DESTIN VACATION RENTALS, FLORIDA

Destin, part of the Emerald Coast area in the Panhandle region of Florida, is known for its white beaches, oyster bars, an abundance of golf courses and the lure of staying at a Destin condo or a Destin vacation rental home.

There is an additional 10% Florida state sales tax levied on all Destin vacation rental homes, over and above the basic rental charges. Pet-friendliness is not common, so check before you take your furry friend along to a Destin condo. Also, remember to ask if smoking is allowed on the premises. Security deposits are usually required, and these may be forfeited if you cancel your booking. Cleaning fees may be assessed, as a part of the rental charges or as a separate fee, so be sure to ask.

A stay at a Destin condo gives you the luxury to explore the various sights and attractions at your own pace. Florida’s Gulfarium provides a thrilling marine species experience. If you prefer alligators to dolphins, head to the Gator Beach, where you can view and then feed more than 100 alligators. The Indian Temple and Mound Museum and the Air Force Armament Museum are attractions that must not be missed.

Within the confines of your Destin condo enjoy all the warmth, comfort and all the amenities available and beyond the gates of your Destin vacation rental home embark on an exploration of all the major Destin attractions.

• Florida's Gulfarium
• Gator Beach
• The Track Family Recreation Center
• Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park
• U.S. Air Force Armament Museum
• Indian Temple Mound and Museum
• Destin History & Fishing Museum
• Eden State Garden and Mansion
• Pleasure Island Waterpark
• Emerald Coast Science Center
• The Zoo

Venture beyond the cozy confines of your Destin condo to enjoy and indulge in a plethora of outdoor sports and activities.

• Beach Activities
• Diving
• Fishing
• Blackwater River State Forest
• Eglin Reservation
• Grayton Beach State Recreation Area
• Henderson Beach State Recreation Area
• Gulf Island National Seashore

Golfers living in a Destin condo or a Destin vacation rental home will have a great time in Destin, with more than 15 courses to choose from, in and around the city. Most courses in the area are 18-hole courses, offering varying levels of challenging play. Some are championship-rated, like the Emerald Bay Golf Club, the Regatta Bay Golf and Country Club and The Club at Hidden Creek. Eglin Air Force Base has 2 18-hole championship golf courses that are open year- round. There are also many other private, semi-private and public courses. Special golf packages are available locally, so check for these opportunities prior to leaving for your vacation in Destin.

Book a Destin vacation rental home or a Destin condo well in advance to enjoy the various year round festivals and events.

• Wild Weekender Cobia Shootout
• Old Spanish Trail Festival
• Cinco De Mayo Scavenger Hunt & Block Party
• Festival of Glass
• Sprint Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival and Torchlight Parade
• First Friday Concert Series
• Independence Day Celebrations
• Friday Night Flicks
• Poker Run Rally
• The Seabreeze Jazz Festival Weekend

Whether you prefer preparing your own special seafood dish at your upscale Destin condo or fancy eating at one of the stylish restaurants, you are definitely never far from seafood at Destin. Open-air oyster bars are popular; however, Destin has no shortage of world cuisine. You can dig your teeth into a premium steak, sushi, fresh bagels, pasta, authentic Italian pizza or Chinese crab legs. Also available are restaurants offering Mediterranean, Mexican, Irish and Creole cuisines. Many of these restaurants are located on the beach, giving you a refreshing view of the Gulf of Mexico as you savor the tastes of the city.

Jimmy Buffett tunes set the tone at a fun establishment on the picturesque Destin Harbor docks – A.J.'s Seafood & Oyster Bar. Destin's finest restaurant that is famous for its New American cuisine, Marina Café, provides a classy atmosphere with soft candlelight, subdued music and glass walls overlooking the harbor. Cuddled in the Destin Harbor's tallest building, Harry T's Boat House features some mouth-watering American and seafood delicacies. Rutherford’s 465 Restaurant also offers several seasonal wine walk-abouts, including Mayfest, Bastille Day, Harvest Moon and Holiday events.

Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill in Destin offers an eventful dining experience for the entire family. The restaurant features a delightful selection of seafood entrees, as well as chicken and steak dinners, pasta and salads. Don’t forget to try Fudpucker’s key lime pie for a tasty treat or enjoy a drink while you listen to good old beach music, whether recorded or live. There is plenty of fun for the kids, too, at Gator Beach, on the playground or in the game room. Build a custom teddy bear at the T-Bear Construction Company or shop at the Fudpucker Trading Company for great souvenirs and gifts.

There are several other pubs, martini bars, sports bars, fishing bars, lounges and nightclubs in Destin. Some offer dance floors and live bands, so the nightlife in Destin is quite vibrant. For Irish tunes nightly, year-round, head for McGuire's Irish Pub & Brewery. A dance club, a rowdy saloon, a Jimmy Buffet-style reggae bar, a sports TV bar and a billiards parlor are all under one roof at the acclaimed Nightown – a hot favorite with the 20-something crowd. A somewhat older, if not more sober, crowd gathers for entertainment at the big harbor-side deck at Fisherman's Wharf.

Upscale shopping and bargain hunting are both possible at Destin. The shopping areas include Destin Commons, an open-air center with upscale shops and Silver Sands Factory Stores, where you can purchase branded apparel up discounted by as much as 75%. Other shopping areas include Destin’s Harborwalk, Fort Walton Beach Main Street, Santa Rosa Mall, Shoreline Village Mall and Uptown Station. Everything can be found in Destin, including clothing, sports equipment, home furnishings, jewelry, toys and electronics. . Discounts and deals are more likely in spring and fall seasons. Plan a vacation then if you want to avoid the crowds and avail some fabulous discounts, too!

The peak season for Destin is summer - especially the months from May to September. Warm temperatures the year-round, abundant rain and humidity May through September, and mild winters - this sums up the weather for Destin. The hurricane season for the Florida Panhandle region is August to October, though most hurricanes pass by Destin. If you are planning to visit Destin during the peak season do book your Destin condo or a beachfront Destin vacation home well in advance.

Fort Walton Beach Airport, about 35 miles northwest of the city, connects Destin by air. Other airports close by include the Pensacola Airport, 60 miles to the west, and the Panama City - Bay County International Airport, 60 miles to the east. Shuttle services are available to and from the airport to Destin, Florida. Auto rentals are also readily available.

Once you are in Destin, try the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Authority’s free Island Shuttle trolley during the summer months. The two trolleys run every 30 minutes, Sunday through Thursday, from 7 AM to 10 PM. On Friday and Saturday, the trolleys run from 7 AM to 1 AM. The trolleys connect the island to the Uptown Bus station, on Eglin Parkway NE, and the Fort Walton Beach mainland.