Located in the panhandle of the state, with its stunning white-sand beaches and clear, emerald-green waters, it's no surprise that Destin is a popular destination for travelers across the country.
When you stay at Hilton Sandestin Beach, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of sun-soaked activities without leaving the property, including beachfront yoga, poolside lounging and sand-in-the-toes dining. Should you decide to venture into the city for a day or two, there are a few Destin, Florida activities we recommend. Whether you're looking for a state park, outlet mall, historic center, art gallery or an opportunity to get on the water, there are countless ways to make your vacation memorable.
For help planning an off-property excursion, call the Hilton Sandestin Beach Activities Desk at 850-267-9500 ext 41.
Grand Boulevard Sandestin is the large-scale shop, dine, play and stay Town Center located closest to Hilton Sandestin Beach. The Center offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to a multitude of exclusive shopping and dining options, entertainment and professional services. Retail stores include lululemon, Blue Mercury, Anthropologie, Billabong, Vineyard Vines and Tommy Bahama. Grand Boulevard has more than a dozen casual and fine dining restaurants including Cantina Laredo Modern Mexican, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Emeril’s Coastal. Art galleries, a 10-screen movie theater, salons and parks can be enjoyed throughout this pedestrian-friendly Center.
This is an educational and cultural center that aims to preserve, interpret and present the prehistory and history of the Fort Walton Beach community and the Northwest Florida area from 14,000 B.C. through the 1950s. The Center encompasses the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound and the Civil War Exhibit Building.
Silver Sands Premium Outlets is one of the country’s best outlet centers – home to 110 designer and name-brand outlet stores, as well as to several dining options including Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Gifts, beauty and food, housewares, accessories, luggage, shoes, and designer fashions for men, women and children are all offered here. Stores include Banana Republic, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. Guests of Hilton Sandestin Beach have complimentary shuttle service to and from the Destin shopping area.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf, with its restaurants, nightlife offerings, festivals, parades, concerts and other special events, is much more than just a shopping center. But for shopaholics, the village’s unique retailers shouldn’t be missed. They include Artful Soap Co., Barefoot Princess, Coconut Kidz, Sandestin Clothing Company, Sundries General Market and more. The charming near Destin attraction is located on the banks of the Choctawhatchee Bay, is close to Hilton Sandestin Beach, and shuttles run there regularly from the resort. The village is also home to Baytowne Adventure Zone’s zip line and ropes course, arcades, a carousel, playground and various restaurants and nightlife venues.
Destin Commons, voted "Best Place to Shop" by readers of Emerald Coast magazine, continues to set the standard as Northwest Florida's premier open-air lifestyle center. Set on 56 acres featuring over 600,000 square feet, the center includes more than 70 retail stores and restaurants offering the finest shopping, dining and entertainment, including Bass Pro Shops, Belk, AMC Destin 14-screen stadium style movie theater, H&M and Uncle Buck's Fishbowl & Grill. Destin Commons also offers free Wi-Fi access, an interactive fountain and Pirate's Cove children's soft play area.
The Market Shops are a collection of unique local boutiques just outside the entrance to the resort. Guests can walk or bike to The Market Shops, or ride the complimentary shuttle from the resort. At this Destin attraction, you’ll find everything from clothing and swimwear to chocolate, art and more. Boutiques include Sunset Shoes, Chapeau and Chocolat, Baytowne Jewelers and more. There are also some local eateries at The Market Shops including Charlie Graingers, Bijoux Restaurant & Spirits and DIG eatery.
Rent a canoe to paddle one of the park's three (very rare) coastal dune lakes. You can also rent a bike or hike to explore, and you’ll see why Topsail is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. At this state park near Destin, you can also find 3.2 miles of secluded beaches and 25-foot dunes.
This area is home to fifteen coastal dune lakes. These ecosystems are unique and rare — only found in South Walton, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the United States Northwest Pacific Coast.
For adventurous anglers, the Destin Pass Jetties offer boulder piles from which you can fish throughout the year. A fishing license is required. The jetties also make for terrific snorkeling.
At Eden Gardens you can picnic on the grounds of the historic Wesley mansion, a beautifully renovated two-story house with elegant white columns and a wrap-around porch. The house is surrounded by live oaks and gardens for heritage roses, butterflies and, in season, camellias and azaleas. The outdoor attraction also features a one-mile hiking trail.
Hike the nature trail or spend an afternoon on the pristine beach, which consistently ranks among the country’s most beautiful. Activities at Grayton Beach also include surf fishing, as well as freshwater and saltwater fishing, canoeing and kayaking on Western Lake.
In this coastal dune habitat, you'll find southern magnolias, golden asters, woody goldenrods and scrub oaks. Deer Lake State Park is a beautiful backdrop for a picnic with the family, a serene fishing trip or a day at the beach.
Enjoy camping, lake access, nature trails and a picnic pavilion at Point Washington State Forest. Traverse the trails on foot, bike or horseback at this beautiful natural attraction not far from Destin.
Located 58 feet below the Gulf of Mexico, off the shores of Grayton Beach State Park, the Underwater Museum of Art features the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the U.S. Each year, a new sculpture is selected from submissions across the globe to join this aquatic installation. This Destin attraction doubles as an artificial reef system, drawing a variety of marine life to the area. Hilton Sandestin Beach has proudly sponsored four of the sculptures displayed to this day.
Located on the corner of US Hwy 98 and Matthew Boulevard, Hurricane Lanes is one of the best rainy day Destin Florida activities. Take your spin at one of the 26 bowling lanes. Or, challenge friends & family to a round of pool, ping-pong or an intergalactic battle in the family-friendly arcade.
Race to the finish at The Track Family Recreation Center, a Destin attraction featuring five go-kart tracks for every level of driver. Young racers can chase the thrill while traveling at a safe speed on the Kiddie Track, while older drivers can zip at top speeds down the Slick Track.
Every family vacation should include a stop at this Destin attraction. Named one of America’s best water parks by the Travel Channel, Big Kahuna’s features more than 40 water attractions including, water slides, pools, kiddie areas and a wave pool. For those seeking an activity on dry land, the Adventure Park features tropical mini golf and a heart-racing Sky Coaster.
For marine life lovers, this top attraction near Destin offers various animal encounters. At the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, guests can get up close and personal with stingrays, sea lions and even penguins. Unique activities include painting with dolphins, a reptile safari and an encounter with a 500-pound alligator named Brutus.
The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center aims to preserve the history of the Fort Walton Beach community and the Northwest Florida area from 14,000 B.C. through the 20th Century. The attraction encompasses the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound and the Civil War Exhibit Building.
Take a break from the beach and head to AMC Classic Boulevard 10, the area’s closest digital theater featuring the newest movies. Enjoy a film with stadium seating, innovative digital sound systems and tons of legroom between each row.
Take a break from the beach to go shopping, fishing or golfing with complimentary access to our resort shuttle service.