Vacation experts (Destin or San Destin?) (3 Viewers)

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boutrous said:
As far as beach vacations go in driving distance from New Orleans, Destin has the best varity of resturants. I wouldn't go just for the food, but if your are going to the beach anyway and enjoy eating out, Destin is one of the best places. Not to mention the beachs and water are so much nicer, too. I find Destin has pretty much everything you could want. If you just want to bum it up at the beach, Pensacola or Gulf Shores are cheaper alternatives. If you are like me who likes being at the beach but prefers to have all the amenities, too, then Destin is the best place we have found.

Barto, what kind of food do you like and what didn't you enjoy about the first time you went. Maybe I could make some suggestions.
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I guess i should clarify, i didn't have a bad time or didn't enjoy myself during my first trip there. It just wasn't exactly what i was expecting. First of all, i'm one of those people who don't mind a place being touristy or crowded. Matter of fact, i typically enjoy that because that means there is "usually" a lot of different things to do.

I'm originally from South Carolina, so i've been to Myrtle Beach a bunch of times. I would guess most people have heard of Myrtle Beach. It's similar to Destin, only in that it's the most popular vacation spot for people in North and South Carolina. Matter of fact, people from all over come to Myrtle Beach for the golf, beaches, shopping and fried seafood. The Beaches are not "nearly as nice" as Destin and that is where Destin really sets themselves apart from Myrtle Beach.

I say all of that because i'm used to Myrtle Beach and all of the extra amenities that are available there. I suppose that is what i was expecting in Destin. Don't get me wrong, all of those things i was looking for were in Destin, perhaps just not as much in overall #'s as i was expecting.

As far as foods that i like to eat. I'm a big fan of New Orleans style cuisine and any great Steak House. Considering it was my first time in Destin, i had absolutely no clue where to go for dinner. Sadly, the group that i went with ended up going to PF Changs and Bone Fish grille for dinner. The other night we cooked in the Condo.

When i go on vacation, i like to go out to some place nice for dinner and like cooking burgers, chicken, hot dogs etc for lunch if the facilities are available. If i'm not doing that, then i usually just make a sandwich or will get a pizza.
 
Is Sandestin kind of like Beaches of South Walton?

If so, Destin and Sandestin are completely different. Destin is more the party place with a younger crowd. Sandestin would be the more laid back upscale family atmosphere. Both are good but tailored to a different crowd, just depends on what you want to do.
 
B-Rich said:
By the way, going about a half-hour further than Sandestin and getting a cottage or beach house along Hwy 30-A (like at Seaside or Dune Allen) beats either Destin OR Sandestin....
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My friends and I do this every few summers. getting the beach house is much better than being in a condo or hotel. I love the Destin area, and I can't wait to take my family there on vacations in the future.
 
barto said:
As far as foods that i like to eat. I'm a big fan of New Orleans style cuisine and any great Steak House. Considering it was my first time in Destin, i had absolutely no clue where to go for dinner. Sadly, the group that i went with ended up going to PF Changs and Bone Fish grille for dinner. The other night we cooked in the Condo.
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Ah no wonder. Destin is "busy" for Gulf Coast standards, but not nearly as "busy" as Myrtle Beach. You would have to go to an Atlantic Coast Florida beach for a scene like that (Daytona, Miami, Fort Laurderdale for example).

Here are some good Destin area resturant's:

Steak:
Longhorn Steak House
Destin Chops (I have not been to this one but I hear it's good but pricey)
Coach-N-Four Steak House (Fort Walton, very good!)

Mexican:
Cantina Laredo (Sandestin, very good!!!)
La Paz Restaurant & Cantina

Asian:
Royal Orchid Thai Restaurant

Pizza:
Mellow Mushroom

Others:
Pompano Joe's
Whale's Tail (this burned down last year I am not sure if they rebuilt)
Camelia Grill (yes like the one in New Orleans)
there is a Commander's Palace, too but I have not personally been there
 
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barto said:
I guess i should clarify, i didn't have a bad time or didn't enjoy myself during my first trip there. It just wasn't exactly what i was expecting. First of all, i'm one of those people who don't mind a place being touristy or crowded. Matter of fact, i typically enjoy that because that means there is "usually" a lot of different things to do.

I'm originally from South Carolina, so i've been to Myrtle Beach a bunch of times. I would guess most people have heard of Myrtle Beach. It's similar to Destin, only in that it's the most popular vacation spot for people in North and South Carolina. Matter of fact, people from all over come to Myrtle Beach for the golf, beaches, shopping and fried seafood. The Beaches are not "nearly as nice" as Destin and that is where Destin really sets themselves apart from Myrtle Beach.

I say all of that because i'm used to Myrtle Beach and all of the extra amenities that are available there. I suppose that is what i was expecting in Destin. Don't get me wrong, all of those things i was looking for were in Destin, perhaps just not as much in overall #'s as i was expecting.

As far as foods that i like to eat. I'm a big fan of New Orleans style cuisine and any great Steak House. Considering it was my first time in Destin, i had absolutely no clue where to go for dinner. Sadly, the group that i went with ended up going to PF Changs and Bone Fish grille for dinner. The other night we cooked in the Condo.

When i go on vacation, i like to go out to some place nice for dinner and like cooking burgers, chicken, hot dogs etc for lunch if the facilities are available. If i'm not doing that, then i usually just make a sandwich or will get a pizza.
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Fudpuckers is a must if you're in Destin. Make sure to visit the gift shop and grab a t-shirt when you do go. I get a different one every time we visit.
 
SWJJ said:
My wife's family owns a home in sandestin. If you like golf and the beach I highly reccomend Sandestin.

Try and eat at the ocean club, best dining in the area. The Hilton resort is Sandestin is incrediably nice.

Sandestin also has a little village of shops resturants and bars that make for an enjoyable night life.
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The little shop village has a New Orleans style look to it, nice place.
 
boutrous said:
Ah no wonder. Destin is "busy" for Gulf Coast standards, but not nearly as "busy" as Myrtle Beach. You would have to go to an Atlantic Coast Florida beach for a scene like that (Daytona, Miami, Fort Laurderdale for example).

Here are some good Destin area resturant's:

Steak:
Longhorn Steak House
Destin Chops (I have not been to this one but I hear it's good but pricey)
Coach-N-Four Steak House (Fort Walton, very good!)

Mexican:
Cantina Laredo (Sandestin, very good!!!)
La Paz Restaurant & Cantina

Asian:
Royal Orchid Thai Restaurant

Pizza:
Mellow Mushroom

Others:
Pompano Joe's
Whale's Tail (this burned down last year I am not sure if they rebuilt)
Camelia Grill (yes like the one in New Orleans)
there is a Commander's Palace, too but I have not personally been there
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Thanks for all the recommendations. I'm fairly certain we are going to rent a condo in San Destin and will be certain to print out your restaurant suggestions for my trip.

:plus-un2:
 
I have always preferred Destin to Sandestin. For me, Sandestin is a little stuffy and less of a party town. That may be due to my brother living in Ft. Walton and being friends with 75% of the bartenders in Destin. :upchug:

Still, Sandestin would probably win out for a nice family vacation if I ever took one of those.
 
Sandestin is a resort, NOT a town.

What most people call Destin is not really destin at all. Most will refer to the area from the Bridge (Holiday Isle) all the way to the 30A area (South Walton) as Destin.

If you want to relax on a beach with no distractions, go to 30A...Grayton Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Seaside, Water Color

If you want a crowded beach (depends on the time of year) and plenty restaurants and some nightlife, go to.....Mirimar Beach, Crystal Beach, Sandestin

If you want cheaper and older condos (some new) that are all still close to the action, stay in Destin along the harbor and south of the harbor.

And PLEASE, I beg you, unless you have kids that you are trying to entertain, DO NOT go to Fudpuckers. Especially if you are looking for good food.
 
Didn't feel like starting a thread, and this one seemed as good as any for a jumping off point...so weeks of sub zero temps and literally 35+" of snow has my wife itching for a getaway. Won't be doing our annual Bahamas trip, since leaving the country is slightly dicey. I have spent a lot of time in my life in FLA, but never on the panhandle/gulf shores area and it seems like a nice spot.

I started looking in Gulf Shores, and then a little in Orange Beach...now have been looking in Destin and moving search into Miramar Beach. It is going to be me, my wife and 5 yr old daughter, along with my good buddy and his wife plus two young boys. Looking to rent a house for a week and getting right onto beach or real close (good views a must). 4 bedrooms with nice amenities and private pool/outdoor space, close enough to walk to nice restaurants and bars in evening--or at least a short Uber.

Which of these areas should I be zeroing in on my search?? Looking at last week of April.
Thanks!
 
SAINT__STEVEN said:
Didn't feel like starting a thread, and this one seemed as good as any for a jumping off point...so weeks of sub zero temps and literally 35+" of snow has my wife itching for a getaway. Won't be doing our annual Bahamas trip, since leaving the country is slightly dicey. I have spent a lot of time in my life in FLA, but never on the panhandle/gulf shores area and it seems like a nice spot.

I started looking in Gulf Shores, and then a little in Orange Beach...now have been looking in Destin and moving search into Miramar Beach. It is going to be me, my wife and 5 yr old daughter, along with my good buddy and his wife plus two young boys. Looking to rent a house for a week and getting right onto beach or real close (good views a must). 4 bedrooms with nice amenities and private pool/outdoor space, close enough to walk to nice restaurants and bars in evening--or at least a short Uber.

Which of these areas should I be zeroing in on my search?? Looking at last week of April.
Thanks!
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almost anything past Pensacola is pretty good...the water and beaches in the Gulf Shores area aren't nearly as nice looking as places not much further east...plus who actually wants to vacation in Alabama??

check out Carillon Beach....really nice place with some pretty amazing houses for rent....it's closer to Panama City
 

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