Destin FL

[Ja Rhule]

What say you huddle?  Is it a good vacation spot?

[Lumps]

Hell yes. I've been going to Destin for years. It is one of the best beach spots in the USA in my opinion. It has all the activities and good food you want, not terribly overcrowded, 8 hour drive, and the best thing about it are the beaches themselves. Light sand and crystal clear water you can see straight down 6+ feet into the ocean. Great spots all around there for activities, it makes myrtle look like a joke, we call it dirty myrtle because it looks like poo compared to Destin. I have been everywhere, gulf, miami, long beach, VA, Myrtle etc...and Destin is my #1. If you want a better beach you'll need bahamas/islands/mexico IMO. I think people are catching on though as it seems to be busier year after year.

[Hotsauce]

Destin is great

Lots of people, similar to Myrtle....but lots of great stuff to do

[Chimera]

Probably the best east coast / gulf coast beach in the lower 48

[PandaPancake]

Isn't that a big fishing spot?

[PhillyB]

dat alice has a vacation condo there, maybe he'll let you sub it out for a few weeks 

[hepcat]

My old band played at the Funky Blues Shack a few times in Destin.  Beautiful beaches and fun activities for all ages.  The people who vacation there though....eh....

[the butch]

It's amazing. Look up Crab Island, rent a boat and go there. Amazing time. 

As for comparison, it's beaches and water are equivalent to Miami (maybe even slightly better) with A LOT less people (and cheaper).  Of course, the pan handle's climate change is more drastic than Miami's, so you have a more limited window to pick a week to go.