Destin, FL

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 13, 2004 10:33 am

Hey, does anyone have any reccomendations for things to do in Destin? I'm putting together a trip for some friends and myself this summer and looking for ideas. Thanks.

FarsideCobbPH · Post by **FarsideCobbPH** » February 15, 2004 10:26 pm

http://www.remtalo.com property listing 37785 This is my parent's (mom and Stepdad's ) Beachouse in Destin/Crystal Beach Florida ! Sorry for the confusin this is a better site than beachouse.com.

Air M'Ville Cap'n · Post by **Air M'Ville Cap'n** » February 15, 2004 10:30 pm

Fuddpuckers is a must. Also, there is a good go cart track out east of town where the carts are enclsoed around you, like a race car. Good place to spin out some people and about get in fights

FarsideCobbPH · Post by **FarsideCobbPH** » February 15, 2004 10:34 pm

umm I believe that's Fudruckers

Air M'Ville Cap'n · Post by **Air M'Ville Cap'n** » February 15, 2004 10:38 pm

FarsideCobbPH wrote:umm I believe that's Fudruckers

Actually it really is Fudpuckers

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 16, 2004 1:38 pm

Thanks for the tips, Air. I'll be looking into those. And Far, I'll definately look into those a little later on this week. Thanks!

capnrick · Post by **capnrick** » February 16, 2004 2:44 pm

what age group you got going?

Theres a big upscale outlet mall east of Destin proper (a coupla miles east of the mid-bay bridge) and a bunch of shopping centers, etc. as well as normal tourist traps...

Go to Sockeyes and look around just for grins. Restaurants are everywhere and the beach is always in the top 10.

I RV down there from memphis about 3 times a year (next trip June 18th)
sigh....

Capn Rick
salt water deprived, already..

Ilph · Post by **Ilph** » February 16, 2004 9:58 pm

We're all between 23 and 28. A friend of mine is getting married while we're there and the rest of us groomsmen and our girlfriends are there for the wedding and to live it up away from everything for a few days.

OPHarbor · Post by **OPHarbor** » February 17, 2004 3:38 pm

Destin, truely WAS a quiet little drinking village with a fishing problem. The problem is, it's been discovered! Two places you must go is McGuires, and the ACME Oyster house (Sandestin). Mcguires Irish pub originated in Pensacola, but opened one in destin a few years back. CAUTION: look REAL closely before going to the restroom and watch out for the Emory Chenowith

, kiss the moose! ACME is a staple of New Orleans, I

have to go at least twice while there, I haven't been to the one in Destin but rest assured if you like oysters and beer (as for me, for dinner every day of the year) this place is great!

MICHIPHIN · Post by **MICHIPHIN** » February 22, 2004 9:43 am

I agree with you OPH.....

watergirlhawaii · Post by **watergirlhawaii** » February 22, 2004 8:57 pm

There are (way to many) golf courses/resorts & "franchise" bars/restuarants in the Seascape & Sandestin area (near by the huge SilverBeach shopping outlet). It used to be an unfathomly beautiful place!

So, be sure to hit the LOCAL watering holes & oyster bars (not just the franchises). Go below around the Destin Bridge area (old Destin), and at the wharf/boat docks below the bridge, and on the strip in old Destin, and all the great clubs on Okaloosa Island (west of Destin; Ft Walton Beach area).

Go to the the local Scuba Shop "Scuba Tech" (1/4mile east of Destin bridge with the mural on the building & divers flag flying); see Carla & Mary Anne for your diving/snorkeling classes/adventures/boat trips; you'll meet the locals & long time Destinites there; they'll point you to the great spots, local events, (& may invite you to parties, raves & haunts if your extra fun & friendly)!

BTW: The best fish to be had is cooked right on the wharf as it comes off the boats- look for the white little box on wheels with an overworked lady cooking/sweating away inside (GOURMET and VERY cheap GREAT food!)! She will also cook your fresh catch for you right there (only a few places near the bridge do this). And BTW the best/biggest freshest (uncooked) prawns & shrimp are sold from those dirty looking trucks along the strip!

Heading west, on Okaloosa Island in Ft Walton Beach (4 miles west of Destin Bridge) there's a huge waterpark, parasailing, bungee jumping, windsurfing, a go cart raceway, several beachside & intracoastal wayside parks (brakish water=fresh& salt water mixed). Nearby (behind Alvins Island tourist shop- a great place!) there is a GREAT little cluster of @6 local bars/restuarants (the original Hoggsbreath Saloon, Sams Oyster Bar, etc) all within a few hundred yards of each other. Across the main drag is Cash's Faux Paus, Fudpuckers, Hurricane Alley, and several other great places in a little cluster. Down the island further is the Little Bar, Carosel Lounge, & a great place at the Islander Beach Resort (formerly Jamaica Joes Rest/Bar). Most all these have live music.

Back towards the Okaloosa bridge & over it, on into town & across the Okaloosa Island bridge; Ft Walton Beach "Miracle Strip" has fun tourist traps, antique/junk shops, bars, restaurants & some old local haunts that are really fun, also some pool/dart beer bars & Famous Joe & Eddies Cafe (old truch stop/50's cafe - a real one!). Up the strip theres the Indian Mound museam with relics & history about the Indians who settled this area. Behind this strip & under the nearby bridge are many great local places along the water including some little known and nice hidden parks, picnic & rest areas,and even a few parking lots known for fun & frolic & 420.

Still heading west there are several great local restaurants/oyster bars set backon the water jsut off the strip- at the boat docks, boat sales business, & yacht harbor (around the FWB library area).

Watch out for the Festivals (do a search on them and or Destin/FtWalton festivals):

Billy Bowlegs (June 1-7), Seafood Days (April), Niveville/Valpariso Bluegrass Festival, several more...

If you are a race-car/dragster fan (or a motorhead yourself) go to "Buffalos Reef" on Eglin Parkway in Ft Walton; that's where they hang; ask Dale for local racing info., classic cars, drag racers, etc.

Do try get out of the over developed Destin area (unless you drink way to much then need to drive)!

Please... DON'T DRINK & DRIVE DRUNK (my momma, daddy brothers, sisters, neices, nephews, ggod friends & great people all LIVE there)!!! There is no excuse to drive drunk: Most ALL restaurants & Bars in Destin provide the designated driver of your party FREE FOOD & FREE non-alcohlic DRINKS ALL NIGHT LONG, so the rest of your pals can PARTY HEARTY as much as they want! Take advantage of this thoughtful FRINGE BENEFIT- just appoint a designated driver, tell the bartender/waitress who this person is, and they will be quite surprised at how much they are appreciated!!! Then get your butt drunk, have your own bad hangover- then you can be the designated driver for your pals the next night!
Have fun!
LIVE LIFE, LOVE MUCH, & LAUGH OFTEN!
A hometown Destinite
pirated away;
now stranded
on an island
in the middle
of the Pacific!

FromFLA · Post by **FromFLA** » March 21, 2004 10:05 pm

I am from the area, and the bars and restaurants on Okaloosa Island are mostly strip joints now that the convention center has opened.
In Destin, I recommend AJ's oytser house http://www.ajs-destin.com or the Boat House, within stumbling distance from AJ's down the harbour.
The Lucky Snapper has good food.
AJ's Bimini bar is an open air bar with live music, and a fun crowd. For more eclectic tastes, I'd recommend the Funky Blues Shack for live music, on HWY 98 in Destin, the adjoining restaurant Graffiti is good as well. As for the Acme oyster bar in Sandestin, like everything else in Sandestin, it's way over priced! I would say visit it and the boardwalk in Sandestin, but it is all very pricey.
Yes there is Fudpuckers, a younger cowd though(spring breakers love it).
I could go on so if yuo need specifics let me know. Either way, the beaches are great.

FromFLA · Post by **FromFLA** » March 21, 2004 10:06 pm

I am from the area, and the bars and restaurants on Okaloosa Island are mostly strip joints now that the convention center has opened.
In Destin, I recommend AJ's oytser house http://www.ajs-destin.com or the Boat House, within stumbling distance from AJ's down the harbour.
The Lucky Snapper has good food.
AJ's Bimini bar is an open air bar with live music, and a fun crowd. For more eclectic tastes, I'd recommend the Funky Blues Shack for live music, on HWY 98 in Destin, the adjoining restaurant Graffiti is good as well. As for the Acme oyster bar in Sandestin, like everything else in Sandestin, it's way over priced! I would say visit it and the boardwalk in Sandestin, but it is all very pricey.
Yes there is Fudpuckers, a younger cowd though(spring breakers love it).
I could go on so if yuo need specifics let me know. Either way, the beaches are great.

rickcrystal · Post by **rickcrystal** » March 23, 2004 8:39 pm

i havent been there in years but i always did go to fudpuckers, and the go cart place that was suggested. also i used to always stay at the Jetti East. which is a really good place to stay.

12vmanRick · Post by **12vmanRick** » March 23, 2004 9:21 pm

Ilph wrote:Hey, does anyone have any reccomendations for things to do in Destin? I'm putting together a trip for some friends and myself this summer and looking for ideas. Thanks.

I highly recommend a restaurant called The Back Porch... excellent bar right on the beach while you wait for incredible food!

Bob Roberts · Post by **Bob Roberts** » March 24, 2004 1:36 am

12vmanRick wrote:I highly recommend a restaurant called The Back Porch... excellent bar right on the beach while you wait for incredible food!

I was getting ready to put that. I spent a week in Destin for senior trip when I graduated high school, and it was great. The best restaraunt I ate at was "The Back Porch", which was incredible seafood. I really like the open air feel of it all. Another good place besides Fudpuckers is Harry Ts. These 2 are more touristy, but I like some of that also. Have fun man!

manatee · Post by **manatee** » March 24, 2004 9:52 pm

You'll be sitting among some of the most beautiful, peaceful beaches in the world. Pop out your chairs, watch the sunset and chill with a boatdrink on the beach. But don't try to drink and drive. The county cops are pretty strict over there. Enjoy!

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