Companion Program
Monday, April 15
Echo Canoe Tour of Walton County’s Coastal Dune Lakes
Price per person: $50 per person
8:15 AM — meet in Lobby, leave from the Hilton Sandestin Resort
9:00 AM — arrive at Western Lake
Explore beautiful Western Lake home to one of the most eco-diverse places in the world. Experience a 90-minute canoe tour (two people per canoe), guided by Karl, a true naturalist. We will learn about this rare, coastal dune lake, echo system that can only be found here in Walton County, Australia, Madagascar, New Zealand, South Carolina, and Oregon.
Tuesday, April 16
The Villages of Baytowne Wharf Shopping/Lunch (2 minutes from Resort)
Price per person: Complimentary
10:00 AM — meet in lobby, leave from the Hilton Sandestin Resort
12:00 PM — lunch at Hammerhead’s Restaurant (no host)
1:00 PM — leave Baytowne Wharf with group (you are welcome to stay and return to hotel on the Hilton Resort Shuttle at your leisure)
At the Villages of Baytowne Wharf, there is a little something for everyone. This full-service marina and shopping destination is a two-minute shuttle ride across HWY 98 from The Hilton Sandestin. There are boutiques, shopping, restaurants, wave runners, and paddle boards. For children, The Village offers a spacious playground, zip-line, rope course, trail-side tree house, Blast Arcade and Lazer Maze.
Wednesday, April 17
Southern Star Dolphin Cruise
Price per person: Adults: $29, Seniors: $25, Children: $15.50
1:15 PM — meet in lobby, leave from the Hilton Sandestin Resort
2:30 PM — cruise departs
Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour tour with Destin’s Original Dolphin Cruise on an 80-foot glass bottom boat that has a climate controlled cabin, snacks and gifts available for purchase. Restrooms aboard. Experience up close viewing of dolphins, seabirds and other marine life in their natural habitat in the pristine waters of the gulf.
Thursday, April 18
Trip to Seaside (23 minutes from Resort)
Price per person: Complimentary
9:30 AM — meet in lobby, leave from the Hilton Sandestin Resort
12:00 PM — lunch at Bud & Alley's (no host)
2:00 PM — board van for return
Seaside is a very unique beach community known for its late 20th century New Urbanest design, as well as pastel-colored houses featuring porches and white picket fences. It’s full of shops, restaurants, food trucks and home to a historic, thirty-year-old post office – the most photographed spot in South Walton other than the beach. “The Truman Show” was filmed in Seaside.
After we load the van at 2 p.m., we will drive down a few of the quaint side streets to give you a real feel for the Seaside community.
THINGS TO DO
Serenity by the Sea
The Spa at the Hilton Sandestin Beach
20% off for HVIS Conference Guests
(850) 622-9595
CREATE / ART
The Shard Shop – Make-Your-Own Art Boutique
Mary Hong, owner and Artist of the Year
2014 South Walton
(850) 231-0544 – Grayton
(850) 842-4440 – Destin
Commemorate your trip by creating something of your own using glass and resin. Pick up your masterpiece the next day to allow for the overnight resin process.
SHOPPING
Smith’s Antiques Mall and Interior Market
12500 Emerald Coast Parkway
Hwy 98
Miramar Beach
(850) 654-1484
Voted Best Antique Store on the Emerald Coast for 18 consecutive years. More than 25,000 sq. feet with 90 vetted dealers.
Grand Boulevard at Sandestin (.9 miles away from resort)
Sandestin's premier entertainment venue includes high-end shops and restaurants, plus a 3-D movie/dinner theater.
Silver Sands Premium Outlets (Complimentary shuttle service from the resort)
Destin Harbor Boardwalk
10 Harbor Blvd. Fla. 32541
RESTAURANTS
Captain Dave’s (closed Tuesdays)
3796 Scenic Hwy 98
Destin
(850) 837-2627
The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House
1740 Scenic Hwy 98
Destin 32541
(850) 837-2022
The Crab Trap Seafood & Oyster Bar
3500 Scenic Hwy 98 East
Destin
(850) 654-2722
Surf Hut
551 Scenic Hwy 98
Miramar Beach 32550
(850) 460-7750
Pompano Joe’s Seafood House
2237 Hwy 2378
Miramar Beach 32550
(850) 837-2224
McGuire’s Irish Pub (One of America's Great Steak House)
33 US-98
Destin 32541
(850) 650-0000
*Hint: Have the Senate Bean Soup – only 18 cents
Fudpucker’s Bar & Grill (see live alligators)
20001 Emerald Coast Pkwy
Destin 32541
(850) 654-4200
The Donut Hole (8 min from resort)
6745 US-98
Santa Rosa 32459
(850) 267-3239