The Emerald Coast has beautiful beaches and gorgeous scenery. But it’s so much more than just a great place to sightsee. If your family loves adventure, then Destin is your destination for nature parks, beautiful hiking and biking trails, amusement parks and so much more. Come and enjoy these year-round outdoor activities available to you during your Florida vacation!
SandCastle Lessons offers tips and techniques on building the perfect sandcastle during their 2-hour lessons. Classes are limited to small groups and they provide all the tools and equipment to create your own sandcastle masterpiece.
Ride On surf school is now open in Destin! Located on the beach behind Captain Dave’s restaurant on Hwy 98, they offer surf lessons for everyone who knows how to swim! They provide all the equipment from surfboards to wetsuits and tents for shade and a variety of lesson plans for all skill levels. Groups or private lessons available.
RACETRACKS, BUMPER CARS and MORE
The Track in Destin, is a great time for the whole family! Adventures at their Bungee Jumping Tower, Skyflyer and Kid’s Country are waiting for you! With go-karts, kiddie rides and mini-golf, this is a great place to spend a day enjoying the sun and fresh air! Located near the hotels and the beach, they offer group and party packages as well as single price credits.
Amusement USA, located in Harbor Village in Destin, offers hours of entertainment for the whole family. Their bungee trampoline is safe for all ages. With a harness system that allows visitors to experience a worry-free adventure, everyone enjoys somersaults and high-flying jumps. Other amusements include their duel mechanical surfboards and their aqua spheres that allow you to run on water in a bubble ball.
With over 40 different play areas, Big Kahunas offers a variety of water slides for the kids and shaded Cabanas for parents. Better than a day at the beach, this park has a giant wave pool, mini golf and kiddie rides. From the action-packed rides and slides to the relaxing Lazy River this amusement park offers a little something for the entire family.
DOLPHINS, PENGUINS, & SEALS, Oh My!
The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is your stop for a family adventure with the mysterious animals of the ocean. Dedicated to educating and entertaining visitors on preserving marine wildlife, the Gulfarium offers memorable experiences to people of all ages. Opportunities to get up close and personal with dolphins, stingrays and seals make this a “must see” experience.
MINI-GOLF, TRAMPOLINE ADVENTURES and DINOSAURS!
Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone in Fort Walton Beach offers a dinosaur adventure for the whole family. With a fully animatronic mini-golf course, a 60-foot rope course, 4-D movie theater and opportunities to meet baby dinosaurs, this amusement park great for a family adventure.
SCENIC HIKING and BIRDWATCHING
Located in Bristol, Torreya Campground has created a 7.3 mile loop rated as moderated. Open all year round, this trail offers scenic views through the forest, down ravines and rim swamps, with varied wildlife and picturesque river views.
Timberlake Trail, located near Eglin Airforce Base, offers a 6 mile hiking and biking loop, with many side trails. Quiet and shaded, this well-maintained trail is designed for more experienced hikers and bikers.
Florida Trail in Eglin has multiple access points and 5 trailheads. With an old growth forest, these moderate to rugged hikes stretch out for over 100 miles of public land that was once the Choctawhatchee National Forest. Currently used as a military base, the Florida Trail is out of the test zone, but bomb bursts can be heard throughout the trails. A permit is required in advance to use these trails and waters.
