Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/406441
w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 | g o i n g p l a c e s 45 Northwest Best Bets dan toulgoet L esser known than its southern Key cousins, the northwest coast of Florida is no slouch when it comes to serving up pan- handle hospitality. Here, Canadian snowbirds and vacationing families check into condos, resorts and B&Bs along the white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, then hit the area's highlights, including: Seafood and Such The fishing- village-turned-tourist-town of Destin stays true to its deep-sea roots with fresh catch of the day – amberjack, grouper, snapper, trig- gerfish – at fish markets and on the menu at such local faves as the casual Harry T's Lighthouse and upscale Cuvee Bistro. For an al fresco night out, pack a picnic dinner (bring candles and wine) and head to the Mattie Kelly Cul- tural Arts Village, where local acts such as bluegrass-rock-funk Dread Clampitt take to the stage. To the Beach Leave only foot- prints in the white-as-snow quartz sand of Henderson Beach State Park, where monarch butterflies flutter over sand pines, railroad vines and dune rosemary. Sink deep into Destin's marine past at the Destin History & Fishing Museum, home to scale-tipping catches (for example, Florida's state record holder, a 46-pound, eight-ounce red snapper), archival photographs and paraphernalia. Hop on a sport fish- ing boat to reel in your own big – or little – catch in the morning, and have it for lunch at a "hook and cook" restaurant in town. Creature Close-Ups Get an eyeful of sea lions, dolphins, turtles and more at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach. Rub an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin's belly – it feels like wet leather – and feed it some capelin, before jumping into a saltwater pool for a snorkel with gentle stingrays. Spot more sea life from the deck of a sunset cruise as it drifts out of the bustling shop- and boat-lined Destin Harbor into the wide-open Gulf of Mexico. emeraldcoastfl.com –Sheila Hansen (far left) On board a deep-sea fishing boat in search of amberjack and snapper; (left) Destin and its Emerald Coast neighbours are home to almost 40 kilometres of white-sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.