Elegant Townhouse In Long Beach: 8th Townhouse From The Beach
This is a traditional, authentic townhouse with elegant furnishings and grand decor youll feel like royalty during your stay. As part of a luxury gated community, youll be safe and able to mix with other families staying in the resort. Included in the complex are more than ten pools, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and a beautiful lagoon running through the resort.
Best Budget Accommodation In Panama City Beach: Aqua View Motel
If simple but comfortable accommodation in Panama City Beach is what youre after, then this place is perfect. Its pet-friendly and offers an outdoor pool, although youll only be one minute from the beach! Free parking is available, making it an ideal base from which to explore the area.
If youre looking for the ultimate beach holiday in Florida, this is the place for you. With a tiny population of just over 12,000 inhabitants, Panama City Beach is a resort filled with holiday-makers and sunshine-seekers. Its the best place to come if youre looking for a reasonably priced staycation without the enormous price tag!
If youre visiting for the first time, youll want to strike a balance between access to the centre of the resort and the ability to enjoy the beautiful natural setting. The best place to do this is Lower Grand Lagoon. Youll be right next door to the St Andrews State Park, so you can explore hiking trails or jump in a kayak before heading to the fabulous restaurants and bars.
Panama City Beach is a luxurious place to stay, but that doesnt mean you have to break the bank when you come here. Theres plenty of affordable accommodation for you to choose from. The best area to stay to try out lots of cheap activities is Laguna Beach. Not only is the coast easily accessible, but you can also get to the huge Conservation Park slightly inland, with hiking trails and gardens galore.
Beachfront Condo: Renovated Condo With Spectacular Views
This stunning beachfront condo is perfect if youre planning a city beach escape. Its been recently renovated and is modern throughout, with large balcony doors letting in plenty of natural light and stunning views of the Gulf. Up to six guests can stay here, making it the perfect base for groups and families.
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Destin Bed And Breakfast
The Henderson Park Inn, an adults-only bed and breakfast, is the most romantic in Northwest Florida according to luxury guide Cond Nast Johansens. Perched on the edge of the dunes, this large bed and breakfast is consistently ranked a top destination for couples by Tripadvisor, earning the Inn a Certificate of Excellence in 2017. Whirlpool bathtubs, sumptuous food and unspoiled beach views will have you wishing you never have to leave.
For a more casual, kid and dog friendly bed and breakfast, the Destin Beachside Inn is a great choice. Plus, its just across the street from the Crystal Beach community, so fun on the water is never far away.
Beachfront On A Budget In Destin: Cabana Club
When it comes to great condos in Destin, we really struggled to pick just one as our top choice. Cabana Club is not only stylish but also very affordable which is why it holds our top spot for condos in the area. Crystal Beach is right on your doorstep, and the laidback vibes of the neighbourhood are reflected in the interior design.
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Idyllic Hotel In Miramar Beach: Ariel Dunes By Seascape
This hotel is perfect for families seeking the added convenience of hotel living. It comes with two laid back dining venues, one of which is on the beach! Alongside the three swimming pools, guests also enjoy access to tennis courts and a large indoor fitness centre. Each self-contained unit comes with a kitchenette that is adequate for a short self-catering stay.
Ft Walton Beach/okaloosa Island
Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island areas are located five miles west of HarborWalk Village and Destin Harbor where many excursions depart from. You are still close enough to Destin to enjoy all of the activities with a few more hotel options.
There are several family family-friendly resorts and attractions such as parks, museums, and aquariums. This area is a great spot for the whole family.
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island is the hub for several restaurants, shops, entertainment, and has plenty of parking.
If you are looking specifically for a beachfront hotel, Okaloosa Island has more options than Destin. See rates >
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Miramar Beach Best Place To Stay In Destin For Families
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Miramar Beach: Take a trip onboard the Solaris the dinner cruise offered by Sandestin Yacht Club.
- BEST Place to Visit in Miramar Beach: The Village of Baytowne Wharf is packed with family-friendly amusements and boutique stores.
Miramar Beach is technically a separate city from Destin but is only a ten or fifteen-minute drive from Downtown . For this reason, we think its a great alternative for families that want to balance peace and quiet with plenty of options for keeping the kids entertained. Nearby Sandestin is one of the most popular attractions in the area, but theres so much more on offer.
Miramar Beach itself is a lot quieter than the inner city offerings but comes with the same white sands and turquoise sea. There is a shuttle that connects the neighbourhood with Downtown Destin, so even those without a car can reach this neighbourhood easily. If you just need to kick back and relax with the family, you cant go wrong with Miramar Beach!
Crystal Beach Where To Stay In Destin For Couples
- COOLEST Thing to Do Crystal Beach: Enjoy endless rounds of golf at the two biggest courses in the city Kelly Plantation and Emerald Bay.
- BEST Place to Visit Crystal Beach: Enjoy the upmarket vibes at James Lee Beach but make sure to arrange beach service in advance.
Sandwiched between Downtown Destin and Miramar, Crystal Beach offers the best of both worlds. It is one of the more upmarket neighbourhoods in the city, making it the perfect retreat for a couples holiday. If youre happy to splurge a little, Crystal Beach is definitely the place to be.
The vast beach has a lot of the atmosphere of Downtown Destin without going overboard. Head further inland and you will discover the best shopping destination in the city. At night, Crystal Beach is home to ambient cocktail bars and romantic restaurants with sunset views and candlelit vibes.
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It’s All The Same Isn’t It Well Yes And No
Home > Blog > Experience > Which part of Destin should we stay in?
Posted on 1/21/2022
So, you are thinking about coming to Destin. Whether it’s your first time or 10th, you need to decide where in Destin you want to stay. It’s all the same, isn’t it? Well, yes and no. It’s the same beach sugar-white sand and crystal clear emerald-hued water. It’s as pretty as it looks in the pictures. However, off the beach, each area differs just a tad, and where you stay will help determine the experiences you will have off our sandy shoreline. Here’s a quick rundown of the different parts of Destin to help you decide where to stay.
Dolphin & Sunset Tours
There are several ways to get out on the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and see the dolphins. Let the captain take you, and up to five of your friends, on a private sailing charter, hop aboard a high-speed boat and make some waves for the dolphins to swim along beside you in, take a jet ski tour, or if you like a little more calm and relaxed way to experience the marine life, take a dolphin tour of crab island and do some snorkeling. Whichever way you choose to experience the marine life in their natural habitat, you will not be disappointed. Learn more
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Destin Luxury Resorts And Spas
The Henderson Resort, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort located in the Crystal Beach community, provides a refined setting for your Destin vacation. The four-story resort offers 170 rooms and suites to choose from.
Great food, from small bites to dessert, is a highlight of The Henderson Resort. Make a reservation at Primrose for fine dining with signature plates from land and sea. Enjoy cocktails and oysters at Horizons, a casual bar that took inspiration from Hemingways Florida. For dessert, Sprinkles serves sweet treats to be enjoyed in the nostalgic, 1950s style ice cream shoppe.
Kids will enjoy Henderson Resorts outdoor green and the family pool with its own lazy river. Theres even a Poppys Kids Club and a Kids Night Out program for families traveling with little ones.
The pinnacle of a vacation can be the tranquility of a world-class spa. Within the Henderson Resort is the Salamander Spa, which offers the most luxurious and expansive spa facilities and amenities in Destin. It has 11 private treatment rooms, a full-service salon, whirlpools, and relaxation rooms that overlook the scenery of Henderson State Park. Colorful glass works and artwork by local artisans are featured throughout.
The Emerald Grande is right on the water within the entertainment and activity of HarborWalk Village. Beloved local restaurants like Harry Ts and Jackacudas are a short walk away.
Lower Grand Lagoon Where To Stay In Panama City Beach For Your First Visit
Situated on St Andrews Bay, this is the perfect place to stay if you want the vibrancy of bustling urban areas with the option of escaping to the ocean. With so much to discover, its the ideal destination for travelers to get a feel for what the area is all about.
It offers great cafes, restaurants, and accommodation, so you can relax in comfort while still having some fantastic opportunities to take on the adventures of the sea sailing, kayaking, and swimming!
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Cute Cottage In Laguna Beach: Beachfront Cottage With Sea Access
This is a cosy and homely option, perfect for a couples getaway. Sit out on your deck to soak up the sun or enjoy a home-cooked breakfast before heading out on a day of exploring. With unique furnishings and great views of the gulf, you dont have to travel far to see some of Laguna Beachs best views. The beach is less than a block away!
Where To Stay In 30a
Most of the lodging in 30A consists of home and cottage rentals. Some of the rentals are available via a nationwide vacation home rental site, and some are managed by local companies that have mini-monopolies in their area. For example, good luck finding an Alys Beach cottage on Airbnb, youre going to have to book direct.
In Seaside, those charming cottages on tree-lined streets around Tupelo would be hard to beat as long as you dont need front-row ocean views.
In WaterSound, there are a variety of ways to book the various homes and cottages, though many are under the management of Panhandle Getaways.
But regardless of how you book, a home rental in the area really is a great option especially during COVID when having your own space and kitchen is at a premium.
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In our visits, we first had a private pool at our Santa Rosa home rental booked via Marriott, and that was a great amenity to add to the nearby public beach. That five-bedroom home could easily be shared between two or three families, starts at about $500 per night in the offseason months and then goes to around three times that amount per night during the peak season. Spring break and summer break rates in 30A will be double or triple the offseason rates.
If you want to use your traditional hotel points, youre pretty much out of luck in the heart of 30A as chains arent really welcome. However, you can stay pretty close.
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Downtown Overall Best Place To Stay In Destin
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Downtown Destin: Take in the stunning coastline from the comfort of a tour boat with Crab Island Cruises.
- BEST Place to Visit in Downtown Destin: The Destin Harbour Boardwalk for its great bars, restaurants, and boutiques as well as boating activities for all levels.
Downtown Destin is the beating heart of the city and an absolute must-visit for anyone heading to the area! This is where youll find the bustling nightlife in the evenings, with bars, clubs, and fairground rides waiting to keep you entertained all night long. Even during the day, youll find a wide range of restaurants catering to all tastes, as well as the most popular outdoor shopping area along the Boardwalk.
Families will enjoy Downtown Destin thanks to the watersports and theme parks on offer. There are a few campgrounds in the north where you can pitch up your motorhome although the condos on offer in the neighbourhood are very budget-friendly and offer some additional comfort.
Public transport isnt the best in Destin, but you can overcome this by staying downtown. Alongside the many tour companies offering excursions to other parts of the Emerald Coast, there are plenty of shuttles on offer. These usually take you directly from the city centre to the most popular tourist neighbourhoods nearby.
Things To See And Do In Laguna Beach:
- The best and cheapest way to get your fill of fresh air and beautiful countryside in Laguna Beach is by taking a trip to the huge Conversation Area, which is a little inland. Here, youll find Gayles Trails, where you can enjoy a long hike on boardwalks through the thick, luscious woodland.
- If you want to get on the water and take a boat tour or try out a new watersport, why not hit up one of the many companies on the coastline? Some of the best are PCB Wet N Wild Adventures, Airboat Adventures, or Wild Thang Airboat Tours.
- Learn about the maritime history of Panama City Beach at the Man in the Sea Museum down the coast.
- Make some underwater pals at Gulf World. You can wander around tropical gardens, feed sharks, and enjoy a sea lion, dolphin, and parrot show!
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Lavish Apartment In Downtown Destin: The Lucky Dune Bird
Stylish and modern, this Airbnb Plus apartment is perfect if you have a little extra to spend. The balcony enjoys panoramic views of the sunset, and the main Downtown area is only a two-minute walk away. The calming blue furnishings create an easy-going and relaxing atmosphere perfect if you just need to unwind during your trip.
Henderson Beach State Park
Henderson Beach State Park offers 6000 feet of undeveloped beach with full amenities and plenty of parking.
This is the area most people would refer to as the central or main area of Destin. There are several vacation rentals located east and west of Henderson Beach State Park. There are a few hotels across the street from the park entrance on Hwy 98. This is a busy six-lane road with crosswalks. Note that it is a .3 mile walk from Hwy 98 down to the sand. Beach wagons are highly recommended for toting all of your gear to the beach.
There are several large resorts or vacation rentals in the heart of Destin on Hwy 98 that include Pelican Beach Resort, Jade East, Silver Dunes, and the Sundestin .
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Long Beach Best Area In Panama City Beach For Families
Planning a holiday for yourself is stressful enough, but it can get really complicated when youre trying to factor in the whole family. But stress you need not, as weve sussed the best place for a family getaway. Long Beach is a centrally located neighbourhood with great activities for the family to enjoy.
Whether its visiting the zoo, heading to the waterpark, or simply sitting back and soaking up the sun on a Floridian beach, theres something for everyone to get stuck into.
Best Area To Stay With Teens
I’m planning on being in the Destin area the 3rd week of July. My wife and I will be bringing 2 19 yr-old guys and 2 16-yr old girls. None of the kids are big partyers, but I think that they’d all like to be in a fairly busy part of the beach/area. I think we’d like to stay close enough to shops, fast food, entertainment that they could ride bikes and/or skateboard some places during the day and/or early evening. At night they’d probably like our condo to be on the beach so that could find others who would be hanging out there too. I’d like to be beachfront or at least just across the street from a road like old 98.
It’s probably been about 4-5 years since we were last in the area, but we’ve pretty much always stayed on Old 98 around Pompano Joe’s. At that time, we didn’t go to the beach much at night because we were taking our kids with us to eat, play miniature golf, etc. So from personal experience I’m not sure if the beaches would have enough traffic for them or not. Plus I don’t remember if you could easily get to shopping areas , etc. on bikes or skateboards from that area.
I personally don’t need to be in the “wildest”/most crowded area of Destin, but I would like to find an area that would be good for them and I wouldn’t feel like I had to drive them everywhere and/or them take our 1 vehicle with them to do a lot.
Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. I have even considered the PCB area, but would much rather stay in the Destin area.
Thanks!
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