Anyone vacationed on the Florida panhandle?

[Kore]

I love Destin. The water is gorgeous bright emerald green. I can't remember where we stayed, but it was on the beach & had a great pool area (helpful, I know).

There are plenty of nearby restaurants, and an outlet mall with fairly nice stores. Fort Walton beach is not far, and has more options.

[barleyhops]

We are leaving for Destin 2 months from today! This will be our fifth year going and it is by far my favorite vacation since it is so relaxing. We rent a house when we go down, typically one with it's own pool. We have stayed in Sandestin, Destin, the Baytown Wharf area, and Mirimar Beach. Those are all essentially in the same place.

We go in late September/October, and the weather is fine. My parents were there in May this past year and the weather/water was great. They stayed in the condos at Waterscape and loved it.

Most restaurants were within 5 minutes, we have a hard time choosing where to go since we have so many favorites.

Try Easy Street Rentals, or HomeAway if you are looking for a house, or just HomeAway or VRBO for condos.

[barleyhops]

Aug 7, 2012 8:51:40 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

. My BFF swears by Hilton Head, but I have never been

I have been to both and prefer Destin to Hilton Head... unless you are a golfer. HH wins hands down.

And as for water temps, I am used to swimming in Lake Michigan, so it's warm in comparison.

[barleyhops]

We were in Hilton Head for a wedding in early April, and the water was a bit cold. However most were saying it was unseasonable windy/cooler at the time we were there.

Where my parents stayed, which I will now correct, was Destin West. It was great for them, as well as my niece and nephew (6 & 9). From the resort you could access the gulf and the bay. The bay had warmer water. From their pictures it didn't look like the pool was crowded at all. www.destinwest.com/

[egishere]

The TX beaches are crap so yeah stay away. I love Destin too! I've stayed at several places but can't remember what any of them were called. Last time I went was late April and it was warm but the ocean was pretty cold still.

[BAMFMrsB]

DH and I used to go every year with his parents to Gulf Shores, AL. Then a hurricane destoyed the town.

I'm fairly certain we're going back next Aug when our kid will be 1. We're looking forward to it. Everything is rebuilt, and hopefully we won't be eating oil-soaked seafood

We've been to FL as well; Destin (for a wedding), & Ft Walton/Rosemary Beach (my sis' wedding). There's usually plenty to see and do during tourist season. Lots of restaurants, shops/outlet malls, and touristy things to do.

[Kore]

Aug 7, 2012 10:17:10 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

DH and I used to go every year with his parents to Gulf Shores, AL. Then a hurricane destoyed the town.

I'm fairly certain we're going back next Aug when our kid will be 1. We're looking forward to it. Everything is rebuilt, and hopefully we won't be eating oil-soaked seafood

We've been to FL as well; Destin (for a wedding), & Ft Walton/Rosemary Beach (my sis' wedding). There's usually plenty to see and do during tourist season. Lots of restaurants, shops/outlet malls, and touristy things to do.

The seafood is fine And you'd never know a hurricane hit Gulf Shores now.

[rosiedozie]

Destin is beautiful.

[AAM2012]

I love Destin, Rosemary beach, San Destin area!!!

[BAMFMrsB]

Aug 7, 2012 10:27:05 GMT -5 Kore said:

Aug 7, 2012 10:17:10 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

DH and I used to go every year with his parents to Gulf Shores, AL. Then a hurricane destoyed the town.

I'm fairly certain we're going back next Aug when our kid will be 1. We're looking forward to it. Everything is rebuilt, and hopefully we won't be eating oil-soaked seafood

We've been to FL as well; Destin (for a wedding), & Ft Walton/Rosemary Beach (my sis' wedding). There's usually plenty to see and do during tourist season. Lots of restaurants, shops/outlet malls, and touristy things to do.

The seafood is fine And you'd never know a hurricane hit Gulf Shores now.

Good. I really miss our yearly foray to the beach. We haven't been in so long.

[Rachael070707]

Aug 7, 2012 10:36:29 GMT -5 BAMFMrsB said:

Aug 7, 2012 10:27:05 GMT -5 Kore said:

The seafood is fine And you'd never know a hurricane hit Gulf Shores now.

Good. I really miss our yearly foray to the beach. We haven't been in so long.

I was just about to add that GS is perfectly fine now. Same goes for Biloxi (where I love to go), Gulfport, Ocean Springs, MS.

[Pom]

There is no comparison between Florida vs. Texas beaches. None. TX is nasty. My parent's have a home further South on the Gulf side of FL, so I usually do the beaches from Bradenton, FL down to Sanibel and Captiva Island (all which are awesome). I do have friends who swear by Destin as well and go every year.

[HoneySpider]

Aug 7, 2012 9:33:03 GMT -5 carrotsmakemefat said:

You'll have a good time either way! Destin is great for relaxing. I think Pensacola isn't too far of a drive either. My SO really likes Pensacola.

Have you considered going to any of the Texas beaches? Isn't there one south of Corpus Christie? (please ignore me for not knowing my TX geography).

I live in Corpus Christi, I don't recommend it for a vacation. Or any points north or south.

[kellygreen]

We rented a house in Grayton Beach (about 30 min west of Destin) and loved it. We used www.brswvacations.com We had no pool, but it would have been nice to have one.