Many people across the United States have increased levels and anxiety and stress due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. During these uncertain times there is no better stress reliever than sitting down with your family and planning your next vacation for when this pandemic is behind us. One of the most highly rated vacation destinations your family should seriously consider is Miramar Beach Florida. Families from all over the United States have been falling in love with the white sugar sand beaches and glistening emerald waters along the coast of Miramar Beach Florida. This popular vacation destination in sunny northwest Florida is referred to as the Emerald Coast and is visited by over 4.5 million visitors annually. Most families choose the Emerald Coast since it’s a one stop vacation spot for all ages. Miramar Beach is conveniently located within a reasonable drive time for most travelers or book a short flight to/from the Destin Executive Airport (DTS) or the nearby airports of Pensacola International Airport (PNS) and Panama City (ECP).
The beach is the main reason why families choose the Emerald Coast for their vacation year after year. The most beautiful beaches are Henderson Beach State Park, Crystal Beach, Jetty East Beach, Norriego Point, James Lee Park, O’Steen Public Park and Silver Shells. One of the largest and best beaches in Miramar Beach is the Miramar Beach Regional Access Public Beach adjacent to Pompano Joe’s Seafood restaurant. Make sure you are aware of public and private access points and parking before venturing out. If you stay at a beach house or condo on the beach this isn’t something you need to worry about however if you rent a beach house that isn’t located on the beach then you will need to confirm with your rental agency if you have a private or public access point. Plan ahead before you hit the beach and map out where you are going to park since the beaches can get very busy.
Besides the beach another popular family fun activity to do is a full or half-day fishing charter. Destin is known as the world’s luckiest fishing village and claims to have the largest fleet of fishing boats in the state of Florida. The charter boats are located in the Destin Harbor which is connected to the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. If mom and the girls are not interested in a fishing charter then check out HarborWalk Village which is adjacent to the Destin Harbor and similar to an open-air mall with numerous souvenir shops and restaurants. If fishing isn’t a top priority then consider renting a pontoon boat or book a water taxi to Crab Island. This is a sandbar hangout only accessible by boat and is another family fun activity that includes floating restaurants, bars and even has a large inflatable obstacle course for the kids. Other family friendly things to do in Destin and Miramar Beach include Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park where you can see dolphin encounters, Village of Baytowne Wharf, Big Kahuna’s Water Park, Buccaneer Pirate Cruise, The Maximum Magic Show, Gator Beach Alligator Park of shopping at Destin Commons or Silver Sands Premium Outlets. If these attractions are not enough then you can try your hand at one of the eleven golf courses in the area.
The Emerald Coast offers numerous dining options for families ranging from casual all the up to fine dining. Keep in mind that prices are slightly higher for casual restaurants since this is a popular vacation destination. The best restaurants are located at the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, along Highway 98 or Scenic Highway 98 where your family can enjoy dining at a famous beachfront restaurant such as Pompano Joe’s in Miramar Beach or the Crab Trap in Destin. The two best resources for researching and booking reservations are TripAdvisor and Opentable. The top 5 highest rated restaurants in Destin and Miramar Beach according to TripAdvisor are Crackings, Mama Clemenza’s, Louisiana Lagniappe, McGuire’s Irish Pub and Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer.
There are way too many options to choose from when deciding where to stay and range from small and large beach vacation rentals, condo rentals and also hotels depending on what suites your needs and budget. A majority of families choose a vacation rental house which allows each family member to spread out with their own bedroom or space and since it offers amenities such as a full kitchen, large living room and a private outdoor area for relaxing and grilling which isn’t offered at hotels or condo rentals. Miramar Beach offers excellent options for families of all sizes. Amenities vary greatly between beach rentals however most families on vacation prefer vacation homes with as many amenities as possible. One example of a Miramar Beach vacation rental house that is brand new and checks the box for all family members. This house has 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and sleeps up to 16 people. It has a modern beachy furniture and dcor with amenities such as a 6-person golf cart, bikes, private pool, 6-person outdoor daybed, chaise loungers, large outdoor dining and grilling area, large outdoor living area with deep seating, fire table and a kids bunk and game room. This house is more reasonably priced since it’s not on the beach however it’s conveniently located less than two blocks or a 3-minute walk to the beach and the famous Pompano Joe’s seafood restaurant. Since there are so many options where you can stay make sure you first check online reviews and work with a high rated vacation rental agency. One of the best boutique rental agencies that caters to families looking for vacation homes in Miramar Beach is Diamond Gulf Rentals.
The Emerald Coast has a lot to offer whether you are planning a vacation for a family of 3 or an extended family vacation for 20 people. There is no shortage of things to keep everyone happy and Miramar Beach is one of the most family friendly vacation destinations in the United States.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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