Jessie's Guidebook
Food scene
Addiction food trucks, beware! Açaí bowls, Cuban sandwich, special coffee truck, crepes, juice and smoothie truck. Truly a one stop spot to please everybody in your group!
My favorite is the hang ten Açaí bowl with extra peanut butter:)
15 locals recommend
Sunset Bowls
211 Florida Pl SEAddiction food trucks, beware! Açaí bowls, Cuban sandwich, special coffee truck, crepes, juice and smoothie truck. Truly a one stop spot to please everybody in your group!
My favorite is the hang ten Açaí bowl with extra peanut butter:)
Maas Coffee
150 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThe best local coffee
My favorite close to home Italian food. Great happy hour! Try the chefs special pizza!
38 locals recommend
Ali's Bistro
171 Brooks St SEMy favorite close to home Italian food. Great happy hour! Try the chefs special pizza!
My grandmother is Okinawan and this is our favorite dinner date spot! (Try the bomb. com roll)
37 locals recommend
Domo Café
1823 Hurlburt RdMy grandmother is Okinawan and this is our favorite dinner date spot! (Try the bomb. com roll)
Don’t waste your money on the tourist trap seafood spots. Stewby’s is THE ONLY seafood locals eat.
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdDon’t waste your money on the tourist trap seafood spots. Stewby’s is THE ONLY seafood locals eat.
Grab some fresh gulf caught seafood to cook at home! Its a little hole in the wall but reliable fresh quality seafood.
Gulf Coast Seafood
51 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGrab some fresh gulf caught seafood to cook at home! Its a little hole in the wall but reliable fresh quality seafood.
Really one of the best spots in town. My favorite: nachos or tacos Baja style- all protein options are amazing.
90 locals recommend
Burrito del Sol
201 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEReally one of the best spots in town. My favorite: nachos or tacos Baja style- all protein options are amazing.
Sealand Restaurant
47 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGreat fine dining. Seafood and steaks.
Poke bowls within walking distance to my house. Get some Fro yo at Bippys and play at the park after!
Great options for vegans.
14 locals recommend
Think Poké
73 Eglin Pkwy NEPoke bowls within walking distance to my house. Get some Fro yo at Bippys and play at the park after!
Great options for vegans.
Bippy's by the Beach Frozen Yogurt
75 Eglin Pkwy NEAre you even on vacation if you’re not eating froyo?
Beer, Irish wakes, carbombs, steaks, Shepard’s pie! It’s great place to start the night out if that’s your thing, then walk across the street to the harbor. They also have a secret Sunday brunch that is out of this world. Family friendly.
318 locals recommend
McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin
33 US-98Beer, Irish wakes, carbombs, steaks, Shepard’s pie! It’s great place to start the night out if that’s your thing, then walk across the street to the harbor. They also have a secret Sunday brunch that is out of this world. Family friendly.
East Pass Coffee Co.
121 Harbor BlvdBreakfast sandwich. All the way. Maybe even two.
Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House
414 Harbor BlvdPopular fun seafood spot on the harbor.
Authentic, local, bakery. Best bakery I’ve ever been to.
17 locals recommend
Bon Appetit French Bakery and Cafe
420 Mary Esther Cut Off NWAuthentic, local, bakery. Best bakery I’ve ever been to.
Such good breakfast food! Get donuts for the ride home...or a cake for celebration. Local, old time favorite.
94 locals recommend
Donut Hole Bakery Cafe
635 Harbor BlvdSuch good breakfast food! Get donuts for the ride home...or a cake for celebration. Local, old time favorite.
Enjoy a sunset dinner on the harbor. After hours, stay to see the place turn into the iconic nightlife hotspot.
192 locals recommend
AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
116 Harbor BlvdEnjoy a sunset dinner on the harbor. After hours, stay to see the place turn into the iconic nightlife hotspot.
Within walking to my house. Just over the bridge. The AJs special fish sandwich is my go to. Sometimes they have live music. A fun place to grab a drink close to the house.
39 locals recommend
AJ's on the Bayou
200 Eglin Pkwy NEWithin walking to my house. Just over the bridge. The AJs special fish sandwich is my go to. Sometimes they have live music. A fun place to grab a drink close to the house.
Walk from my house to uptown station. Craft bar is close to Win Dixie grocery store.
16 locals recommend
The Craft Bar - Fort Walton Beach
99 Eglin Pkwy NEWalk from my house to uptown station. Craft bar is close to Win Dixie grocery store.
Walk from my house to Uptown station and enjoy this amazing Italian restaurant!
32 locals recommend
Clemenza's at Uptown
75 Eglin Pkwy NEWalk from my house to Uptown station and enjoy this amazing Italian restaurant!
I am not a wing person! I’ve traveled the country and the ONLY wings I like are Buffalos Reef. This is one of the oldest restaurants in fwb. You can walk from my house as it is across from uptown station. I prefer to drive because I don’t like to cross Eglin parkway.
15 locals recommend
Buffalo's Reef
116 Eglin Pkwy NEI am not a wing person! I’ve traveled the country and the ONLY wings I like are Buffalos Reef. This is one of the oldest restaurants in fwb. You can walk from my house as it is across from uptown station. I prefer to drive because I don’t like to cross Eglin parkway.
The BEST seafood in town! Two locations. This one is across from the public beach accesses on okaloosa island. It is next door to mini golf and ice cream. There is also a steamer and seafood store to bring home food!
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdThe BEST seafood in town! Two locations. This one is across from the public beach accesses on okaloosa island. It is next door to mini golf and ice cream. There is also a steamer and seafood store to bring home food!
This is the original location. It is great! It’s not in the most ideal location, but is very good if you’re avoiding the beach traffic and want to go the opposite direction.
155 locals recommend
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdThis is the original location. It is great! It’s not in the most ideal location, but is very good if you’re avoiding the beach traffic and want to go the opposite direction.
Stewby's Seafood Shanty
235 Santa Rosa BlvdMarket on okaloosa island.
Beautiful spot. Close to the house. Fun atmosphere. Great for a night out. Cool bar, fire pit, ping pong. Waterfront!
(It can be confusing to get to! You must turn right over the brooks bridge and go under the bridge and then take a left in front of alvins island. From there you will turn left on sibert drive.)
106 locals recommend
The Gulf
1284 Marler AvenueBeautiful spot. Close to the house. Fun atmosphere. Great for a night out. Cool bar, fire pit, ping pong. Waterfront!
(It can be confusing to get to! You must turn right over the brooks bridge and go under the bridge and then take a left in front of alvins island. From there you will turn left on sibert drive.)
We love to come here on Sunday for brunch and market. Best Thai food and beautiful atmosphere.
Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple
741 Mayflower AveWe love to come here on Sunday for brunch and market. Best Thai food and beautiful atmosphere.
I’ve tried just about every Thai spot in town. I am addicted to Tom Kha Gai- eating theirs was a healing experience. Some foods are sacred and if you’ve had theirs you’d know what I mean.
Pad Thai
119B Racetrack Rd NEI’ve tried just about every Thai spot in town. I am addicted to Tom Kha Gai- eating theirs was a healing experience. Some foods are sacred and if you’ve had theirs you’d know what I mean.
My sister in law’s brother’s truck. Confusing enough? Just go! It is AMAZING. Barbacoa all day for me.
Tacos El Huracan
39 Eglin Parkway SoutheastMy sister in law’s brother’s truck. Confusing enough? Just go! It is AMAZING. Barbacoa all day for me.
Bamboo's Jamaican Restaurant
334 Miracle Strip Pkwy SESO GOOD
Sightseeing
Visit the East and west jetties for a fun change to the standard beach experience. Great fishing spot!
11 locals recommend
Destin East Jetty
Jetty EastVisit the East and west jetties for a fun change to the standard beach experience. Great fishing spot!
Florida is home to thousands of springs. Need a break from the heat and salt water? Head north for crystal clear springs and under water caves. Hidden in the swampy Florida forests.
39 locals recommend
Morrison Springs County Park
874 Morrison Springs RdFlorida is home to thousands of springs. Need a break from the heat and salt water? Head north for crystal clear springs and under water caves. Hidden in the swampy Florida forests.
A day trip from our house, but worth it if you have the time. It’s an all day journey through the spring fed river. Great canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and diving.
7 locals recommend
Econfina Creek
A day trip from our house, but worth it if you have the time. It’s an all day journey through the spring fed river. Great canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and diving.
Turkey creek has a 1 mile boardwalk through the woods over wetlands and river/creek. Every couple feet there are ramps and steps to jump in. Great spot to walk, swim, paddle board and float!
Afterwards (while you’re in Niceville) go to Cafe Bienville, The Local, or Pounders to eat!
Turkey Creek
Turkey creek has a 1 mile boardwalk through the woods over wetlands and river/creek. Every couple feet there are ramps and steps to jump in. Great spot to walk, swim, paddle board and float!
Afterwards (while you’re in Niceville) go to Cafe Bienville, The Local, or Pounders to eat!
Ponce De Leon Springs
Another fun spring!
Walk to ferry park from our house! 1 mile paved trail. Disc golf, playground, dog walk, etc.
13 locals recommend
Ferry Park
240 Hughes St NEWalk to ferry park from our house! 1 mile paved trail. Disc golf, playground, dog walk, etc.
The most popular beach spot on the island. Walk the pier, fish, many restaurants and shops. They usually do fireworks once a week of the pier. It’s definitely more of a party scene at this beach, than the more quiet public accesses. I would still consider it family friendly.
52 locals recommend
The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island
1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThe most popular beach spot on the island. Walk the pier, fish, many restaurants and shops. They usually do fireworks once a week of the pier. It’s definitely more of a party scene at this beach, than the more quiet public accesses. I would still consider it family friendly.
John C Beasley Park
1550 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEA large public beach access.
In the same area as The Gulf restaurant. It’s on the water (sound side) great place to swim on days when the gulf isn’t flat and you have little ones. Playgrounds, pavilions, bathrooms, boat launch, etc
Marler Park
Marler ParkIn the same area as The Gulf restaurant. It’s on the water (sound side) great place to swim on days when the gulf isn’t flat and you have little ones. Playgrounds, pavilions, bathrooms, boat launch, etc
A fun day trip! Rent beach cruisers and ride along scenic 30a for a old Florida costal day. Top dining and sightseeing.
11 locals recommend
30A Trail
30A TrailA fun day trip! Rent beach cruisers and ride along scenic 30a for a old Florida costal day. Top dining and sightseeing.
One of our family’s favorite spots. We like to park along the road and take the beach trail to the rocks which split the sound and the gulf. Parking is limited and $5, no bathrooms, and quite a hike.
Great for fishing, scuba and snorkel, kayaking, and fun adventure climbing on the jetties.
33 locals recommend
Norriego Point
1 Gulf Shore DrOne of our family’s favorite spots. We like to park along the road and take the beach trail to the rocks which split the sound and the gulf. Parking is limited and $5, no bathrooms, and quite a hike.
Great for fishing, scuba and snorkel, kayaking, and fun adventure climbing on the jetties.
Entertainment
Less than half a mile from my house! Starbucks, wine world, a 24 hr gym, think poke (sushi bowls), clemenzas (fine Italian dining), Bippy’s Froyo, Baskin Robbins, Ulta, Pet supply, five guys, Craft Bar, a playground, a grocery store and more!
20 locals recommend
Uptown Station
99 Eglin Pkwy NELess than half a mile from my house! Starbucks, wine world, a 24 hr gym, think poke (sushi bowls), clemenzas (fine Italian dining), Bippy’s Froyo, Baskin Robbins, Ulta, Pet supply, five guys, Craft Bar, a playground, a grocery store and more!
Biggest outdoor water park in the US I believe? Maybe that’s a rumor but it sure feels like it!
314 locals recommend
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
1007 US-98Biggest outdoor water park in the US I believe? Maybe that’s a rumor but it sure feels like it!
Shops and dining over looking the Destin harbor. Stick around sunset and watch the fishing boats come in.
Nightlife too!
295 locals recommend
HarborWalk Village
34 Harbor BlvdShops and dining over looking the Destin harbor. Stick around sunset and watch the fishing boats come in.
Nightlife too!
Family friendly arcade, outdoor entertainment, pizza, etc
93 locals recommend
Wild Willy's Adventure Zone
1306 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEFamily friendly arcade, outdoor entertainment, pizza, etc
The Track - Destin
1125 US-98Go carts, arcade, family fun!
This is a nice upscale outdoor shopping mall. Great places to eat, drink, shop. There is a cute park/playground, bowling alley, and movie theater.
174 locals recommend
Destin Commons station
This is a nice upscale outdoor shopping mall. Great places to eat, drink, shop. There is a cute park/playground, bowling alley, and movie theater.
This is a local sandbar/nightlife place. Chill atmosphere. Very close to the house. Kid friendly earlier in the evening. Live music. Right in the center of downtown FWB.
54 locals recommend
KC's Sandbar & Grille
190 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEThis is a local sandbar/nightlife place. Chill atmosphere. Very close to the house. Kid friendly earlier in the evening. Live music. Right in the center of downtown FWB.
Hot Yoga Om
222 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEHit a hot yoga class! You won’t regret it. Or maybe you will?😅
Best place to go if you’re feeling like a loser and wanna feel like a badass for a couple minutes. Or a bigger loser depending your throw? We will see...
29 locals recommend
The Rachet Hatchet
304 Perry Ave SEBest place to go if you’re feeling like a loser and wanna feel like a badass for a couple minutes. Or a bigger loser depending your throw? We will see...
Fort SK8 Family Fun Center
202 Racetrack Rd NWOld school fun!
Urban Air Adventure Park - Destin, FL
14081 Emerald Coast PkwyA little pricey but a full day of fun!
This place has been here my whole life. Authentic old school mini golf experience. I avoid it with super young kids as it’s right on a very busy road.
43 locals recommend
Goofy Golf
401 Eglin Pkwy NEThis place has been here my whole life. Authentic old school mini golf experience. I avoid it with super young kids as it’s right on a very busy road.
Popular nightlife area at night, typical seafood by day. Fun harbor/waterside hang out.
21 locals recommend
TAILFINS Seafood Restaurant & Oyster Bar + Banjorama + Saturday Brunch + Sunday Brunch + Destin Sports Bar
172 Harbor BlvdPopular nightlife area at night, typical seafood by day. Fun harbor/waterside hang out.
Local hang out. Behind the strip on hwy 98, downtown fwb. Enjoy shops, bars, dining, brand new playground, grassy fields to play, water access and view.
41 locals recommend
Fort Walton Beach Landing Park
139 Brooks St SELocal hang out. Behind the strip on hwy 98, downtown fwb. Enjoy shops, bars, dining, brand new playground, grassy fields to play, water access and view.
Great spot! Super family friendly. Lots of cool entertainment, food, beer, wine, coffee. Happy to have a place that encourages creative expression, diversity, and collaboration in such an inclusive and welcoming way. Our little town needs it!
6 locals recommend
Enlightened Studios Sound Café
142 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEGreat spot! Super family friendly. Lots of cool entertainment, food, beer, wine, coffee. Happy to have a place that encourages creative expression, diversity, and collaboration in such an inclusive and welcoming way. Our little town needs it!
Small dive bar. Fun to grab a beer and play games. Popular military hang out.
26 locals recommend
Salty Duck
209 Ferry Rd SESmall dive bar. Fun to grab a beer and play games. Popular military hang out.
Pretty typical pool house and bar. Grungy but sometimes that’s just what you want to get into on a Saturday night?
18 locals recommend
Coasters
214 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEPretty typical pool house and bar. Grungy but sometimes that’s just what you want to get into on a Saturday night?
The Block 3 Clubs in 1
113 Eglin Pkwy SESeveral different dance rooms. Always busy!
My favorite playground! On the water and beach access, docks, picnic tables, nice bathrooms. Worth the quick drive over the island to Destin. Really an exceptional park.
7 locals recommend
Captain Leonard Destin Park
101 Calhoun AveMy favorite playground! On the water and beach access, docks, picnic tables, nice bathrooms. Worth the quick drive over the island to Destin. Really an exceptional park.
New place in town. Haven’t been but it’s busy on the weekends!
11 locals recommend
VIBE NIGHTCLUB & LOUNGE
116 Perry Ave SENew place in town. Haven’t been but it’s busy on the weekends!