USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “SOUTHEAST” FLORIDA

FLORIDA: THE SUNSHINE STATE

BY CLAY LARROY Touring America can be fun and traveling to Florida is one of the great vacation states. DESTIN, "THE EMERALD COAST"  "Welcome To Paradise" White Sandy beaches, emerald green waters and beautiful sunsets!

Located in the Florida Panhandle, the City of Destin has a rich historical heritage dating back to American Indian inhabitants as early as the seventh century A.D. Spanish explorers surveyed Florida in 1538. Don Francisco Tapia was commissioned to survey the Florida coast and in 1693, drew the first known map of East Pass and its shores. Destin traces its immediate history to a fisherman, Captain Leonard Destin, who moved here from New London, Connecticut, and settled in Northwest Florida in about 1845. Captain Destin pioneered the fishing industry and Destin has maintained this heritage to the present.

According to the website you are about to experience the natural beauty of Florida's Emerald Coast, where sand is like sugar and the Gulf waters are aquarium clear and emerald green. These unspoiled surroundings foster life-long memories of family vacations and unforgettable romantic getaways. Natural beauty makes Destin a tropical paradise. The location makes it a great vacation spot or a wonderful place to live.

A Paradise Watersports Located on Okaloosa Island, (850)837-0123. Everything for the watersports  enthusiast: pontoon boats; Jet Skis; parasailing; waverunners; snorkeling  adventures and more. Call 302-0021 for reservations. Inshore Angler Charters Inshore Angler Charters is your number one Inshore, bay, flats, fly fishing,  gulf, charter boat guide service located in the luckiest fishing village around  Destin, Florida. Destin Bay Fishing & Destin Inshore Fishing the crystal emerald  green waters from Destin into the Gulf of Mexico, or Choctawhatchee Bay  you will see why it's called the "Emerald Coast."  Call (850)862-9722 for more information. Big Kahuna's Oversized water park offering more than 40 exciting water attractions,  three tropical mini golf courses, two wild and fast go-kart tracks and  two adrenaline-pumping rides. Boogies Water Sports Hwy 98 East at the foot of Destin Bridge next to Fat Tuesdays, (850)654-4497.  Rent new jet skis, waverunners and pontoon boats. One-hour, half-day and  overnight rentals. Enjoy a great view of Destin by parasailing - offering single,   double and triple flights. Call for their Dolphin Excursion. Call to schedule  reservations. Open daily, season starting March 1. Destin History & Fishing Museum Learn about the history of Destin, its founders and families. See award-winning  fish caught in Destin and view a collection of antique fishing rods and reels.  Adults $5; Seniors & Military $4; Children $3; Children under 6 are free.  Open Tue - Sat 10am - 4pm Dolphin Cruise HarborWalk Marina, Hwy. 98 E., (850)837-7741. Enjoy a two-hour cruise  exploring the emerald green waters with Captain Steve and his crew  aboard theSouthern Star. Their dolphin and sunset cruises were featured  on CNN. Fun for all ages. Coolers welcome. Call for reservations. Eden State Gardens and Mansion East on Hwy. 98 then north on Route 395, Point Washington (850)231-4214.  Built in 1898 by lumber baron William Henry Wesley, this Southern mansion is  surrounded by flowering trees and stately oaks. Guided tours of the mansion  Thursday through Monday, first tour 9 a.m., last tour 4 p.m.  Gardens open everyday. Emerald Coast Scuba Behind the Taco Bell, Destin, (850)837-0955. Dive with the Under Pressure.   Clean, fast, maximum of six divers. Four-day PADI certifications. Also offering  sightseeing cruises. Emerald Coast Watersports Okaloosa Island, (850)664-0051. Everything for the watersports enthusiast:  pontoon boats, jet skis, parasailing, waverunners, snorkeling adventures and  more. Call (850)302-0021 for reservations. Fudpucker's Fat Daddy's Arcade / Ft. Walton Beach and Destin FAT DADDY'S ARCADE is the perfect stop for family entertainment. Featuring  more than 65 of the most popular games on the market, you can find everything  from skee ball and basketball free throws to Guitar Hero, racing games,  interactive games, kids games and lots more. Fudpucker's Gator Beach Gator Beach provides a fun family adventure! Feed live alligators and stroll  through our free educational wildlife exhibit. Learn about the natural habitat  of alligators and see some of the differences between alligators and crocodiles. Fishbones Watersports Located at East Pass Marina, (850)650-3381. Features parasailing single,  double and triple flights. Waverunners and pontoon boats 1/2 day or full day. Gilligan's Watersports 530 Hwy. 98 East, Destin, (850)650-9000. Three-seater waverunners,  pontoon boats and parasailing. Hourly, 1/2-day and full-day rates.  Two-hour special rates. Grayton Beach State Recreation Area Hwy. C-30A east of Hwy. 283, 231-4210. Offers camping, picnicking, hiking,  swimming, saltwater fishing and boating. Outdoor showers & bathroom facilities.  A scenic spot, the park contains Western Lake, ringed by an extensive salt   marsh and abundant with wildlife. Stop by the park office and pick up a   self-guide nature trail brochure. Henderson Beach State Recreation Area Just off Hwy. 98, near the eastern boundary of Destin, (850)837-7550. Two bath   houses with outdoor showers and four boardwalks (two handicapped accessible).  Picnic tables, pavilions, grills and parking. Campground sites with full facilities.  Open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The Glass-Bottom Boat Located at Boogies Dock at the foot of the Destin Bridge, (850)654-7787.  The only excursion vessel featuring underwater viewing. Offering dolphin  encounters, sightseeing, bird feeding and narrated cruises. Open daily, season  starting March 1. Call for cruise times. Moodys 194 Hwy. 98, Destin, (850)837-1293. Emerald Magic offers Daily Dolphin Sunset  Cruises that include playful dolphin and beautiful sunsets. Cruises last two hours.  Emerald Magic is also available for charter year-round. She is equipped to handle  groups of up to 149 people for private parties, weddings and corporate meetings.  The lounge has a full bar and galley. Catering and entertainment  recommendations are available upon request. America II offers fun fishing  trips for the whole family, specializing in bottom fishing. Everyone catches fish  and will have a good time reeling in the snapper, triggerfish, bass, perch,  flounder, grouper and amberjack. Half-day trips are offered from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.  year-round. During the season, and afternoon trip from 2:30-6:30 p.m.  is available. Pleasure Island Waterpark On Hwy. 98 in Ft. Walton Beach across from the Ramada Inn, (850)243-9738.  Waterslide, go-kart rides, waverunner rentals, pontoon boats, jet boats and   parasailing. When you're done with fun, stop by for a bucket of steamers, a   drink and ice cream. Open daily. Call for reservations. Sail Away Customize your sailing charter adventure; Sailing, Snorkeling, Diving with  Capt. Klein with over 20 years of perfected experience. (850)376-4757.  Call Capt. Klein for schedule and prices.  Sailing South Sailing South Docks, Hwy. 98 East & Benning Dr., Destin, (850)837-7245.  Charter their 72-foot historic replica, built of coastal forest planks and timbers,  and authentically outfitted and rigged for morning dolphin sail, afternoon sail  and snorkel, and late afternoon, sunset cruise. Runs everyday except Sundays.  Call for schedule and prices. Bring the beverages of your choice. Private group  events also available. The Track Recreation Center Hwy. 98 on the east side of Destin, (850)654-4668. The Track in Destin is your  family headquarters for fun! Our action-packed recreation center features   everything from the ultimate in go-cart tracks, like our Wild Woody three-tiered  go-kart/roller coaster hybrid, to big fun for little tykes at Kids Country. Challenge  your friends to miniature golf, splash em on Bumper Boats, or test your courage  at our bungee jumping tower. Reference Sites http://www.cityofdestin.com/ http://www.destinfl.com/ http://www.emeraldcoastfl.com/              “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry                                  it with us, or we find it not.”                                 ― Ralph Waldo Emerson              Enjoy and travel often, the more you travel, the more memories                                               you create!