Top 10 Family-Friendly Destin Activities

Compass Resorts The Palms of Destin Blog Post Top 10 Family-Friendly Things to Do in Destin

Destin is a great place for the whole family to vacation. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and white sugar sand beaches, this Floridian oasis offers plenty of things to do both indoors and out. From nearby beaches and parks to adventure zones and amusement centers, Destin offers boatloads of fun for all ages. And you can easily travel to the area’s best family-friendly attractions from your Destin vacation rental!

Choose Your Own Water Adventure

One of the best ways to experience the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village" is on the water. And, the best way to enjoy the gulf's blue-green shores is to choose your own adventure aboard Navigator! A 50' Viking Convertible, Navigator is excellently equipped for luxury fishing charters, tournament fishing, and private cruise charters. Enjoy sunset dolphin cruises with the kids or book a fishing charter with some friends. You can customize your experience with a variety of charter packages, including overnight and food package options, and make lifelong memories on the Emerald Coast.

High-Speed Entertainment

You don't have to race to the finish line to find something fun at The Track. There's something everyone will enjoy at this family fun recreation center. Check out amusements like The Wild Woody, a three-story go-kart roller coaster hybrid. You can also race on the large figure-eight road track. There's also miniature golf, blaster boats, and bumper cars. Part of the attractions is Kids Country, which features a carousel, ferris wheel, swings, spinning tops, and two smaller go-kart tracks. Plus, The Track is close to some of our more popular resorts and on-site locations, like Silver Beach Towers, Silver Shells, and Sterling Shores!

Cool Off at the Water Park

Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park has been a landmark attraction in central Destin since 1986. The water park features over 40 water attractions including a four-lane racing slide, a zero-entry wave pool, lazy river, and a large area of kid-friendly rides, slides, fountains, and wading pools. It’s the ultimate summer adventure park where kids can roam freely while adults relax in one of the four cabana areas. Big Kahuna’s is the largest water park on the Emerald Coast, and an attraction that should not be missed by families staying in one of our nearby Destin vacation rentals!

Enjoy Local Food Favorites

Destin is famous for our fresh, local fish, and you can find some at almost every popular restaurant in the area. One of the newest, coolest restaurants in Destin is The Palms Bistro, which is on-site here at the Palms of Destin Resort. It's an all-American bistro serving a wonderful variety of lunch, dinner, and drink options. Stop by The Coffeehouse for a morning cuppa and small bites, or spend the afternoon with a cold drink overlooking the lagoon pool from the The Good Vibes Bar. And while you're here, take the family to Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill for flavor and fun, or enjoy date night with fresh, upscale dishes at Vin'tij Wine Boutique & Bistro. Your Destin vacation won't be the same if you don't try some of the local catch!

Spend the Day Shopping

If you need a break from the outdoors, spend some time shopping at one of Destin's popular shopping centers featuring brands the whole family will love. Centrally located in Destin nearby our vacation rentals, the Destin Commons is an open-air shopping center that's literally a half of a million square feet of shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Commons includes an AMC Theater, World of Beer, H&M, Sephora, and more than 90 other venues to explore. Further toward our South Walton vacation rental properties, Silver Sands Premium Outlets is another popular open-air shopping center that's home to over 90 different shops and restaurants, including brands like Nike, The Disney Store, and Auntie Anne's.

Play All Day On-Site

Our on-site locations Silver Beach Towers Resort and Silver Shells Beach Resort & Spa offer water sports and other beach services for our guests, so you don't even have to leave the resort to enjoy the beach. You'll have access to jet skis, parasailing, a banana boat, dolphin tours, kayaks, paddle boards, beach chairs, and more just by staying with us. These beach services are provided by Catch22 Beach Service & Watersports and Costa Verde, who provide all the equipment you could want to enjoy the sun and surf during your stay. Just make sure to get to our on-sites private beaches early in the morning to have first dibs on what equipment's available!

Experience Crab Island

Book a Navigator charter and take the family to Crab Island! While it’s received a reputation as a party spot, Crab Island has long been a family-friendly attraction that everyone will love. Located on the bay side of the Destin Bridge, this famous underwater island is where everyone anchors to enjoy their family, friends, and the beautiful water and weather Destin has to offer. The water depth varies from two to ten feet deep depending on where you anchor. Get out on the water early to grab a spot and enjoy the sandbar and crystal clear waters. Locals, tourists, and businesses alike gather on Crab Island for summertime fun in the sun!

Slip into Relaxation at The Spa

Savor the relaxation of our beach vacation with a day trip to The Spa at Silver Shells. A day at The Spa will add a healthy, rejuvenating dimension to your vacation or business travel. With our delightful facials, massages, body treatments, nail care, and top notch hair care, you’ll leave with a new appreciation for just how great you can feel. Enjoy our steam room and saunas or take a dip in our heated indoor/outdoor pool or jacuzzi. Relax, re-energize, and stay for a while! (Massage Establishment License # MM39484)

Rock Out on the Docks

Enjoy weekly concerts at HarborWalk Village, Destin's largest outdoor venue for shopping, dining, and entertainment located right on the water. Make every summer a hit with a different act every week. Locally and nationally acclaimed musicians and performers will entertain you and the whole family. There are also weekly fireworks, parades, and an array of restaurants. HarborWalk Village is centrally located in Destin, so you won't have to travel far from your vacation rental to enjoy live music on the water!

Sneak in Educational Fun

Located in Fort Walton Beach near our Okaloosa Island vacation rentals, the Emerald Coast Science Center offers interactive, educational exhibits. The Science Center focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) through its regular exhibits, events, workshops, and programs. In the museum, patronsof all ages can experience touchable, workable exhibits that teach natural phenomena and basic scientific principles. The center displays over 45 exhibits within 8,000 square feet of indoor space and two acres of property including robotics, live animals, SMALLab Learning, and much more. Discover how your entire family can learn and have fun together!