Free Things to Do in Destin, Florida

Florida. One of the tourist hot spots of the nation. Everybody wants to see the palm trees, relax on the white sandy beaches, and enjoy the local culture. Unfortunately for most, this experience is too costly to afford without a great deal of saving.

Of all the places to go in Florida, Destin is one of the best. Situated on a Barrier Island right on the Emerald Coast, Destin is an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy some sun on the beach. With scenic coastal views, great beaches, water sports, and food aplenty, Destin has everything you'd want to find in a trip to Florida (except Disneyland).

Most trips to Destin are quite costly. Hotels and resorts charge exorbitant rates, restaurants are high-dollar, and local entertainment can get expensive as well. Fortunately, there are many things you can do in Destin completely for free, and a great many ways to cut your costs without impacting your fun.

Most important is this: BOOK YOUR HOTEL IN ADVANCE. Even in the off-season, you will be hard pressed to find a room anywhere in Destin. Plus, booking at least a few months in advance is the best way to get a good rate on a hotel room. If you don't mind a short drive over the Mid-Bay Bridge, you can cut Hotel costs even more staying in Niceville, just over the bay. During the summertime most hotels in Destin charge upwards of $150 a night, as where in Niceville you can sometimes get a room for as low as $80 a night.

For entertainment, nothing is better than a day at the beach. And the best part is: It's free. You heard me, free. Every beach in the county with public access is free to enjoy, so long as you can find a spot to spread a blanket.

Good beaches include Princess Beach and the Beach near the East Pass Bridge on Okaloosa Island. From both beaches (if you don't mind a walk) you can hike over to the Jetty built on Okaloosa Island, and walk right out to the end to fish. Many locals claim that the Jetty is one of the best places to fish in the area.

Fishing, while not completely free, is as cheap as the cost of a fishing license and a pole rental, which you can pick up at a number of local sports stores. All non-residents are required to have a fishing license to do any kind of fishing in Florida, and Residents have to have one unless they are fishing off the Shore or a structure/body attached to the Shore.

All in all, you don't have to have a thousand-dollar budget to enjoy a trip to the Emerald Coast. Just be sure that you book in advance, and have an itinerary planned out for things you'd like to do, restaurants you'd like to eat at, and beaches you'd like to visit. Also, don't forget to relax and enjoy one of the luckiest fishing villages on earth.