10 Things to Do in Destin: Make it a Day With Family
## Destin Attractions: What to Do Before or After Your Family Photo Session
10 Things to Do in Destin: Make it a Day With Family
You came to Destin for more than just photos—you came for memories. And while your family photo session might be the main event, the before and after can be just as unforgettable. The key? Pair your portraits with a little playtime. From floating sandbars to mini-golf chaos, Destin knows how to deliver. Whether you’ve got toddlers, teens, or tag-alongs in tow, there’s something here for every kind of family vibe. Consider this your local-approved playbook for making the most of your shoot day. Let’s dive in.
Crab Island: Float, Feast, and Chill
Technically not an island, but don’t tell the kids. Crab Island is a shallow underwater sandbar just off the Destin Harbor where boats anchor and families wade through emerald water. Think floating food vendors, paddleboards, inflatable slides, and sun-soaked fun. It’s perfect for post-shoot decompression or a morning splash-fest before you glam up. Just don’t forget the sunscreen. Rent a pontoon and make it an event. It’s chaos in the best way—and it makes for killer candids if you bring your waterproof camera.
The Track: Burn Off Energy, Earn a Nap
Go-karts, bumper boats, kiddie rides, mini-golf, and even a sky flyer if you’re feeling brave. The Track is Destin’s family fun zone and ideal if your kids have more energy than your coffee can handle. It’s centrally located, easy to dip in and out of, and guaranteed to tire the little ones out. Want a trick? Hit this place before your photo session, then roll into your shoot with kids too tired to throw tantrums. Or save it for a reward after the posing is done. Either way, it’s a win.
HarborWalk Village: Dinner, Views, and Vibes
Right on the water, HarborWalk is full of food, ice cream, live music, and sunset views that slap. You can stroll the boardwalk, shop for souvenirs, or sit back and people-watch with a frozen daiquiri (for the adults, of course). It’s also a great place to sneak in a few casual family selfies against the marina backdrop. Grab a bite, let the kids dance to live music, and enjoy some low-pressure fun. If your session runs late, this is a solid after-party spot.
Destin Commons: Shop, Splash, Repeat
If the weather’s acting up or you need some AC, Destin Commons is the go-to. It’s an outdoor mall with all the usual suspects (Sephora, H&M, Bass Pro) plus a kid-friendly splash pad and occasional live entertainment. You can bribe the kids with ice cream and maybe sneak in a coffee for yourself. It’s clean, convenient, and oddly relaxing for a shopping center. Not a bad place to knock out lunch and prep for your shoot with a fresh outfit if needed. Bonus: the murals and decor make fun photo ops too.
Ready to book your Destin family photo shoot?
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park: Sea Life and Smiles
It’s just a short drive from Destin to Okaloosa Island, and the Gulfarium is worth it. Think dolphins, sea lions, stingrays, and animal encounters that leave a lasting impression. If you’ve got young kids or animal lovers in the crew, this place is a crowd-pleaser. Schedule your shoot around showtimes for a smooth experience. Bonus points if you catch a dolphin photo just before your family portraits—talk about energy.
Beach Picnic: Low-Key, High-Vibe
You don’t need a reservation or a plan. Just grab takeout from one of Destin’s seafood joints, throw down a towel, and let the beach do its thing. A casual picnic is a perfect pre-shoot warm-up or post-session wind-down. Kids can play, adults can relax, and nobody has to stress about making a reservation. Bring a speaker for tunes or just listen to the waves. Sometimes the simplest moments make the sweetest memories.
Sunset Dolphin Cruise: End the Day Right
What better way to end a beachy day than a slow cruise along the coast, looking for dolphins? There are plenty of companies that offer family-friendly sunset cruises complete with drinks, music, and photo ops galore. It’s the kind of memory that sticks—a perfect punctuation mark to a day well spent. After a session where everyone brought their A-game, a dolphin cruise is pure reward. Book it in advance, grab a sweater, and let the Gulf handle the rest.
Rainy Day Backup Plan: Keep the Vibe Alive
Weather happens. But Destin delivers indoors too. Fat Daddy’s Arcade is packed with games for all ages. Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl is a bowling alley-meets-underwater-theme-park. And the Destin History & Fishing Museum is oddly fascinating (even if the kids just like the big shark model). These spots are your insurance policy against moody skies. Because fun doesn’t need sunshine—just a little planning.
Wrap-Up: Your Photo Session Is the Centerpiece, But Destin Is the Frame
When you book a Destin family photo session, you’re not just booking a time slot—you’re creating an experience. Build your day around it. Play first, pose later. Or shoot, then celebrate. The magic of Destin is that it fits your flow. Whether you’re here for a week or a weekend, there are plenty of things to do in Destin with family. Your session may only last an hour, but the day can be one for the books. Let’s make it count.
~ Rockett
Meet Rockett
Rockett’s story doesn’t begin behind the camera. It begins under the lights.
An actor for more than a decade — including ten unpredictable, on-again, off-again years on daytime television — One Life to Live, Guiding Light, Days of Our Lives — Rockett lived on soundstages, in makeup chairs, and between the lines of other people’s scripts. But the real heat came when he stepped behind the lens.
Suddenly, he wasn’t waiting for his mark. He was making the mark.
Trained at UCLA’s legendary film school, Rockett turned his eye to the frame and quickly became a sought-after headshot artist in Los Angeles — capturing faces the industry hadn’t noticed yet, but would.
He didn’t just shoot; he directed. He sculpted emotion with light. And when it came to moving images, he knew exactly how to make a thirty-second spot feel like a movie — earning himself a coveted Addy Award as a commercial director.
His camera has been pointed at greatness — Muhammad Ali. Robin Williams. Jim Carrey. Tony Hawk. Robert Kiyosaki. Greg Louganis. Dozens more. But Rockett will tell you: it’s not about fame. It’s about truth.
These days, he slings his gear across the sugar-white sands of Florida’s Gulf Coast, capturing families, lovers, and wild-hearted wanderers in the golden hour glow.
He doesn’t pose people. He doesn’t fake smiles. He waits. He watches. He shoots the real stuff.
Rockett doesn’t capture portraits. He captures proof of life.
And yeah… the man still knows his light.