Destin on the Emerald Coast
West Florida
The city of Destin covers about eight square miles in Okaloosa County, on a peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. The largest cities in the Florida Panhandle, Panama City and Pensacola, are about 50 miles away in opposite directions.
The most popular tourist destination on the Emerald Coast, Destin is also known as "The world's most popular fishing village." The docks at Destin are home to the largest deep-sea fishing fleet in Florida. At HarborWalk, there are party boats and tour boats. A surfing school is nearby.
The Destin area enjoys a lively nightlife with many bars, comedy clubs and dance clubs. A favorite family fun attraction is Big Kahuna Water Park, close to downtown Destin.
The main transportation artery through the Destin area is U.S. Highway 98. Okaloosa County Transit provides public transportation within Destin and to Fort Walton Beach. The Destin Airport is near downtown, quite convenient for visiting aircraft owners. The closest airline service is at Northwest Florida Regional Airport in nearby Fort Walton Beach.
The nearby Apalachicola river brings tiny quartz particles from the Appalachian Mountains, providing the Destin coast with striking white sand beaches. Henderson Beach State Park has the longest beach.
There are plenty of accommodations close to the beach in Destin. Families have the option of renting a private home during the winter season. Many weekly rental condominiums and small hotels are available. Upscale resorts with golf courses include the Sandestin Family Resort. The Palms of Destin Resort and Conference Center covers 15 acres. The Silver Shells Resort & Spa offers beachfront luxury lodging. Within Sandestin is the Kitchenique Cooking School, where celebrity chefs teach.
Visitors can enjoy some shopping at Destin Commons Mall, which has about 100 stores and eateries. For those who want to get off the sun for a while, Destin Commons has a movie theater with a dozen screens.
Every October, the Destin Fishing Rodeo and the Destin Seafood Festival mixes displays by local artists with delicious seafood. At Gator Beach, visitors can enjoy a great meal and feed the alligators.
Published by FGual
I have been a writer, website developer, and internet marketer since 2006. Presently living in sunny Florida after many years in the snowy midwest. View profile
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