Learn More About Destin Activities and Attractions!

     

Area activities include: Beach, Swimming, Surfing, Parasailing, Deep Sea and Back Bay Fishing, Snorkeling/Scuba Diving, Pontoon Boat Rentals, Windsurfing, Kayaking, Jet Skiing, Shelling, Hiking/Walking, Biking, Golf, Miniature Golf, Wildlife Viewing, Shopping, Amusement Parks, Restaurants and more!

NOTE: Links to websites are provided. We strongly suggest checking with the facility/attraction for current activities and hours.

Entertainment News
The Beachcomber -- Food, Music and Local Happenings.
Northwest Florida Daily News -- Local daily newspaper
The Destin Log -- Destin's twice weekly newspaper. Click the
Entertainment tab.
Things to do in Destin --The TripAdvisor website lists a large number of activities in Destin, including outdoor activities, tours, water-oriented activities, amusements, shopping and more.
Deals on Things to do in Destin -- The Groupon website lists a large number of reduced price activities and attractions both in Destin and nearby areas.
Things To Do In Northwest Florida -- Attractions from Panama City
to Pensacola.

Shopping
Silver Sands Outlet Mall -- Premium outlet stores.
Destin Commons -- Destin area's largest mall.
Village of Baytowne Wharf
Grand Boulevard

Movie Theaters
AMC Destin Commons 14 -- In the Destin Commons Mall, Destin
Boulevard 10 Cinema -- In the Grand Boulevard Mall, Miramar Beach

Food
(Here are several restaurants within walking distance of Pelican's Elbow.)
Captain Dave's On The Gulf -- Three block walk from Pelican's Elbow
Kenny D's - Right across the street from Captain Dave's
Pompano Joe's Seafood -- About 5-6 blocks from Pelican's Elbow
Beachcomber Dining Reviews -- Note that the printed magazine has a more complete list than the website.
Trip Advisor Destin -- This website lists and rates most of the 226 places to eat in the Destin area, ranging from ice cream and coffee shops to fancy restaurants. You can sort by type of cuisine.
Also, check our 25-page restaurant review guide and pizza joint list in the guestbook at Pelican's Elbow. This list is based on my family's experience, and it lists and rates many, but not all, of the restaurants in Destin. We list our favorites in several categories. E-mail rlarsen@pelicanbayvacations and I'll send you a copy.

Fun on the Water
Southern Star Dolphin Cruises
Boogies Watersports -- Glass bottom boat tours, dolphin tours, parasailing, rent waverunners and pontoon boats
Gilligan's of Destin -- Parasailing, waverunner and pontoon boat rentals, dolphin tours on waverunners
Fishing in Destin -- List of Local Websites
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier -- Ocean fishing off the pier. Rental equipment available, no license required. Fee charged.
Canoe in Blackwater River State Forest near Milton, FL - Also offer Zip Line Adventures.
Luther's Pontoon, Waverunner, Kayak Rentals
Power Up Water Sports -- Rent flyboards that fly just above the water, boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddle boards.
Just Chute Me Parasailing -- Hop aboard one of their 12-passenger parasail boats for one of the most amazing rides of your life. Operates Mid-Feb through October.
Destin Parasailing -- This firm offers parasailing in 12-passenger boats, charter fishing, dolphin tours on jet skis, jet ski rentals and pontoon boat rentals.
Destin Vacation Boat Rentals -- Offer various pontoon boat rentals, fishing boat rentals or charters, power boat rentals, jet ski rentals and sailboat rentals. Also see their report on fishing in Destin.
Visit Crab Island -- Crab Island is located just north of the bridge at the west end of Destin, It is inside the inlet that connects Choctawhatchee Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. It's not really an island, but an underwater sandbar and a popular place to anchor a boat and swim, party, eat food from a number of floating food stands. The water is about waist-deep for adults. Numerous vendors in the area offer boat rentals (see a few listed above). See more details and photos.

Just Plain Fun
Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park
The Track Family Recreation Center
Henderson Beach State Park
James Lee Park
Discover 30A
Big Daddy's Bikes and Beach Sports
Destin Things to Do -- A listing of various activities and attractions in the Destin area.

Nightlife
AJ's Club Bimini
Graffiti and the Funky Blues Shack
Hog's Breath Saloon
The Red Bar - In Grayton Beach, a few miles to the east of Destin
The Red Door Saloon
The Village Door Restaurant and Nightclub

Golf Cart and Scooter Rentals
Street Legal Golf Cart Rentals - Good weekly rates. They deliver to you!
Scooter and Scoot-car Rentals
Golf Cart Rental & Sales
Beach Wheelchairs, Golf Carts & Motor Scooter Rentals and Sales

Golf
List of Local Golf Courses
Emerald Bay
Kelly Plantation
Regatta Bay
Seascape

Museums, Marine Parks & Zoos and More in Northwest Florida
Museums in Northwest Florida - Includes Air Force Armament Museum near Ft. Walton Beach and National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola
Destin History and Fishing Museum
Gulfarium Marine Park in Ft. Walton Beach
Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach
Gulf Breeze Zoo - In Gulf Breeze, just east of Pensacola
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge Zoological Park in Crestview - A small local zoo
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville - Biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking
Henderson Beach State Park in Destin - Lots of outdoor activities right on the Gulf of Mexico
Turkey Creek State Park in Niceville - Nature trail and pavilion, water sports
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park in Ponce de Leon - Natural spring producing 14 million gallons of 68 degree water year around. Swim and explore the area.

And Now for Something Completely Different
Ebro Greyhound Park and Poker Room -- Live Poker every day, poker tournaments nightly, racing from May through Sept. Located in Ebro, a few miles north of Panama City Beach. About a 50 minute drive.
Peadon Brothers Distillery in Crestview - A very small craft distillery, making and selling legal moonshine.
Seacrest Wolf Preserve - Get up close and personal with a group of wolves.
Seaside Stables - 613 South County Road 393, Santa Rosa Beach - Offer horseback riding in state forest. No website, call (850) 622-2202 for information.
Destin Helicopter Beach Tours - Helicopter tours starting at $50
Timberview Helicopters
Destin Laser Tag - Laser Tag and Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf. Located upstairs in the Sunsations Beach Store, next to Fudpuckers Restaurant.
Perdido Natural Adventures - Kayaking on the Perdido river near Pensacola, about 1.5 to 2 hours away. Plan this for an all-day trip. For much of its length, the Perdido forms a boundary between Alabama and Florida, and is relatively natural and unspoiled, with limited development along its banks. You can rent Kayaks for a leisurely trip down the river, which is slow flowing and shallow. This is a two-person company and you'll need to be patient getting organized and started on your trip. However, it's a nice trip and my family enjoyed it. Scroll to the bottom of their home page for the phone number.

Craft Breweries, Distillery and Winery in the Destin Area
The craft beer and spirits business is booming in the US and the Florida Panhandle has a piece of the action. Here's a list of local facilities you can visit. A much more detailed description of each, with driving directions, is available at The Pelican's Elbow. Whether or not you book the Pelican, I'll be happy to send you a copy. Email rlarsen@pelicanbayvacations.com.

Destin Brewery (Destin) -- A nano-brewery, new in 2015, producing beer one batch at a time solely for a handful of restaurants in the local vicinity. Visit Thursday-Saturday, 1-7 pm.
Idyll Hounds Brewing Company (Santa Rosa Beach) -- A micro brewery, located in South Walton County about 21 miles from Pelican's Elbow. You can visit Monday-Saturday. Check website for hours.
Grayton Beer (Santa Rosa Beach) -- A micro brewery, headquartered in South Walton, FL in the same business park as Idyll Hounds, above. Grayton is the larger of the two. The brewery is about 21 miles from Pelican's Elbow. You can visit their taproom Monday-Saturday. Check website for hours.
McGuire’s Irish Pub -- A highly rated restaurant and brew pub in Destin with good homemade beers. Located near the Destin harbor.
Props Brewery and Grill (Fort Walton Beach) -- A casual neighborhood brewpub furnishing microbrews on tap, growlers & familiar bar food. Located in Shoppes at Paradise Pointe, the first shopping center on your right after crossing the bridge into Ft. Walton.
Peaden Brothers Distillery -- A family-operated micro distillery, located in Crestview, FL, about 30-35 miles north of Destin. They have hours Wednesday-Saturday, 12-5 and you can sample fine whiskeys.
Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery -- In DeFuniak Springs, FL, near the intersection of I-10 and Hwy 331, about 38 miles from The Pelican's Elbow. Open for tasting and tours every day from 9-5. They have a Destin area retail store, Emerald Coast Winery, that offers free tastings daily with wines. gourmet foods and gift baskets for sale. Located between Pompano Joe's and The Whale's Tale Restaurants on the North side of Scenic Gulf Drive.


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