Destin (Pensacola, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach: military, maintenance, vacation)

[mdawg]

okay so i go to Destin for spring break every year just like every other person from Louisville, but what is it like after the spring break season is over? Is anything open and would you suggest coming any other time of the year besides March/April. What does everyone do for a living once all the tourists leave?

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by mdawg

okay so i go to Destin for spring break every year just like every other person from Louisville, but what is it like after the spring break season is over? Is anything open and would you suggest coming any other time of the year besides March/April. What does everyone do for a living once all the tourists leave?

Destin is always packed with tourists and everything stays open year round. Shopping is a huge draw for Destin and it's not just tourists doing the shopping. Lots of locals in the NW Florida area go to Destin to hit the stores and outlet malls. The days of beach towns shutting down in the winter season are long gone. Spring Break is only the beginning of the high season. You should see summer crowds! Then the snowbirds flock down for the winter season. It's endless.

[2bohemians]

Originally Posted by mdawg

okay so i go to Destin for spring break every year just like every other person from Louisville, but what is it like after the spring break season is over? Is anything open and would you suggest coming any other time of the year besides March/April. What does everyone do for a living once all the tourists leave?

We live just east of Destin in Santa Rosa Beach along the Scenic Highway 30A so we can give you a pretty good idea of life after the tourists. Spring Break is a lot quieter on our beaches than over in Destin or in Panama City. We rarely drive to Destin in the Spring unless we are forced to go to Wal-Mart or some place that we have to go. Nothing wrong with Destin, it's just too crowded and crazy in the Spring for us. Anyway, so all the Spring Breakers come and go, then it's Summer ... it's still just as busy and then pretty much the season is over by Thanksgiving. We still get tourists but just not so many. Mostly older folks just looking for a nice quiet beach vacation.

There are plenty of things open in Destin except for some of the water parks and seasonal things like that. You may find that over our way, some of the local shops or restaurants may shut down around Christmas / January to take time to do their maintenance and such for the year. It's pretty slow .... sometimes deadly slow if you work in it .... but it's lovely to have little traffic and empty beaches. You are correct that this is a tourist driven economy so it is tough for a lot of folks to either find a job or make any money at the one they have in off season. We feel lucky that we have solid yearly employment. You just have to be smart about it and save up your money when you're making it!

So, what does everyone do ...... we enjoy the paradise we live in .... and we get ready for the next round!

Hope this helps .... if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask ... See you next Spring!

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by mdawg

okay so i go to Destin for spring break every year just like every other person from Louisville, but what is it like after the spring break season is over? Is anything open and would you suggest coming any other time of the year besides March/April. What does everyone do for a living once all the tourists leave?

check the following: Emerald Coast Travel Guide - Things To Do Destin

[carolesh]

Like said earlier, tourists come year round, just different types prefering quieter beaches, warm vs hot temps, restaurants, fishing, golfing, shopping, music, etc. and the snowbirds in Winter getting away from the real cold. But also, west of Destin are the military, military contractors, and support companies raising families where they like their piece of paradise and laid-back life-style year-round.

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by carolesh

Like said earlier, tourists come year round, just different types prefering quieter beaches, warm vs hot temps, restaurants, fishing, golfing, shopping, music, etc. and the snowbirds in Winter getting away from the real cold. But also, west of Destin are the military, military contractors, and support companies raising families where they like their piece of paradise and laid-back life-style year-round.

Lots of the northwest areas are considered PARADISE by many....

[Floridabound09]

Destin, Fort Walton Beach are "paradise". You will absolutely enjoy the beauty in those towns. Breathtaking views, white beaches and great food.

[mdawg]

I've only stayed in Destin but i will have to check out some of the other places mentioned the next time i come down. I think it would be too cold to come down around Christmas though, because its still kind of chilly there in March, it must be pretty cold in December/January.

[misterno]

Hello All

Can someone tell me when the spring break crowd leaves Destin and Pensacola? And what is the earliest time of the year to swim without catching cold? I assume it won't be before end of April. Right?