There are some vacations you enjoy, and then there are the ones your kids ask to recreate before you've even unpacked the car. Our recent trip to Destin-Fort Walton Beach was exactly that.

We've visited Destin-Fort Walton Beach many times over the years, but staying with Southern Vacation Rentals made this trip one of our favorites yet. From the moment we walked into our vacation home, it truly felt like our home away from home. Traveling with a large family isn't always easy, but having plenty of space for everyone to spread out, relax, and enjoy time together made all the difference.

One of our favorite parts was the location. We were just minutes from the beach, local shops, grocery stores, and so many incredible restaurants, making it easy to enjoy both relaxing beach days and spontaneous adventures without spending our vacation sitting in traffic. The private pool quickly became the kids' favorite hangout, and after long days exploring Destin, it was the perfect place to cool off before dinner.

Why We Love Destin-Fort Walton Beach

While Destin is known for its breathtaking white sand beaches and crystal-clear water, what keeps bringing us back is everything beyond the beach.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach is filled with locally owned businesses, family-run adventures, and welcoming people who genuinely want you to experience the best of the area. Whether you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an itinerary packed with adventure, it's incredibly easy to customize your trip to fit your family's style.

Here are some of our absolute favorite experiences.

Rent a Pontoon Boat

If there's one activity we recommend to everyone visiting Destin, it's renting a pontoon boat from Luther's Pontoon Rentals.

Exploring the region’s waterways has become one of our favorite family traditions – whether it be on the Gulf, or the Bay. The water is unbelievably clear, and the kids spent hours swimming, searching for hermit crabs, collecting shells, and spotting marine life. We also added the floating lily pad and water basketball, which kept everyone entertained for hours. Having your own boat lets you explore at your own pace, and it's one of the best ways to experience Destin from the water.

Offshore Fishing with Silver Lining Charter

One of the biggest highlights of our trip was heading offshore with Silver Lining Charter.

Captain Joe made the entire experience fun, educational, and perfect for families—even with our 8-month-old baby on board! Watching the kids catch fish after fish (including some bigger than the adults!) was something we'll never forget.

To make the experience even better, we turned it into a "Cook Your Catch" lunch afterward at Brotula's. There's something incredibly satisfying about eating fish your family caught just hours earlier, and they prepared it perfectly.

Sunset Sailing & Dolphins Everywhere

I honestly don't think we've ever seen so many dolphins in one trip.

Our sunset sail with East Pass Sailing Company was absolutely magical. Between the gorgeous sunset over the Gulf and dolphins swimming alongside the boat, it was one of those experiences that reminded us to slow down and simply enjoy being together.

If you're looking for a relaxing evening activity, this one is an easy 10/10.

Free Family Activities with Little Adventures

One of our favorite hidden gems we discovered in Destin-Fort Walton Beach was their Little Adventures program.

They offer free activities throughout the week (yes, totally free!) ranging from surfing, fishing, snorkeling, and more, and our kids absolutely loved participating in the surf class. The instructors were incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and made learning fun for every age.

Be sure to reserve your spots ahead of time because these activities fill up quickly.

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park ended up being one of our kids' favorite attractions.

The open-air aquarium makes the entire experience feel much more interactive than a traditional aquarium. We loved seeing marine animals up close, and the dolphin show completely stole the show. It was educational, entertaining, and something our entire family—from the baby to the grandparents—genuinely enjoyed.

Our Favorite Restaurants

One of the best parts about vacation? Eating your way through town.

Here are the restaurants we're still talking about long after coming home.

Dewey Destin's Original

If you're looking for fresh seafood with incredible sunset views, this is the place. The waterfront atmosphere is relaxed, the seafood couldn't be fresher, and it's one of those restaurants where you'll want to stay long after dinner just to enjoy the view.

Oasis on the Boardwalk

Perfect for breakfast or a mid-day refresh. Their acai bowls were some of the best we've had, and the boardwalk location makes it a fun spot for people watching while soaking up the beach atmosphere.

Sura Korean Steakhouse

As someone from Houston, I don't say this lightly—but Sura completely exceeded our expectations. The authentic Korean BBQ experience was outstanding, and the wagyu bites were easily one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.

The Crab Trap

This has become one of our must-visit restaurants every time we're in Destin. Order the Bear Dye crabs—you won't regret it. Pair that with panoramic beach views, and it's the kind of meal that reminds you why beach vacations are so special.

Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer

Besides preparing our fresh catch after fishing, Brotula's deserves its own mention. Their cheesy grits are still something I'm craving, and having the chefs prepare fish we caught earlier that day made for one of the most memorable meals of our vacation.

Why We'll Keep Coming Back

Every year we visit Destin-Fort Walton Beach, we discover something new.

Whether it's boating around the Gulf, spotting dolphins at sunset, fishing offshore, exploring marine life, trying another locally owned restaurant, or simply relaxing by the pool at our Southern Vacation Rentals home after a full day of adventures, this destination continues to be one of our family's favorite places to reconnect.

If you're planning your next beach vacation, I highly recommend looking beyond the beach itself. Destin-Fort Walton Beach is filled with locally owned businesses, passionate guides, incredible restaurants, and unforgettable experiences that allow every family to create a vacation that's uniquely their own.

For us, it wasn't just another beach trip—it was a week full of memories we'll be talking about for years to come. And thanks to Southern Vacation Rentals, we had the perfect home base to experience it all.