Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Rent a canoe to paddle one of the parks three (very rare) coastal dune lakes. You can also rent a bike or hike to explore, and you’ll see why Topsail is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Here you can also find 3.2 miles of secluded beaches and 25-foot dunes.

Henderson Beach State Park, Destin

The pristine sugar sand beach is the major draw here, with boardwalks providing beach access. Pavilions are available for picnicking and grilling, and there’s also a playground and a nature trail.

Destin Pass Jetties, Destin

For adventurous anglers, the jetties are boulder piles from which you can fish throughout the year. A fishing license is required. The jetties also make for terrific snorkeling.

Eden Gardens State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Here you can picnic on the grounds of the historic Wesley mansion, a beautifully renovated two-story house with elegant white columns and a wrap-around porch. The house is surrounded by live oaks and gardens for heritage roses, butterflies and, in season, camellias and azaleas. There’s also a one-mile hiking trail.

Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Hike the nature trail to glimpse sand dunes, pine forests and scrub environments, or while away the day on the pristine beach, which consistently ranks among the country’s most beautiful. Activities here also include surf fishing, as well as freshwater and saltwater fishing, canoeing and kayaking on Western Lake.

Vortex Spring, Ponce De Leon

Located a bit inland from Destin, Vortex Spring produces 28 million gallons of crystal clear water daily, at a year-round temperature of 68 degrees. It claims the title of the largest diving facility in the state. It is also one of the best and safest diving destinations in the country. It offers SCUBA diving, equipment rental and diving training at any level, as well as snorkeling and swimming. There are two high-jump platforms, a diving board, zip line, two swimming pool-sized slides and a rope swing.

Deer Lake State Park, WaterSound

In this coastal dune habitat, you'll find southern magnolias, golden asters, woody godenrod and scrub oaks. This state park is a beautiful backdrop for a picnic with the family, serene fishing trip, or a day at the beach (there is a boardwalk across from the dunes with beach access for visitors).

Point Washington State Forest, Santa Rosa Beach

Enjoy camping, lake access, nature trails and a picnic pavilion at Point Washington State Forest. Traverse the trails on foot, bike or horseback!

Coastal Dune Lakes, South Walton

This area is home to 15 coastal dune lakes. These ecosystems are unique and rare — only found in South Walton, Madagascar, Australia, New Zealand and the United States Northwest Pacific Coast.

Underwater Museum of Art, Walton County

Located 58 feet below the Gulf of Mexico, off the shores of Grayton Beach State Park, the Underwater Museum of Art features the first permanent underwater sculpture garden in the U.S. Each year, a new sculpture is selected from submissions across the globe to join this aquatic installation. This Destin attraction doubles as an artificial reef system, drawing a variety of marine life to the area. Hilton Sandestin Beach has proudly sponsored four of the sculptures displayed to this day.

Hurricane Lanes, Destin

Located on the corner of US Hwy 98 and Matthew Boulevard, Hurricane Lanes is the perfect rainy day Destin attraction. Take your spin at one of the 256 bowling lanes. Or, challenge friends & family to a round of pool, ping-pong or an intergalactic battle in the family-friendly arcade.

The Track Family Recreation Center, Destin

Race to the finish at The Track Family Recreation Center, a Destin attraction featuring five go-kart tracks for every level of driver. Young racers can chase the thrill while traveling at a safe speed on the Kiddie Track, while older drivers can zip at top speeds down the Slick Track.

Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park, Destin

Every family vacation should include a stop at this Destin attraction. Named one of America’s best water parks by the Travel Channel, Big Kahuna’s features more than 40 water attractions including, water slides, pools, kiddie areas and a wave pool. For those seeking an activity on dry land, the Adventure Park features tropical mini golf and a heart-racing Sky Coaster.

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Fort Walton Beach

For marine life lovers, this top attraction near Destin offers various animal encounters. At the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, guests can get up close and personal with stingrays, sea lions and even penguins. Unique activities include painting with dolphins, a reptile safari and an encounter with a 500-pound alligator named Brutus.

City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Fort Walton Beach

The City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center aims to preserve the history of the Fort Walton Beach community and the Northwest Florida area from 14,000 B.C. through the 20th Century. The attraction encompasses the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound and the Civil War Exhibit Building.

AMC Classic Boulevard 10, Miramar Beach

Take a break from the beach and head to AMC Classic Boulevard 10, the area’s closest digital theater featuring the newest movies. Enjoy a film with stadium seating, innovative digital sound systems and tons of legroom between each row.

Grand Boulevard, Sandestin

Grand Boulevard Sandestin is the large-scale shop, dine, play and stay Town Center located closest to Hilton Sandestin Beach. The Center offers a dynamic lifestyle experience with convenient access to a multitude of exclusive shopping and dining options, entertainment and professional services. Retail stores include lululemon, Blue Mercury, Anthropologie, Billabong, Vineyard Vines and Tommy Bahama. Grand Boulevard has more than a dozen casual and fine dining restaurants including Cantina Laredo Modern Mexican, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Emeril’s Coastal. Art galleries, a 10-screen movie theater, salons and parks can be enjoyed throughout this pedestrian-friendly Center.

City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, Fort Walton Beach

This is an educational and cultural center that aims to preserve, interpret and present the prehistory and history of the Fort Walton Beach community and the Northwest Florida area from 14,000 B.C. through the 1950s. The Center encompasses the Indian Temple Mound Museum, Camp Walton Schoolhouse Museum, Garnier Post Office Museum, Fort Walton Temple Mound and the Civil War Exhibit Building.

Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Destin

Silver Sands Premium Outlets is one of the country’s best outlet centers – home to 110 designer and name-brand outlet stores, as well as to several dining options including Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Gifts, beauty and food, housewares, accessories, luggage, shoes, and designer fashions for men, women and children are all offered here. Stores include Banana Republic, Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren and Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th. Guests of Hilton Sandestin Beach have complimentary shuttle service to and from the Destin shopping area.

Family-First Amenities

We offer the little things, like cribs and pack-and-plays, beach chairs, towels and umbrellas, and a convenient market for snacks and food on-the-go. But we offer big things too, like a variety of kid-friendly restaurants with great kids’ menus and suites that come with bunk beds in a little private alcove. To parents, these things go a long way toward making family vacations enjoyable, relaxing and hassle-free – which is the whole point.

Local Babysitting Services

For the nights, and days, that you need a little extra time to yourself, Hilton Sandestin recommends Coastal Kids Babysitting. A locally owned business, parents can book daytime and nighttime sitting services any day of the week—holidays included. And, if you need a little extra help, Coastal Kids Babysitting also offers Mother's Helper services. Soak up the sun with some peace of mind, knowing you have an extra set of hands and eyes. Crafts, games and stories will keep the little ones entertained with minimal screen time!

Kid-Friendly Activities

Kids love our offerings here at Hilton Sandestin Beach. There are indoor and outdoor pools, poolside cabanas, beach volleyball, golf, tennis and Destin's best family-friendly attractions, including a zip line, ropes course, water park, aquarium and go-karts. For children over 14, we also offer stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking on the water.

Kids love Hilton Sandestin Beach for all of the fun things to do, but there is a lot for parents to enjoy if they have a little time for themselves, like our full-service spa or AAA Four Diamond steakhouse Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, for example.

Resort Must-Dos for Families

If the countless options for family-friendly fun here seem overwhelming, check out our top picks lists for three different age groups – kids under five, kids ages five through 12 and teens. These are suggestions we've come up with after watching our families enjoy themselves here for four decades. We know what works, and we’re here to share it with you.

Space for Everyone

Vacation with plenty of space and leave feeling closer to the family. With private alcove bunk beds featured in every Deluxe Junior Suite, little ones can play or watch TV while the parents relax.