Things to Do in Destin Florida with Family: Fun Activities and Attractions

07/14/2024 Jennifer

Things to Do in Destin Florida with Family – Destin, Florida, is a top spot for families looking for fun. It has everything from water parks to delicious seafood and outdoor adventures¹. You can find activities for all ages in this beautiful city in the Florida panhandle.

Destin boasts beautiful beaches like Miramar Beach, Ed Walline Beach, and Henderson Beach State Park¹. For water fun, check out Big Kahuna’s Water Park with its lazy river and slides¹². Thrill-seekers will love Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone and Urban Air Adventure Park¹.

Experience marine life at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park or see live alligators at Gator Beach¹³. Shop at Destin Commons and Silver Sands Premium Outlets, or enjoy fresh seafood at Boshamps and Slick Lips¹. Don’t miss Pizza by the Sea for local flavors¹.

Destin has many hotels and resorts, like Hilton Sandestin Beach and The Henderson Beach Resort¹. It also has places like Hurricane Lanes and Fort SK8 Family Fun Center for fun¹. Enjoy dining at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill and The Gulf Restaurant¹.

Destin offers both beach relaxation and exciting adventures. With its beauty, attractions, and great food, it’s ideal for a memorable family trip.

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Explore HarborWalk Village: A Lively Waterfront Destination

HarborWalk Village sits on the beautiful shores of Destin, Florida. It’s a place full of shops, restaurants, and fun for families⁴. You can enjoy boat tours, water sports, live music, and seasonal events here⁵.

Shops, Restaurants, and Family-Friendly Attractions

HarborWalk Village has something for everyone⁴. Walk through shops offering beachwear, jewelry, clothing, and gifts. Eat at places like Harry T’s Lighthouse and Jacacudas for fresh seafood, or grab a quick snack at Kona Ice and Say Cheese grilled cheese⁴. For a relaxing treat, check out the Destin Spa for some pampering⁴.

Seasonal Events and Free Entertainment

HarborWalk Village is alive with events and entertainment all year⁵. Enjoy the “Rock the Docks” summer concert series or the Destin Seafood Festival⁴. There are weekly fireworks shows and themed events that bring people together⁵.

Looking for a day of shopping, dining, or just enjoying the beach vibe? HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida, is perfect for families⁴⁵⁶.

Unleash Thrills at Big Kahunas Water & Adventure Park

Looking for a fun water adventure in Destin, Florida? Big Kahunas Water & Adventure Park⁷ is your spot. It has lots of exciting rides for all ages. It’s perfect for cooling off and making memories⁸.

Massive Water Slides and Rides for All Ages

Big Kahunas has a huge selection of water slides and rides. You’ll find everything from fast water coasters to thrilling body slides. There’s something for every family member⁸. Kids will love Munchkin Mountain, a special area with fun water attractions just for them⁷.

Relax and Soak Up the Sun

After all the excitement, chill out on the sandy beach or float along the lazy river⁷. Big Kahunas has many food spots, so you can eat and drink all day⁸.

Big Kahunas Water & Adventure Park is the best place for a day of fun in Destin, Florida⁷. It has lots of attractions and places to eat. Your family will have an amazing time here⁸⁷⁹.

Crab Island: A Water Paradise for Family Fun

Crab Island is a floating oasis in the emerald waters of Destin, Florida. It’s a place where families can have endless fun. You can explore clear waters, ride thrilling jet skis, and enjoy dining with live music¹⁰.

Getting to Crab Island is easy by pontoon boat, fitting up to 10 people for a day of fun¹¹. The trip from Destin harbor takes about 20 minutes, giving you time to enjoy the views and get ready for adventure¹¹.

Rent Jet Skis and Explore the Waters

For more excitement, Crab Island lets you rent jet skis to explore the calm waters at your pace¹¹. The water is shallow, about three feet deep, perfect for families and beginners¹².

Dine at Waterfront Restaurants with Live Music

As the sun sets, Crab Island becomes a lively spot with great food and live music¹⁰. You can try delicious barbecue at Kluge’s or cool treats at Jimmy’s Ice Cream¹⁰.

Crab Island is perfect for relaxing, playing games, or enjoying the lively vibe¹⁰. With its clear waters, easy access, and lots of activities, it’s a top spot for family fun in Destin¹⁰¹²¹¹.

Crab Island Highlights	Details
Size	Crab Island spans multiple acres in Destin’s East Pass¹⁰.
Accessibility	Crab Island can be reached by boat or jet ski in under 30 minutes from the Destin harbor¹¹.
Sandbar	The sandbar at Crab Island is approximately 4 acres large¹⁰.
Popularity	Hundreds of boats gather daily at Crab Island during the warm summer months¹⁰.
Vendors	Approved vendors at Crab Island in 2022 included Jimmy’s Ice Cream, Crab Island Grill, Kluge’s Rucken Fidiculous BBQ, and Wild Fruit Sales¹⁰.
Activities	Crab Island offers family-friendly activities like snorkeling and playing with a football or frisbee¹⁰.
Crowds	Weekdays, especially Mondays and Fridays, tend to be the least crowded at Crab Island¹⁰.

The Village of Baytowne Wharf: Activities Galore

The Village of Baytowne Wharf is in the heart of the Sandestin resort in Destin, Florida. It’s a lively spot with lots of activities for families¹³. With its shops, restaurants, and entertainment, it’s a top spot for a family vacation¹³.

Watch College Football on Saturdays

If you love sports, Baytowne Wharf is great for watching college football on Saturdays. There are TVs all over the village where you can watch the games with other fans¹⁴.

The Blast Arcade and Laser Maze

For some fun competition, visit The Blast Arcade and Laser Maze. Here, teens and adults can play video games and laser tag. Challenge your family and friends in the laser maze or show off your gaming skills¹³.

Baytowne Wharf has sports, games, and a lively vibe for everyone. It’s in a great spot, offers lots of things to do, and has a fun atmosphere. It’s a favorite spot in Destin for many¹³¹⁴¹⁵.

things to do in destin florida with family: Teen-Friendly Hotspots

Destin, Florida, is full of places that teens love. Fudpuckers is one spot where teens can have fun in a smoke-free nightclub¹⁶.

Fudpuckers: A Safe Teen Nightclub Experience

At Fudpuckers, teens can dance to live DJs and hang out in a safe space¹⁷. It’s a place where teens can be themselves and have fun¹⁷. The place is known for being family-friendly, with live alligators, a graffiti wall, and arcade games¹⁷.

Destin also has cool places to eat for teens. Lulu’s is a waterfront spot with tasty food that’s safe for allergies and kids¹⁷. McGuire’s Irish Pub is another spot teens love, famous for its great steaks and burgers, and a ceiling full of signed dollar bills¹⁷.

For arcade fans, Fat Daddy’s Arcade is a dream come true with lots of classic games and fun activities¹⁷. Shakes is perfect for dessert lovers, offering unique frozen custard flavors and custom-made treats¹⁷.

Destin has many places that teens will enjoy, from safe nightclubs to tasty food and exciting arcades¹⁸.

Fishing Charters and Pirate Cruises at HarborWalk Village

In Destin, Florida, HarborWalk Village is a hub for exciting water adventures. Families can enjoy destin florida fishing charters or destin florida pirate cruises. These activities create lasting memories for everyone¹⁹.

HarborWalk Village is famous for its harborwalk village fishing charters. It has the biggest charter fishing fleet in the U.S²⁰.. Here, families can fish for different species like mackerel and redfish. Experienced captains help everyone, even beginners, catch something big²¹.

HarborWalk Village also has destin florida pirate cruises. These cruises are a fun pirate-themed adventure. They come with costumes, treasure hunts, and stories²¹. It’s a mix of fun and discovery, perfect for making family memories.

HarborWalk Village in Destin, Florida, has lots of activities for families. You can fish or go on a pirate cruise. There’s something exciting for every family member¹⁹²⁰²¹.

Satisfy Sweet Cravings at Kona Ice and The Fudgery

No trip to Destin, Florida, is complete without trying some amazing desserts. Luckily, the city has two great places for sweet treats: Kona Ice and The Fudgery²².

Kona Ice is perfect for hot days with its cool flavored shaved ice²³. They offer over 24 ice cream flavors and some special treats like handmade candy and fudge²³.

If you want something richer, The Fudgery is the place to go. They’re famous for their handcrafted fudge in many flavors, from classic chocolate to unique ones like peanut butter and maple²³. People love it there, giving it a perfect 5.0 rating from 42 reviews²⁴.

Whether you want a cool shaved ice or a rich fudge, Kona Ice and The Fudgery will hit the spot during your Destin trip²².

Dessert Spot	Rating	Number of Reviews
Ice Cream Shoppe	4.6	106
Donut Hole Bakery Cafe	4.3	1,500
The Yard Milkshake Bar	3.4	125
Destination Little Donuts	4.4	282
Pecan Jacks	5.0	42
Pink Coyote Dessert	4.4	10
Bon Appetit French Bakery and Cafe	4.6	229
Seaside Sweeteries	5.0	3
Shakes Frozen Custard	3.9	310

This table lists top-rated dessert spots in Destin, Florida. It shows the quality and popularity of the local sweets²⁴.

Discover Outdoor Adventures in Destin

Destin, Florida, is more than just beaches and harbor towns. It’s a paradise for those who love the outdoors. It offers a wide range of activities and adventures²⁵.

Beach Days and Water Sports

Enjoy the famous white sand beaches and green waters²⁵. You can swim, paddleboard, kayak, or surf²⁵. For something special, go on a dolphin-watching cruise or snorkel to see marine life²⁶.

Hiking Trails and Nature Preserves

There’s more to do than just beach activities. Put on your hiking boots to explore nature preserves²⁵. You’ll see wildlife and enjoy the quiet. Don’t miss the alligator shows at Gator Beach²⁶.

Destin has adventures for everyone, from sunny fun to peaceful nature walks. It’s perfect for making memories with your family²⁵.

Destin is great for fishing²⁵. It’s known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”²⁵. You can choose from deep-sea or inshore fishing²⁵. Fishing with your family is a great way to bond and learn about nature²⁵. Try a fishing trip with Captain Brandy for a fun and easy experience²⁵.

Destin has many outdoor activities to try. It’s a beautiful place to make memories with your loved ones²⁵.

Family-Friendly Dining Options in Destin

Destin, Florida, is a great place for families looking for places to eat. It has everything from casual spots by the beach to fancy restaurants. These places offer tasty food, menus for kids, and a friendly vibe²⁷.

Seafood Restaurants and Local Favorites

Destin is famous for its fresh seafood. Many top restaurants here serve up amazing seafood dishes. Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House has been a hit since 1974²⁸. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant has been around since 1835²⁸.

These places have kid-friendly menus and outdoor seating. They even have live music, making dining there fun for everyone²⁸.

Other popular spots like Pompano Joe’s and LuLu’s are known for their family-friendly vibes and wide range of dishes²⁸.

Kid-Friendly Menus and Atmospheres

Destin’s restaurants also think about families with kids. Crab Trap and Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill are great examples. They have special menus for kids and fun places for families²⁸.

Boshamps restaurant has outdoor seating with ocean views and games for kids²⁷. Pompano Joe’s has a patio by the sea with kid-friendly food and activities, like magic shows²⁷.

Destin has many places to eat, whether you want seafood, local dishes, or just a place that’s good for families²⁹. You can try top spots like Back Porch²⁹ and LuLu’s²⁹, or unique places like Fudpucker’s²⁹ and Pompano Joe’s²⁹. There’s something for everyone.

Plan Your Destin Family Getaway

Are you dreaming of the sunny shores of Destin, Florida? It’s time to plan an unforgettable family vacation. This coastal spot is full of activities, attractions, and dining that will make everyone happy³⁰.

Start by looking at where you’ll stay. You can choose from luxurious condos with ocean views or cozy vacation rentals that feel like home. Prices for condos in Destin range from $250 to $600 a night, based on size, updates, and beach closeness³⁰. After finding the perfect spot, get ready for a world of family fun.

Destin offers everything from exciting water sports to peaceful beach days and wildlife encounters. You can rent boats, paddle boards, and jet skis to see the emerald waters³⁰. Or, go on a deep-sea fishing trip like the American Spirit, which includes six hours of adventure with fishing time and a chance to catch trigger, snapper, mango, and even a 6-foot shark³⁰. On land, try parasailing, take a sunset cruise, or watch the Blue Angels at the Navarre Pier³⁰.