A white sandy beach with a volleyball court.

8 Best Family Things to Do in Destin

What to Do for Fun in Destin with Your Kids?

There are many great family things to do in Destin, a destination that’s famous for its gorgeous, powdery white sand beaches. Often referred to as ‘the world’s luckiest fishing village’, this gem on the Emerald Coast attracts visitors with much more than just its beautiful surf.

This vibrant seaside location offers a wide array of entertainment options suitable for family members of all ages. Here is a compilation of fantastic family activities in Destin, from thrilling water park escapades and exciting shopping sprees to exhilarating parasailing adventures and serene hikes in beautiful parks.

1. Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

Finding the treasure on the high seas

Buccaneer Pirate Cruise ship.

Ideal para: Aventura, Famílias, Viagens alternativas


Let young minds run wild with imagination when you embark on a fantastically detailed and realistic Gulf of Mexico pirate adventure on a Buccaneer Pirate Cruise. From Destin’s HarborWalk Village, this 2-hour experience promises non-stop entertainment as you head out to the open sea in search of treasure.

Expect everyone to be roped into water fights, sword battles, plenty of singing and dancing and even the chance to watch real treasure be hauled from the seabed. Of course, if there’s any grumbling from the little ones during your family’s time in Destin, you could always jest that they might have to walk the plank.


Localização: 100 Harbor Blvd Unit B, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Telefone: +1 850-269-0896

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Buccaneer Pirate Cruise

100 Harbor Blvd Unit B, Destin, FL 32541, USA

2. Parasailing

Emerald Coast views from a whole new level

A couple parasailing in Destin.

Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura


There are views and then there are views, and to get the best, you might have to take to the skies, by way of parasailing. Destin and the Emerald Coast make for an incredible place to take flight. You’ll be rewarded with a memorable perspective back towards land that’s quite different to anything you’ve seen from the city itself.

Parasailing is an activity that’s suitable for the whole family, and it could prove to be the highlight of your trip to Destin. Several operators run parasailing trips along the Emerald Coast, including Just Chute Me! along the Harbor Boardwalk.


Localização: 500 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Telefone: +1 850-650-4630

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Parasailing

500 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541, USA

3. Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park

Wet and dry thrills for the whole family

A waterpark with pools, slides and palm trees.

Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura


If the ocean hasn’t got your family wet enough already, Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park will step up. This large, long-running theme park has more than 40 rides, slides and pools on hand to make sure everyone gets their share of aquatic thrill.

Attractions ranging from a giant wave pool to a lazy river offer different levels of adrenaline-fuelled fun, while several rides are especially designed with small children in mind. In fact, you could easily spend a day at Big Kahuna’s without even touching the water, thanks to the dry theme park rides and a mini-golf course.


Localização: 1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Abre: Hours vary by season

Telefone: +1 850-837-8319

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Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park

1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

4. Crystal Beach

A stunning sandy beach with family-friendly facilities

A boy jumping over a small wave.

Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico


Most head to Destin for its spectacular beaches, and with plenty to choose from, Crystal Beach stands out as an excellent choice for families. This scenic spot is packed with convenient facilities to make beach life easy and enjoyable for all.

Crystal Beach is only a 10-minute drive from Destin, just past Henderson Beach State Park, and it has everything from picnic tables for lunch to toilets and showers for changing at the end of a day of sunbathing and splashing. Destin Commons outdoor shopping centre is also close by, and there are even places to stay right alongside the sand.


Localização: 2966 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

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Crystal Beach

2966 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

5. Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone

A fun-packed adventure zone that gets the adrenaline racing

A dinosaur-themed rollercoaster ride.

Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura


Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone is a family getaway that allows your kids let off steam and run down their energy levels before bedtime. Located on Okaloosa Island and just a 6-minute drive from Destin’s Harbor Boardwalk, the focus here is firmly on fun.

Everything from laser tag to a 4D cinema is on offer here, alongside a T-Rex-themed mini-golf course complete with animatronic dinosaurs. There are also arcade games, a ropes course, a rollercoaster ride and, of course, places to fill up on pizza and ice cream.


Localização: 1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA

Abre: Sunday–Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm

Telefone: +1 850-400-3300

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Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone

1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548, USA

6. The Market Shops

Local boutiques and indulgent spa visits


Ideal para: Famílias, Compras, Alimentação


Sometimes a little retail therapy is all that’s needed to provide the perfect escape from the sand, and The Market Shops is on hand to help when that’s the case. This upscale shopping centre, in the Miramar Beach area and less than a 20-minute drive from downtown Destin, features locally owned fashion boutiques packed with stylish numbers.

There’s also a great selection of eateries on site (of course, since this is Destin) that includes some fantastic seafood from the nearby waters. Additionally, a couple of hair and nail salons provide the perfect opportunity for some pampering, making it a well-rounded destination for relaxation and indulgence.


Localização: 9375 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, USA

Abre: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm

Telefone: +1 850-837-3077

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The Market Shops

9375 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, USA

7. Jolee Island Nature Park

A serene spot to be at one with nature


Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico, Aventura


The Jolee Island Nature Park is a refreshing spot to unwind amidst the buzz of Destin. Even with the city’s gorgeous white sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico lapping at your feet, it’s always lively, especially just a block or two from the coast. This makes escaping to Jolee Island Nature Park even more rewarding.

The park, located on an island connected to the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort by a small wooden bridge, is a pleasant reminder of the area’s natural bounty, with a relaxing nature trail that shows off stunning views out over Choctawhatchee Bay. If that sounds a bit too sedate for the kids, there’s also a pirate-themed play area to save the day.


Localização: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, USA

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Jolee Island Nature Park

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550, USA

8. James Lee Park

Hiking and sunbathing at one great destination


Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico


Discovering the natural beauty in the crystal-clear waters off Destin’s coast is just the beginning, and there’s also plenty to explore on shore, including James Lee Park. This park is just one of several locations in the Destin area that’s great for family-friendly hikes, with designated nature trails that make it easy to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

Best of all, the beach at James Lee Park is equipped with picnic tables, a playground and restrooms for changing. You can also enjoy sunbathing and swimming, making it ideal for a multi-purpose day out.


Localização: 3510 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

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James Lee Park

3510 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541, USA

Chris Wotton
Autor colaborador

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