Hey, mamas near and far! If you are planning a trip down south and want to do the beach for your next spring break or summer vacation, you have to go to Destin. When we went last year, we drove all the way down and did it road trip style. And this year, we found out that Allegiant Airlines has a hub in Ft. Walton with direct flights from Louisville! It was a really cool experience from takeoff to our return home. And, if you’re wondering, Where is the best place to stay in Destin, Florida?, Newman-Dailey is your answer!
In this review of our annual family trip to Destin, I’m sharing about travel tips, accommodations, dining, and activities that make the destination ideal for families, especially us mothers traveling with children. Watch our YouTube video at the end of the post for an inside look at all our adventures on the Emerald Coast this spring!
Key Highlights
- Destin is an ideal family vacation spot with convenient direct flights and a variety of accommodation and activity options.
- Booking through Newman-Daily greatly enhances the travel experience by providing value, convenience, and exceptional service.
- The local food scene offers generous portions and quality dining experiences, making it easy to enjoy meals without overspending.
- Destin supports a range of activities that appeal to both adults and children, including nature-focused experiences like dolphin cruises and the Gulfarium.
- Repeat visits to Destin are anticipated due to the positive experiences, establishing it as a yearly family tradition.
TRAVEL TIPS
✈️ Direct flights to Destin significantly enhance convenience and reduce travel stress for families. Flying Allegiant Airlines directly into the Destin airport, which operates on an Air Force base, offers a unique travel experience. Although security is stricter, the direct access and absence of layovers simplify logistics—especially important for families traveling with kids. This convenience contributes to a more relaxed start and end to the vacation, a critical factor for family travel success! It’s a beautiful airport with tons of great photo spots.
We were also able to book our rental car with our flight, and that was a seamless experience as well. You get your keys for your rental right by baggage claim, and their customer service was some of the best we’ve ever had.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Location and ambiance of lodging can transform a family vacation into a magical experience. Staying at the Silver Shells Beach Resort and Spa, with its stunning oceanfront views and proximity to the beach, allowed our family to enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves, a feature that not only enhanced rest but also created lasting memories. The property’s amenities, such as a pool and on-site bar, add to the convenience and luxury, catering to families seeking both comfort and style. We stayed in St. Maarten at Silver Shells 905 and felt completely spoiled!
Silver Shells Beach Resort & Spa
15000 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, FL 32541
5 Easy Steps for Check-In Video
For a more budget-friendly stay where you can still literally walk right across the street and into the ocean, Newman-Dailey also manages the Beachside Inn that they just recently fully renovated. You still get all the incredible service and perks of booking with them, but you still get a dreamy beach vacation without the overindulgence. It’s right down the street from the house we stayed in last year, and they’ve really made the rooms and property more beautiful with those renovations. We hung out there and had lunch on the beach before we caught our evening flight home. The hubby and I are planning to do a solo romantic getaway there soon!
Beachside Inn
2931 Scenic Highway 98
Destin, FL 32541
DINING OPTIONS
Dining options with large portion sizes provide excellent value for families on vacation, especially at Floyd’s Shrimp & Steak House! Their appetizers are oversized portions that can be shared or saved for later, which is ideal for families looking to maximize their dining budget. This is a particularly useful tip for travelers who want to enjoy local cuisine without overspending or feeling rushed during mealtimes. We loved sitting right by the ocean and even got to watch a huge sand volleyball tournament while we ate!
Floyd’s Shrimp & Steak House
1450 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
ACTIVITIES AROUND FT WALTON/DESTIN/30A
Family-friendly attractions like the Gulfarium and dolphin cruises combine education with fun, enriching the vacation experience. These activities bring marine life up close, providing interactive learning opportunities for children while also entertaining us adults. Even better, we got to do these experiences completely complimentary just for booking through Newman-Dailey – and you can, too! They have partnered with several local attractions to enhance your vacation experience without breaking the bank.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Sea Blaster Sunset Dolphin Cruise*
HarborWalk Village | Marina
66 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL 32541
Sea Blaster won’t be partnering with Newman-Dailey after this season (there are still a few other sunset dolphin cruise options), but we thoroughly recommend you try Sea Blaster for yourself regardless. Their crew 1000% deserves the cult following that they have. Pssst! The give you FREE water, soda, beer, and wine every 15 minutes of your cruise!
Electric bike rentals offer a flexible and exciting way to explore Destin’s neighborhoods and beachfront areas. Emerald Coast Ebikes’ service, including equipment delivery and pickup, helmet provision, and night riding capabilities, makes it accessible for families to enjoy active adventures. This transportation option encourages exploration beyond the beach and resort, helping families discover local culture and scenery at their own pace. We are HUGE fans, and this was our second year using them.
Emerald Coast Ebikes
12273 Emerald Coast Pkwy Suite 111
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
5417 E County Hwy 30A #112
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
WHY DESTIN?
Destin represents a distinct and less-explored part of Florida that offers a fresh vacation perspective outside the typical eastern Florida destinations. Despite living in Florida previously in both Orlando and Tampa, I absolutely understand Destin’s unique appeal and growing popularity. Its combination of beaches, family-friendly activities, and local culture makes it an ideal spot for creating annual family traditions and discovering new experiences on each visit. We can’t wait to go back next year for year three!
WHY NEWMAN-DAILEY?
Choosing accommodations through a trusted service like Newman-Dailey adds value beyond just lodging. Newman-Dailey’s offerings include discounts, welcome baskets, free or discounted activities, and 24/7 concierge service, which together create a seamless and pampered experience. For busy parents, especially us moms juggling many responsibilities, access to quick help and thoughtful extras can significantly enhance relaxation and enjoyment during the trip – it sure did for me!
So, to answer that question of, Where is the best place to stay in Destin, Florida?, Newman-Dailey gives you tons of options, including several pet-friendly properties. You can’t go wrong with any of them that you choose!
