Trip around Destin

Sunshine Cindy and I have been spending a quiet week so far in Destin. We have stayed around the house each day where I was getting caught up on Crab Island Mambo stuff. We are promoting another show at Crab Island Cantina. This time the Calypso Nuts are coming back on Friday August 30th to play from 6-9 pm. That is Labor Day weekend so it should be a fun time. We are also looking to get a Trop Rock Mambo party going at Sago Sports Bar on Friday August 23rd. I will announce the details when we get it finalized.

A few new places have opened in Destin recently. There is a place selling chicken salad sandwiches. A new Italian restaurant that I can’t seem to find but I have not looked too hard either. LOL And there is a food truck selling Mexican food over by The Track. Since we have not visited any of these new places yet I cannot give an opinion on them.

Al at Crab Island Cantina

With these new places Destin keeps expanding. We have some distinct areas in our city. Of course you always hear me talk about the harbor. This is turning into the premier entertainment area in the city. With dozens of restaurants and bars, nightclubs, souvenir shops, amusement park type rides and of course the largest charter fishing fleet in the state of Florida, you have plenty to keep you occupied here.

Up the road but still in “old town” Destin are some of our established places. Hogs Breath, Harbor Docks, Gilligan’s, Graffiti’s, Donut Hole, Landshark Pizza are a few of the locals favorite spots here.

Fun at Landshark with Jan Patton the Mambo'ians

Keep heading east on Hwy. 98 and you pass Condo Row. This section of Destin has high rise condo’s blotting out the sun and they keep traffic moving at a snail’s pace. Add the popular water park Big Kahuna’s and be ready to sit in traffic in this area.

Just up the road you get to Old Hwy. 98. This is a road that was destroyed by Hurricane Opal back in 1996 I think. They only reopened a small part of the road and built more high rise condo’s on much of the rest of the property. The Back Porch restaurant is here.

Back on regular Hwy. 98 and you come up to the tourist attraction called Wal Mart. It seems like this is the first stop for every tourist who comes into town. Avoid this place at all cost unless you want to become a “Wal Martian” too. Of course this same area has Hooters so it can’t be all bad! LOL

Kelly and Julie at Landshark

A few more miles down the road and you come to the Destin Commons area. About 13 years ago all you had was a TGIFriday’s restaurant on one side of the street and a bowling alley on the other. Now there are major shopping centers all over the place with the Destin Commons being the biggest. Pretty much any place you can think of and some you can’t call this area home.

It is another area you need to be prepared to sit in traffic. This is where the road to the Mid-Bay bridge is at so everyone trying to get over the bay heads here. Have patience around here.

Fun at McGuire's

Past the Commons and before you get to Walton County you will pass several gated communities and the Crystal Beach area. This is a big vacation rental area. Don’t forget once you get into Walton County you have Silver Sands Outlet Mall. One of the largest Outlet Mall’s in the country.

I hope you have enjoyed your little journey through Destin. Have a great weekend. See ya Monday!