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The time to feast and be merry is here! Thanksgiving is a holiday we are all grateful for – family, food, and quality time is something we could all use an abundance of, especially now.

Why not take the family along for a destination Thanksgiving in Destin, Florida? Gather everyone in one spot at any of our luxury properties and experience a new Thanksgiving tradition the whole family will love. Along with a stunning home and beautiful weather, Destin offers festive events for all ages! While you’re in town, take advantage of these local happenings.

 

Sparkling Wine & Holiday Lights

Saturday, November 20 – 4-6 pm

Break open the bubbly and enjoy christmas lights and carolers at this fun, local event! Enjoy over 30 champagnes and appetizers, beautiful Christmas lights that adorn the streets of Baytowne Wharf and the first Christmas tree lighting of the season followed by the 12 Nights of Lights light show. You’ll feel as festive as ever at this lovely holiday event. 

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Summer Haze Music Festival

Saturday, November 20 – All Day

Originally scheduled in August, this musical event was postponed until November 20th which is great for guests who are visiting for Thanksgiving week. Break away and enjoy a fun-filled day of music, craft beer, and food trucks galore! The whole family can enjoy this time spent outdoors perusing the local eateries and shops of Gulf Place or walking the short distance to the beach. 

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30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races

Thursday, November 25 – 7AM

The 30A 10K Thanksgiving Day Races invites runners and walkers of all ages to participate in this fun, non-profit event on Thanksgiving Day! Bring the family for some exercise before the feast with 10K, 5K, and 1-mile fun run options the whole family participate in. All runners will receive a free shirt with additional gifts for 10K and 5K runners. Registration and admission is due before-hand so make sure to sign up ahead of time and be ready to race!

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Black Friday

Friday, November 26

You’ve had your feast and now it’s time to shop until you drop for Black Friday. Camp out at the big stores or take your business local at any of our small, locally-owned businesses to support the local economy. Get your Christmas shopping done early and then take the family out for a Gulf front meal. If you ask us, that’s exactly how you celebrate Black Friday on the coast!

 

Make the most of your vacation with these family-friendly things to do in Destin this Fall!

And just like that, Summer is over and Fall is here. Beach crowds have cleared up, the sun sets earlier and a slight, welcome breeze fills the air. While the majority of travelers have come and gone, the fall season brings along a whole new slew of people that enjoy the beach during this breathtaking time of year. 

While the water may still be warm enough to take a dip, most travelers opt for fun Fall activities to help make the most out of their trip! Here are some of our favorite things to do in Destin this Fall so that you can plan ahead and get right to making those memories!

Beach Bonfires

A favorite fall activity no matter where you are – bonfires hold a special place in our hearts. From gooey, delicious s’mores to feeling the warmth of the fire on your face, this family-favorite is made better with Gulf views and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Bring along your favorite food and beverages, best friends, and don’t forget the s’mores! There’s no better way to spend quality time and make some of the best memories. Make sure to book your session in advance to secure a slot with a beach bonfire company.

Click here to view some local beach bonfire experts.

Family photos on the beach

Fall is the perfect time to capture the most beautiful moments on camera with the ones you love most and what better backdrop than emerald waters and cotton candy skies? With less crowds and earlier sunsets, visitors can take advantage of a beautiful background to a photo that will last forever! 

 

Click here to book a local family photographer.

Water Adventures

Although the weather is getting cooler, it’s still warm enough to enjoy some watersports! Whether you like to jet ski and parasail or set sail on a dolphin cruise or fishing excursion, the water is still warm enough to enjoy all of the fun summer activities without the crowds. Looking for an inland activity? The Gulfarium is perfect for the whole family with daily dolphin and seal shows and the most beautiful and diverse marine life to learn about. 

 

Click here to view local water adventures.

Sandcastle Building

Whether you’re taking the family to the beach and building your own, or you book an experience to build the best sandcastle in town, sandcastle building is a beach staple we know all too well. To build a masterpiece, book a professional sandcastle building session with an artist and take back photos to show off to all of your friends.

 

Click here to book your experience!

Arcades and more! 

Whether it’s a rainy day or you are looking for a cooler setting, there are plenty of indoor options when it comes to family-friendly activities. Pick one of the many arcades from Fort Walton Beach to Panama City including Fat Daddy’s Arcade, Dave and Buster’s, The Track, and more! Wild Willy’s Adventure Zone on Okaloosa Island features an outdoor obstacle course, mini golf, and a pizza place! Enjoy go-karts, fair rides for the kids, and a full arcade at The Track or head to the Gulfarium on The Island for the full marine-life experience.

There are plenty of options for outdoor and indoor activities, we’re sure it will be hard to choose just a few. Use our attractions page to plan ahead for your trip. You won’t be disappointed!

 

We all know that searching for the perfect vacation rental for you and your family can be a bit overwhelming. From the many different booking sites out there, to finding the rental to fit exactly what you and your party needs, the possibilities are endless and sometimes confusing. Making the wrong decision could make hundreds of dollars of a difference.

 

Save Money

Did you know that third party sites such as Airbnb and VRBO charge YOU a booking fee for using their site? This fee can range anywhere from 6-20% of the total cost of the rental. With a percentage this high, this could cost you hundreds of dollars that you could save by simply calling and booking directly with the property manager. When looking for a home, the best thing you can do for your pocketbook is to go directly to the source! 

 

Knowledge Is Key

By booking directly with a rental company, you’d not only save hundreds of dollars, but you get the quality and care of a customer service representative that knows the area and can listen to your needs and help find the perfect home for you. The majority of property management companies are located in the area. They live and work here and know the area and their homes to help you find the perfect place for you and your family. 

 

Streamlined Communication

Third-party sites like VRBO and Airbnb require you to use their customer service representatives for questions regarding your booking. In most situations, these representatives act as a middle-man between you and the rental company. When you book direct, you speak to the property managers directly! All of your information is in one system so that we can help you from the start of your booking process, to the very end of your stay! 

 

Opportunities For Future Discounts

Repeat guests are a big deal for the vacation rental agencies. We truly appreciate your business and offer future incentives and discounts that you might not get through third-party OTA’s, saving you even more money on your next vacation! 

 

A Long-Lasting Relationship

Once you find a home fit for you and your family’s vacation, it’s very likely that you’ll rebook in the future for family trips to come. Building a relationship with a management company directly can keep you coming back to the same home year after year. Guests can opt to receive update emails on availability, deals, and new homes that may be perfect for them in the future making the search for next year’s rental as easy as that! 

 

There are so many reasons to book direct that directly affect you, the traveler. Need more statistics? Check out some of the data behind how booking directly can save you money on your next vacation!

The Origin of Destin

History of Destin

Florida Memory / Public Domain Image via The Destin Log

Starting out as a very small fishing village with little to no development, Destin has been an epicenter for anglers since the beginning of time. Captain Leonard Destin, where the Destin name originated from, settled here in 1852 to extend the fishing season. Over the next 40 years, the Destin name would be stamped on the fishing village after William Marler, a worked for Captain Leonard Destin, submitted a post office request with the single name “Destin”.

Since then, settlers have flocked to the beautiful area known for its abundance in fish and beautiful scenery. Over the next 2 centuries, Destin would become one of the United State’s most treasured vacation spots! As businesses develop and more people flock to the area to live, the city has grown with the hustle and bustle of life. While still being a great vacation spot, Destin has stayed true to “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” name by hosting angler events and providing fresh local seafood to restaurants along the coast and neighboring states.

White Sand and Emerald Waters

Destin beaches

Destin Beaches

We all know Destin for its beautiful white sand and emerald waters, but what is the cause of the most beautiful beaches on the Gulf Coast? If you’ve ever wondered, you’ve come to the right place. The unique white sand on the beaches of Destin, Miramar Beach, and 30A come from small quartz particles from the Appalachian Mountains over 20,000 years ago. The Apalachicola River carried water and these quartz particles to the Gulf of Mexico and still continues to do so today.

So, that gorgeous white sand that doesn’t burn your feet, and the crystal clear water that keeps you mesmerized is a beautiful gift from nature herself!

 

How To Make The Most Of  Your Trip

Whether you’re here for the fishing, golf, or just to spend some time on our gorgeous beaches, here are a few tips to make the most out of your trip to the beach:

  1. Book a luxury vacation home with Diamond Gulf Rentals – There’s nothing like making some amazing memories in the comfort of a home just for you and your family. Whether you’re looking for a home with a private pool, large enough for a special event, or want something Gulf Front to enjoy those beautiful views of the Gulf, we have exactly what you’re looking for!
  2. Head to the beach! – We know this seems like an obvious one, but did you know there are many ways to enjoy the beaches of Destin other than just taking a quick trip to the beach! Destin is riddled with fun family-friendly activities like jet skis, kayaking, charter fishing, and there’s even a pirate boat at AJ’s that the kids are sure to love! Switch it up every day with any of these fun activities to get the most out of your beach days!
  3. Enjoy fresh, local food – Help support local restaurants and eat locally owned and locally sourced locations. Harbor Docks, Jackacuda’s Seafood and Sushi, Louisiana Lagniappe, and Brotula’s are some great local places, just to name a few! Supporting local will not only help provide for our beautiful area, but you’re sure to get great, fresh food and the full Destin experience!