Travel is one of life’s greatest joys, especially when you’re coming to Florida! Vacations, business trips, holidays, and other occasions are better in the Panhandle. But, if it’s your first time coming to a local airport like Destin, you’ll need to plan ahead about how you’re getting to and from Destin – Fort Walton Beach Airport. How to Get Anywhere from Destin Airport?
The most reliable way to get where you’re going is by hiring a private ride from a taxi or airport shuttle. Taxis that sit at the airport tend to be a little more expensive, but if you book a Destin airport shuttle ahead of time, you can save money, know the costs ahead of time, and ensure you’re definitely going to get where you want to go.
Currently, there are no public transit companies servicing the Destin / Fort Walton Beach Airport VPS. You don’t have any public bus, train, or other options immediately out of the airport.
Private Hotel Shuttles
If you’re staying in a large hotel or resort, they may offer you a hotel pickup and drop off service. Not all hotels offer this service, but it’s a great choice if yours does.
Destin Car Rentals.
Rental Cars You can get a rental car straight out of the Destin / Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS). There’s a rental car facility on the premises and multiple other rental car companies nearby. If you wanted to rent a car, you would have an easy option for the whole trip to go to and from the airport.
Airport rental cars tend to charge a premium compared to other rental facilities. You have to pay for every day you’re renting the car, even if you only use a few times during your vacation. If you’re not familiar with driving in the area, it could be a waste of money to get a rental car. Plus, you have to pay for fuel, up-charges to get the right kind of car.
Uber/Lyft/Etc.
Both Uber and Lyft operate around the Destin airport. You can hail a rideshare to or from the airport and local destinations. The prices can be competitive, but rideshares are a little less reliable than other rides you can book ahead.
The other problem with rideshares is the extra charges and limited features. The cheaper rideshares only carry 4 people, but they may not fit all your luggage comfortably. You may have to upgrade to a more expensive vehicle to get up to 6 passengers and enough space for luggage. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll have access to a child seat in a rideshare, so you’d have to bring your own with you.
The 8th Annual Paddle at the Porch Sponsored by Destin ER will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, beginning at 9 a.m.
Paddle at the Porch showcases the beautiful emerald green water and white sandy shores of Destin, Florida, behind one of its most loved restaurants, The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster Bar. It features a Kids’ Fun Paddle, 1-Mile Beginner Ride, 3-Mile Recreational Race, and 6-Mile Elite Race. Races will be followed by awards.
Race Start Times 9 a.m. – 3/6-mile races start 10:30 a.m. – 1-mile race starts 11 a.m. – kids’ fun race (for ages 12 & under only) starts Award for all races will begin directly after the last race.
Awards They will be presented to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place overall winners, as well as the 1st place winner for 50+ in the following categories:
The names of the top male and top female in the 6-Mile Race will be placed on the Destin SUP Cup. The overall top male and female in the 1-Mile, 3-Mile, and 6-Mile races will also get to choose from some awesome new BOTE lifestyle products, including the KULA Softy 2.5 (retail value $229), BOTE Highwater Slingback (retail $150) and BOTE Aero Chair (retail $129)!
The top boy and girl in the Kids Fun Paddle will win a BOTE Youth t-shirt and hat.
Registration Pricing is as follows: 1-Mile Beginner – $35 until Aug. 16 / $45 on Aug. 17 3-Mile Recreational – $40 until Aug. 16 / $50 on Aug. 17 6-Mile Elite – $55 until Aug. 16 / $65 on Aug. 17 Kids’ Fun Race – $12 (This price does not include a race shirt.)
Racer Welcome Party & Gift Card Giveaway BOTE is welcoming racers with a party from 4 – 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16, at the Destin headquarters, located at 383 Harbor Blvd. Catch up with racers old and new, and enjoy food, compliments of AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, and cold beer. One lucky racer, participant or sponsor will win a $100 BOTE GIFT CARD! The giveaway will take place at the end of the event, and you must be present to win.
*Please note that packets will not be available for pick up here.
Race Packet Pickup Packets are available for pick up at the Destin Chamber, located at 4484 Legendary Drive, Suite A, in Destin, on Friday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. They may be picked up the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m., at The Back Porch.
Destin, Florida has a surprising amount of history with famous figures and significant events. Take a ride with St. George’s Transportation and we can tell you all about it, including the story of Al Capone’s connections to Destin.
During the midst of prohibition, a group of local business leaders in Tallahassee discovered that the notorious mobster Al Capone was passing through town. Despite his place on the FBI’s “most wanted” list, a small crowd (including a few police officers!) enthusiastically welcomed the gangster into the capital city. His ability to stay one step ahead of the law made him a bit of a folk hero in much of the country. As he passed the crowd, Al Capone simply rolled down the window of his black limousine and waved as they cheered wildly.
Al Capone
Although he was most known for his Chicago connection and frequent Miami vacations, Al Capone was no stranger to the Florida Panhandle. It was in the sunshine state that Capone liked to rest and escape the bitterly cold winters. He also used Florida as a place to hide out and lie low after various assassination attempts. Over time, it became an important part of his vast criminal empire.
The coast of North Florida was where his bootleggers would make landfall, on their long dangerous journey smuggling in spirits from the Caribbean islands.
“One of Al’s favorite recreation spots was Grayton Beach,” claimed Frank Pericola, Editor of the Panama City News Herald. The Valpariso Inn just past Fort Walton was another local joint he enjoyed visiting. But, Capone was always well behaved. The last thing the famous criminal wanted was too much attention while he was on vacation.
Although Al Capone purchased a massive 14-room Miami Beach retreat under his wife’s name for $40,000 in 1928, he was always moving around the state. He made countless road trips along both coastlines while his mansion was undergoing $100,000 worth of renovations, including the additions of a swimming pool, boathouse, and dock. According to local historian Tony Mennillo, one of Al Capone’s favorite travel destinations was the Emerald Coast, likely because it was also an ideal spot for bootlegging.
“It was desolate and hard to get to, and it was known for its moonshine,” said Mennillo.
During the 1920s, Destin was something of a retreat haven for bootleggers, including Al Capone. Just a few years ago, the Tampa Tribune had famously proclaimed the location Florida’s “Little Vegas” for its connections to illegal gambling. Locals say Capone would run liquor through the Choctawhatchee bay. There was a special train located in nearby Defuniak that traveled straight to Chicago. That coupled with the area’s many speculated waterways seemed to confirm a local theory that Capone hid a smuggling operation in plain sight.
According to the book, “Salty Memories Along the Coastal Highway” written by Tony Mennillo, many locals in Defuniak proclaim with absolute certainty that Al Capone, the legendary mobster, was there as a frequent vacationer. The stories go that a man nicknamed “Big Al” who possessed many of the same mannerisms as Al Capone was believed to be him on holiday throughout the 1920s and early 30s. Big Al had his own black limousine, not unlike the one described speeding on the streets of Tallahassee that was confirmed to belong to Capone. He had his own driver and could be found playing marathon rounds of golf on newly trimmed Bermuda grass.
Sometimes he would approach various locals to be his golf caddies for the day. The young men always accepted the offer because he was known to be a great tipper. After he got to know them a bit, he would identify himself as Al Capone. After golfing, Big Al would always take the young caddies back to his clubhouse for a beer. If the bartender declined to give the teenage caddies a beer, the rage of Capone would be felt.
He would yell, “They’re with me and I said get ’em a beer!”
Emerald Coast of Florida is the place for an amazing vacation destination with glistening water, stunning powder white sandy beaches, and plenty of activities to keep you and the family busy!
https://vimeo.com/246296182?ref=em-share
Traveling to Emerald Coast in Florida
We provide airport shuttle service and taxi service around the Emerald-Coast area. If you’re flying in or out of the local Destin Airport, Pensacola Airport, or Panama City Airport, we offer airport shuttle service to and from any destination.
You can rely on St George’s large vehicles to be clean, serviced, and smoke-free. Traveling with children? Ask for a free child seat while you book! Our professional drivers will take you to your hotel, conference center, office, residence, or elsewhere.
Parades, gigantic fireworks displays, athletic events, a landing to include the townspeople with the “capture” of the City and the hoisting of the Jolly Roger to signify the total surrender of the City at Billy Bowlegs Festival. Beards were grown, costumes made, and over the years became more elaborate. Professional floats were added to the Grand Torchlight Parade and a glittering Coronation Pageant, open to the public, at which a new Cap’n Billy, his queen, a first mate and his lady, ten honor guard couples and children of the court are unmasked each year, with a private ball and midnight breakfast for Krewe members and honored guests climaxing the now week-long festival. Thus a tradition was born: The Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, with the infamous Krewe of Bowlegs and its current Cap’n as the “Star” of the show.
For details of Billy Bowlegs Festival fun times and locations etc… http://www.billybowlegsfestival.com/
When it comes to transportation, don’t settle for anything less than what we have to offer. Competitive fixed rates with service that you can trust to be reliable and in addition, punctual.
You can rely on St George’s shuttle transportation to be clean, serviced, and smoke-free. Our professional drivers will also take you to: Your hotel, conference, office and residence.
