We spent a rainy and chilly MLK weekend in Destin, Florida with our family. There’s something unexpectedly perfect about a family beach weekend in the cold and rain. Without the pressure to spend every second in the sun, the weekend slows down in the best way and proves that there’s really no such thing as bad weather.

Stay at the Henderson

We stayed at The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa, which is an ideal beach escape rain or shine. The lobby has a luxurious and coastal vibe, while the rooms are comfortable and cozy. While the rain came and went all weekend and it remained chilly throughout, we were still able to spend time swimming in the heated pool and jacuzzi and walked down to the beach. Luckily, the hotel has a few restaurants and its own in house coffee and ice cream shop at Sprinkles so you really never have to leave unless you want to.

Each morning, we enjoyed breakfast at Primrose: coffee, smoothies, and a healthy meal to start our day. We also enjoyed the sunset from The Rooftop, where we shared sushi and the adults had cocktails. We were able to warm up with cozy blankets inside the igloo, which was novel for the kids and adults alike!

Hiking Through the State Parks

The cooler weather made for enjoyable hiking, especially at Henderson Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. While it was too cold to swim, the beach was still stunningly beautiful with sparkling emerald water and a quieter shoreline without the spring break and summer tourists.

At Henderson Beach State Park, we enjoyed the short nature trail and gorgeous dune views. Down at the beach, we collected shells and looked at shorebirds. Entrance to the state park is $6 per vehicle, although in the summer, visitors are required to use the new day use reservation system.

At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, we took advantage of the quiet beach and explored short spur trails into the pine forests. This state park feels more like a nature retreat than a typical Florida beach trip. It is also a great place to bring bikes! Entrance to the state park is $6 per vehicle. You can walk the one mile to the beach or take the free shuttle from the visitor center.

Indoor Fun Around Destin

When the rains rolled in, we leaned into Destin’s indoor activities. At Fish Bowl, we escaped the weather with ocean-themed bowling, fish dip, and drinks — the perfect rainy afternoon activity. We also shopped in Destin Commons and let the kids run around in the green area during rain breaks.

A fun and very “Florida” stop was Fudpucker’s Gator Beach. Yes, it’s touristy, but it was fun to try our luck at feeding the alligators (spoiler – they aren’t very hungry in cold weather). We also learned a lot about the reptile and even got to pet one. Once the alligator show was over, we played a few games at Fat Daddy’s Arcade.

Casual, Comfort-Food Dinners

Rainy beach weekends require comfort food and Destin delivers. One night we had dinner at Graffiti Pizza. Our family can never go wrong with good pizza. While I don’t typically like taking my kids to restaurants with lots of TVs, we enjoyed a fun and lively game of I Spy with all the cool graffiti art.

Another night, we enjoyed fresh seafood with casual vibes at The Back Porch. Sitting near the water while the clouds moved across the Gulf made the classic Destin restaurant feel even more relaxing than usual.

Winter beach weekends, even in the cold and rain, are often some of the best getaways — slow, cozy, and relaxing. Instead of chasing perfect beach weather, the trip was about good food and solid family time! Do you enjoy the beach winter or summer and rain or shine?