Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola Beach
 

I am going on a weekend trip to celebrate Mother's Day with my 70+ year old mother and my 8-year old daughter. My options are Destin, Ft. Walton Beach, and Pensacola Beach. We aren't big beach goers, but we want to stay on/near the beach for this trip. I am looking for a location with powdery sand and turquoise water. Because we aren't big Beach goers, we also want a location that will offer activities for my daughter, a little shopping, and good dining options. Which area would you recommend? I know Destin is very popular, but I hear that it's often congested. Also, we have family in Pensacola who we will visit before heading home from the weekend, so Ft. Walton Beach and Pensacola Beach aren't bad options.

I would choose Pensacola Beach and stay right on the Gulf. Destin is nice but extremely congested, and Fort Walton just isn't very attractive to me.

There are plenty of shops and restaurants on Pensacola Beach.