What began with the little fishing village in the northwest area of Florida has now grown to a fast-growing tourist destination. Like a whole lot of Florida, water along with sunshine is the main factors. Their great beaches are truly exceptional, but there is certainly more with it. Add in the undeniable fact that it's a great deal nearer to drive to than most of Florida if you are coming from the west and Midwest, and you've got the ingredients for an accepted vacation spot for families as well as couples just wanting a calming weekend. 1. Beaches. Clear, emerald-hued water and white sand highlight the beaches at Destin. Grayton Beach State Park, situated between Destin and Panama City Beach, offers swimming, fishing, camping and snorkeling. The salt marshes, dunes and crystal-white sand provide it a dependable ranking as one of the most unspoiled and exquisite beaches within the United States. 2. Fishing. Depending on the time of year, Destin has some of the best off-shore fishing in the gulf. Tuna, marlin, sailfish and sharks may be caught off-shore, and grouper and snapper are on the reef. The best off-shore fishing can be found about 27 miles southwest of Destin, and August through October is considered the most productive months. Boats may be chartered for half-day, all-day and overnight, and be sure you have a fishing license. 3. Blackwater River. Outside of Destin a bit, this is one among the unseen secrets of the area. Blackwater River is the purest river anywhere in Florida and ranked fourth most pure in the country. It is a place where locals canoe, tube and kayak on the tea-colored waters. The darkness is actually from the tannins of the foliage of the juniper, pine, cedar and cypress which drop into the river. The average deepness in the river is only about three feet, but will have some eddies that can be somewhat deeper. 4. Sunsets. People in Destin claim their sunsets are superior to those in Key West, which is famous for its sunsets. The sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico is quite spectacular, and it's said there are no two which are alike. 5. Entertainment. Combine those sunsets with a dining encounter on a dinner cruise. You'll be able to have dinner and dancing on the Gulf with those beautiful sunsets as a backdrop, and since the area is quickly becoming a popular tourist destination, there is an excellent variety of ships to select from. It has as well become a venue for weddings, with facilities intended for receptions aboard these ships. 6. Golf. A dozen excellent golf clubs are in the area, with three of them offering more than 18 holes. Almost all of them offer golf club rentals, and perhaps the very best of the courses is the Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club in Destin. This public, championship golf course gets ranked by Golf Digest as among the top 200 courses to play within North America. Destin is typical Florida: sun, beaches, golf and fishing. Always something to do. Read more about another fun city on the Gulf of Mexico, which is Key West. Jim O'Connell is an avid traveler and writer now living in Chicago.
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