Destin

A JEWEL in the Panhandle along the Emerald Coast of northwest Florida is the city of Destin. For several years a large sign has stood at the western edge of the city welcoming travelers about to cross the Destin bridge to the "world's luckiest fishing village." However, what was once only a small seacoast hamlet is now a thriving city with a growing population - and an area which also attracts thousands of visitors throughout each and every year.

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Some folks choose Destin as a leisure destination - even if only for a day or a weekend. Many others stay for a week or longer during all seasons of the year. And, a huge number of retirees make Destin their winter home with stays ranging from one to four and a half months. Such is the case for my wife and me. For the past four years we have thoroughly enjoyed the sunny skies, palm trees, white sand beaches, emerald-green water of the ocean, and mild temperatures from the first of November through the middle of March.

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Destin, located on a narrow strip of land between the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay, is about 50 miles east of Pensacola and 50 miles west of Panama City on U.S. Highway 98. Fort Walton Beach is only 6 miles west of Destin - the two cities separated by Okaloosa Island. Several airlines fly into Fort Walton Beach. The airport (Okaloosa Regional) is located northeast of the city near Valparaiso and Niceville. It is only about 15-20 minutes from the Mid-Bay Bridge at Destin's northern border.

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There's always something going on - or something to do - in Destin and the coastal areas close-by. Or, it's the perfect spot to just lay on the beach soaking up the sun. It's easy to be busy with a myriad of fun-filled activities. And, opportunities abound for rest, relaxation, and just doing nothing - all within a wonderful and beautiful environment.

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Walking, biking, fishing, boating, surfing, swimming, sunbathing, golfing, tennis, sightseeing, shopping, and eating-out are just a few of many popular activities available in Destin. In addition to all the regional and national chain restaurants and fast-food places, some lesser-known home town dining spots cater to locals and guests alike. These include A.J.'s, Back Porch, Busters, Captain Dave's, Crab Trap, Dewey Destin's, Harbor Docks, Lucky Snapper, Ocean Club, Pompano Joe's, and the Whale's Tail.

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Destin has hundreds of stores and places of business including three major shopping centers: the Destin Commons, the Grand Boulevard, and the Silver Sands Factory Stores. The city is also home to a library, a museum, numerous churches, amusement centers, a family fun center, movie theaters, putt-putt courses, gorgeous golf courses, and several parks - including Henderson Beach State Park. Dolphins can often be seen swimming in the Gulf and the Bay; and, several boat captains offer dolphin cruises. All of this - and more - helps to describe Destin. But, the beaches with sugar white sand are perhaps Destin's biggest draw when it comes to retaining residents and attracting visitors.

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Nearby towns and villages offer additional opportunities for sightseeing and leisure activities. Okaloosa-Walton College, located just across the Bay in Niceville, has a center for performing arts and features concerts and Broadway-type shows. And, the "Raiders" of OWC keep sports fans on the edge of their seats! Also, the beaches of south Walton county and the villages of Miramar Beach, Sandestin, Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, Watercolor, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach are all only minutes from Destin.

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Housing accommodations are available for both short-term and long-term visitors to Destin. Of course the city has several hotels and motels. Plus, several property management companies assist visitors with arrangements for rentals of condos or houses.

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My wife and I are delighted to recommend Destin as a superior leisure destination. And, based on our own personal experiences, this recommendation is given without any reservation whatsoever.

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-- Destin Harbor is shown in the photograph above.

Branson

NOT THAT MANY years ago, Branson was just a sleepy little town in the Missouri Ozarks. It was not known for much more than simply a place for hillbillies and baldnobbers. About the only attraction in town was one show which featured country music. Also, a nearby cave drew a few sightseers. But that's all it took to set things in motion for a building boom and development which is beyond belief. Today, Branson is a tourist mecca which attracts thousands of visitors every year from across the United States and numerous other countries. It is Missouri's top leisure destination.

Branson has become America's live entertainment capitol. It is located on U.S. Highway 65 about 40 miles south of Springfield - Missouri's 3rd largest city. From springtime through fall, there are over 100 Branson shows - from early morning until midnight - in over 50 theatres featuring live performances. Some shows are scheduled on a year-round basis. An interesting fact is that there are more theatre seats in Branson than in the city of New York.

The Branson area includes 3 pristine lakes; 12 championship golf courses; dozens of museums and attractions; a full-range of dining options with over 60 restaurants; numerous shopping venues, including 3 outlet centers; over 70 motels, hotels, and resorts; plus facilities which will accommodate most any size crowd for conventions, conferences, and meetings.

Dogwood Canyon and Silver Dollar City - an international award-winning theme park - are both close to Branson's city limits. And, the village of Hollister is just "next door."

Entertainment for the whole family is one of Branson's key features. The variety of attractions and activities is extremely impressive. Visitors can ride the Ducks, go go-carting, play putt-putt golf, go shopping, or engage in water activities. When it comes to shows, there are Broadway-type productions as well as shows which feature magicians, acrobats, cowboys, and animals. There are singers, dancers, and musicians. There are touring artists - and others who make Branson their home.

Branson's historic downtown section includes Dick's Old-time 5 & 10 - plus numerous other mom-and-pop-type stores. However, downtown is also now home to The Landing, a new modern outdoor shopping center with name-brand stores located at the city's lakefront. The Landing includes a boardwalk which stretches a mile and a half along the shoreline of Lake Taneycomo. New hotels and convention center space were also major additions to the city as a part of The Landing project. However, Branson is perhaps best known for "the strip"- a 7-mile stretch of Highway 76 which carries traffic to theatres, restaurants, shops, motels, museums, and all kinds of amusements and activities. And, drivers may be happy to learn that there are alternate routes to all of these venues.

My wife and I feel privileged to live within easy driving distance of Branson. We make several trips there and to the surrounding area every year. Whether our journey is for a day or a week, we always enjoy the world-class entertainment coupled with the feeling of small-town hospitality. We highly recommend Branson as one of the best family vacation destinations in the country.

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-- An evening view along Highway 76 in Branson, Missouri is shown in the photo above.