Choosing one of the lovely Destin vacation rentals is a great idea for anyone interested in visiting this picturesque seaside community. Staying in a rental allows vacationers to have a more relaxed experience. There is no need to worry about the person in the next room making too much noise and keeping you up late, or worse, waking you up early. A rental also gives you more room to spread out, often for much less money than you would pay for a smaller hotel room. For those who are planning an extended stay, Destin vacation rentals often have kitchen and laundry facilities to make the experience less stressful and more cost efficient.

Destin Dining

If you do decide to dine out while visiting Destin, you will not be disappointed. There are a number of excellent restaurants, as well as some hometown favorites, that are sure to please the members of your party. The Donut Hole has fresh baked donuts and desserts as well as delicious sandwiches and home-style dishes. The Lucky Snapper, AJ's Seafood and Oyster Bar, and The Crab Trap are all great local restaurants that focus on fresh seafood.

For a more exclusive dining experience, visit Seagar's This four-diamond restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and prime beef. In addition, they have an extensive wine list with more than 800 exquisite labels.

Destin Shopping

The shopping options for those staying in one of the Destin vacation rentals are extensive. Destin Commons is one of the newest open-air shopping centers along the Gulf Coast. Not only are there many amazing shops and restaurants, but the open atmosphere is more reminiscent of a small town village than a shopping center. Some of the most popular shops include Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Bass Pro Shops, Hugs and Hissyfits, and Williams-Sonoma. After an afternoon of shopping, be sure to catch the latest movie at Rave Motion Pictures and enjoy your own ice cream creation at Cold Stone Creamery.

Just a few miles east of Destin, you will find Silver Sands Factory Outlets. Plan to spend an entire day browsing through designer stores while spending only a fraction of the retail cost. Some of the more popular stores include Coach, Gap, Allen-Edmunds, Brooks Brothers, Reebok, Dooney & Burke, and Kenneth Cole New York. If you get hungry while shopping, there are plenty of dining options as well, including Panera Bread, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and Carrabba's Italian Grill.

Destin Beaches

One of the main reasons many people want to stay in one of the Destin vacation rentals is the close proximity to the world famous beaches. In fact, Destin is surrounded by beaches on two sides. The Gulf of Mexico is to the south and the Choctawhatchee Bay is to the north. There are 12 public beaches within the city limits of Destin, including Henderson Beach State Park, Norriego Point, and James Lee Park. By traveling a few miles east into Walton County, you will have access to dozens of other beach options as well.