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TDI
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WOW Paddleboards; Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise; WonderWorks Attractions; ilovedestin.com
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INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL
IntervalWorld.com
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1.
PINEAPPLE WILLY’S:
Enjoy views of the Gulf at this Panama City Beach eatery. Order the ribs.
2.
ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK:
Relax on the beach, hike nature trails, or set sail on the Shell Island Shuttle.
3.
SOUTHERN STAR:
Board this glass-bottom boat for a two-hour dolphin-watching cruise from Destin.
4.
FISHING:
Book a charter boat or drop a line off a pier for saltwater angling in Destin, the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.
hy Go?
For white sands and clear, green waters mixed with a dose of Deep South hospitality. Fishing is serious busi-
ness here, as is the seafood eating, from plump, wild shrimp to briny oysters. Family-friendly attractions can be found in
abundance. And the nightlife? It’s vibrant, with live music, fruity frozen drinks, and plenty of dancing keeping the party
going into the wee hours. Of course, that’s not everyone’s scene: The Gulf’s quieter side is just as easily experienced,
with calm waters to kayak and state parks in which to picnic.
Gulf Coast
14 – 26
Much of the Gulf Coast’s appeal is its prime beach
location, so take advantage of oceanfront access
and explore on the water. Set sail aboard the
Sea
Dragon
, a replica pirate ship, on a two-hour
sightseeing cruise of the waters and shoreline
near St. Andrew’s Bay. Let the kids delight in face
painting, treasure maps, and a pirate dance party
while you enjoy a rum punch or margarita. To
explore beneath the water’s surface, embark on a
two-stop boat tour with Destin Snorkel, swimming
amid schools of fish and searching for seashells.
Either way, you’re likely to encounter dolphins.
1 – 13
With average highs of 63°F to 79°F (17°C to
26°C), the perfectly pleasant weather calls for
days spent outside. Drift down Holmes Creek to
Cypress Springs on a stand-up paddleboard tour
with
Walkin’ on Water Paddleboards
, immers-
ing yourself in the surrounding wilderness and look-
ing out for fish, birds, and turtles along the way. Lay
your beach towel on the sand, set up an umbrella,
and admire the Emerald Coast’s clear, green-hued
waters at Henderson Beach State Park. Be sure to
stretch your legs on the park’s nature trail, which
offers views from atop a sand dune and up-close
access to a coastal dune ecosystem.
40 – 52
Marine mammal sightings are a sure thing with a
visit to one of the Gulf Coast’s aquatic animal
attractions. In Panama City Beach, Gulf World
Marine Park offers live daily shows starring dol-
phins, sea lions, and tropical birds. And in Fort
Walton Beach, a few minutes west of Destin, the
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
offers visi-
tors a bevy of animal-interactions options, from
creating artwork with a dolphin to snorkeling with
stingrays and sharks. For alligator encounters,
head to Gator Beach, where you can see more
than 80 of the sharp-toothed creatures (including
an albino named Pearl).
27 – 39
The mercury’s rising, but heat beyond 90°F
(32°C) is rare. And there’s no better excuse to
soak up some air conditioning than a visit to the
Destin History & Fishing Museum. Exhibits include
a collection of antique fishing rods (including one
owned by author Ernest Hemingway), vintage pho-
tographs, examples of prize fish caught in the
area, and a circa-1925 seiner fishing boat. How
does science-themed fun in an upside-down
building sound? At
WonderWorks
, visitors can
play a giant piano with their feet, experience hur-
ricane-force winds, and conquer an indoor ropes
course. After dark, check out Panama City Beach’s
abundant nightlife.
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Greatest
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2016 – 2017 2016 2017