As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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We are planning to go to Destin for Fall Break (October) this year so am looking for things to do, especially with kids. I'll take and and all suggestions!!
My family of 4 has never been. My in-laws and SIL are coming with and have been once, but it was for a wedding so not much 'other' stuff was done.
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Welcome to my neck of the woods! I just did a nice long post and it dropped to cyberspace somewhere, so I'll try this again.
Since you'll be in Destin, I'll give you ideas for along the Hwy 98, Emerald Coast Parkway corrider. All easy to find and to get to. Since I don't know the age of the kids, I'll throw it all in for consideration. Absolutely YES to Big Kahunas! Our DS who is 14 enjoys this place more than he did Atlantis! The Track is another great spot that the kids will love and you'll have fun too. Continuing to head east, just up from these two spots there's Fudpuckers where the kids can see some gators while they wait for lunch. Right beside that is laser tag and black light goofy golf. They're inside Sunsations on the second floor. Fat Daddy's arcade is also handy.
Now go a tad further east (still on Hwy 98) and you'll find Destin Commons for shopping galore. Behind the Commons, heading towards Niceville before you get to the bridge (on the right) is LuLu's on the Bay which has great food and a great view. Right beyond that you'll be able to visit the Whaling Wall by the artist Wyland. It's a humongous mural that wraps around the entire marina. It's impressive.
Right along Hwy 98, between the Commons and the Track is a fun restaurant called Bubba Gumps. Treat yourself to lunch or dinner there.
Back in Destin you'll find tons of things to do at the HarborWalk. Of course there's shopping, but the kids can do zipline, gaming, or if they're young you might want to take them for a ride on the Pirate Ship. And the Southern Star is a really nice dolphin cruise. If anyone want to go fishing, line up some spots on either Swoop I or Swoop II and catch some red snapper or loads of other varieties of fish. You can check, but Harry T's used to clean and cook the fish for you. The HarborWalk also usually has lots of entertainment going on all summer and fall, plus fireworks on Thursday evenings.
If you want to venture to the west, come along Hwy 98 to Okaloosa Island where the kids can enjoy the Gulfarium on the beach and also Wild Willy's on the other side of the road. Wild Willy's has 4-D movies, arcade gaming, some rides, and one of those high walk-way thingy's that you put on a harness and go way way up in the air to cross over ropes and planks, etc. A great view up there.... just don't look down! There's a nice stretch of beach all along from the island past Destin so you'll find plenty of areas to enjoy soaking up the rays and swimming. Just make sure you bring plenty of sunblock. You'll need it! Our snow white beaches reflect the sun, so folks burn much faster than they think they will.
If you remember the movie, The Truman Show, you can head east from Destin about 40 minutes on Hwy 98, drop down to Hwy 30A and walk the streets of Seaside, FL where the movie was filmed. It's an absolutely delightful town that's worth the drive.
So come enjoy our area! Dig your toes into our sugar beaches, watch the dolphins play while you swim, and start planning your next trip back to see us.
Mamasann - Thank you SO SO much!! That was a wonderful write up! And all things I think the kids would enjoy. The boys will be newly turned 6 & 9 (like a few days to 2 weeks before we arrive), sorry I failed to mention that in my original post. I will keep all this information handy!
Again, thank you!!
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Just a note of interest.... LuLu's is owned by the sister of Jimmy Buffet. We like the food there better than at her brothers's....LOL... and the kids can fool around on the beach while you wait for your food! AND..... it has been said that her brother has been spotted there a time or two. Though we've never seen him there.
At their age, I think your kids would definitely enjoy the Pirate Cruise at Destin Harbor. And if you enjoy goofy golf, get directions to Goofy Golf on Eglin Pkwy in Ft. Walton Beach. All the locals go there instead of the big fancy courses. It's one of, if not the oldest, goofy golf courses in the U.S. and dirt cheap too! But we do enjoy the black light course at Sunsations too. Do both! You're on vacation.
Welcome to my neck of the woods! I just did a nice long post and it dropped to cyberspace somewhere, so I'll try this again.
Since you'll be in Destin, I'll give you ideas for along the Hwy 98, Emerald Coast Parkway corrider. All easy to find and to get to. Since I don't know the age of the kids, I'll throw it all in for consideration. Absolutely YES to Big Kahunas! Our DS who is 14 enjoys this place more than he did Atlantis! The Track is another great spot that the kids will love and you'll have fun too. Continuing to head east, just up from these two spots there's Fudpuckers where the kids can see some gators while they wait for lunch. Right beside that is laser tag and black light goofy golf. They're inside Sunsations on the second floor. Fat Daddy's arcade is also handy.
Now go a tad further east (still on Hwy 98) and you'll find Destin Commons for shopping galore. Behind the Commons, heading towards Niceville before you get to the bridge (on the right) is LuLu's on the Bay which has great food and a great view. Right beyond that you'll be able to visit the Whaling Wall by the artist Wyland. It's a humongous mural that wraps around the entire marina. It's impressive.
Right along Hwy 98, between the Commons and the Track is a fun restaurant called Bubba Gumps. Treat yourself to lunch or dinner there.
Back in Destin you'll find tons of things to do at the HarborWalk. Of course there's shopping, but the kids can do zipline, gaming, or if they're young you might want to take them for a ride on the Pirate Ship. And the Southern Star is a really nice dolphin cruise. If anyone want to go fishing, line up some spots on either Swoop I or Swoop II and catch some red snapper or loads of other varieties of fish. You can check, but Harry T's used to clean and cook the fish for you. The HarborWalk also usually has lots of entertainment going on all summer and fall, plus fireworks on Thursday evenings.
If you want to venture to the west, come along Hwy 98 to Okaloosa Island where the kids can enjoy the Gulfarium on the beach and also Wild Willy's on the other side of the road. Wild Willy's has 4-D movies, arcade gaming, some rides, and one of those high walk-way thingy's that you put on a harness and go way way up in the air to cross over ropes and planks, etc. A great view up there.... just don't look down! There's a nice stretch of beach all along from the island past Destin so you'll find plenty of areas to enjoy soaking up the rays and swimming. Just make sure you bring plenty of sunblock. You'll need it! Our snow white beaches reflect the sun, so folks burn much faster than they think they will.
If you remember the movie, The Truman Show, you can head east from Destin about 40 minutes on Hwy 98, drop down to Hwy 30A and walk the streets of Seaside, FL where the movie was filmed. It's an absolutely delightful town that's worth the drive.
So come enjoy our area! Dig your toes into our sugar beaches, watch the dolphins play while you swim, and start planning your next trip back to see us.
Wooh! thanks for this response is really giving me information that we need for our trip, is great, thanks!!!
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You're most welcome Sean! As you can tell, I'm a fan of our area. I truly love it here. In fact, I'm having a hard time getting enthused about an upcoming cruise because our beaches are whiter than those I've seen in the Caribbean. The photo posted there under my name is the Emerald Grande at the Harborwalk in Destin.
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There's a nice stretch of beach all along from the island past Destin so you'll find plenty of areas to enjoy soaking up the rays and swimming. Just make sure you bring plenty of sunblock. You'll need it! Our snow white beaches reflect the sun, so folks burn much faster than they think they will.
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