesn't have a prayer in trying to handle all the traffic. Witness the comment from the folks that were there in Dec. who found the traffic bad.
I'd say, forget your memories - it won't be the same. Make a reservation at a duplex at Gulf Trace through Rivard or Dune-Allen Realty or at Grayton Beach or Blue Mountain Beach. You might actually have a little peace and quiet. You will have a nice condo, not a hotel room. And you will have all the retail, wonderful dinner places and beautiful beach you need - you might actually see a crab.
If you want any more info on the Shores of South Walton area, they have a website that I have found by doing a google search. Or email me at [email protected] and I can give you more info.
Happy anniversary and have a big time.
Feb 7th, 2003, 04:45 PM
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Amen Desi. We have been going in the cooler months and traffic hasn't been quite as bad as you describe. There are still 6 hectic lanes and everyone is in a hurry, but not too many hangups except East of town where they are widening 98 in the name of progress.
Feb 10th, 2003, 06:39 AM
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What used to be a great place that was quiet has turned into a tourist trap.
It's just like Panama City...except instead of slack-jawed hillbillies in Panama City...you now have slack-jawed middleclassers trying to buy expensive things in strip malls in Destin
It's just like Panama City...except instead of slack-jawed hillbillies in Panama City...you now have slack-jawed middleclassers trying to buy expensive things in strip malls in Destin
Feb 25th, 2003, 11:04 AM
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For those of you who think that Destin has been ruined by development, do you think that the beaches that are used by vacationers are still nice or would one have to drive away from Destin to enjoy pristine clean beaches with clear water? How is Miramar Beach near the Embassy Suites?
Feb 25th, 2003, 04:44 PM
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The beach was very nice where we were. They actually rake it on occasion and dogs are supposedly prohibited unless you are a FL resident. There isn't a lot of crap washed up on it and there aren't a lot of shells in the part we stayed.
