A few weekends ago, I took a quick trip to Destin with a few girlfriends and it was really such a perfect little weekend getaway! It’s honestly been a few years since I traveled down to the Emerald Coast. The Destin beaches are just as beautiful as always: white sand beaches and emerald green water make for gorgeous views when you’re near the beach. The Emerald Coast is the perfect location for a summer getaway with the girls!
Best Things to Do in Destin FL: Where to Stay
We checked into The Henderson Beach Resort on a Friday afternoon. Once we got to our rooms, we spent a little time wandering around the beautiful resort and getting our bearings before heading to the bar for cocktails and appetizers. You can read all about The Henderson in my recap of our stay!
Best Things to Do in Destin FL: Where to Eat
Eating at local restaurants is one of my favorite parts of traveling. Seafood is always my go to when I’m on the gulf coast, and we enjoyed every single meal that we had in Destin. That’s always good to hear, right? Ok, let’s get into them:
Cuvee
Cuvee is a perfect spot for cocktails, but their food is worth a trip, too. I ordered the most delicious cocktail (that wasn’t even on the menu) and the whole table ended up ordering one. They’ve got some seriously talented bartenders! After our first round of cocktails we ordered a few appetizers and a couple of entrees that we shared. Their Tuna Tartare was probably my favorite appetizer, and the Mahi Mahi was my favorite of the appetizers. Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to spend cocktail hour, or a delicious dinner, Cuvee is definitely worth a visit!
Brotula’s
On Saturday, we found our way to Brotula’s for lunch overlooking the water on their enormous patio. Once again, we ordered family style, starting with a refreshing watermelon salad. We asked the chef to make the decisions on our entree’s, and our lunch did not disappoint: two different types of fresh-caught fish, shrimp, and southern-style sides. And of course, a slice of Key Lime Pie and the Bread Pudding. We had to have dessert at one of our meals, right? This was not my first visit to Brotula’s, but I’ll definitely be back when I’m in the area again. It’s a great casual spot for lunch and the view is pretty nice, too.
Horizons
We spent cocktail hour at Horizons, which happened to be in the hotel where we stayed. Their appetizers are to die for–especially the Crispy Cauliflower! We also ordered a couple of Chef’s Special sushi rolls that were absolutely delicious. And I can’t forget the cocktails–their signature drinks are perfectly refreshing. This is a fabulous spot for cocktail hour!
Destin is a beach city, so there’s always plenty to do. My recommendation? Make an appointment at the Salamander Spa for a massage, get there early and hang out in the relaxation rooms and pop into the lavender steam room. Eat some fresh seafood–it really is better at the beach! The rest of the time? Find a good spot on the beach and read a book, hang out by the pool in a cabana, or find a lazy river to float in. Talk about a perfect summer weekend getaway!
