Miramar Beach was named one of the most in-demand summer destinations this year
Gulf Coast getaways peppered along the Florida Panhandle were the spots to be this summer, according to the latest info from vacation rental site HomeToGo’s 2023 Summer Travel Forecast.
Travel demand for Miramar Beach surged in July, ranking third in the nation as one of the hottest summer destinations based on search data. Travel interest for the area saw a whopping 125% increase from last year.
Jacksonville Beach and Seaside were also listed, ranked at No. 1 and No. 4, respectively.
Top trending destinations are based on travelers searching for stays in the U.S. using HomeToGo.com between Jan. 1-July 20, with check-in dates between July 1-Aug. 31.
Where is Miramar Beach?
Miramar Beach is a small census-designated place in Walton County, Florida, that begins about 8 miles east of Destin and roughly 40 miles west of Panama City. Its location in between Destin and Panama City Beach makes it the perfect spot to soak in the same vibes while avoiding bigger crowds.
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Things to do at Miramar Beach
Miramar Beach is a beach town, so expect to do beachy things. If your vacation consists largely of soaking up as much sun as possible, Miramar Beach’s less-crowded sugary-white sand shore and emerald-green water is a great place to be. Public beach access can be found at Miramar Beach, Geronimo Street, Sand Trap Road, Open Gulf Street and Norwood Drive.
Upgrade your experience by renting jet skis, parasailing, zipping along the coast in a pontoon boat, snorkeling, admiring marine life on a dolphin cruise or taking a scenic bike ride.
Best restaurants at Miramar Beach
A vacation isn’t really a vacation unless you indulge in quality cuisine. Here are some places to check out:
Crackings, 979 U.S. 98, Destin
Crackings is a locally-owned breakfast, brunch and lunch spot that was recently featured in Yelp's Top 100 Brunch Spots for Mother’s Day.
The smoked lobster gouda grits is a favorite, according to both Yelp and the owners; it’s a creamy gouda cheese grits topped with lobster and sautéed in coastal butter. The staple dish is the “Crawfish Eggs-Toufee” — a benedict that includes three fried green tomatoes, three pieces of bacon, poached eggs, Creole hollandaise and crawfish simmered in coastal butter and green onions.
Mama Clemenza’s European Breakfast, 12273 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach
Mama Clemenza’s is a local favorite that was named one of Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice restaurants last year. It serves breakfast, lunch and brunch, has a bistro-like atmosphere and offers big flavors.
Guests can find some off-the-wall dishes they won’t typically find in similar breakfast joints, including chicken crepes bursting with roasted chicken, leeks and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with smoked Gouda; New Orleans white chocolate French toast topped with white chocolate rum sauce and more.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar, 525 Grand Blvd., Miramar Beach
Air ceilings, lush and tropical interiors — Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar combines an island state of mind with grand flavors. Tommy Bahama offers lunch and dinner and suggests guests make reservations.
Guests can indulge themselves with handcrafted cocktails before chowing down on parmesan-crusted Sanibel chicken, Kona-coffee-crusted ribeye, miso king salmon and more.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Miramar Beach named third most in-demand summer destinations in 2023
