October is a magnificent time to visit the Emerald Coast, and if you come in early October, make some time for the 41st annual Destin Seafood Festival. Destin is an easy 20-minute drive from both The Seahorse Retreat and Palm Breeze Beach House.
Each year, “the luckiest fishing village” hosts three days of music, fun, and mouth-watering seafood along the picturesque HarborWalk Boardwalk in the heart of Destin. This family-friendly event is free and hosts several stages with live bands, local vendors and restaurants serving fresh and creative seafood recipes, and a kid’s zone (inflatables, rock wall, pony rides, zip line etc) to entertain the little ones.
In conjunction with the three-day festival, check out what professional and amateur anglers bring in from their catches each day - the Destin Fishing Rodeo also takes place during October. Each evening fishermen of all ages and expertise bring their best catches to the Fishing Rodeo behind A.J.’s. The fish are measured and weighed and hung up to view. You might see a 42-pound grouper or a 200-pound shark.
If you’re in need of a refreshing break, rent a boat and head to the middle of Destin Harbor, where boats of all sizes gather in to enjoy the day. You’ll see adults and children floating in the clear, shallow water or sliding down inflatable slides at the Crab Island Water Park.
