Top 15 Things To Do In Destin, Florida

things to do in destin florida
Pala
Pala 
Updated
| 4 min read

The city of Destin is characterized by rolling golf courses, recreational fishing activities, and glorious beaches. Set in northeast Florida, the city exudes a familiar coastal vibe. Destin also houses homey vacation rentals and world-class rentals so that you can book one according to your budget and preferences. In case, you are wondering what to do on your vacation, you have chosen the right destination. Starting from shopping in one of the plush boutiques to going fishing on the boats and from visiting golf courses where you can see the professionals play to dining in fine gourmet restaurants, the city has so many activities to indulge in. In fact, we will make your life easy by listing these top things to do in Destin, Florida, so that you can have a scintillating vacation.

1. Have fun with family or friends at The Track - Destin

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Did you know our Kiddie Karts' height requirements start at 3’6”? Even the smallest ones in your group are #LicensedToDrive at The Track Family Fun Park! FunAtTheTrack.com

Posted by The Track Family Fun Park on Wednesday, January 20, 2021

The Track - Destin is a fun family destination featuring myriads of fun amenities. Within, you’ll find an arcade with lots of games to play, two mini-golf courses, bumper boats, a few rides for the kids, and more. This place’s main highlight is the go-karts, featuring a three-level wooden track and family-friendly double and single go-karts. Plus, on-site are vending, bottled, fountain drinks, and Icees machines for light refreshments.

The Track - Destin

Address: 1125 US-98, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: The Track - Destin

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 10am - 5pm; Mon - Fri: 12pm - 5pm

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2. Enjoy all-around entertainment at HarborWalk Village

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by HarborWalk Village on Wednesday, July 5, 2017

From shopping to water-based activities, you can’t miss the fun at HarborWalk Village, the hub of Destin’s entertainment. This famous tourist spot, perched on Destin Harbor, offers vistas of the gulf and jingling boats. You can engage in watercrafts such as deep-sea fishing, jetskiing, pirate ship excursions, and more, provided by many vendors around. This location also boasts many seafood restaurants, live entertainment such as concerts and weekly fireworks, nightlife spots, and upscale shopping. You won’t get enough of this place.

HarborWalk Village

Address: 34 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: HarborWalk Village

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)

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3. Snap a picture with an alligator at Gator Beach

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re fascinated by the alligator species, Gator Beach allows you to interact and learn more about these reptiles within a safe environment. The park, situated in Fudpucker in Destin’s center, features more than 100 alligators, including a rare albino gator, in a colossal pond. You can watch gator shows, purchase gator food on-site and feed the creatures, or buy a photo of you holding one. The establishment also features the Discovery Zone where there are many exhibitions, including the skull of a prehistoric crocodile and an alligator nest.

Gator Beach - The World's Greatest Alligator Park

Address: 20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: Gator Beach

Opening hours: 11am - 9pm (daily)

Price: Free

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4. Golf at the serene Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Indian Bayou Golf Club on Sunday, March 31, 2019

Play challenging rounds of golf in this well-maintained venue, featuring three 18-hole courses. All the courses feature changing terrains and different layouts: Creek Course has swamps and marshes, Seminole Course boasts wide fairways and sizable grassy areas, and Choctaw Course is heavily forested and offers tree-lined fairways. The site hosts lots of women and men’s tournaments throughout the year. Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club also boasts a gift shop and a bar and grill for your pleasure. Plus, the staff is accommodating.

Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club

Address: 1 Country Club Dr E, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: Indian Bayou Golf & Country Club

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

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5. Enjoy all-day breakfast items at Donut Hole Bakery and cafe

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Donut Hole Bakery and Cafe, one of the most popular restaurants in the city, serves breakfast all day. The eatery features an extensive menu of mouthwatering treats, including donuts, cakes, desserts, and beverages such as coffee. You can dine in the small, cozy dining space indoors or on the outdoor patio. The diner can get a little bit crowded, but the service is swift, and the waiting will be worth it. The staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable.

Donut Hole Bakery and cafe

Address: 635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, United States

Website: Donut Hole Bakery and cafe

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

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6. Take a stroll in the Henderson Beach State Park

Destin Henderson Beach SP entr01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Henderson Beach is a popular tourist draw. The park has some great campsites and is an excellent venue for events such as family reunions and weddings. While it may appear obvious, you can always take a stroll on a charming beach. After all, the emerald waters and the white sands of Destin allures visitors from all over.

Henderson Beach State Park

Address: 17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Henderson Beach State Park

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8am - 8pm

Price: 2-6 USD

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7. Go out on an interactive family-friendly adventure on the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise


Enjoy an experience of a lifetime as you join the Buccaneer Pirate Cruise. Embark upon this unique adventure as you enjoy Emerald Coast’s pristine sea water in pursuit of unexplored treasure. The captain, as well as, other mates of the ship will keep you amused throughout with nail-biting pirate-themed activities, family fun, dancing, singing, and witty and humorous banter. Participants can also engage in other exciting activities such as treasure hunts, genuine cannon fire, sword fighting, pirate training, and more.

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

Address: 100 Harbor Blvd Unit B, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 3pm

Price: 22-36 USD

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8. Walk down the Destin Harbor Boardwalk


The Harbor Boardwalk was constructed in 2012 and is a bustling site for tourist attractions such as boating, souvenir shops, restaurants, and bars. It stretches along the stunning Destin Harbor and offers great access to the picturesque waterfront. The area has been landscaped and is illuminated at night. You can also go for a charter boat ride, as well as, other exciting water activities.

Destin Harbor Boardwalk

Address: 102 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Destin Harbor Boardwalk

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9. Try elegant cuisine at Primrose Restaurant


If you are looking for a fine dining experience and want to enjoy the mesmerizing vistas of the famous Emerald Coast while savoring delicious chops and steaks, succulent seafood, as well as, healthy and innovative fare, you have arrived at the right eatery in Destin. The restaurant is comfortable, stylish and has a subdued touch of elegance that you are bound to observe. Primrose is known for a rotating and creative breakfast and dinner menu along with a beautiful display kitchen. If you are looking forward to an intimate evening, you can book one of its private dining areas.

Primrose Restaurant

Address: 200 Henderson Resort Way, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Primrose Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 6:30am - 9pm

Price: 11-30 USD

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10. Explore the Destin History & Fishing Museum


A prime tourist attraction in the city of Destin, the museum boasts of exhibits that showcase the history of the city, as well as, the journey that transformed the city from a tiny fishing hamlet to what it is today. It also includes documents belonging to the fishing industry and early Destin, fishing equipment, artifacts, and historic photographs.

Destin History & Fishing Museum

Address: 108 Stahlman Ave, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Destin History & Fishing Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 4pm

Price: 3-5 USD

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11. Take your children to the Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Swing by Tropical Mini-Golf featuring 3 mini-golf courses full of water features. Adult beverages available to...

Posted by Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park on Thursday, April 1, 2021

Welcome to Big Kahuna, the ideal adventure park for your entire family. This fun water park gives you an opportunity to enjoy a number of fun and exciting water rides with your little ones. This water park is situated in Destin and opened in 1986. It houses more than 40 water rides. Relax in the lazy river or enjoy being near the giant wave pool. Some key rides include the five-story Jumanji, Maui Pipeline, the Skycoaster, and more.

Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

Address: 1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 2pm - 9pm (Adventure Park); Water Park opens on April 20

Price: 29.99-45.99 USD

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12. Shop till you drop at Destin Commons


Destin Commons is a popular mall in Destin where you can indulge in fine dining and shopping with your loved ones for hours. It houses many high-end stores in the state of Florida and has numerous restaurants and shops featuring the best entertainment, dining, and shopping. Some of the prominent stores here are Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl & Grill, IMAX movie theatre, Bass Pro Shops, Williams-Sonoma, World of Beer, and more.

Destin Commons

Address: 4100 Legendary Dr, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Destin Commons

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm Sun: 11am - 7pm

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13. Plan a picnic at Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk


Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk in Destin, Florida offers two distinct areas to explore. In case you are looking for a nature break for your family, a visit to this park is a must. This particular bayou wetland features a picnic area and a pier. You can also enjoy spectacular vistas of the Choctawhatchee Bay and aquatic wildlife like the blue crab and the mullet. It is also a popular area for bird watching.

Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk

Address: 825 Beach Dr, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk

Opening hours:Mon - Sun: 6am - 6pm

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14. Enjoy snorkelling with Flipper's Adventures

things to do in destin florida | enjoy snorkelling with flipper's adventures
Source: instagram

Flipper’s Adventures can help you in enjoying an unforgettable vacation in Destin. They are well-known for their spectacular dolphin cruises and some amazing snorkeling activities and so make the best out of your trip. You can visit in a group and also marvel at a mesmerizing sunset during the tour.

Snorkelling with Flipper's Adventures

Address: 500 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541

Website: Snorkelling with Flipper’s Adventures

Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 8am - 8pm

Price: 35 USD

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15. Visit the Corpus Christi Catholic Church

things to do in destin florida | visit the corpus christi catholic church
Source: instagram

If you are in Destin, a visit to the Corpus Christi Catholic Church should definitely feature in your bucket list. This beautiful Catholic church in Florida is also famous for its amazing parishioners. Extremely pretty, the church is convenient for mass and offers a host of amenities for the worshippers including parking space in abundance, accessibility to strollers and wheelchairs, bathrooms, and a great sound system.

Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Address: 307 Beach Dr, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Website: Corpus Christi Catholic Church

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 4pm; Sat - Sun: 8am - 5pm

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Delightful vacation in Destin

Snorkel-xel-ha
Source: Photo by user Angelique800326 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The city of Destin is known for its inherent charm and plenty of things to do for visitors belonging to different age groups. We have compiled this incredible top 10 things to do in Destin, Florida so that you know what you should not miss while visiting.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Pala Sen is an avid follower of travel and health updates, current affairs and entertainment news from all across the world and writing is a passion for her. She had been previously associated...Read more

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