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What to do in a Week in Destin, Florida (Like a Local!)

Wow! There are so many things to do in Destin you would need the entire summer

to get it all in. Unfortunately, most of us only have a week to enjoy it. Being a Destin

local since 1997, I have developed some favorites.


My week in Destin would look like this:


Day 1 (Saturday)


Check in is at 3 so I’m going to hit Wal-Mart right away for the essentials. Unpack

and head to Landshark Pizza (sooooo good) then I would walk over to AJ’s for some

nightlife. Saturday is always kicking there. If I had the kids I would walk over to the

Harborwalk Village and take in the sights.





Day 2 (Sunday)


Brunch is a must when planning a day on the beach so I would head over to Tailfins

Restaurant and enjoy some great food and bottomless Mimosas. Next, the Beach!

Most people will have beach access, however, my preference is the beach at

Pompano Joes. They have an amazing beachside bar and live music. The vibe of

Scenic 98 cant be beat. After the beach I would clean up and head to The Track. I

don’t care how old you are; their go cart track is the best. Heck with the rules, if you

ain’t rubbin’, you ain’t racin’. They have so much to do and their prices are very

reasonable.




Day 3 (Monday)


Time to chill a bit but not too much. We have so much more to do. For breakfast I’m

heading to the Donut Hole. It’s a must. They have so many choices for breakfast and

if you are into donuts, let’s just say you will be in heaven. After breakfast I’m

heading down 30A to Seaside and Watercolor. There is so much beauty down there

and a completely different vibe than Destin. I’m definitely going on a bike ride

(rentals everywhere) and do some shopping in the square. Lunch? No problem. The

food trucks are amazing. There are so many to choose from but my favorite is the

grilled cheese, the Philly grilled cheese to be exact. Prior to going, look up the

history of Seaside. Many people don’t know this but the Truman Show with Jim

Carey was filmed there. After Seaside I would grab my favorite Pinot Noir and stroll

the beach with a flashlight enjoying the sand crabs and the wine.





Day 4 (Tuesday)


Crab Island Adventure! Driving in over the Destin Bridge, Crab Island is so

inviting with all of the action, waterparks, vendors and crystal clear water to enjoy.

The absolute best way to enjoy it is hiring a local all-inclusive charter like me to take

you on an amazing adventure. Let your captain guide you through the Destin waters

and show you things only a local would know. Enjoy a beverage knowing that you

don’t have to drive the boat and have a great day knowing that all the water toys

and details are handled by your charter company. After the tour I would clean up

and head to the beach for an amazing Destin sunset. Hungry yet? Dinner would be at

McGuire’s. This place never disappoints. There will be a wait so I will come with my

patience and enjoy the outdoor bar while waiting on the best meal ever. Once in, you

will take in the sights of over $2,000,000 on the walls and ceilings. I always get the

Blue Cheese burger with bacon. Yum!





Day 5 (Wednesday)


I would take a paddleboard tour of the Destin Harbor in the morning. There is

nothing like paddling with dolphins and watching Destin wake up. There are several

companies but I always choose WET, Inc. They are located on Holiday Isle and will

deliver your boards to wherever you want to start. After a paddle, I would enjoy our

sugar beaches for the day. Our beaches are the only quartz beaches in the World.

The quartz comes from millions of year of Smokey Mountain erosion. After the

beach I would clean up and get ready for an evening at Baytowne Resort. This place is

amazing for kids and adults. There are tons of restaurants to choose from on the

boardwalk but my personal favorite is Hammerheads. I always get the seafood

bucket and have yet to be able to finish it. Maybe one day. Watch the kids play on all

of the gym towers and trampolines while drinking an amazing Mud Slide from Fat

Tuesdays. Evenings don’t get better than Baytowne.




Day 6 (Thursday)


I’m not tired at all so I’m heading to Big Kahunas for the day. Who doesn’t like a

water park? It’s amazing how much they can pack in there but they do. My favorite

is the lazy river but the water slides come in a close second. Be ready to climb some

stairs. The food there is really good for park food and the lines all move very quickly.

After taking a long nap at the condo its time to head to Harborwalk Village. To me,

nothing beats walking the Destin Harbor and all of the sights. There are tons of

activities for the kids and restaurants for miles. Be ready as the sun is going down as

Thursdays always have an airshow and fireworks. The fireworks show is amazing

and lasts for 15 minutes. I like to post up in front of Harry T’s for the best view.





Day 7 (Friday)


Who on earth would visit Destin and not go fishing for a day? We have the luckiest

fishing village and boast 1.5 miles of charter boats. You will catch snapper, mackerel,

grouper and many other species of fish. It’s your last day so it will be fresh to bring

home. Also, you can take part of your catch to most restaurants and they will cook it

for you. After fishing, I’m hitting the pool for a well-needed cocktail and nap. Then

its time to pack. So sadly.


Some notable favorites that were not included in my week but may be enjoyable to

you are the following:

1) Shakes – crazy good frozen custard right next to the Waffle House

2) Jet Skis – go at your own pace and enjoy the Destin Waters

3) Parasail – Its so peaceful and beautiful from 300 feet in the air

4) Golf – there are tons of courses and everyone of them will please

5) Okaloosa Island – a short hop over the Destin Bridge and there are tons of

things to do

6) Destin Tikis – take and evening harbor or sunset cruise on an actual Tiki Boat

7) The Boathouse Oyster Bar – Destin’s number one local hang out. Come

prepared for awesome music and an energetic crowd


I hope you enjoy our town and come back often.


-Gene Eisenmann, Founder of Destin Pontoon Charters

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