Destin's most recent award was released on Good Morning America. This popular, established news program gathered thousands of nominations from its viewers across the nation for The Most Beautiful Place in America. These were gleaned down to ten which included: Asheville, North Carolina for the mountains; Aspen, Colorado for skiing; the New England peninsula of Cape Cod; dazzling Destin itself; the Grand Tetons at Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Lanikai Beach in Hawaii; the Nineteenth Century summer spot for the very rich in Newport, RI; the coast of Pointe Reyes in California; the New Age city of Sedona, Arizona and Sleeping Bear Dunes on the shores of the Great Lakes in Michigan.
Famed New Orleans celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse was on hand in New York City for the announcements of the winners. Destin ranked in fourth place among the runner ups of the Most Beautiful Place in America. We were surpassed only by Asheville, Aspen and Cape Cod. Arguably Destin could be rated Number One since two of the top three don't have beaches at all. In addition, as charming as Cape Cod may be, its season is a short one due to the brutally cold winters there which usually come early. Even during the month of August, its cold Cape Cod waters actually numb the body for the first ten minutes until you can't feel it anymore. (We're Number One! We're Number One!)
Lagasse who now resides in nearby Miramar Beach, conducted a local video tour for GMA. He said “walking through Destin feels like strolling down an exotic beach” with its “sugar white sand and emerald green waters.” The tours included the Destin marina at Harborwalk Village, (the home of the largest private charter fishing fleet in the entire state of Florida!), Crab Island and aerial views of the gorgeous jewel toned waters from above. Lagasse described Crab Island near the Destin Bridge as a “floating playground.” Long time Destin residents and visitors would be quick agree since every weekend, Spring thru Fall, pontoon boats and big yachts congregate there in the waist deep crystal clear waters to party hardy.
In addition to this latest recognition for local beauty, Destin and the Emerald Coast have consistently been rated in Southern Living Magazine as The Number One Beach Destination for many years by its readers throughout the southeast. It has also touted the beaches as a perfect place to have a beach wedding which has become ever more increasingly popular. After all what's not to like? A beautiful white gowned wedding bride on a pristine white quartz crystal beach with emerald green waters in the background is hard to beat and exceedingly romantic. World renowned Frommer's, an established source of on line and print travel guide periodicals often names the Destin area beaches as among the Most Beautiful Beaches in the World and names it in the Top Ten beach travel recommendations worldwide.