In the event you’re prepared for a break from Tybee Island and wish one thing much less raucous than Panama Metropolis, then head to Destin, Florida for its well-known white sand seashores and crystal blue water.
Destin is a little bit over 5 hours away from Atlanta, so my pal and I left round 9 a.m. on Friday, gained an hour crossing into the central time zone, and had been having lunch on the seashore by 1:30 p.m.
Our first cease was the Crab Entice (crabtrapflorida.com), which was only a brief stroll from our Airbnb. We had been seated on the porch overlooking the seashore and ocean. We ate a mound of crab legs with corn on the cob and a aspect of gumbo.
Then it was time to hit the seashore. The water is evident and heat, and it truly is the explanation to go to Destin. We spent the vast majority of our time lounging and swimming. Make sure you convey a seashore umbrella and loads of sunscreen!
Night is the very best time to discover Destin and take a look at a few of the sights and websites. Destin Harbor Boardwalk is the epicenter of the city and is stuffed with eating places, bars, memento outlets, and the place to seek out sundown and dolphin cruises, parasailing, constitution fishing journeys, and snorkeling. You may e book any of those actions and see choices at destinboardwalk.com.
The boardwalk is a little bit hectic with vacationers, however we determined to e book a sundown cruise with Southern Star (southernstardolphincruise.com) to see the dolphins. I’ve been on all these excursions earlier than and it’s normally hit and miss, however we had been inundated with dolphins. They had been racing alongside the boat, leaping out of the water, and being very playful.
The almost 1.5-hour cruise ended with an unbelievable sundown view throughout the harbor because the boat took us again to the boardwalk. The cruise was $35 per particular person, but it surely was price it for my part.
Then it was on to what I contemplate the very best restaurant in Destin – Boshamps Seafood and Oyster Home (boshamps.com). Sure, it’s expensive, however so scrumptious we ate there two nights in a row. The seafood gumbo and Oysters Rockefeller had been my favorites. There’s normally an extended wait, however you’ll be able to sit on the dock overlooking the harbor till a desk is prepared. You would possibly spot a frolicking dolphin or a blue heron.
After one other day on the seashore, we headed again to the boardwalk to take a Hydrojet boat tour (hydrojetboats.com). These are lengthy, smooth speedboats that take you on hour-long excursions of the harbor, so if you happen to really feel the necessity for velocity then maintain on tight. This tour won’t be for everybody. It’s bumpy, you get moist, however it’s so a lot enjoyable. We didn’t see many dolphins this time, however the boat expertise is de facto what you pay $35 per particular person for.
One final meals suggestion is to have breakfast at The Pancakery (thepancakery.com). There’s normally a wait right here, too, however you’ll be able to browse the adjoining seashore store till they textual content that your desk is prepared. The Blueberry Hill stack of pancakes topped with recent berries is wonderful.
Whereas we stayed in a very comfy Airbnb simply throughout the road from the seashore (the web site Worldwide Traveler says there are greater than 300 properties out there in Destin), there are many inns. Whether or not you need one thing upscale or no-frills motel, there are many choices at inns.com.
For extra about visiting Destin go to destinflorida.com.
