A Mom’s Guide to Destin :: Where We Stayed, What We Packed, and What We Loved

A Mom’s Guide to Destin :: Where We Stayed, What We Packed, and What We Loved

There’s a reason so many Louisiana families head to Destin for vacation. Beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions, great food, and plenty to do for both kids and adults make it an easy getaway. We recently spent time in Destin and wanted to share some of our favorite finds, packing tips, and things we were glad we brought along.

Where We Stayed

There are many great hotels to vacation at along the Gulf Coast.We stayed at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fort Walton and had a great experience. One of the biggest perks was the value included with our stay.

Our package included:

• A $25 meal credit daily that could be used at any of the three on-site restaurants
• Two complimentary welcome drinks
• Easy access to the beach and resort amenities

For families, those meal credits can really help offset vacation costs.

Things We Did in Destin/Fort Walton

Mini Golf

Mini golf was a hit with our family. Many attractions offer discounts for teachers, military members, nurses, and first responders, so be sure to ask before purchasing tickets.

Arcade Games

Arcades were another favorite. London loved collecting tickets and choosing prizes. It’s an easy activity for an evening or a break from the sun.

Harbor Boardwalk

We spent time exploring the Destin Harbor Boardwalk and found plenty to keep us entertained.

One of our favorite stops was Al’s Beach Club, where we enjoyed:

• A pirate show
• Daily live music
• Corn hole games on the beach
• Beautiful waterfront views

It’s a fun spot for families while still offering plenty for adults to enjoy.

What We Packed (And Were Glad We Did)

A little planning saved us money and made travel much easier. Here’s what we packed for the family ::

Food & Snacks

We brought:

• Ziploc bags
• Cereal
• Snacks
• Sandwich meat
• Bread
• Condiments
• A cooler

Having easy breakfast and lunch options helped us avoid eating out for every meal.

Beach Essentials

Don’t forget:

• Sunscreen
• Beach chairs
• Beach towels
• Hats
• Backpacks
• Bubbles for the kids
• Portable speaker
• Chargers
• Beach Tent

Clothing

Some of my most-used items included:

• Swimsuits
• Shorts
• Casual dresses
• Cover-ups
• Long-sleeve button-down shirts

One of my favorite beach hacks was borrowing one of my husband’s lightweight button-down shirts to wear as a swimsuit cover-up. It was comfortable, easy to throw on, and perfect for going from the beach to a restaurant.

Travel Tips for Families

If you’re traveling with little ones, bring extra blankets.

We used ours:

• During the car ride
• On the hotel floor for playtime
• On the bed for movie nights and snacks

It ended up being one of the most-used items we packed.

We also brought a tablet for the drive, which helped keep everyone entertained during travel.

Vacation Purchases We Actually Used

Not everything you buy on vacation ends up being worth it, but these were some of our favorites:

Waterproof Phone Cover

This turned out to be a lifesaver. Beach water got into my phone several times and caused it to shut off. Thankfully, the hotel had a blow dryer that helped dry it out, but next time I’d bring a waterproof phone pouch from day one.

Ring Toss Game

London loved playing with a ring toss game on the beach. It was simple, easy to pack, and provided hours of entertainment.

A Special Souvenir

We let London pick out one toy during the trip, and she chose a SuperKitties toy. Giving kids one special souvenir can make vacation memories even more meaningful.

Sun Care Favorites

A few products we enjoyed:

• After-sun lotion
• Tanning lotion
• Bronzing drops

One note: the bronzing drops transferred more easily than expected, so be careful with light-colored clothing.

Food We Enjoyed

One thing we appreciated about staying at the Four Points by Sheraton was the daily $25 dining credit that could be used at any of the three on-site restaurants. It made grabbing meals and snacks throughout the trip convenient and helped offset some vacation costs.

Some of our favorite items included:

• Fresh tuna salad topped with mixed greens, grape tomatoes, and sesame seeds (Al’s Beachside)
• Peel-and-eat shrimp served with lemon and cocktail sauce
• A kid-friendly chicken nugget basket with fries that was a hit with London

We also packed plenty of snacks, sandwich supplies, cereal, chips, and popcorn for the room. Having easy breakfast and lunch options saved both time and money, allowing us to splurge on a few meals out while still staying within budget.

Mom Tip: If you’re traveling with kids, bring a cooler and pack simple meal options. It made beach days easier and reduced the number of times we had to stop everything for a meal.

Final Thoughts

Destin continues to be one of our favorite family vacation spots. Between the beach, family-friendly attractions, great food, and plenty of opportunities to make memories, it’s easy to see why so many Louisiana families return year after year.

If you’re planning a trip soon, hopefully these tips help you pack smarter, save a little money, and enjoy every minute of your beach getaway.