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November is a great time to vacation along the Emerald Coast! Whether you’re staying in Miramar Beach, Destin, or anywhere else along the A30 corridor, you’re sure to find exciting events, good food, and tons of family friendly activities to enjoy (not to mention some of the best beaches in the world).
The Best Destin Events in November
Even though November marks the start of the off season, there are still tons of fun things to do during your Destin vacation. From festivals to silent auctions to table events, we’ve rounded up some of the best November events in Destin, Miramar Beach, Baytowne Wharf, and the surrounding community to make your next trip to area one to remember!
1. Little Black Dress Night
Thursday, November 6 – 5:00-7:00 pm
This event actually takes place every Thursday night at the Marina Cafe, and it is always a blast. Throw on your best LBD and enjoy cocktails and live music during this classic happy hour night of drinks and dancing.
2. Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market
Saturday, November 9 – 9:00am-1:00pm
Stock up on a diverse selection of produce, handmade pasta, fresh eggs, and more at the Grand Boulevard Farmers’ Market. The market is actually open every Saturday, so if the 9th doesn’t suit your schedule, you could try to visit on the 16th or 23rd instead.
3. Live Music at Sky Bar at Edge Seafood
Friday, November 14 – 7:00pm-11:00pm
Enjoy award-winning views and great seafood while dancing the night away at Edge Seafood — one of the best restaurants on the water in the entire Destin area. With food options ranging from fresh ceviche to coconut shrimp to duck, the local chefs are sure to have prepared something you’ll love!
4. 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.
5. 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 one of the best events in Destin with a fun-filled day of music, craft brews, 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.
6. Destin Commons Holiday Celebration
Date to Be Determined
Don’t miss this celebration, featuring a parade, tree-lighting ceremony, fireworks, and more. The best part? Children will get to sit on Santa’s lap during the festivities! An annual Destin community event that’s generally scheduled for one of the last weekends in November, details should be available regarding the time and date soon, but entry is usually free.
7. 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 beforehand so make sure to sign up ahead of time and be ready to race!
8. 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. That means making time to visit Harborwalk Village in Destin and Silver Sands Premium Outlets in Miramar Beach.
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 in Emerald Coast!
Visit Destin This November!
No matter which of the November events above caught your attention, you’ll want to ensure you book one of the best rental options in the Destin area. From Miramar Beach to Sea Grove Beach, Diamond Gulf Rentals has the perfect place for your Florida vacation!
Contact us now to schedule your stay.
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Destin may be busiest during the spring and summer, but autumn is still a fantastic time to visit the Emerald Coast. In fact, fall is sometimes called the “secret season” for Destin, as visitors get to enjoy great weather and a variety of fun activities while the crowds are pretty small.
We’ll share some of the best things to do in Destin in fall, from good food to special events to fun outdoor activities and more!
7 Things to Do in Destin in Fall!
While the water may still be warm enough to take a dip, there are a number of other things visitors will want to check out during the fall. From family fun to more adult-oriented activities, there’s something for everyone.
Check out some of our favorites!
1. Build a Bonfire on the Beach
A favorite fall activity no matter where you are, bonfires are always a blast and a great way to enjoy nature. From cooking gooey, delicious s’mores to feeling the warmth of the fire on your face, this family-friendly activity is made all the better when you get to view the Gulf and listen to the waves crashing against the shore.
In addition to your family and friends, you’ll want to bring along your favorite food and beverages, a comfy blanket, and a flashlight! Just note that you’ll need a permit to have a bonfire on the beach, but it’s easy to get one, and the South Walton Fire District makes the permitting process easy.
Click here to view some local beach bonfire experts.
2. Snap Some Family Photos on the Beach
Fall is the perfect time to capture some photos with the ones you love most, and there is no better backdrop for these memories than the emerald waters and cotton candy skies of Destin’s white sand beaches! With fewer crowds and earlier sunsets, fall provides the chance for visitors to use a beautiful background for a photo. Best of all, there are tons of beaches you can choose from up and down the Emerald Coast, including Miramar Beach, Henderson Beach State Park (be sure to check out the nature trails), Rosemary Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and more!
You can take the photos yourself (be sure to figure out how to operate the timer on your phone), or book a local family photographer and leave the pictures to the pros!
3. Enjoy Some Aquatic Adventures
Although the weather is a little cooler in the fall, the temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy some watersports! Whether you want to jet ski, parasail, or set sail on a dolphin cruise, there are plenty of ways to have a blast while getting wet! You could even try your hand at scuba diving, if you want to see what’s going on beneath the waves and have the chance to see a spectacular array of fish and other wildlife.
But it’s important to remember that the sun’s rays are still strong in the autumn, so don’t forget your sunscreen!
4. Take Professional Sandcastle Building Lessons
Building a sandcastle (or any other type of sand-based art) is one of the classic beach activities, and it is especially fun to do so in the fall, when the temperatures are a bit mild. But while you can certainly grab a shovel and a bucket and make sandcastles yourself, you can also get lessons from sandcastle-building pros.
Just be sure to take lots of photos of your creations, whether you hire professional help or go it alone!
5. Check Out Some Indoor Activities
The fall weather in Destin is generally fabulous, but there are still plenty of indoor activities you can enjoy if your plans get rained out. Arcades are always a fun way to enjoy some indoor fun with the kiddos, and there are several you can visit from Fort Walton Beach to Panama City, including Fat Daddy’s Arcade, Dave and Buster’s, The Track, and more!
As a bonus, many of these arcades offer food and snacks, so you can quickly refuel for more video game fun!
6. Go Fishing
Fall is a great time to go fishing in Destin, as Destin Harbor offers easy access to some of the best fishing in the world! In fact, Destin is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” by fishing enthusiasts because of the incredible angling opportunities it provides.
Tuna and sailfish are some of the best species to target during this time of year, and there are a variety of fishing charter trips you can join to try your luck! Also, if you’re visiting in November, be sure to check out all the fun things to do at the Destin Fishing Rodeo (we love watching the daily weigh ins).
7. Grab Some Grub at the Destin Seafood Festival
If you’re visiting in late September, you will definitely want to make some time to visit the Destin Seafood Festival. A three-day event that occurs on September 26th, 27th, and 28th, the festival offers some of the best freshly caught seafood available anywhere in the world!
But the festival is about more than just a food festival where you can dine on tasty treats prepared by incredible local chefs, there is also live music and local art to enjoy, as well as tons of cool souvenirs you can buy as a memento of your trip.
Book Your Fall Destin, Florida Adventure Now!
As you can see, there are plenty of fun events happening in Destin during the fall. And we didn’t even mention them all! You can also wade around at Crab Island, enjoy delicious drinks at the Bloody Mary Festival, or spend a day checking out the market shops, dining, and live music at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. In fact, the Wharf is home to the world-famous Baytowne Wharf Beer Festival each October.
But don’t take our word for it — visit Destin this autumn and spend time enjoying all of the benefits the off season has to offer! But you’ll want to start planning now and book your trip soon to have the best choice of vacation rentals.
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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.
Check out some of the most important reasons to book direct below.
1. If you book directly, you’ll likely save money.
Did you know that third party sites such as Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, and some online travel agencies charge YOU a booking fee for using their site? This fee can range anywhere from 6% to 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. Simply put, if you want the best rates, go directly to the source!
2. You’ll get better customer service and info if you book direct.
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 and your guests.
The majority of property management companies are located in the local community. They live and work here and know the area and their homes to help you find the perfect place for you and your family.
3. Booking direct provides for easier 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!
4. Booking directly often makes you eligible for special offers and 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!
5. Booking directly let’s you build a long-term 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!
Other Benefits of Booking Your Destin Vacation Directly
While the five benefits described above are some of the best reasons to book your vacation rental directly, there are a litany of other advantages you’ll enjoy too.
For example, you may get an early check in time, special accommodations, or bonus perks by working directly with vacation home owners instead of some third-party site. You may also be able to avoid location restrictions and blackout dates these middle-men often have.
Additionally, these kinds of third-party sites are notorious for charging extra fees for amenities.
Book Direct for Your Next Destin Vacation!
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.
But if you’re already convinced and ready to reserve your Destin vacation rental, head on over to our rentals page and get started!
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Though it’s now known as the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village and an iconic vacation destination, Destin is a storied town with a rich historical heritage dating back hundreds of years. To make the most of your vacation along the Florida coast, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the history of Destin and learn how this wonderful beach oasis came to be!
The History and Origin of Destin
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 two 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
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 the entire 30A corridor 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:
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
Book Your Destin Vacation Now!
As you can see, the history of Destin is fascinating, and has helped it to become the amazing destination it is today. But don’t take our word for it — come see Captain Destin’s Northwest Florida paradise for yourself! As the best vacation spot in all of Florida, Destin is waiting for you!