One of the greatest places to visit during the summer months is the beach. One in particular that has everyone talking about is Destin, Florida. What I love about visiting the Emerald Coast is the beaches, the different towns, and the vibes are just absolutely amazing. 

Why Visit?

The Emerald Coast offers pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters that’ll make you feel like you’re in paradise. One favorite of ours is that it is a relaxing destination. You are not rushing for the next theme park ride or beating the crowd to visit iconic locations. You are literally relaxing at the beach, enjoying time with your loved ones and making memories. This is why I love Destin and why I recommend anyone to visit.

Apart from Destin, there are other towns that you can visit if you’ve already visited Destin and want to visit somewhere new. There is Miramar Beach, which is about 20 minutes from Destin, Sandestin, or take the iconic Highway 30A and visit the many coast towns like Santa Rosa beach, Grayton Beach, WaterColor, Seaside, Seagrove, Watersound, Alys Beach, Seacrest, and Rosemary beach.

Last week, I visited with my family to Miramar Beach and the town never fails to amaze me. There are so many things to do and the town keeps growing each year. Although we went for four days and couldn’t fit so many things in our itinerary, we were able to do just enough. That’s the beauty of traveling to the Emerald Coast: there is so many things to do and it’s never a boring destination.

Beaches to Visit?

Destin

Destin is the well-known destination to many people. Because it is very well known, expect the town to be busy. There are many entertainment things to do in Destin, from Harborwalk Village to Dolphin Cruises and visiting the famous Crab Island, Destin is a great place to visit if you’re looking for a fun getaway with family or even with friends.

Miramar Beach

Miramar Beach, located just a short drive from Destin, offered a different experience. If you want a more slow-paced, quiet environment, Miramar Beach is the perfect destination. I personally love staying here every time we visit the emerald coast, simply because we just want to relax at the beach, and I think this is more of a family-friendly beach.

30A

30A is a charming coastal community with a unique vibe. The scenic drive along the beautiful Gulf Coast was a treat in itself. The towns along 30A are known for their picturesque beaches, aesthetic picture worthy towns, and the vibe each town offered was amazing. Each town has its own style and vibe and I will mention each 30A town below.

Where to stay?

Ariel Dunes Seascape Resort at Miramar Beach

Ariel Dunes condos is our favorite go-to place to stay. There are so many great things we love about this place! From the distance to the beach, to the numerous pools this place offers, and the spaceous condos, this is our home away from home. The amenities include:

• Onsite Fitness Center
• Onsite Dining/Entertainment (located in Ariel Dunes I)
• 1-3 Bedroom Condominium Units
• Free Wi-Fi
• Two Ariel Dunes Buildings (Ariel Dunes I and II)
• Tennis Courts
• Balconies for all rooms

If you’re looking to stay at Miramar Beach, check this place out. It’s family-friendly, affordable, and you can book in any third party websites or on their direct website.

The Grand Sandestin

Have you ever stayed at the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World Resort? Well, this may not be the Grand Floridian, but in terms of architectural style, the Grand Sandestin Resort is almost identical. Located in Sandestin, this resort is beautiful inside and out. Such a quiet, traditional, and luxurious resort, you’ll be enamored as soon as you walk in.

As you step into the grand lobby, you are immediately greeted by the elegant decor, the grand piano, the grand fire place, and antique decor. This resort also includes a wide range of accomodations to suit every traveler’s needs.

When it comes to dining, you’ll not need a car, an uber or even a golf cart. All you have to do is walk less than 3 minutes to the Village of Baytowne Wharf, as it is right up the alley. Trust me, you’ll save time, gas, and frustration.

Overall, The Grand Sandestin is a top-notch resort that promises an unparalleled vacation experience. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, this resort provides the perfect setting to create lasting memories with loved ones.

Where to Eat? Restaurants + Desserts

Shunk Gulley

Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar, located in Santa Rosa beach, is a favorite seafood destination. From Oysters to Fried Shrimp, this place has become a must-visit for seafood lovers. The star of the show is none other than the oysters. Shunk Gulley offers grilled oysters (Cheddar Jalapeños and Meyer Lemon Garlic) and naked oysters. Not only do they just offer oysters, but they have a wide selection of seafood dishes like po’ boys, fried shrimp, catch of the day, and delicious fish tacos.

What I love about this place is, it offers a laid back atmosphere for its patrons. The second floor offers stunning views of Santa Rosa beach and offer live entertainment. Check this place out on your next visit!

El Jalisco Destin

Next up is a recent favorite called El Jalisco Destin, located in Destin Commons. As a mexican family, we were a little nervous about this place because, lets be honest, Texas has the best Mexican food. After reading the reviews, there were far more positive reviews than negatives, but we wanted to check this place out and see for oursleves how the food was.

To our surprise, this place hits close to home. The restaurant offers authentic mexican cuisine with traditional dishes. From enchiladas verdes, to sizzling fajitas, the flavors from each dish we ordered was 10/10. Their steak, chicken and shrimp has delicious flavors and they were cooked to perfection. Overall, El Jalisco is a must visit for mexican food lovers and I can’t wait to return and eat some more of their delicious Nachos. Buen provecho!

Donut Hole

Donut Hole, located in three different locations but I visited the one in Miramar Beach, is a must visit for all donut lovers. This charming little restaurant has gained quite the reputation for its delectable donuts and breakfast. Donut Hole offers an array of options: old fashioned, red velvet, key lime, sprinkles, chocolate covered devils food, vanilla, strawberry angel, and so many others to name, but they are all so delicious!

What sets Donut Hole apart from other donut shops is they also offer breakfast options. Not only is it a donut shop but its also a dining place. Their pancakes are big and don’t forget to try their daily specials! One thing that I didn’t like about this place is how heavily and easily packed this place gets in the morning. There are two lines to get in, one for donuts and one for sit down at the breakfast area. So, if you find yourself in Destin, be sure to stop by (early) to Donut Hole.

Moo La-La Ice Cream & Desserts

If you’re looking for some good ice cream after dinner, stop by at Moo La-La Ice Cream! This rustic but charming ice cream parlor offers a great selection of delicious flavors, from Butter Pecan, to Salty Caramel Truffle, all of their flavors are delicious and there is a great selection for everyone. Not only do they offer ice cream, but they also offer desserts like fudge, key lime pie, new york cheesecake, cookies, jelly/jam, and they offer sundaes and shakes.

Kilwins

Sweet in every sense, Kilwins is a favorite for many people. Not only do they offer a great selection of ice cream, but Kilwins is known for their wide variation of fudge. Kilwins invites passerby like me to step inside and indulge in a world of delectable treats. The moment you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by friendly staff members ready to help you with any recommendations.

The shop’s commitment to quality and its charming atmosphere make it a go-to destination for anyone with a sweet tooth. Next time you’re in town, don’t hesitate to step into a Kilwins shop and indulge in a world of deligth confections.

Places to check out

The Village of Baytowne Wharf

The Village of Baytowne Wharf, located in Sandestin, is an amazing spot filled with entertainment, shops, restaurants, made for families. One of the highlights of Baytowne Wharf is the Adventure area that offers exciting activities for kids like ziplining, rope courses, rock climbing, and other fun activities. There is also a carousel, an arcade, and playground, ensuring that no one gets bored.

In addition, Baytowne Wharf offers so many restaurants, ice cream shops, and candy shops. There are also live concerts, scheduled entertainments (movie mondays, wednesday night concerts, etc.) so check out their website for any upcoming entertainment schedule.

30A | Seaside, Grayton Beach, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach

30A is an iconic scenic Highway that runs along the Gulf Coast between Destin and Panama City Beach that includes a variety of small towns filled with amazing communities, food, entertainment and beaches. One of the reasons why this area is not overly popular like Destin is because the towns are quaint, slow paced, but offer the true meaning of a relaxing vacation.

Each town has a different vibe than the other. One can say, the archetectural styles differ from the others, where if you visit Alys Beach, you’ll feel like you’re in Greece with its beautiful white styled buildings.

Seaside is famous for its colorful beach cottages and idyllic town center. There you will find charming shops, great dining options, and you’ll still find that pristine white sand, emerald color beach.

If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, consider Grayton beach. This town is known for its bohemian feel and offers a tranquil escape.

Are you a fan of arts and culture? Rosemary Beach is your go-to town. The town is knowns for its stunning new urbanist design with beautiful cobblestone streets and Mediterranean-inspired buildings. Rosemary Beach offers art galleries, boutiques, and amazing dining options, this place is a true haven for artistic souls.

No matter which town you choose along the 30A coast, you are guaranteed to be enchanged with the beauty and charm this destination offers.

Destin Commons | Silver Sands premium outlets

If you want to take a break from the beach and want to shop, stop by the many shopping areas Destin and Miramar beach has to offer.

Visit Destin Commons, a popular outdoor shopping center located in Destin. This shopping center has over 90 stores like Abercrombie Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Bass Pro Shops, Express, Francesca’s, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Torrid, Bath & Body Works, Sephora and many other well-known stores. You’ll also find restaurants, outdoor kids activities and a movie theather.

Silver Sands Premium Outlets is one of the largest designer outlet centers in the coast. You’ll find great deals on brands like Nike, Michael Kors, Coach, and much more.

Last thoughts

Overall, our family trip to Destin, Miramar Beach, and 30A was unforgettable. From the stunning beaches to the shopping and dining experiences, there was something for everyone. It’s a destination that offers endless possibilities for exploration and relaxation. We can’t wait to go back and discover even more hidden gems in this coastal paradise.

Have you visited Destin, Miramar, or 30A? I would love to read your experiences and if you haven’t visited yet, I strongly urge you to visit soon!