Are you looking for your next beach vacation? Ask each of us about our favorite vacation spot, and we will quickly tell you it’s Destin, Florida. We love exploring new places as a family, but it’s nice to know that there’s a place everyone can agree on, no matter the season or occasion. We find ourselves at Destin’s doorstep, just a short five-hour drive from Atlanta. Here are our top 3 tips for a memorable family vacation.
- Create your unique traditions for your family vacation. We have a first-night tradition of eating chargrilled oysters at Acme Oyster House. Our trip wouldn’t be the same if we did not start there. I love seeing pictures of our family over the years of our first nights at Acme. If our vacation takes place during the fall break, we share a football and fish fry tradition. We usually watch the Atlanta Falcons and have a seafood boil and fish fry with locally caught shrimp, red snapper, and anything in season. Visit some of the area’s local fish markets like Destin Ice House to buy the freshest local catch. A hotly contested game of Uno often follows. These are memories that will always stay with our family.
- Give everyone the space and flexibility to do what they enjoy.
One of the things about going to Destin that I like is that it is very low-key and laid-back. We do not feel the pressure to rip and run which gives us time to relax and decompress. We know that we will have a beach day, a day by the pool, and a shopping day at the local outlets. On our most recent visit, we rented a pontoon boat and headed over to Crab Island. Outside those plans, we strive to keep this trip as unfettered as possible. So, find the right balance to meet your family’s needs and ensure that your journey is meaningful. - Find a vacation property you love.
We all agree that our favorite is staying at a property on the bayside of the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. For example, we recently found a villa that we love for its location, amenities like a golf cart, and pet-friendliness. It’s our first choice when planning a vacation, so we try to check availability here before we will look anywhere else. Secondly, Sandestin gives us the best of both worlds because it offers the bayside and the beachside. I favor the bay because it affords many opportunities to kayak and ride jet skis in the Choctawhatchee Bay. When you’re ready to head back to shore, long trails around the property are perfect for taking long walks along the tree-lined streets and piers. And Baytowne Wharf and the Marina Bar & Grill offer good dining options if you want to stay on the property.
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