Top Destin, Florida Attractions

Grand Boulevard, Sandestin

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.

City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Fort Walton Beach

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, Destin

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.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

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.

Coastal Dune Lakes, South Walton

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.

Destin Pass Jetties, Destin

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.

Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

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.

Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

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.

Deer Lake State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

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.

Point Washington State Forest, Santa Rosa 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.

 

Underwater Museum of Art, Walton County

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.

Hurricane Lanes, Destin

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.

The Track Family Recreation Center, Destin

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.

Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, Destin

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.