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When Kids Itch To Explore, Destin Has Plenty To Offer

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By LISA THATCHER KRESL The Dallas Morning News

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 11, 2008

DESTIN - Three days into the vacation, and the kids are bored with the all-day beach routine. Or are those just my kids?

During a family break to Destin, a popular getaway, there are plenty of activities beyond boogie boarding and building sand cities.

Here are some of our favorites:

See dolphins on a sunset cruise. The two-hour dolphin cruise on the Southern Star features a narrated tour of Destin harbor, bird feeding and dolphin-watching in the Gulf. The boat has an inside cabin and 18 benches on the top level for those who want a breezy ride. Eight glass panels in the bottom of the boat provide an intriguing view when the water is clear.

Big hits with the kids: dolphin-watching and having a chance to steer the boat in the captain's chair wearing Captain Cliff's hat. Each child gets a turn and a "Junior Captain Award" certificate. Kids get a toy from the treasure chest at cruise's end.

For details, go to www .dolphin-sstar.com.

Shop, eat and play at Destin Commons. Billed as an "outdoor lifestyle center," Destin Commons has more than 56 acres of stores, restaurants and a 14-screen movie theater. My 11-year-old daughter gravitated toward Limited Too and Build-A-Bear. My 9-year-old son enjoyed running through the 49-head dancing fountain. Running through the fountain is free, as is the kids' playground.

Take the free trolley ride or pay $3 per person to ride the Little Choo Choo. Expect lots of traffic around the center (U.S. 98 and Mid Bay Bridge Road). For details, go to www.destincommons.com.

Drive go-karts at The Track. The family recreation center also has bumper cars, minigolf, bungee jumping, sky flyer and rides for little kids. We bought 24 tickets for $60.65 (10 percent discount online) and blew through $30 in a half-hour.

Best bets: bumper boats (you get wet) at two tickets a ride; kids driving go-karts by themselves on the family track at two tickets a ride; and kids riding go-karts with dad driving on the three-story wooden track at three tickets a ride. "Rev it, Dad!"

Check age, height and weight restrictions at www.destintrack.com. Hours change by season. For details, call (850) 654-4668.

Eat at Fudpuckers and see the gators. The children's menu has silly names (Junior Fud's Fish Toes, $5.99; Puckeroni Pizza, $4.99). Kids' meals come with a golden pirate token that can be exchanged for a toy at Capt'n Fud's Treasure Chest.

Write your name on the wall while you wait for food, but the highlight is Gator Beach, where you can see and feed live alligators. Alligator shows by the Gator Guy offer fun facts. For details, go to www.fudpuckers.com/ destin.htm.

Play at Big Kahuna's. From kids' slides, fountains and shallow pools to speed slides and river rides, Big Kahuna's Water and Adventure Park has something for every age and adrenaline buzz. In the water park, check out the Hammerhead slides that take off from atop the Temple of Doom and the Maui Pipeline speed slide. New is the Honolulu Half Pipe, where you can body board on one continuous wave that moves 36,000 gallons of water a minute. At the adventure park, try the minigolf, speed raceway and sky coaster.

The water park opens at 10 a.m. daily from May 24 through Aug. 17. The adventure park opens at 2 p.m. daily May 26 through Sept. 1. Both parks are open weekends-only outside of those dates.

All-day water park tickets are $35.99 (plus tax) for adults and those taller than 48 inches; $29.99 for children shorter than 48 inches and seniors. Order online and save $2 each. A combo ticket for water and adventure parks is $47.99. For details, call (850) 837-8319 or go to www.bigkahunas.com.

Drive dune buggies. Destin Raceways has dune buggies ($25 for 25 laps; 30 laps for safe drivers) and go-karts ($10 for 25 laps; 30 laps for safe drivers).

Riding with Dad in a dune buggy on a dirt track is bumpy and fun. But the track is small, and 25 laps go by fast. For details, call (850) 269-2999.

Bowl at Hurricane Lanes. Even with 26 lanes, the place can be crowded on a rainy day. Pictures of celebrity bowlers such as Jayne Mansfield decorate the walls.

Cost is $3.50 per game, and $1.50 for shoe rental. Bumpers and 6-pound balls are only for ages 7 and younger. Hurricane Bowl (9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, $4.25) features loud music and black-light bowling. The pool tables and tabletop games are worn. For details, call (850) 654-5251.

Go deep-sea fishing. Among the many charter boats, we like the American Spirit (3/10-mile east of Destin bridge). A morning half-day trip is just the right amount of time.

We caught white and red snapper, and the deckhands filleted our catch and gave us a grouper. (They earn their tips, so tip well.) For details, call (850) 837-1293 or go to www .newfloridagirl.com.

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