Looking To Get On The Water In Destin?

Check out this Private Sunset and Harbor Cruise!

1. Waterfront Dining At Harry T’s Or Margaritaville

The Destin Boardwalk is known for its incredible waterfront dining options!

When you arrive here, grab a coffee or snack at Cafe Cafe, and when you’re hungry after doing the village activities and shopping, there are a wide variety of choices, with perfect views of the water!

There are also indoor options if weather doesn’t allow for eating outside.

You can watch boats come in and out of the harbor while eating at one of the waterfront restaurants, including Margaritaville Restaurant & Bar which offers great American food with an island flare.

Harry T’s is known for some of the best seafood around!  Try one of their seafood platters.  They also have options like burgers, tacos, and sandwiches for those not in the mood for seafood.

Whether you are looking for something casual or upscale, there is something here that will fit your needs!

Other restaurants at Harborwalk Village include East Pass Seafood & Oyster House and Rhumcay Island Grille.  Jester Mardi Gras offers daiquiris and pizza.

Go here for more restaurants nearby and in Destin! 

2. Pick Up A Souvenir At Nautical Treasures

Take home memories of Destin and Harborwalk Village at Nautical Treasures!

From souvenirs, arts, crafts, shirts, hoodies, and sunglasses, Nautical Treasures has you covered.

They also have snacks, soda, and pretty much everything you need for your day at the beach or on the water!

3. Make It To The Top Of The Rock Climbing Wall

As Destin’s Harborwalk Village is known for its restaurants and shopping, it also has adrenaline pumping activities to try!

The rock climbing wall is 40 feet high and has 3 paths to choose from.  If you want to make it more exciting, do this at night when the LED lights have the rock wall and grab handles lit up.

Looking for more thrills?  They also offer ziplining, where you harness in and it takes you 1,000 feet across the village, seeing the best views of the area!

You can also do the Free-fall attraction, where you safely strap in and take a 100 foot plunge from the top of the tower.

And for more fun, they have bungee trampolines for the kids to jump on.

For all the attractions, details, and pricing go here.

4. Explore The Village Stores & Shops

Harborwalk Village is filled with plenty of shops and stores to explore.  From vendors that offer Moonshine, jewelry, art, or fresh cooked pork skins, there are a lot of interesting things to buy here.

For jewelry and accessories, Harborwalk Village has stores such as Bleu Tropics, Destin Jewelry Shop, and U-Name-It.

For clothing, sunglasses, and swimwear, you can visit Aloha Surf, Life Is Good, Sunglass World, and Sunset Lifestyles.

Other stores and shops include HEIR: Airbrush & Henna Art Company, Kitty Hawk Kites, Naples Soap Company, and True Colors Art Studio.

5. Get Sweets At The Fudgery

Looking for a treat after dinner or just some chocolate to take home?  Visit The Fudgery and feed your sweet tooth!

With several kinds of fudge, caramel apples, frozen yogurt, these handmade treats are a good way to treat yourself.

I recommend the Caramel Pecan Turtles here. 

6. Play Harbor Mini-Golf

For a playful family-friendly activity or date night competition, try Harbor Mini-Golf!

Play this 9 hole course and see who can get the lowest score.

Harbor Mini-Golf is just steps away from Rhumcay Island Grille.

7. Try Axe Throwing

Axe Throwing is a perfect activity to do at Harborwalk Village!  Popular for date nights, days out with friends, and other events.

Gulf Coast Axe House offers a relaxed, outdoor setting and their staff will show you proper technique when throwing.

Players must be 13 years and older, and you need to wear shoes, too.

Also, try the Gulf Coast Escape Room while here and beat the clock to escape!

8. Play The 7D Virtual Experience

If you’re looking for a fun, mind blowing experience try the 7D Rides at Harborwalk Village.  They have the Zombies game here, which I also played at Icon Park in Orlando.

These virtual games let you kill the bad guys and compete with friends for the most points.

Other rides here include Forbidden Mine, Gigamon, and Los Banditos.

For more games and fun, Harborwalk Village also has a Mirror Maze, Shooting Gallery, Caricature Drawings, Cubby Caboose Train, and The Vault: Lazer Maze.

Some of these activities may have seasonal hours.

9. Grab A Drink And See Live Music At AJ’s

Just outside of Harborwalk Village, AJ’s is a fun place to visit at the Destin Boardwalk for drinks, night life, and live music!

Come hang out at their outdoor bar or patio and watch tv on their big screen.

AJ’s food is nothing to laugh at, they claim to have Destin’s Freshest Seafood and they also offer a sushi bar.

With events throughout the year such as their Mardi Gras Celebration, AJ’s is definitely a place that you’ll remember!

10. Have Fun On The Water!

Looking to get on the water while in Destin?

Whether it’s kayaking, paddleboarding, snorkeling, parasailing, dolphin cruises, fishing charters, the Destin Boardwalk has all the water activities you could want!

Here are some of the most popular vendors and experiences offered:

Boogie’s Water Sports- Jet-ski rentals, parasailing, pontoon rentals, wave runners, and more.

Destin Snorkel

Private Chartered Pontoon Rental 

Dolphin Tour

11. Check Out The Entertainment

Harborwalk Village is a top spot for amazing entertainment in Destin throughout the year!

Even in the winter, the village brings people in with events that are going on.

Events such as a jazz competition, Rhythm, Brunch, and Brews (brunch and drinks followed by live music), and a Mardi Gras celebration, keep the winter rockin’ at the harbor!

Summers are filled with lots of live music, fireworks shows, and more.

No matter what time of year you’re here, there’s a good chance there’s something going on.

Keep up to date on the events online.

Photo Credit: Matheus Bertelli/Pexels

12. Take A Helicopter Tour

For the ultimate views of Destin and the Gulf Coast, take a helicopter tour!

You and up to 3 friends (4 people total) can experience all the beauty that the area has to offer.

Timberview Helicopters has flight tours around Destin and nearby.  They have shorter tours that just bring you above Destin and Miramar Beach.

They also have longer flights that will take you all along the Emerald Coast and even to Seaside, Florida.

Check out their options online.

Where Is Harborwalk Village/Destin Boardwalk Located?

The Destin Boardwalk and Harborwalk Village are on the west side of Destin just before you get to the Highway 98 (Marler) Bridge.  This is an ideal location and a perfect area to stay because it’s right by a lot of fun places and activities.

I’m not sure if Destin has a downtown per se, but I would consider Harborwalk Village the start of downtown Destin and it would extend east to Henderson Beach State Park or possibly Destin Commons. 

Harborwalk Village is just across from Crab Island, which is a famous sandbar outside of Destin.

On the other side of Destin Harbor from Harborwalk Village is Noriego Point, a beautiful beach, where the Choctawhatchee Bay waters flow into the Gulf of Mexico.

Across the street from Harborwalk Village is McGuire’s Pub, which is famous for its food and live music.  There are several other restaurants and attractions nearby.

The city of Fort Walton Beach is a few miles west, with attractions such as The Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island and beaches which include Gulf Islands National Seashore.

And just a few miles east is Miramar Beach with beaches, waterfront restaurants, and fun activities.

The address for Harborwalk Village is 34 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541.

Parking- Harborwalk Village

Parking is right off the highway in front of the Destin Boardwalk/Harborwalk Village.  Or you can use the Emerald Grande parking lot which is next door to the west.

There is a lot of parking here, but it does fill up during busy events and in the summer, so come early!

It states online that you have to pay $10 for parking.

If you use the Emerald Grande parking lot, you have to pay unless you’re a guest.

I came in September 2021 and did not have to pay in the Harborwalk Village parking lot.  So parking fees may just be seasonal.

But I would say play it safe and understand that you may have to pay for parking.  Harborwalk Village itself is free, though!

Where To Stay Near Harborwalk Village

There are many great places to stay near the Destin Boardwalk/Harborwalk Village.

Emerald Grande is located right at the village so as far as location, it’s ideal.

Here are a few other options in the area!  I’ve personally stayed at Palms of Destin and Hyatt Place-Sandestin, and recommend both.

Sandestin is about a 20 minute drive from Harborwalk Village, but has lots of things to do nearby including The Village of Baytowne Wharf.

Harborwalk Village and the Boardwalk in Destin are loaded with restaurants, activities, and lots of shopping.

Whether you’re just in Destin for a day trip or a week’s vacation, this attraction is a must-see when in the area.

If you’re looking for more fun in the area, you need to visit Pier Park in Panama City Beach!  

Booking a last-minute trip to Destin?  

If so, we have you covered.  Here are some top recommended tours and experiences!

Top Tours in Destin

Crab Island Sandbar Adventure (Crab Island has been my favorite experience in Destin!)

Crab Island 12 Passenger Pontoon Boat Rentals (Half or full-day rentals)

Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise (one of the most beautiful cities to catch a sunset)

Tikis Harbor Lights Cruise (Fantastic Destin Harbor Nighttime Cruise)

Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Ride  (Dolphin Watching Off The Coast of Gulf Mexico)

Top Hotels In Destin

Hotel Effie Sandestin – (Top Rated Hotel With Lots Of Activity Options)

The Grand Sandestin – (Best Rated Hotel In Destin)

Hyatt Place Sandestin – (Hotel Near Miramar Beach Destin)

Holiday Inn Express Destin E – (Highly Rated Budget To Mid Range Hotel)

 Looking To Get Around In Destin? 

Check out rental car rates here! 🚗

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