Introduction to Destin and Fort Walton Beach

The biggest tourist destination in Florida's panhandle, Destin, Fort Walton Beach along with Okaloosa Island, draw beach lovers and golfers year-round. White, sandy strips stretch the entire length of what has become known as the Emerald Coast, with the best swimming and beachcombing at state parks like Henderson Beach. Destin and Fort Walton Beach are home to the state's largest fishing fleet. Expect lots of fresh-caught fish and shellfish throughout the region. Myriad golf courses give visitors reason to head inland as well.

Beaches

The 1.5 miles of sandy beachfront at Henderson Beach State Park sit like an oceanfront oasis in the middle of Destin, giving sun seekers opportunities for swimming, sunning and surf fishing. Fort Walton Beach bums while away the hours on the white sands of Okaloosa Island, just one bridge away from town. If the beach blankets get too closely packed together here, head to the island's Gulf Islands National Seashore and cruise via rented sailboat into the Choctawhatchee Bay.

Things to Do

Leave the golden sand behind and head for the greens at Destin area golf courses. The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers the area's largest facility, with 72 holes over three courses landscaped with graceful palms and vivid bougainvillea. Some of the 18 holes at the championship Emerald Bay Golf Club run along the Choctawhatchee Bay and incorporate rolling sand dunes and thick stands of sea oats in the greens.

Eating and Drinking

Fresh seafood rules along Florida's Emerald Coast. If you spent your day fishing, bring your catch to Destin's Fisherman's Wharf Seafood House where they'll prepare and grill, broil or blacken your fish for dinner. No such luck? Stop at Sexton's Seafood on the way for a fresh-off-the-boat feast. Restaurants in Fort Walton Beach tend to be a little more casual than Destin. Big City American Bistro serves homemade focaccia sandwiches and the catch of the day along the Santa Rosa Sound.

Nightlife and Entertainment

A sprawling thatched-roof deck shelters visitors and live reggae bands at AJ's Club Bimini in Destin, as 20-somethings groove with Caribbean rum drinks within sight of the Gulf of Mexico. The sounds of Jimmy Buffet fill the air at Destin's Nightown, where a single price admits you to live music and amateur boxing matches. Country music is more the style at Okaloosa Island's High Tide Oyster Bar, where visitors snack on shellfish and dance in the evening's cool ocean breeze.