Posted on 2/10/2017By the Ocean Reef Editorial Team
Destin is known as a dazzling destination for fun family spring break vacations! Generations of families have rented fine beach homes or luxurious gulf front condominiums through Ocean Reef Resorts for over 35 years. Many came here with their own parents to experience the sparkling sugary shore and jewel toned glittering gulf waters. Later on, they brought their own kids and now it has become a family tradition as the grand children have joined in. This wonderful tradition has created a host of fun warm memories year-after-year. Sparkling sunny springtime temperatures here are just about perfect with highs in the low 80s and lows in the 70s. We've been asked to provide a "To Do" List for fun activities while you're here, especially for your first time down. So here are 21 Destin Spring Break To-Dos:
1. DO NOTHING!
Leisurely lounging on vacation is often as popular as frolic and fun. This is particularly true when you first arrive here away from the busy life and hectic challenges back home. You need a getaway to press the "Reset Button" and just relax. Destin's sun drenched sugar white beach and emerald hued waters provide a perfect serene remedy. Such respite recharges your batteries, lifts your spirit and puts a smile on your face.
2. BUILD A SANDCASTLE.
The kids will love it and so will you as warm childhood memories come flooding in. The unique precious powder-like sugary sand is composed of pure white quartz crystals so your creation will shimmer in the sunlight!
3. RENT A PONTOON BOAT AND HIT CRAB ISLAND.
Pontoon Boat discounts are available through our complimentary Reef Rewards program, so you may cruise out to Crab Island with your picnic basket and ice cold beverages for an enjoyable afternoon. This floating boat party anchored in the shallow swimming pool clear waters near the Destin Bridge includes musical broadcasts from barges, water sports, fun and frolic.
4. FIND DOLPHINS ABOARD THE SEABLASTER.
Reef Rewards also gives you one free ticket per day aboard this giant speed boat that can quickly take you where the dolphins swim!
5. GO SNORKELING.
The rock jetties that extend out from Destin's harbor into the glistening gulf have created a colorful happy habitat for tropical fish. Our Reef Rewards gives you one free ticket each day for this heavenly adventure!
6. BE A PIRATE ABOARD THE BUCANEER.
A full sized replica of an 18th Century Spanish Galleon is docked at Harborwalk Village in Destin with a complete crew of costumed pirates and their captain. They take excursions out to seek treasure with buccaneer wannabes who are trained to become members of the crew. Training includes sword fighting, pirate song singing and cannons fired when the treasure is pulled up on board to divide the loot!
7. ENJOY A TROPICAL DRINK AT MARGARITAVILLE.
While you're down at Harborwalk Village you might as well have a frozen tropical concoction at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville on the waterfront. You might want to have a "cheeseburger in paradise" too!
8. CATCH SOME FIREWORKS.
Fantastic firework displays are fired up above the water on a regular basis at Harborwalk Village and over in Sandestin at Baytowne Wharf. These festive vibrant shows occur every week during the summer and on every major holiday!
9. EXPLORE THE DESTIN HISTORY AND FISHING MUSEUM.
While down in Destin check out the museum and learn all about "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village." Our Reef Rewards gives you one free ticket when you purchase another. Perfect for that rare rainy day!
10. FEED THE GATORS AT FUDPUCKERS.
Fudpucker's has been a popular destination for over thirty years. They have great food, lively libations and alligators! These eighty hungry reptiles hang out on "Gator Beach" and you can safely feed them yourself from an upper deck.
11. PLAY LASER TAG AT SUNSATIONS.
Another perfect rainy day destination or fun evening entertainment is to play laser tag at Sunsations next door to Fudpucker's. Tickets provide you with fifteen minute sessions to zap your friends!
12. GO KARTING AT THE TRACK.
You may zip around with your kart on three tracks including a three tiered roller coaster-like "Wild Woody", a large track with a classic figure eight design or the smaller Kiddie Kart Track. This family fun spot also features Bumper Cars, Miniature Golf, Splash Blaster Boats, Bungee Jumping and a kid's carnival playground!
13. SPALSH IN THE FOUNTAINS.
Interactive geyser fountains may be found at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin as well as Destin Commons. Grand Boulevard is the upscale town center of Sandestin and the kids can play in the fountains or roll around on the grassy green while you find other delightful diversions nearby at restaurants, friendly bars or fashion boutiques. The same splashy fun can be found in the center of Destin Commons which was voted Best Shopping in Destin.
14. SERIOUS DISCOUNT SHOPPING AT SILVER SANDS.
Silver Sands is located in Miramar Beach and happens to be the largest designer discount factory outlet in the nation. Shoppers save up to 70% on prices for a multitude of major designer brands. This brings "power shopping" to a whole new level!
15. PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF ON US.
Destin is known for fabulous eighteen hole championship golf courses and two of the best provide a free round of golf to Ocean Reef Resorts guests. They include Bluewater Bay across the Mid-Bay Bridge in nearby Niceville and the award winning Santa Rosa Golf Club down on Scenic 30A in South Walton.
16. HIT THE PLAYGROUND AT BAYTOWNE.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin is a playground for all ages. Adults enjoy the lively bars, outdoor musical concerts and seasonal festivals. The kids love the old fashioned carousel ride, trampoline jumps, game arcades, a shooting gallery and obstacle course tower.
17. ZIP LINE ACROSS A LAGOON AT SANDESTIN.
Baytowne is centered upon a long lagoon beside the bay. Adults and children may enjoy climbing atop a tower and soaring across the water from one side to the other while friends and family applaud!
18. GO MOUNTAIN BIKING ON SOUTH WALTON TRAILS.
Although we have no mountains, the thousands of acres comprising the Point Washington State Forest along Scenic 30A require a sturdy heavy duty bike to transverse miles of sand trails through the wilds. An 18 mile paved bike path goes from Dune Allen to Rosemary Beach for less strenuous adventure.
19. GO HORSEBACK RIDING WITH GULFSIDE TRAIL RIDES.
Arnett's Gulfside Trail Rides has a 20 acre horse ranch that adjoins the 13,800 acre Point Washington State Forest only a half a mile from the beach. Experienced Trail Bosses guide groups on paths that meander throughout the forest and marshy pristine wetlands!
20. GO NIGHT CRABBING.
Kids love this adventure since they can catch some little white Ghost Crabs. They are not edible but lots of fun to catch with a bucket, hand net and red filtered flashlight.
21. ORDER IN FROM SARAH K'S.
The edible variety of "crabs" are fried in a "cake" and some of the very best around come from Sarah K's. This nationally renowned chef is famous for her Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes and other catered culinary delights. Ocean Reef Rewards provides a free bottle of champagne with a qualified purchase!
DO check out our many wonderful Destin vacation rentals for spring break and make reservations today. You'll be happy you did!
The Ocean Reef Editorial Team leads the market in vacation rental, real estate, and coastal lifestyle content, with decades of Destin & 30A expertise behind every story. As the area's largest locally owned and longest continually operating vacation rental company, we welcome over 200,000 guests each year and reach millions who dream of the beach. Our guides serve travelers, homeowners, and locals alike, sharing authentic knowledge you can trust-because this coast isn't just where we work, it's where our story began, and where we'll continue to welcome generations to come.
