r/Destin

My husband and I visit Destin twice a year. Once with our kids and once as adults. Looking to buy in the next 18 months on the beach (even outside of Destin either way) to visit (not rent out), and move there permanently in five years. Husband served in Pensacola for years and misses it. We’ve found some amazing places that mostly locals visit and get along great with them, a few peeps we meet with when we come on our adults only trip. Love just sitting and talking to bartenders, our beach service guys at the condo we stay in every year, and make friends with all.

With that said, can you offer some places that are dive locals only? Bars or restaurants. We aren’t there to get drunk, have a drink or two, eat, at like 1p. Chat it up. That’s it.

Please don’t rip me a new a$$hole for asking. Just trying to feel out everything. Meeting with a realtor to discuss in October! Be there in a short 27 days with our teens. We aren’t the typical Destin asshat tourists. We generally love it down there and are respectful. We know May-Sept and holidays suck for Destin and the locals. We feel you!

Hey y'all happy 4th, I'm a recent college grad who started a marketing/ website business for local businesses here in Destin. I've been running it for about 1 year now, and I'm capable of building websites, doing SEO, running targeted ads on Facebook & Google, email marketing, custom software solutions and creating marketing content for Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok. I'm looking to partner with some local businesses that can't afford to hire a big company and are looking for an affordable option to handle everything online for them. If this is you or you know anybody who could benefit, i'd love to connect or get a referral.

I LIVE IN DESTIN, I'VE LIVED HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE. EVERY YEAR WE GET MORE AND MORE AND MORE TOURISTS THAT COME. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO OUT HERE. WE JUST HAVE A VERY BUSY HOT BEACH. ALL THE VACATION RENTALS ARE RUN DOWN.THE TRAFFIC IS INSANE.THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO EAT.IT'S OVERPRICED, IT'S LIKE OVER A HUNDRED DEGREES HERE, THERE'S LITERALLY NO CLUBS, NO BARS OTHER THAN RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE A BARS, AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUPID OVERPRICED, TOURISTY BARS THAT EVEN THE LOCALS DON'T EVEN GO TO. I'M JUST SAYING BEFORE YOU WASTE ALL YOUR MONEY AND TIME AND HOURS AND HOURS. TRYING TO EVEN GET THROUGH THE CITY OF DESTIN THROUGH STANDSTILL TRAFFIC IN EVERY ROAD, EVERYWHERE AND CONSTRUCTION ON STREETS, WHERE IT TURNS TO ONE LANE ROADS ALL OVER THE PLACE. AND BRIDGES THAT ARE BEING BUILT THAT CAUSE BACKED UP MORE TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 10 MILES. IT'S INSANE, RIDICULOUS. AND OH YEAH, DID I MENTION THERE'S NOTHING TO DO NOTHING. THERE IS NOTHING TO DO. AND THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RESTAURANTS TO EVEN SERVE THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE. IT'S INSANE, GO HOME. DON'T COME SPEND YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. THERE'S NOTHING TO DO HERE. IT'S JUST A BIG BEACH. YES, IT MIGHT LOOK PRETTY, BUT IT'S GOT JELLYFISH SHARKS EVERY DAY. SOMEONE'S OUT THERE, DROWNING FROM THE RIP. CURRENT RED TIDE AND SEAWEED, MAKING YOU COUGH. YOUR BRAINS OUT. THE BEACHES ARE COVERED WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE. AND OTHER THAN THE VERY HOT HOT BEACH, WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET A SUNBURN AND SAND EVERYWHERE. THERE'S NOTHING TO DO HERE. NOTHING. OH, YEAH? AND BY THE WAY, NONE OF THE SEAFOOD IS LOCAL. IT'S ALL ORDERED FROM A COMPANY DELIVERED ON A TRUCK. THEY MIGHT LIE AND SAY TO YOU, IT'S LOCAL, BUT IT'S NOT.THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE'RE OUT THERE.CATCHING ENOUGH FISH TO FEED THE MILLION PEOPLE A DAY, TRAMPLING ALL OVER OUR CITY. YES, WE HAVE BEEN APPRECIATIVE OVER THE YEARS.IF IT WASN'T FOR THE TOURISTS, THEN NO, WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY OR ANY BUSINESSES AT ALL. But i'm telling you there honestly, is nothing to do here. Definitely, don't go to okolusa island because now you're asking for traffic, the worst traffic you've ever been in, where you will literally have an anxiety attack and not knowed.Where to even go.. Oh, yeah, and there's definitely nowhere to eat there. 10000 vacation rentals, and maybe 3 restaurants LOL. Please save your money and stay home. Don't come to Destin, it took me an hour and a 1. Just to drive 3 miles, it's just stupid.

I keep seeing construction there, but no idea what is going on. Does anyone know?

🎆 Need a place to crash in Destin for July 4th! We’re a group of 6, budget-conscious, and pet-free — looking for a condo, house, or rental that can sleep us all for the night. Close to the beach or a good fireworks view would be amazing but not a dealbreaker. If you know of anything available or have a place to rent out, send it my way! 🙏🏖️ #Destin #July4thWeekend #NeedARental #GroupTrip Want me to tweak the tone — more casual, more urgent, or shorter for a quick share?

If anyone from far away is down visiting, please slow down your pace of everything. I’m not coming to you as a “dirty local”, I’m coming to you as someone who knows how very quickly our “vacation” days go by. We work hard for a scant week or two a year when we get to take a break.

It’s very crowded. I understand why. It’s lovely here almost year round. It’s so inviting not just from photos, but in person too. But, this business of rushing out there door at 6am to secure your beach spot, rushing off the beach later to get ready for dinner, rushing through traffic to get to a place to wait for hours, rushing afterwards, rush rush rush.

Slow down, enjoy the vacation. Stop for a while, not just 30 seconds. Try to leave behind the habits of normal everyday life, when we have to be in a rush. Enjoy the place for some rest and relaxation.

What is the best beaches to go to in the area/good for parking? Also, saw Henderson state park opens at 8am..so guessing that means no pedestrian access beforehand or is that 8am for cars?

Thanks

We will be visiting the Destin area (staying near Henderson State Beach). I am hoping to do a reasonably priced family picture shoot- 30ish minutes. I would prefer to find a location somewhat close to where we are staying but can be flexible. The timeframe I am looking at is July 12-15th. Any suggestions of local photographers that provide this type of service- please let me know! Thank you!

I'm new to the area and I'm looking for a coffee shop or hangout where the liberal crowd goes. I just stopped in a coffee shop that looked like they would be that and it was definitely not a liberal vibe. Are there any liberal hotspots in the Destin area?

Doesn't have to be a coffee shop, but I'm just looking for a place with the right vibe and hopefully with some kind of activities or space to gather. If it's just a little shop that's ok too.

Is this area mostly an adult party scene? 3 adults-65, 46 and 42 and 3 kids-16,15 & 11. We're all really good swimmers-I saw someone mention rip tides or currents and I'm thinking of renting one of those charter boats to take us out for snorkeling, etc. But we're just not really into the drinking party scene and I want to make sure my grandkids don't drift out to sea. Good idea or no? Recs on boat charters with bathroom and snacks on board please. 3rd week of July if that makes any difference. Is there a better day of thd week and time period? TIA!

I saw that the old hooters location on emerald coast parkway sold, does anyone know what is going in there?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to rent a jet ski after 5 PM and I’m looking for good spots or routes to ride. I’d love to find places with great views and maybe a chance to see dolphins. Any recommendations?

my father booked an Airbnb and allowed my bf and I (22F 21M) to tag along for free (who the hell would turn down a free vacation)and I’ve only been here for 30 hours and I’m miserable. we tried finding somewhere to eat last night only to find straight gimmicky and tourist trap restaurants, traffic, and no peace from families. Is there anywhere a young couple could get some solace from this hectic peak season foot traffic?

I came here last year in early August and went to the ft Walton beach and there was virtually no one here. Is that because tourist season is over or because ft Walton is chiller? I just don’t wanna make the 40 min drive there just to be disappointed:(

Also plz recommend night clubs we can do tonight or tomorrow night and maybe seafood restaurants that are date worthy? We don’t mind paying a bit if the food is amazing.

(yes I understand this is peak tourist time, but I didn’t have any say in the planning)

We are going to be staying in Destin at the Luau Condos on Miramar Beach next week. We've never been to Destin. Do we rent beach chairs from the condo or is there a service on the beach to rent from? Is there any way to reserve chairs ahead of time or do you do it in person? Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!