Destin Area Things to Do

There is more to Destin than the 24-miles of sugar white beaches. Rest assured, there is plenty of sand and sun to go around, but on the off chance that you ever wonder if there is more to life than tanning on the beach - there is definitely more to do. Venture out to find a rich variety of places to see, activities to do and fun to be had.

Movies
On those days when the sun goes behind dark rain clouds, or you just need a cool break from the heat, check out the latest flicks at the local theaters. Enjoy the comfortable stadium seating at the local theater while escaping into a good movie.

RAVE Theaters
Destin Commons
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-4539 

Lively Cinema
759 Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-2992

Regal Sun Plaza
427 Mary Esther Cutoff NW
Mary Esther, FL, 32569
(850) 244-4252 

United Artists Santa Rosa Cinemas
300 Mary Esther Blvd.
Mary Esther, FL 32569
(850) 243-2135 

Cinema Plus - Second-run movies; serving pizza, subs, beer and wine
174 SE Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 302-0129

Attractions
Whether it's bungee jumping, go kart racing, feeding baby alligators or mixing it up with nautical bumper cars, it's all there in Destin. Take a spin around an ice skating rink or stop by the Gulfarium to watch the seals and sea lions perform. You might even get a chance to swim with a dolphin.

The Track
1125 Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-4668 

Big Kahuna's Water Park
1007 E Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-4061 

Fudpucker's Gator Beach
20001 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-4200 

Wyland's Whaling Wall - A 1,480-foot by 60-foot marine life mural painted on the side of Legendary Marine located at the foot of Mid-Bay Bridge
690 Regatta Bay Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 337-8300 

Gulfarium - Marine Life Park, animal exhibits and live shows
1010 Miracle Strip Parkway
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
(850) 244-5169 

Goofy Golf - Two 18-hole miniature golf courses
401 Eglin Pkwy
Fort Walton Beach, FL  32548
(850) 862-4922 

Island Golf Center and Lost Lagoon - Public par-3, nine hole course, pitch and putt, lighted for night play, and miniature golf
1306 Miracle Strip Parkway
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
(850) 244-1612 

Emerald Coast Convention and Welcome Center - Special events and visitor information center
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
(850) 322-3319

Chautauqua Winery - The largest vineyard in Florida, harvests its grapes in late August and early September. Complimentary tours and wine tasting are available.
364 Hugh Adams Rd.
Located near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 331, exit 85
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 892-5887

Sports
Thanks to the year-round warm weather, golfing on the Emerald Coast is also a year-round pleasure.  No matter the type of sports you like, there is also a venue where you can hit a few long balls, go for a Hail Mary Pass, make that 7-10 split, or take it to the line for a floating jumper.

Morgan's Sports Complex - Soccer fields, baseball fields, playground, jogging trail, special events
Airport Road
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-1241

Destin Community Center - High school regulation-sized gymnasium, home of adult sports leagues and summer youth programs
101 Stahlman Avenue
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-5184 

Hurricane Lanes Bowling
34876 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-5251

Niceville Sports Complex - Soccer and baseball fields, concession stand, restrooms
212 Partin Drive
Behind Niceville City Hall
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729- 4062 

Twin Oaks Sports Fields - Home to the annual Mullet Festival, home fields for Niceville High School men's and women's soccer, concession stand, baseball fields, restrooms, dog park
Located at the intersection of Highway 85/College Blvd.
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-4062 

Youth Center - Skate Park, paint ball field
200 Campbell Drive
Behind Niceville City Hall
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-0758

Golfing
Check here for all you need to learn about golfing on the Emerald Coast, such as where to call for tee times, directions to the best courses, game tips, and feature stories can be found at EmeraldCoast.com Golf. 

Golfing Etiquette - If you are visiting one of the many award-winning golf courses along the Emerald Coast, be sure to follow these simple rules of engagement. 

Golfing Terms - Sound like an old duffer when you pepper your golfing talk with these important words and phrases. 

Master Golf Course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and sons - learn where on the Emerald Coast you can golf on the only two golf courses designed by Jones Brothers, RT, Jr. and Rees, that converge, and where you can hit nine holes designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.

Fishing
Find information and articles all about fishing in the local area. Learn where to go to charter a leisure cruise or a deep sea fishing trip. If freshwater fishing is more to your liking, the Emerald Coast has miles and miles of creeks and acres of ponds where you can find some of the best fishing in the region.

Fishing licenses - Where to go to get a license for fresh and saltwater fishing.  

Fresh water fishing - Where to find all the best rivers and ponds 

Saltwater fishing - Whether you want to fish from the beach, a pier or aboard a charter, where you go to catch the "big one."   

Tackling the tackle box - What the best-dressed tackle boxes include for a day of fishing 

Okaloosa Island Pier
1030 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 244-1023

Parks/Beaches
The beach is still where the fun is when visiting the Emerald Coast, but there are also local and state parks in the Destin area that are the perfect spot for holding a family cookout, fishing from a pier, or launching a boat or other recreational water vehicle. There are also several locations available for camping and hiking.

Henderson Beach State Park - Special events, pavilions, restrooms, beach access, camping
17000 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7550 

Mattie Kelly Park - Pier, beach access, picnic area
825 Beach Drive
Destin, FL 32541

The Landing - Family movie nights, special events, Sound side boat ramp, boardwalk, fishing pier, pavilions and gazebo, restrooms, playground
139 Brooks St. SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

John C. Beasley Wayside Park - Gulf access public park, pavilions, restrooms, showers
1550 Miracle Strip Parkway
Okaloosa Island, FL  32548

Garniers Beach Park - Bayside beach area, swimming, boat ramp, restrooms, playground, and picnic tables
257 Beachview Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

William C. Jordan Children's Park - Playground, water features, restrooms, vending machines, picnic area, special events, next door to the public library
City Hall Complex
204 Partin Drive
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-4542 

Turkey Creek Nature Trail - One-mile boardwalk, swimming and boating, picnic pavilion, stone fireplace, grills, restrooms, and a City safety officer patrols the area regularly
340 John Sims Parkway
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 642-7454 

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park - Camping, walking trails, boat ramp, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, swimming, restrooms, showers, resident camp host
4281 Highway 20
Bluewater Bay, FL 32578
(850) 833-9144

Eden Gardens State Park
181 Eden Garden Road
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 231-4214 

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W Scenic Highway 30A
Santa Rosa Beach, FL  32459
(850) 267-0299

Fine Arts
Performing arts, fine arts, and musical arts abound in the Destin area with three community orchestras, several art galleries, and regional dance and theater productions. Check out the local talent at these art galleries or take an art class or two. 

Arts and Design Society Gallery
17 1st St. SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 244-1271

Philharmonic of Northwest Florida - Performances at Emerald Coast Conference Center in Fort Walton Beach and St. Rita's Catholic Church in Santa Rosa Beach 
Philharmonic of Northwest Florida
Box office: (850) 581-4243

Emerald Coast Conference Center
1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Box Office 609-3800

St. Rita's Catholic Church
137 Moll Drive
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Office: (850) 267-2558

Sinfonia Gulf Coast - Performances at Emerald Coast Conference Center and Marina Civic Center in Panama City, and various other locations 
Sinfonia Gulf Coast
Box office: (850) 267-1478 

Emerald Coast Conference Center
1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Box office: (850) 609-3800

Marina Civic Center
8 Harrison Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401
Box office: (850) 763-4696

Northwest Florida Ballet - Performances at the Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center at Okaloosa-Walton College in Niceville and Saenger Theatre in Pensacola 
Northwest Florida Ballet
Box office: (850) 664-7787 

Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center
100 College Blvd.
Niceville, FL 32578
Box office: (850) 729-6000 

Saenger Theatre
118 Palafox Place
Pensacola, FL 32502
Box office: (850) 595-3880

Stage Crafters Community Theater - Performances at the Fort Walton Beach Civic Auditorium
107 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Box office: (850) 243-1101

Mattie Kelly Fine Arts Center and Okaloosa-Walton College Sprint Theater
100 College Blvd.
Niceville, FL 32578
Box office: (850) 729-6000 

McIlroy Gallery and Holzhauer Gallery - Houses permanent exhibits by Emil Holzhauer, Sublette Collection of New Guinea Sculpture and Masks, L.R. Davis Flint Glass Collections, and other international and regional artists
100 College Blvd.
Niceville, FL 32578
Art curator: (850) 729-6044 

Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra
Okaloosa-Walton College, Niceville campus
Music director: (850) 729-5582
Box office: (850) 729-6000

Restaurants
When in doubt as to what to do, there is always somewhere to eat. The Emerald Coast offers some of the freshest, and tastiest food along the Florida Panhandle, but it's not limited to just seafood.

Sarah K's Gourmet
34940 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 269-0044 

Dave's Dogs
Destin Commons
4300 Legendary Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-7646  

Another Broken Egg
104 E Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-0499 

McGuire's Irish Pub
33 Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-0567 

Bonefish Grill
4447 Commons Drive E #105
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-3161

Ruth's Chris Steak House
15000 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 337-5108 

Osaka's Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar
34745 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 650-4688 

Taco Town
113 N Partin Drive
Niceville, FL 32578
(850) 729-8646

Shopping
It could take a full week to actually shop in all the stores, shops, boutiques, and outlets in Destin, and you wouldn't repeat anything. These shopping venues offer national chains, local boutiques and unique shops filled with beachwear and other resort clothing, books and music, trinkets and handcrafted artwork, as well as other vacation necessities.

Destin Commons
4300 Legendary Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 337-8700

Silver Sands Factory Stores
10362 Emerald Coast Parkway
Sandestin, FL 32550
(850) 654-9771

Crystal Beach Shopping Center
34904 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 227-1292

Paradise Key at Kelly Plantation
Commons Drive, E
Intersection of Danny Wuerffel Way and Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541

Santa Rosa Mall
300 Mary Esther Blvd.
Mary Esther, FL 32569
(850) 244-2172

Uptown Station
99 Eglin Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL  32548
(850) 243-0401

The Village of Baytowne Wharf
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway
Sandestin, FL 32550
(850) 267-8100

Nightlife
One thing about the locals on the Emerald Coast, they love delicious food, good music and are always up for a good party. Even when the sun goes down and you leave the beach, there is always somewhere to go for a hot time.

Nightown
140 Palmetto Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32541
(850) 837-7625 

KJ's
306 Harbor Blvd.
Destin, 32541
(850) 837-8725 

Blue Point
Destin Commons
4304 Legendary Drive
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 654-1921 

AJ's Club Bimini
116 E Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-1913 

Howl at the Moon
1450 Miracle Strip Parkway
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
(850) 301-0111

Fudpucker's Beachside Bar and Grill
108 Santa Rosa Blvd.
Okaloosa Island, FL 32548
(850) 243-3833

Festivals
Some parties on the Emerald Coast can last for an entire month. If you enjoy fishing or browsing arts and crafts shows, music, and eating, there is a festival for you.

ArtsQuest
Mother's Day weekend, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Foundation that holds other special events scheduled throughout the year.
The Villages of Baytowne Wharf
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway W
Destin, FL 32550
(850) 622-5970 

Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament
June, sponsored by Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Tournament information: (866) 505-4458

Destin Fishing Rodeo
Entire month of October
Tournament information: (850) 837-6734

Destin Seafood Festival 
Early October, hosted by the Destin Chamber of Commerce
4448 Legendary Dr., Suite A
Destin, FL 32541
Chamber Office: (850) 837-6241

Flutterby Festival 
Mid-October, sponsored by the Cultural Arts Foundation
Gulf Place Community Center
Intersection of Scenic Highway 30A and Highway 393
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
(850) 622-5970  

Destin Festival of the Arts 
Late October, sponsored by the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, which holds other special events throughout the year
Foundation Office: (850) 650-2226 

Mardi Gras 
Early February, sponsored by the Destin Chamber of Commerce, 4448 Legendary Dr., Suite A
Destin, FL 32541
Chamber Office: (850) 837-6241

Musical Echoes
Late April, Native American musical festival
The Landing
205 Brooks Street
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Festival Contact: (850) 582-1776

Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival 
Early June, hosted by the FWB Chamber of Commerce
34 Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
Chamber Office: (850) 244-8191

Festival Latino 
Late August

Italia Festa 
June, hosted by Order Sons of Italy in America Joseph B. Franzalia Lodge #2422
808 South Drive
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
Lodge Office: (850) 862-2758

Greek Festival 
Labor Day Weekend, hosted by Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
E Highway 98 and Bryn Mawr Boulevard
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Church Office: (850) 244-0822

Mullet Festival 
Third weekend in October, three-day festival featuring some of country music's biggest artists, food booths, arts and crafts and all around fun.
Festival site: corner of College Boulevard and Highway 85 N
City of Niceville: (850) 729-4008

Thunderbird Intertribal Powwow 
First weekend in November
Festival site: corner of College Boulevard and Highway 85 N

Museums
Find out more about the history of Destin and the influence fishing has had on the area.  History buffs will enjoy a trip back in time as they meander through the Heritage Museum or the Air Force Museum. Both offer entertaining and educational glimpses at the people and industries that helped build this region.

Destin History and Fishing Museum
108 Stahlman Avenue
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 837-6611 

Heritage Park and Cultural Center
Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, and Garnier Post Office Museum
139 SE Miracle Strip Parkway
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 833-9595 

Emerald Coast Science Center
139 Brooks St.
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 664-1261 

Air Force Armament Museum
100 Museum Drive
Valparaiso, FL 32580
Off Highway 85 near Okaloosa County Regional Airport
(850) 882-4062 

Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
115 Westview Avenue
Valparaiso, FL 32580
(850) 678-2615