I lived there for a few years. It's a family oriented safe community. It's also very beautiful. Enjoy!

My family uses VRBO to rent a place on 30A (collection of small, unique, beautiful Florida beach towns nestled between Destin and Panama City Beach) every summer. You’ll love the clear, emerald-green water and sugar white sand! My family spends a lot of time at the beach and pool, but there are many other activities to enjoy. The Bay is one of my favorite restaurants.

Any beachside restaurant will offer great seafood. Some may have a trivia night or karaoke. There may be an escape room - most cities have one. Check with the hotel to see if they know of anything else.

For NM: If you go the lower route - I'd make a point to swing by Carlsbad Caverns - they're epic. If you go the upper route - I'd take a few hour detour to the Jemez National Recreation Area (short trails, road side attractions, longer trails if you want - all through the gorgous Jemez Mountains. The first mile of Los Conchas Trail is gorgous.) Maybe followed by Bandelier National Monument, which takes about 1.5 hours to take you physically through old cliff dwellings. If you're going through the upper panhandle of Texas, Cadillac Ranch is right off I40 and pretty cool. Bring a can of spray paint and make your mark!

I have lived in both!! Destin can be more expensive depending on where you stay but there is nothing like the panhandle when it comes to beaches. Saint Pete has wonderful food and nightlife.

You are staying in Sandestin. I don’t think you can go wrong with either choice. But Baytown is where most things are at.

Burrito del Sol in fort Walton is great for tacos. Donut Hole in Destin for breakfast. Dewey Destin in Destin. The great southern on 30A.

As a local... don't do it. But if you must, Boshamps is my favourite place for lunch/dinner. Asiago Skillet great for breakfast/brunch. Walk around 30A/Waterside (where they filmed Truman Show).