What if your visit to the Emerald Coast could be more magical than you ever imagined?

When it comes to Destin, FL, most tourists think about visiting the beach during the spring and summer. And while those white sand beaches are absolutely unforgettable, there are many other awesome things to check out in the fall.

Don’t believe it? Keep reading to discover the best fall activities taking place in Destin, Florida!

The Greek Festival

Obviously, Destin is a long way away from Greece. But it won’t feel that way when you’re checking out the Greek Festival!

This festival is one of the area’s most memorable fall activities. It typically takes place over the Labor Day weekend and is conveniently located at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island.

But what’s this festival all about? It features Greek food, live music, and other memorable performances. On top of that, vendors come here from across the country to sell unforgettable and artisanal works.

In other words, you’ll learn quite a bit about Greek culture, eat some wonderful food, and walk away with amazing souvenirs!

Concerts In the Village

Do you like live music? Well, if you’re still looking to plan your trip to Destin, you don’t have to wait for the Greek festival to hear powerful live performances.

That’s because the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village puts on Concerts in the Village every fall. These events take place on Thursday evenings and feature a variety of musical performances from local artists.

And if you’re in the area with your family, these concerts are even more special. Organizers encourage you to bring a picnic and enjoy the family-friendly music. Or if you’d rather sample local cuisine more directly, just visit one of the convenient local food trucks!

The Seafood Festival

If you ask a local what Destin is best known for, the first thing they will say is the beach. But if they get a second choice, they are likely to say the food.

Destin has a number of amazing restaurants, but the area is mostly known for its amazing selection of seafood. Normally, it would be impossible to take in all of the different tastes in one trip. But not if you check out the Destin Seafood Festival!

This is a three-day event that typically takes place in October. And it runs in conjunction with the Destin Fishing Rodeo (more on this in a minute).

As for this festival, it brings together many of the best tastes and chefs from the area into one convenient location. And you can listen to live music, check out fireworks, and engage in many other awesome activities that are perfect for you and your family.

Destin Fishing Rodeo

Destin has many nicknames. But the most famous nickname is this: “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

Sure, the area is well-developed now and covered with boutique stores, corporate outlets, and towering condos. But Destin never forgot its roots as a fishing village. And you can get in on the fun by participating in the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo in October.

How does the rodeo work? Simple: you start by hiring one of the many local knowledgeable charter boat captains. Go have fun out on the Gulf of Mexico catching one of the wide range of eligible rodeo fish.  You then weigh your catch in at AJ’s and take part in a friendly fishing competition. If that sounds a little too busy for you, then you can always arrange more intimate fishing opportunities in one of the world’s most lovely locations for catching fish!

The Mattie Kelly Festival of the Arts

Earlier, we mentioned Mattie Kelly. As an organization, Mattie Kelly helps to organize things like the Concerts in the Village. But what Mattie Kelly is most known for is bringing traveling Broadway performers, musicians, and other creators to the area as well as providing a venue for local performers.

To get the entire Mattie Kelly experience in one trip, we recommend checking out the Festival of the Arts. It takes place at the Cultural Arts Village and typically has over 100 exhibits representing over 20 different forms of artistic expression.

While the big draw to this event is the art, you can always count on the Festival of the Arts to bring you live music and some killer cuisine. Oh, and there is a beer and wine garden for the adults, though the entire event is both fun and friendly for the entire family.

Go Kayaking

So far, most of our guide has focused on organized activities such as local festivals and musical performances. But what if you’d like to take some time to yourself and really get away from it all?

One of the most relaxing things you can do is to go kayaking. And several kayaking venues are available, including the popular option of Destin Harbor. Of course, you can always kayak on the bar. And if you don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can kayak in areas such as the nearby Blackwater River.

Bottom line? If you like to kayak, Destin has you covered!

Yes, the Beach Is Still An Option

Obviously, our guide has focused on activities other than the beach because the ocean is best enjoyed during the spring and summer. But here’s a little secret: the beach is still a viable option for much of the fall.

That is because it takes a long time for the local weather to really cool down. If you limit how long you are in the water, you could reasonably swim as late as November. And if you’d like to just explore the water and maybe do some fishing, all you have to do is book a boat for your family adventure today!

Destin Fall Activities: Your Next Move

Now you know about some of the best fall activities in Destin, FL. But do you know who can make your experience truly magical?

We provide the perfect boats for deep sea fishing and generally enjoying the ocean. If you’d like to see how we can transform your next trip to the area, just contact us today!