5-Day Destin Itinerary for Empty Nesters

Your day-by-day plan

1. 1

   Arrive on Your Own Clock

   Morning:Roll in whenever you like. That's the whole point.

   Breakfast & coffee:Tisano's

   Afternoon:Settle in, then take the first long beach walk.

   Lunch:The Whale's Tail Beach Bar & Grill

   Evening:Sunset dinner at Stinky's Fish Camp over the lagoon.

   Dinner:The Yard Milkshake Bar

   Insider Tip:Travel shoulder season (April-May or September-October): perfect weather, half the crowds, and you finally can.

2. 2

   Water Day, Grown-Up Edition

   Morning:A dolphin cruise or a private two-hour sail out of the harbor.

   On the water:Blue Crab Water Sports of Destin

   Afternoon:Lunch at Camille's, then an unhurried museum stop at the Destin History & Fishing Museum.

   Fishing charter:Stinky's Bait Shack

   Evening:Oysters and live music at Boshamps while the sun does its thing.

   Dinner:Papa Surf Burger Bar

   Insider Tip:Harbor bands start around 6 pm, which suits this itinerary's clock perfectly.

3. 3

   The 30A Meander

   Morning:Coffee at Amavida, a browse at The Hidden Lantern Bookstore, and a walk through Seaside before the day-trippers.

   Breakfast & coffee:Kwench Juice Cafe

   Afternoon:An Eden Gardens State Park picnic under the oaks, then a Grayton gallery hour.

   Culture:Thrive Gallery

   Evening:A chef-driven dinner at Cuvee 30A or Café Thirty-A, the reservation you couldn't justify with teenagers in tow.

   Dinner:amici 30A Italian Kitchen

   Insider Tip:April brings the Sandestin Wine Festival. Build trip two around it.

4. 4

   Active Morning, Indulgent Night

   Morning:Nine or eighteen at Emerald Bay, or a paddle at Norriego Point. Pick your version of active.

   On the water:La Dolce Vita Watersports - Sandestin Beachside

   Afternoon:A couples massage, then a nap without guilt.

   Spa & wellness:Emerald Touch Spa

   Evening:The a sunset dinner cruise from Baytowne Marina: three courses, a band, and a dance floor that skews charmingly multigenerational.

   On the water:G.I. Jade Tiki Bar & Bistro

   Insider Tip:Spring for the window-table upgrade. It also guarantees a private table for two rather than cruise-style seating.

5. 5

   Slow Exit

   Morning:Brunch at Another Broken Egg, then one last shoreline walk.

   Breakfast & coffee:Cowgirl Kitchen Market & Cafe

   Afternoon:Depart, or start pricing what snowbirds pay for January here. You're eligible now.

   Lunch:Ruby Slipper

   Evening:Home with the winter question officially open.

   Dinner:McGuire's Irish Pub of Destin

   Insider Tip:This is the exact demographic Destin's winter season was built for. One trial month next winter will tell you everything.