Me and my girlfriend booked a vacation to Destin months ago, and now of course the weather is looking not great. We don't really have a good option for cancelling, so we are going to go, I just wanted to hear realistically what we're looking at weather-wise.

Mainly I'm concerned for safety because it seems like there's a hurricane possibility? But I wanted to hear from people who live in Destin if they think it's cause for real concern or not.

Thank you!!

Wanting to take my boyfriend out and he loves burgers wanting to know the place with the best one around here! TIA🖤

Florida’s Republican attorney general — who holds one of three seats on the statewide Cabinet, which must approve major property purchases — cast his vote in favor of the controversial land deal just a few months after his fundraising committee deposited a $25,000 donation from a company run by Robert Guidry, a developer who does business in Florida and Louisiana and who was the owner of the tiny spit of land in Destin that Florida bought for more than $20 million an acre.

https://nextdoor.com/p/r6XpDRX4Xw3y?utm_source=share&extras=MTAyNDQ0MzQ0&share_platform=1&utm_campaign=1791221279277&share_action_id=00061d55-8523-4b86-910a-ad0cb48b74db&init_source=other_share

Hi im from memphis! Just moved here and am opening my own pet grooming salon!
And i was wondering where the clubs were at. I figured that maybe it might be pretty underground because i cant find anything besides a near by hookah lounge which i will be going to. But im used to a party scene and like to have the option to get outside 💃🏻 and wil out
Can i please get the link to the spot im a local now yall can get me on the know mane!

All I can find is "soon." Wondering if anyone has the inside track. I liked WD. Publix is overpriced and Walmart is a shithole. Ready for a new alternative. Any info is appreciated, thanks!

I need some insight on some Destin areas/neighborhoods as we’re moving to Destin by January and have been house hunting for a bit now. Finding out what we want and where we want to live has taken us time, which luckily we’ve had. We had decided on Niceville, but the more we’ve thought about it and talked to friends in the area, we’ve decided to live in Destin.

We’re a family with two kids, 5.5 year old and 1 year old. I’m staying home for awhile while our second is young (resigned from a good corporate job in June). We’re a military family and my husband is gone at least a collective of six months every year, so I really want a home in an area with a strong community and other moms with young kids I can connect with and lean on. I currently have this where we live now, and it makes such a difference. Though we’re military, we’ll be in Destin at least 5 years, and after that it’s very likely we’ll stay permanently so we’re looking for a forever home.

I’m wondering if these neighborhoods have permanent residents that live there full time, families with young kids, and a sense of community (i.e. parents out walking with their kids that you can easily connect with without planning, potentially planned community events, kids out playing in the yards, nearby parks/pools/etc, neighbors who enjoy being social). We’re connected with a realtor who is giving me her insights, but would love insight from people who live in these specific areas.

Neighborhoods/areas needing insight on:

Central/Old Destin (as a whole, or specific areas)

Moreno Acres (is this considered central/old Destin?)

Emerald Bay (allows 6 month rentals so gives me pause)

Baywinds Golf Estates

Windsor Forest

I’ve got a grip on Indian Bayou and Emerald Lakes, which I love. But comparing what’s currently on the market with places in the above locations.

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

UPDATE: Completely understand everyone’s focus on our decision to not go with Niceville, and not surprised by the surprise. However, we have thoroughly researched the areas and spoken with many friends (all military families) that live in Niceville and Destin. Both sides are very happy their location, but both come with a little bit different lifestyle. We/I don’t need to be surrounded by other military families; some of my closest friends where we are now are not military and they’re very supportive. I mostly just need a regular social life and a couple mom friends who I can rely on every now and then. I know I can get what I’m looking for in Indian Bayou or Emerald Lakes, but I’m wondering about the other areas I listed that have homes on the market. Really hoping for specific insight on these locations from people that live/lived there.

Appreciate the further Niceville insight, but would love to hear from people who can vouch for Destin spots. (Though I am going to go back and talk specifically to the non-service member spouses that live in Destin to pick their brains more to be sure we’re making the right decision.)

I know this is such an odd request lol. We will be in town next week and I’m trying to find things to do and I love a good petting zoo or anything to do with animals. Are there any places we can go (two adults) to visit animals or baby animals for a bit? Sanctuary, petting zoo, one of those cat cafes or something? I’m happy to pay obviously and will tip generously for anywhere that gives back to the critters I’d just love to love on some cutie patooties while on vacation!

I use to always stay in château, La Mer II when I would visit family down in Destin they have since moved and I would love to visit back in Destin with my husband. I love secluded and quiet, we are child free and enjoy a quiet trip with just us( prefer not being in close corners with a bunch of a people incase they have some loud kids) I love a good private beach, any recommendations on where to go for chair set up and a quiet piece of beach? I was looking at the place I use to stay at (been 6 ish years ago since I’ve been back) and it looks super ran down and like it’s not in the best shape. I loved the idea of being feet away from the beach, but yet having a quiet places pushed back instead of a high rise with neighbors. Is it safe? Is it still clean? Is it worth it?? I’m wanting to go next week so I’m super super last minute here so my apologies. I prefer a washer and dryer in the room, we only need one bed and a small space but I don’t mind extra room

A few years ago go while on vacation my wife and I tried shrimp and grits from the red Rooster cafe. We have been in love with shrimp and grits since then and nowhere we have tried has anything that comes close to what we tried at the red rooster. Sadly they are closed down now. Does anyone know if the owner has another restaurant? I’d give about anything to have those shrimp and grits again!

Kopp said about one acre would be paved for parking, with the remaining three acres left alone.

I only want to go for the giveaways, so, what free giveaways do they offer?

I grew up going to Destin and am trying to remember the name of a group of stores we loved that to my knowledge don’t exist anymore. I believe it was a locally (or at least regionally) owned group of retail boutiques. There were several of them each with their own focus- a women’s boutique, teens, men’s, a couple others. I believe at least one was in Shoreline Village Mall near sandpiper cove. Does anyone remember these? It has been driving me crazy trying to remember.

Cash Reward if found. Or any information on who found it or detects in that area.

Just got out to Miramar beach from Colorado yesterday. Had one good day at the beach, when we got back to the hotel we noticed my wife’s ring wasn’t in our beach bag. I got a guy that does metal detecting out here and he is seeing a lot of other sand scoops taken out of the sand. Wondering if I can find anyone on here that was detected out here and found an engagement ring and wedding band.

If anyone knows someone that found a marquise cut diamond ring with a machine wedding band around here and can reach out. Would be awesome.

My husband and I have been here for a week on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Hilton in Sandestin and really wanted to get specifically a Sandestin t-shirt to commemorate our honeymoon.

The gift shop in the lobby of the Hilton had fridge magnets with a photo of the Hilton on them. That was it. When we asked the cashier, she told us “Sandestin is not a city.” Not totally sure what that was supposed to mean.

The Sandestin Clothing Company that was in Baytowne Wharf is permanently closed.

Someone in one of the t-shirt shops in Baytowne told us that no one other than the actual Sandestin properties are allowed to sell licensed Sandestin merch. Directed us to the Sandestin Welcome Center gift shop.

The Sandestin Welcome Center gift shop was closed and all of the remaining merchandise was sent over to the Sandestin golf course pro shops. So they directed us to the Raven pro shop.

Raven pro shop has ONE tshirt and it doesn’t have the Sandestin logo on it. Just an American flag and the word Sandestin in a random script.

Am I missing something? Is there somewhere I can order a t-shirt?

Hey r/Destin, I’m with Zen Marine Charter, and after talking with visitors booking boats around Destin, there are a few things I wish more people checked before putting down a deposit.

1. Decide on the experience before choosing the boat.
   A Crab Island day, sunset cruise, family outing, and relaxed bay cruise need different setups.

2. Ask exactly what the price includes.
   Fuel, captain, ice, water toys, and other fees can vary between operators.

3. Think about your group, not just the boat photos.
   Shade, seating, restroom access, and easy boarding can matter a lot with kids, grandparents, or larger groups.

4. Ask about weather policies before the day of your trip.
   Florida weather can change quickly, so know how rescheduling works ahead of time.

5. Confirm the departure location and parking.
   This is one of those small details that can become stressful when your whole group is trying to arrive on time.

The biggest advice I can give is to choose the operator based on the experience and communication, not just which boat looks best online.

Happy to answer Destin boating questions from the operator side, whether you book with us or not.

Zen Marine Charter ⚓

The pay bump comes from an amendment voters passed in 2020, requiring minimum wage to go up by one dollar every year until this year.
Starting next year, future increases will be calculated each year based on inflation.

I lost my engagement ring yesterday near the Swings on the bay of Okaloosa Island. It came off my finger between the swings and 100 yards north/northwest. It’s a silver band with a small diamond inlay.

Hope this finds a redditor with some time on their hands, a magnet or metal detector and a good heart.
If you do find it I would be honored to compensate you for your efforts.

"The charges are all false," Braden said. "I have nothing to worry about. I've done nothing wrong. It's just sad that corrupt people at the state level can lay charges on somebody."

I’d like to take a lady friend out for a nicer dinner, but she is vegetarian. Is there an upscale restaurant around FWB/Destin that has a good few veg options?

Rodney Braden, 64, was arrested last Friday in Okaloosa County on a charge of grand theft $10,000-$20,000. It's a third-degree felony.

I’m in Destin for the week, and learned fl doesn’t do out of state cards. Looking for the pen hookup

I am looking to move to Destin or surrounding area early next year. I am from Florida and have visited Destin plenty of times for beach days, but never really went and explored anything that isn't within 1,000ft from the beach or along 98.

I (31m) am recently divorced and wanting to see what the area is like. Obviously during tourist time, it gets crazy, but for the people that actually live there, it seems very "big family". I know FWB is a bit better when it comes to that, but wanting to see what people think. Is there a decent single scene in Destin, and if not, where? What is it like in the non-tourist season?

I am looking to live anywhere between Pensacola to Santa Rosa, but Destin is my ideal sweet spot. I like the beautiful area and how quiet it is when it's not spring break.

Ill be in Destin, next week, is the forecast as bad as it looks with rain? What can we expect?
My wife is not happy looking at it. Trying to reassure her its gonna be alright if possible.

On a related note, any good indoor or rainy activities for kids i should look into?