Florida: Destin, Family Vacation Ideas – Fishing, Golfing, and Waterpark Fun. Destin, is known as the "world's luckiest fishing village," and it is also a terrific spot for a family vacation at the beach. With sugar-white sand, pristine beaches edged by emerald blue water, and soothing Southern hospitality, Destin puts the “easy” in any family beach vacation. Relax at the beach; build sandcastles with your kids; go fishing with Little Nemo; try surfing at Big Kahuna waterpark; search for dolphins. Vacation for the fun of it!

See water, water, everywhere! With more than 40 water attractions plus an adventure park, Big Kahuna’s corners the market on water fun and thrills. The water world complex offers something for every member of the family no matter the age or swim level. Height restrictions are posted for all attractions and enforced. Ride the Honolulu Halfpipe with the never ending wave perfect for surfing or body boarding; enjoy the classic wave pool or tube a lazy river; go tandem down the Tiki River Run; try a high energy float on the Humunga River or the Jumangi - 70-ft. wet, wild and dark dare devil slide. The water complex offers little ones plenty of mini thrills and entertainment at Paradise Island. The adventure park includes: mini golf, go-cart racetrack, thrilling Cyclone” ride and a daring “Sky Coaster” not for the faint of heart. (Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park 1007 US Highway 98 East Destin, Florida 32541. (850) 837-8319 or www.bigkahunas.com)

Try go-carting and mini golf. The Track is an action – packed family fun recreation center. It is the perfect place for kids to be kids and adults to be kids too. Entertainment options include two junior level go kart tracks, The Kiddie Karts and The Rookie Karts, and the super challenging Wild Woody, a three – tiered go-kart / roller coaster hybrid. The complex offers themed miniature golf, blaster boats for splashing and bumper cars for bumping. Test your courage from the top of the bungee jumping tower, or enjoy the thrill of a skydiving effect on The SkyFlyer. Test your skills and reflexes in a state-of-the-art video game arcade. For tykes in the family, you will find a mini train, carousel, spin tops, Ferris wheel, swinging boats and mini airplanes. (The Track 1125 Highway 98 Destin, FL 32541 850-654-4668 or www.destintrack.com)

Go fishing with Little Nemo. The Little Nemo is a unique boating and fishing adventure created just for kids. On the three-hour sea life cruise adventure parents take a back seat watching the action unfold. During the outing passengers see plenty of sea life and oodles of coastal water birds. Even though the boat stays within sight of the shore, there is plenty of action. Kids get to fish for live bait in Destin's East Pass; spot crab traps then count, feed, and release the blue crabs. Part of the fun is trolling the gulf for mackerel, bluefish, and ladyfish. Learn really cool facts like a dolphin's closest land relative is the hippopotamus, and that dolphins do not drink sea water they get their water from eating fish. Bonus points: During each outing children are invited to share the helm with the captain – the perfect photo opportunity for adults to capture a memory. (Little Nemo. 210 Highway 98 East Destin, FL 32541. (850) 837-2404 or www.littlenemofishing.com)

Try dolphin spotting. Join Captain Steve and Wendy aboard the Southern Star – an 80-ft., glass-bottom boat ideal for a family friendly dolphin spotting adventure cruise. The two-hour cruise offers easy going pace ideal for wildlife viewing. Once underway, children are invited to take the helm along with Captain Steve. Passengers are invited to feed the birds and enjoy entertaining music during the trip. Bonus points: The Southern Star is also available for private family reunions, weddings, receptions, or birthdays. (Harborwalk Marina Highway 98 East Toll-free 1-888-424 -7217, (850) 837-7741 or www.dolphin-sstar.com)

Speed across the waves. Built for fun, the 73-foot Sea Blaster is the Gulf's largest passenger speedboat. But while speed is part of the fun the Blaster with its energetic crew take passengers snorkeling, dolphin watching, and on relaxing sunset dolphin cruises. They provide friendly service, and complimentary water, sodas, beer and wine (for adults), but no food or snacks. Bonus points: Once underway any child who has the desire to take the helm, or in the case of the Blaster the steering wheel, will get a chance. (Sea Blaster 76 Hwy. 98 East Destin, FL. (850)654-6888 or www.seablasterdestin.com)

Go out to eat. Enjoying home-cooked meals while on vacation may save money but sometimes cab a drag for the one stuck with cleanup. Luckily, Captain Kidds Seafood has just the answer. Known for serving the best seafood on the gulf, Captain Kidds features a salad bar and an extensive buffet of more 75 seafood items including snow crab legs, butterfly shrimp, scallops, raw and fried oysters, mahi-mahi, grouper, flounder, pollock, and tilapia. The buffet also includes ribeye steak, mashed potatos, corn, macaroni and cheese, plus a children’s’ buffet featuring pizza, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and apple sticks. Guests may dine inside or sit at outside deck tables overlooking the beautiful Destin harbor. Bonus points: The dessert bar includes pies, cakes, cobblers, and fruits plus a unique crawfish cheesecake. (Captain Kids Seafood Buffet 314 Highway 98 E. Destin, FL 32541 www.captainkiddsseafoodbuffet.com)

Golf every day. Golf free each day at one of courses in the area available from GetMoreVacations.com partnering properties. Tee off spots include Bluewater Bay with 36 holes along beautiful Choctawhatchee Bay; The Golf Garden of Destin - self described as a family golf center; Links Course at Sandestin -named one of the "Top Five Golf Courses in Northwest Florida" and one of the "Top 100 Courses in Florida" by Florida Golf News. Bonus points: Sunday - Thursday Baytowne Golf Club offers complimentary green fees, U.S. Kids Golf rental sets, and kids’ yardage guides to children younger than 12 years of age when accompanied by a paying adult. (Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West Destin, FL 32550-7268. Baytowne/Raven Golf Shop: (850) 267-8155, Links Golf Shop: (850)267-8144 (850) 267-8000), (Bluewater Bay 2000 Bluewater Blvd. Niceville, FL 32578 (800) 874-2128 (850) 897-3241 www.bwbresort.com), (The Golf Garden of Destin 12958 us hwy 98 West Destin, Fl 32550. (850) 837-7422.)

Free entertainment for all. The 28-acre bayside complex, The Village of Baytowne Wharf, is the spot for free family fun. A quaint Old Florida atmosphere frames more than 40 unique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Each week from May through October enjoy the free Wednesday Night Concert Series. On Mondays in June you’ll find free sandcastle building lessons demonstrated by pros that create magic with sand. Each Friday night is free family movie night under the stars.


Content researched and created by FTF staff. Images provided by Get More Vacations and partners. Copyright 2011.