We returned to Destin, Florida for another unforgettable summer escape — this time, a little more seasoned, a bit more prepared, and just as excited for the sunshine, seafood, and salty breeze.
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Road Tripping with the Kids (and Charlotte the Cat!)
We drove to Destin again this year, but after learning some hard lessons about space and comfort while traveling with our kids and our cat Charlotte, we made a big upgrade: a waterproof cargo carrier. It was durable, spacious, and nothing got wet. Highly recommend for families needing more room! View the one we used here.
Also, if you’re planning ahead, consider shopping at a local grocery store once you arrive or use a delivery service to keep things simple. We chose Publix for its convenient location and quality options.
Tips for Traveling with a Cat
If you’re planning a road trip with a feline friend, here’s what worked well for us:
• We placed Charlotte’s litter box in the back of the SUV, with her food and water fountain on the opposite side. The water fountain connects via USB and worked perfectly.
• In her early travel days, Charlotte would pant nervously, but now she’s adapted well and usually curls up on the floorboard or armrest between us.
• At night, she likes to perch on top of our ice chest, quietly observing or occasionally nibbling a treat. She typically won’t eat much during the drive but has started relieving herself toward the last stretch of the ride home.
• We never leave her unattended in the vehicle. For getting to and from the car, she travels in a soft cat carrier that keeps her secure and comfortable.
• At our vacation rentals, Charlotte has settled in quickly and rarely tries to explore outdoors. She seems happiest just being near us — wherever we are.
Welcome to Emerald Seaz
We stayed at the Emerald Seaz condo, a beautiful 2-bedroom, 2-bath rental with a pull-out couch — perfect for our family of five. Bonus: it also had a high-chair and Pack ‘n Play, which makes it ideal for those traveling with littles.
From our balcony, we could hear the waves and view the beach. It was a five-minute walk to a private beach, and all we had to do was give the condo number to the beach crew — and voilà, chairs and umbrellas were set up for us like magic. It truly set the tone for a week of relaxation and fun.
View Property Details, Accommodations: Book this condo on VRBO
Day 1: Settling In & Shrimp Basket Traditions
After the long drive, we eased into vacation mode with dinner at The Shrimp Basket. I recommend the Seafood Basket — it’s my go-to.
Tip: If you’re traveling during high season, arrive between 4:30–5:30pm to avoid long wait times for dinner.
After dinner, we checked the weather for the week and gave the kids a quick preview of what to expect. Having that mental checklist helped build their excitement and set realistic expectations.
Shrimp Basket located at: 711 US-98 Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://shrimpbasket.com/
Day 2: Alvin’s Island, Water Shoes & Beach Bliss
We let ourselves sleep in and woke up to the calming sound of waves, palm trees swaying, and that unmistakable ocean air. It was HOT — and I came prepared with a 16oz Clear Aloe Vera Gel, which became my best friend throughout the trip.
Jason made a quick Publix run to grab essentials for the week: breakfast burrito fixings, sandwich fixings, fruit, honey, snacks, ice, and laundry pods.
Post-breakfast, we visited Alvin’s Island. It’s like the 7-Eleven of the beach world — souvenirs, swimwear, and everything in between. We picked up water shoes, which I highly recommend. They’re especially great for water parks and even better than flip-flops for sandy beach days.
Later, we packed a cooler and made our way to the private beach. A yellow flag was up, which turned into a teachable moment about rip currents and beach safety. Here’s a great guide to beach flags that I suggest checking before every beach day.
We spent hours enjoying the waves, building sandcastles under the umbrella, and soaking in the emerald coast sunshine. I love being sunkissed by the sun, though I’m not one to roast like a turkey.
After rinsing off at the outdoor condo shower (so convenient!), we got ready for dinner at Capt. Dave’s on the Gulf. The ambiance, floor-to-ceiling windows, and ocean views were stunning. I ordered the Snapper Jane — a combo of snapper, crab, shrimp, and parmesan — but preferred the Blackened Grouper.
Back at the condo, we played Apples to Apples and laughed ourselves silly at Jason’s hilarious drawing of Corban. We wrapped up with some pool time and I tried to relax with a book, The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan. I had to pause the drama — it was a lot!
Capt Dave’s located at: 3796 Old Highway 98, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://www.captdavesonthegulf.com/
Day 3: Big Kahuna’s & The Crab Trap
Big day ahead! This was our kids’ first-ever waterpark experience at Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park. We arrived early (about 45 minutes before opening) and snagged front-row parking.
Tip: Buy tickets online and head straight to the gate with the turnstiles. No need to stop at the huts unless you’re purchasing in person.
We debated renting a cabana but skipped it and found shade under the trees by the Honolulu Halfpipe. It was perfect for placing our towels — and people-watching, of course.
Locker Tip: Look for your locker between Pleasure Island and Island Time Cafe. They’re digital and open with your own passcode, so no keys to lose. They’re large enough to fit a purse, towels, sunscreen, and more.
Don’t forget water shoes — the pavement gets hot! Most rides allowed shoes, except for Jumanji and Maui Pipeline. For lunch, we shared a large pepperoni pizza. The kids tried burgers and fries, but next time, we’ll share more to cut down on waste.
The Wave Pool wasn’t our favorite, but the kids loved it all. After several hours, we headed back to the condo.
I made Homemade Pineapple Dole Whip by The Home Chef Momma — easy, refreshing, and tropical!
Pineapple Dole Whip Recipe:
• 3 cups frozen pineapple chunks
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp honey
Directions: Blend all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Serve immediately or freeze and let soften before scooping.
Dinner was at The Crab Trap, which doesn’t take reservations. We were quoted an hour wait. They took our phone number and texted when the table was ready.
While we waited, we had options: lounge bar area, back porch beach access with a kid play station or outdoor covered bar. We chose the outdoor covered bar, where we ordered smoked tuna dip and drinks. The kids splashed in the surf until a short Florida rain shower passed. Typical coastal weather!
We met friendly tourists, chatted until our table was ready, and then enjoyed an amazing dinner — crab legs, shrimp, and steak. Our waiter even brought lemon slices and warm towels to clean our hands. The kids were entertained with stickman art menus. This was hands down our favorite family meal.
Big Kahuna Water Park located at: 1007 US-98, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://bigkahunas.com/destin/
Crab Trap located at: 3500 Scenic Hwy 98 East, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://www.crabtrapflorida.com/destin
Day 4: Gulfarium Adventures, Rain & Game Night
We explored Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, and the kids were fascinated by everything from dolphins to penguins. The Sea Lion Show at the Shoreline Theater was hilarious and interactive, and the Dolphin Oasis performance was a highlight.
We loved the Penguin Chat (yes, they’re African penguins!) and the Manatee Encounter, where we watched sea cows munch lettuce from an underwater viewing area. The otters were so cute, and the albino alligator was unforgettable. Corban even got to touch a stingray.
Dinner was simple: takeout from Five Guys. We wrapped the night with puzzles and games, including What Do You Meme?, and laughed until bedtime.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park located at: 1010 Miracle Strip Parkway SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Website: https://gulfarium.com/
Day 5: Donut Hole, Art & Beachside Goodbyes
We shopped a bit in search of a companion coffee mug (no luck!), then treated ourselves to pie and cake at Donut Hole. Their key lime pie and diner-style coffee mugs gave retro vibes of Houston’s House of Pies. The girls picked giant slices of oreo chocolate and strawberry cake.
Later, we parked at HarborWalk Village ($20 all-day parking by Margaritaville) and explored. I stepped into Kelly Pierre’s True Colors Studio, a charming air-conditioned art nook. We talked about paint techniques and mediums while I admired his marine-inspired pieces.
Jason and I grabbed drinks at Margaritaville, took in views of the harbor, and watched a pirate ship float by. The kids enjoyed their giant lollipops with pure joy.
We drove back to the condo for more beach and pool time, then wrapped the night with Pepitos takeout — sizzling steak, chicken, and shrimp fajitas with the BEST chips, salsa, and corn tortillas. We spent our final evening listening to crashing waves, people-watching from the balcony, and finishing our second puzzle.
Donut Hole located at: 635 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://donut-hole-bakery-and-cafe.goto-where.com/
HarborWalk Village located at: 34 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://www.emeraldgrande.com/harborwalk-village
Artist Kelly Pierre True Colors Studio located at: HarborWalk Village, 34 Harbor Boulevard Kiosk 26, Destin, Fl 32541
Website: https://pierreartist.com/
Pepitos located at: 36112 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541
Website: https://emeraldcoast.pepitosdestinfl.com/
Final Thoughts
We didn’t want to leave. This vacation had the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, laughs, and family time. Choosing Emerald Seaz as our home base made everything easy and enjoyable. The food, the views, the activities — it was all just what we needed.
If you’re planning your own trip to Destin, I hope this gives you ideas and encouragement to go for it. And if you missed our previous adventures, be sure to check out our first Destin vacation here.
Until next time, Destin — we’ll be back!
