Destin, Florida

Destin, FL

Attractions

DANCING DOLPHINS TO HISTORIC MUSEUMS

At Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island, where the only castles are made of white sand and the most razzle is the dazzling jewel tone of the Gulf, simplicity is celebrated with nothing fancy, just fun "flip-flop" museums, aerial and aqua acrobatics, and the purest of pleasures. . . dancing dolphins, sand dollars and postcard perfect sunrises and sunsets.

NATURAL INSPIRATIONS

THE BEACHES AND THE WATERS
Whether likened to fine sugar or powdery snow, pearls, chalk or porcelain, the shores stretch like miles of ribboning white satin and are simply sensational -- perhaps even shockingly, sun-bleached white. Acclaimed as the "Number One Beach in the South" by readers of Southern Living for the sixth year in a row, the water is illuminated brilliant green by the near-blinding whiteness, creating a collaboration which is undeniably the star "attraction." Continuing to surpass expectations -- the coupling showcases both sunrises and sunsets.

THE SHALLOWS
Dancing dolphins display mesmerizing grace and unabashed playfulness as they tumble and twirl within the breeding ground of the shallows along the Santa Rosa Sound and Destin Harbor. Daily duneside seating is compliments of Mother Nature.

AMUSEMENTS

GULFARIUM - (850) 244-5169
One of America's original marine parks (1955), it hosts Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, Peruvian penguins, Ridley turtles and more in 14 fascinating Gulf-edged exhibits. Dolphin stars Princess, Panama and Delilah delight with feats from comedic soccer games to 18-foot (540cm) leaps toward the clouds.

U.S. AIR FORCE ARMAMENT MUSEUM - (850) 882-4062
Riddled with bombs, one of only three U.S. museums dedicated to the display of Air Force armament is "protected" by 25 reconnaissance, fighter and bomber planes such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane. Four wars -- WWII, Korean, Vietnam and Persian Gulf -- are spanned through a fighter cockpit simulator, thousands of weapons, war films, photography exhibits and more.

INDIAN TEMPLE MOUND AND MUSEUM - (850) 833-9595
The 6,000-piece exhibit, showcasing America's largest collection of Southeastern Indian ceramic artifacts, journeys through 10,000 years of four prehistoric tribes. The largest Indian mound discovered along saltwater (1400 A.D.) stands guard beside the museum.

EMERALD COAST SCIENCE CENTER - (850) 664-1261
A child's fantasy museum of science, it stimulates the imagination with interactional fun and great kids' stuff like a reflecting Castle of Mirrors, "adult-sized" bubble makers, a literally hair-raising Vandergraph generator, an electrifying Illuma Storm and more.

The Track Family Fun Center
The Track in Destin is your family headquarters for fun Our action-packed fun center features everything from the ultimate in go-cart tracks, like our Wild Woody three-tiered go-kart/roller coaster hybrid, to big fun for little tykes at Kids Country. Challenge your friends to miniature golf, splash em on Bumper Boats, or test your courage at our bungee jumping tower.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

THE ZOO (GULF BREEZE) - (850) 932-2229
Colossus, one of the world's largest gorillas, reigns as "king" over a 700 beast jungle -- hosting towering giraffes to white Bengal tigers -- with a 50-acre African veldt, petting zoo, pachyderm rides, reptile demonstrations and face-to-face giraffe feedings.

FLORIDA CAVERNS (MARIANNA) - (850) 482-9598
Dripping with stalagmites and stalactites, Florida's only limestone caverns wind through underground depths for fascinating public tours.

EDEN STATE GARDENS (POINT WASHINGTON) - (850) 231-4214
An 1895 Greek revival estate, surrounded by a Southern spread of immense moss-draped oaks and resplendent gardens of camellias and azaleas, overlooks the picturesque Choctawhatchee Bay with the charming character of days gone by.

Some Content Courtesy Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau