Dazzling Destin has long been a favorite destination for family beach vacations among our esteemed Ocean Reef Resorts guests. Renowned for its brilliantly bright white sugar sand beaches and glowing jewel-toned waters, Destin offers a unique tropical paradise. Visitors can relax on the beautiful beach, luxuriate in the jeweled Gulf waters, swim in pools, enjoy delicious dining, and indulge in tropical drinks. And, of course, there's the exceptional shopping! Destin provides the best of all worlds in a magical environment, making it a top choice for family fun and unique shopping experiences.

Back to School Shopping and Savings

This time of year, our guests save on Destin vacation rentals and also take advantage of Back to School shopping adventures. The added perk is that the state of Florida has an annual tax-free period that starts at the end of July and goes through August 11th. It includes tax exemptions on clothing priced at less than $100 per item, school supplies at $50 or less, and personal computers/tablets at $1,500 or less. Here is a brief look at some sensational settings that offer top shopping adventures.

Silver Sands Premium Outlets

One of the best places to start is at the famous Silver Sands Premium Outlets located just east of Destin proper, near many of our Miramar Beach vacation rentals. This shopping mecca happens to be one of the largest discount outlets in the nation, featuring over 100 world-class designers and attracting millions of shoppers every year seeking bargains on world-class goods. It is truly amazing that little Miramar Beach, Florida, has access to wholesale designer items found at fine retail establishments like Phipps Plaza or Lenox Square in Atlanta, Fifth Avenue in New York, Michigan Avenue in Chicago, or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Besides the big designer names, the main attraction here is that everything is "on sale" with substantial savings not available at any of those other locations. Visitors come from throughout the southeast and other parts of the nation to take advantage of huge savings of up to 75% off regular retail prices from internationally known designer stores. Many of our guests have started a regular tradition of enjoying the avid pursuit of designer discount power shopping at Silver Sands while they vacation with us here. This huge, pedestrian-friendly factory outlet represents the world's best national and international designer stores. August Back to School specials include:

• 60% off at J Crew
• 70% off at Nautica
• 50% BOGO at Skechers
• 50% off Tommy Hilfiger Logo Styles
• 50% off at Under Armour
• 50% off at HUK
• 70% off at Columbia

In between shopping, you can stroll around the palm-studded complex to enjoy a salty pretzel at Auntie Anne's, have some ice cream at Haagen-Dazs, sample fudge at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, sip coffee at Paris Banh Mi Café, or taste some gelato at Pino Gelato Café. Tasty fried and fire-roasted chicken with delicious sides can be relished at Waldo's Chicken & Beer. After your fun bargain shopping spree, head over to Carrabba's Italian Grill, which features delicious dining options and daily Happy Hours from 4 to 7 PM.

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Condos Near Silver Sands Premium Outlets

Choose from our selection of six exquisite rental condominium complexes, all within or less than a 4-minute drive from Silver Sands, blending supreme comfort with unbeatable accessibility.

Destin Commons

Another wonderful shopping adventure awaits at Destin Commons, a popular premier destination centered in an idyllic retail village. This family-centered world has become a favorite "day trip" rendezvous for many of our vacationing guests with loads of delightful diversions. It has become known as a place for "Fashion, Food & Fun."

A clock tower and other turrets topped with festive flags are flanked by pedestrian-friendly streets lined with towering Royal Palms. They meander throughout the village while musical melodies play on the sidewalks and adjoining courtyards, creating a relaxed, enchanting atmosphere. A classic fountain sits in its center, while nearby spurting mini geysers playfully shoot out of an open plaza, beckoning kids to enjoy some refreshing frolic on a hot sunny day. A new immersive Lucky Climber playground, which is like a jungle gym, and a large colorful playground also offer lots of fun. A unique Build-A-Bear Workshop provides a magical time creating a wide variety of customized bears, bunnies, and other stuffed animals.

This amazing village includes 85 stores to choose from, including fine clothiers, fashion boutiques, shoe shops, jewelers, specialty stores, a Belk department store, and a big Bass Pro Shop. For dining and refreshment, the 14,000-square-foot City Food Hall has a large indoor bar along with a wide array of dishes, including southern-style, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Middle Eastern, and island comfort food. A Topgolf Swing Suite on-site offers a full-swing golf simulator and multiple sport gaming.

Destin Commons has a number of Back to School sales in many shops that cater to children. They include:

• The Children's Place Outlet
• Coastal Outfitters
• Coconut Kids
• H&M
• Janie and Jack Outlet
• La Luna Children's Boutique
• OshKosh B'Gosh
• Pink n Blue Avenue

Delicious delights can be found for kids of all ages at Destin Little Donuts, It's Sugar, Kilwins, and Snowbiz by Ray.

Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Another enchanting setting for shopping is located at the opulent, lush, tropically landscaped town center of Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort known as Grand Boulevard. It is close to many of our resort vacation rentals on the grounds of this exclusive guard-gated, world-class resort, which spans from the gorgeous Gulf to the beautiful bay. Giant Royal Palms accent not only Grand Boulevard but creates another boulevard effect on Emerald Coast Parkway, which parallels the site. Other plantings include Birds of Paradise, Live Oak trees, Crepe Myrtles, and lots of plant containers that boast ever-changing floral colors, which are kept seasonally up to date.

The boulevard includes a nice array of fine clothiers, fashion boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops. Favorites include:

• Anthropologie
• Krewe Eyewear
• Lilly Pulitzer
• Lulu Lemon
• Orvis
• Pottery Barn
• Rustler Hat Company
• Sunglass Hut
• Sunset Shoes
• The Jewel
• Vinyard Vines
• Zoo Gallery

Tommy Bahama's restaurant, which adjoins their own clothing shop, specializes in Caribbean-style cuisine served in a tropical atmosphere. A bright, sunny veranda garden room overlooks the grassy lawn, while on the other side, near the geyser fountains, is Cantina Laredo, which serves gourmet-style Mexican cuisine and fantastic Margaritas. They also have outdoor seating as well as a wonderful bar inside that features Happy Hour appetizer specials. Fleming's Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers delicious USDA Prime beef served in a comfortable, club-like atmosphere with handsome, rich leather booths and nicely dressed tables. They also have an extensive wine menu covering both international and domestic vintages.

Nearby P.F. Chang's is a bistro that has tasty Chinese cuisine and is marked outside by the statue of a giant battle horse, which certainly provides a perfect photo op occasion. The interiors are chic and urbane, with soft lighting. These surroundings are accented by the aromas of delicious food being prepared, which really whets your appetite. The rustic-friendly Craft Bar is a "gastropub" that serves a wide array of beer, craft cocktails, and regionally inspired chef creations. Bricktop's, a famous Nashville-based restaurant, just opened and features unique, delicious appetizers, amazing salads, bisques, big burgers, prime rib, steaks, tuna, crab cakes, grouper, trout, salmon, and a daily Champagne Happy Hour from 4 to 7 PM. Emeril's Coastal, featuring the famous chef's gourmet Italian-styled seafood, and Another Broken Egg Café, famous for their great daily brunches, are near the Grand Boulevard Publix grocery store.

For entertainment, The Broadway on The Boulevard, performed by ECTC, the local theatre company located in Grand Boulevard, features musicals, and the AMC Classic Boulevard 10 theater features 3D jumbo screens along with the VIP Ovation Dining Club, where you may eat, drink, and watch new film releases.

Local Beach Specialty Stores

Destin is also home to local beach specialty stores, including the iconic Alvin's Island, with multiple convenient locations offering value-priced T-shirts, tank tops, swimsuits, hats, and coastal accessories. Fudpucker's Trading Company is next to their fun seafood restaurant, which features fascinating alligator shows on the premises and offers a wide array of beach attire and accessories. Banana Bart's is a captivating Key West-type novelty shop in an old cottage on the bluff in Destin overlooking the harbor. The well-established Footprints Gift Shop in Miramar Beach offers a wide variety of beach souvenirs, including seashells.

Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals

Enjoy exploring our fine Destin vacation rentals that are still available for August. Besides taking advantage of lower rental rates this time of year, you will love doing some great Back to School shopping while enjoying the sugary white beaches and glowing Gulf. Our acclaimed website will provide you with detailed descriptions, vivid images, an Osprey's eye view of each location, the lowered seasonal rental rates, and calendar dates still available. If you are able to reserve one right away, you can also take advantage of Florida's tax-free policy for Back to School items, which goes through August 11th. Happy trails to you, and may at least one of your days be filled with shopping pleasure, creating another special memory of your visit to our tropical paradise!