Destin Trip Report

Question

Spent a beautiful week at Silver Beach Towers in Destin. Mid-September. Beautiful 3 bed/3 bath condo with large balcony. Two big pools. Chairs and umbrellas were put out on the beach very early every morning. $65 for 2 chairs and one umbrella. They picked them up at 5:00, or earlier if no one was using them. They always put out more than were reserved.

We ate out twice; once at McGuires Irish Pub and another night at Harbor Docks. Both were great! Good food and service. Would definitely go to either one again.

We went to Harborwalk Village one night and just walked around. Nice little area, but I bet it is super crowded in the Summer months. The $20 parking fee is a bit steep...imo. We were only there maybe an hour. (I guess we could have parked further away, but we had a stroller to maneuver, so closer was better)

Weather was great. No rain at all during the week. Hardly any clouds. High of about 88F all week.

Did our shopping at nearby Publix. Got some seafood from Destin Ice Seafood Market. Got a Key Lime Pie from Donut Hole one day. Went back another morning to get donuts, but the line was way too long. Stopped at Krispy Kreme instead.

I was excited to learn there was a "Farmer's Market" set up in a parking lot near Walmart on Sundays from 9 - 1. Stopped by....5 vendors were there. No fruits or veggies, just some seafood...seafood dips and soup mostly, (had samples Yum!) a liquor table (had samples! Yay!) a sourdough bread stand..(bought a loaf, very good) and I don't remember what the other two vendors were. Very disappointed, but I guess Summertime is better for that. Went to Publix for our fruit and veggies.

My husband and I and our daughter, her husband and their little baby were there. Her husband had been here many times for vacation with his family, so he knew where everything was and some good restaurants to go to. Hubs and I had never been to this area. it was just beautiful! The green/blue ocean water was just gorgeous. There was a lot of seaweed that week, but it honestly added to the beauty of the colors of the water. Didn't bother us.

We all drove down. 2 cars. Hubs and I stopped in Atalla/Gadson AL for the night to break up the trip. About a 12 hour drive, but so worth it! We will be back!

Answer

It sounds like your week at Silver Beach Towers in Destin was wonderful! Staying in a 3-bedroom, 3-bath condo with a large balcony gave your family plenty of space, and having two big pools on the property is always a plus. The beach service with chairs and umbrellas for $65 was a convenient option, especially since they were set up early and removed later in the day.

Dining out seemed enjoyable with your experiences at McGuire’s Irish Pub and Harbor Docks, both providing great food and service. A visit to Harborwalk Village offered a nice evening stroll, though it’s understandable that parking fees and crowds might be more of an issue during peak summer season.

Weather-wise, mid-September was ideal — high of about 88°F, sunny, and very little rain. Your grocery and market trips were practical, with stops at Publix for essentials, Destin Ice Seafood Market for fresh seafood, and Donut Hole for Key Lime Pie and donuts (though the line was long for the latter). The local Sunday "Farmer's Market" was a small but enjoyable experience, with seafood, liquor samples, and sourdough bread.

The natural beauty of the area stood out, especially the green/blue waters. The seaweed didn’t detract from the scenery, and the drive down with an overnight stop in Alabama made the long journey more manageable.

Accommodations: Silver Beach Towers, 3 bed/3 bath condo, large balcony, two big pools
Beach amenities: Chairs and umbrella service, $65 per set, setup early morning, pickup at 5 PM
Dining highlights: McGuire’s Irish Pub, Harbor Docks
Local attractions: Harborwalk Village (parking $20), Publix shopping, Destin Ice Seafood Market, Donut Hole/Krispy Kreme
Events/Markets: Sunday "Farmer's Market" near Walmart, small number of vendors, mainly seafood and baked goods

Family experience was very positive: traveling with daughter, son-in-law, and baby made for a fun multi-generational trip. The color of the water and overall scenic beauty were memorable. The drive down with a stop in Atalla/Gadsden, AL, was well-planned and made the long drive enjoyable.

Travel logistics: 12-hour drive from home with overnight stop
Family composition: Two adults, daughter, son-in-law, baby
Overall experience: Beautiful beaches, great weather, enjoyable dining, family-friendly activities

Overall, this trip to Destin was highly recommended and left a positive impression — perfect for a return visit in the future!