ResortQuest Tops'l Summit Destin

Learn the legend of a Sand...

by lorigirl

Learn the legend of a Sand Dollar: it is said that Christ left the sand dollar on Earth as a symbol to help the evangelists teach the faith.
The five holes commemorate the five wounds of Christ, while at the center on one side blooms the Easter lily, and at the lily's heart, is the star of Bethlehem.
The Christmas poinsettia is etched on the other side, a reminder of Christ's birth.
According to this legend, if you break the center, five white doves will be released to spread good will and peace.

Fun for the whole family

by iluvdestin about Fudpucker's

This is a very unique place to eat. It has a 60's feel, including a VW bus/van sticking out of the building. It is decorated with anything they could find. Plus, there is not a place on any surface including tables, benches, walls, lights, tableclothes etc. that doesn't have a signature on it. Of course we all signed our names. The lights hanging over the tables are upside down metal buckets(you would just have to see it to believe it) Which of course has writing on it too.
Not only is the restaurant unusual, it also has an interesting feature. It is connected to a Gator Park, no admission. You can feeding the alligators for a small fee (which are only a couple of feet long). You can see "Mellow Yellow" a rare yellow alligator. (although I didn't think it looked much different). Plus you can even take your picture holding an alligator. There is also a playground for the kids.
My kids loved this place so much we had to eat there twice on our vacation. Not just because it was a neat place. The food was good too. The shrimp wrap is very good. Packed with popcorn shrimp, lettuce and tomatoe. The kids popcorn shrimp and the fudburger was a favorite with the kids. The burgers have onions and seasoning in the meat. Even my girl that doesn't like onions loved this burger and the french fries are wonderful.
We got the Wang Bang shrimp for an appetizer. Popcorn shrimp with a special sauce. It was delicious

Captain Dave's on the Gulf

by myrtle about Capt. Dave's on the Gulf

This restaurant is in a great location, especially if your condo is on Old Highway 98 because it'll be right down the street. It's actually located right across from the Beach Street Cottages. The ambiance is very elegant, so it's another place I like to dress nice when I eat there. Again, all the seafood is great. I always like to order either the shrimp or blackened amberjack.

Mini Golf

by Aliseeya

Both Big Kahunas and The Track have mini golf courses. It's a fun activity for the family, and very cheap (about $2/game). It's a great nighttime activity - but does get very crowded during the summer months. I would reccommend going to the Big Kahunas vs. the Track mini golf course; Big Kahunas attracts a more family-orientated crowd.

Paradise in the South

by iluvdestin

"Peace on the Beach"

Destin, Florida is the place to go if you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing vacation.
There are numerous hotels that offer beach front views and access. There is nothing more peaceful than sitting on the balcony of your gulf front condo early in the morning and listening to the waves roll upon the beach as you watch the dolphins. The weather may say it is hot in the summer but because of the constant breeze from ocean it is a comfortable temperature, in fact if you are swimming it can become almost cool when the breeze touches your wet skin.
The beaches are a wonderful white sand with no shells are debris to make walking difficult, just powdery, soft sand. The water in the gulf is a crystal clear blue-green. So clear you can stand chest high and look down into the water and see your feet standing on the sand, which is also soft and white.
The only unpleasant thing I can say about the water is sometimes there is seaweed present floating in the water and on the bottom. There is no harm from the seaweed and the water is still crystal clear. I personally don't like to swim with the seaweed because of the feel of it brushing against my legs. I don't mind it so much if there is not alot of seaweed, but sometimes there is just too much for me to venture into the water. But when there is not seaweed, it is the most amazing sight I have ever seen. Perfectly clear water.

"Things to do in Destin"

There is more than just the beach to keep a vacationer happy in this paradise. Okaloosa Island, which I think is the prime place to stay, basically caters to the vacationer. Beside the condos and hotels there is the Boardwalk with its many restaurants and shops plus the fishing pier which is a must to walk down. There is also the Gulfarium where you can see dolphins and sealions perform. The Gulfarium is directly on the beach so you can sit in covered stands and watch the dolpins do their tricks while also watching the waves roll in on the beach.
Over the bridge to Destin there is The Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is a fun water park with tons of things to do. If you enjoy the fast and heart pumping water rides this is not the place. Although there are a couple of rides of that type, most of the slides and tubes are more tame. Some do go fast and the river rides are fun and exciting, plus some of the tunnel rides are pitch dark. But there are more rides and places for the younger vacationers. It really is a fun park. The prices for the food is a bit high, so you can plan accordingly. But I would recommend this place for a day of fun. There are numerous water activities you can do such as Dolphin Cruises although I believe you can see just as many dolphins from the beach or your gulf front condos as on one of these pricey cruises. (We saw 13 dolphins on our vacation without taking a cruise) You can rent jetskis are boats to venture out onto the gulf. Try kitesailing or parasailing.
And you have to try some of the great restaurants on the gulf. Fudpucker's is a must if you have kids. It has a free admission Gator Park included.
The Crab Trap is good but kinda expensive.
If you have the time you can travel west of destin to Gulf Breeze and go to the "The Zoo". We were coming from Louisiana, so we had to go through Gulf Breeze. We made a stop at The Zoo as a break in our traveling. It was a good zoo. Not anything spectacular, but a good zoo. The train ride was interesting. The gorillas are on an island with just a bit of water seperating them from you. Kind of creepy. The train takes you through a part of the park where there is nothing in between you and the animals, the kids really liked it.