Sandestin family activities?

[rhonda]

We'll be visiting Sandestin next month for our "first ever" visit. The party is four adults, one mature 10yo girl. Things I'd like to plan ...

• A water activity: paddle boards, kayak, ... ?
• A cooking class? (So sorry Kitchenique is closed!)
• A tour of a CSA-type organic farm?
• Snorking location? (we'll likely have our own gear)
• Horseback riding?
• Bass Pro Shop?
• A day at Seaside
• ???

Thanks for the leads!

 

[rhonda]

Circling back around on this ... we have returned home from a fabulous visit to Sandestin over the July 4th holiday week. It was our first visit to the area and we had a blast! Here is my own reply to the above:

• First thing to know: Sandestin is a 2400-acre gated country club filled with activities. Staying on property likely entitles you to free bicycle rentals, kayak rentals, beach chair/umbrella sets, tennis times, fishing and more with free shuttles running throughout the property all day long. There is plenty to do onsite w/out ever leaving.
• The Embarc (fna Club IntraWest) resort also offers a free video arcade (of interest both the youth and a few adults), DVDs for room use and a small movie theatre. The movie theatre selections are chosen "first come, first serve" by the guests -- so pick a movie day and have your requested film shown in the theatre. Rather thrilling for the young one in our group.
• Both the gulf-side beach and the bay-side water activities are a sufficiently huge draw that you might not ever leave the property. Don't worry for lack of activities!
• Need some shopping therapy or highly themed dining options? Baytown Wharf is your place ... again, onsite with shuttle service.
• Allow the shuttle service to give the group some mobility. Don't bother moving the car; instead, use the resort's transportation options to allow some of the group to return from the beach early to prepare lunch/dinner, or some to go shopping, etc. If some of the group are moving more slowly in the morning, don't nag -- allow each to move at their own pace and eventually regather at the intended beach spot ... great!

In short, one never needs to leave Sandestin during the exchange week.

Two of us did take a short day trip to visit Seaside and Watercolor. Between the two, we found Watercolor more inviting -- but were greatly relieved on returning to Sandestin to be away from the crowds.

 

[lizap]

When in Destin, plan to eat at the Back Porch. Fantastic seafood. Some of the best crab cakes I've ever tasted..

 

[Jan M.]

Is this the same resort as Bay Club of Sandestin?

 

[lizap]

Is this the same resort as Bay Club of Sandestin?

These are different resorts.

 

[rhonda]

Is this the same resort as Bay Club of Sandestin?

Bay Club and Bay Club II are two specific properties w/in the Sandestin gated community. The Sandestin gated community is a mixed use development including multiple timeshare, hotels, condos, homes, golf courses, shopping, dining, etc. We were staying at the Embarc resort, formerly known as Club IntraWest, via an Interval International exchange.

 

[everdave]

Destin is my family's favorite place.

As said above The Back Porch is great, and is on the beach and the kids can play out there no problem (sometimes we go straight there after driving all day).

Seaside is great hopefully will be less crowded than it was this summer. Awesome place when not crowded. The Great Southern restaurant in "the circle" is one of my favorites.

Bass Pro is great with the kids, they have fish tank, a glass elevator. Love going and looking around since it is not something I do back home. Around holidays they have kids activities. There is a small playground area in that shopping complex too and a movie theater (for bad weather, never been though).

Fudpuckers restaurant is one of our kids favorite places. They have alligators, the kids can hold one and get a pic for $5-10. They have a small play area and Fat Daddy's arcade is next door, they just expanded it. My oldest kid LOVES that place.

The Track is a huge go kart / kiddie ride / mini golf / arcade that the kids will love. Do yourself a favor and eat at Merlin's Pizza after The Track (it is right by it). Wow it is great!

Henderson Beach State park is clean and has restrooms, we go here most days, especially if it is a busy time of year ($6-8 to enter). There are plenty of free public access beach points otherwise our favorite being the Crystal Beach access.

Baytowne Wharf has restaurants, playground, arcades and it is fun, but we don't go as much as we used to. Go if you haven't been.

Harbor Walk village is great, lots of boats docked, arcade, zip line, kid stuff,

It is a pretty long drive but St. Andrews state park in Panama City has the best snorkeling area.

Other restaurants we love: Pompano Joe's, The Whale's Tail (kind of a dive but right on the beach), Harry T's at Harborwalk, AJ's, The Surf Hut.

Have fun!

 

[tashamen]

Our favorite restaurant when staying at Embarc is Stinky's Fish Camp in Santa Rosa Beach (on the way to Seaside) - we often go there several times during our stay.

 

[rhonda]

Thanks all!

I find it amusing how many comments refer to restaurant recommendations. When you are vacationing in a timeshare, with extended family, how often do you typically dine at a restaurant?

For our 7-night stay, we ate out once but only because we received gift cards that had to be used on the property. For all other meals, we used the unit's ample kitchen and gathered around the dining table or packed snacks-to-go. FWIW, we were very disappointed with our restaurant meal and quite thankful we had stocked up from Costco before check-in!

 

[tashamen]

Thanks all!

I find it amusing how many comments refer to restaurant recommendations. When you are vacationing in a timeshare, with extended family, how often do you typically dine at a restaurant?

For our 7-night stay, we ate out once but only because we received gift cards that had to be used on the property. For all other meals, we used the unit's ample kitchen and gathered around the dining table or packed snacks-to-go. FWIW, we were very disappointed with our restaurant meal and quite thankful we had stocked up from Costco before check-in!

We're in the category who generally only eat breakfast in our unit and usually go out for both lunch and dinner, though depending on the location and other family or friends with us we might stay in for one meal a day. That's our idea of vacation - no cooking! Maybe using the grill once or twice is okay.

I'm sorry about your bad meal at the property - IMHO they're all pretty mediocre at Sandestin, especially the ones at Baytown Wharf. Some at Grand Boulevard next door are marginally better, but they're mostly chains which we tend to avoid.

 

[lizap]

We usually eat at least one meal a day out. I think the seafood is excellent here, but I guess it all depends on your tastes. Grew up on the Gulf Coast and haved lived near NOLA for 30+ years, so we are pretty picky when it comes to food and especially seafood. The Back Porch and Dewey Destins are both very good. Both are very casual - you go here for the food.

 

[Polly Metallic]

We're scheduled to check in this coming Saturday, assuming the area doesn't sustain too much damage, and they still have power. So sorry to think of the destruction to homes and property throughout Florida from this devestating storm.

 

[lizap]

We're scheduled to check in this coming Saturday, assuming the area doesn't sustain too much damage, and they still have power. So sorry to think of the destruction to homes and property throughout Florida from this devestating storm.

This area should be fine as its a long way from Irma's initial impact.

 

[Polly Metallic]

We arrived today and the area looks fine. The resort is beautiful. Hanging out by the pool till it's time to check in.