Destin History & Fishing Museum
Destin History & Fishing Museum
Destin History & Fishing Museum
4.5
About
Experience the historic and educational exhibits detailing early Destin life from the 1830s. Witness the birth and evolution of a fishing industry that has become the heritage of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". View over 60 mounts of fish caught by anglers in Destin waters and learn about local fish and fishing. See the restored "Primrose", Destin's last seine boat and the original first post office building that served the early pioneers.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
170 reviews
Excellent
100
Very good
54
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
0
melwashere81
Cleveland, TX1,028 contributions
Friends
Looking for a nice rainy day activity in Destin or are you just a lover of history? Then this is a must stop for you. It isn't a very large museum and it doesn't take long to walk through it but they have a lot of history here! You learn how Destin got started all the way to when it officially became a city (not until 1984). Ever wonder why the sand of Destin is white? They have an exhibit that explains the science behind it as well as why the water is emerald green. Don't miss the outdoor exhibits which include the original Destin post office which is full of history as well. I would definitely recommend any visitor of destin to stop here.
Written October 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Justin Bowers
Dallas, TX20 contributions
We often love to visit quirky little museums when we travel, and the Destin History & Fishing Museum did not disappoint. Not knowing much about the area, we were very pleasantly surprised to get a crash course in the Destin Fishing Rodeo. The museum has an entire room dedicated to this marvelous event, and two short films that give a crash course into the history and spectacle of this fascinating event that started out as a couple of days, but now takes up the entire month of October.
Most impressive in the museum are the historical family artifacts from some of the founding families of Destin, and the impressive collection of locally caught fish mounts.
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and hope that many more share our great experience.
Most impressive in the museum are the historical family artifacts from some of the founding families of Destin, and the impressive collection of locally caught fish mounts.
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and hope that many more share our great experience.
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Molly P
Green Bay, WI36 contributions
Couples
This was a great little museum! It’s a super small place but it’s jam-packed with info. Loved the audio QR code’s to listen as we walked through. The staff was incredibly informative and kind to us. Our favorite part was the Rodeo Gallery to learn about the October Tournament. I would recommend this place for a rainy day activity and to any group, including kids (there were some great activities available)
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Destin Party Boat Fishing
Destin, FL11 contributions
Kathy Marler Blue is the executive director, and she has forgotten more about Destin than anyone else even knows. She is a treasure chest of information and very friendly. Make sure you swing by and see the early history of the World's Luckiest Fishing Village now known as Destin, Florida.
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rick w
23 contributions
This is a small very nice museum just off of 98 in Destin. The exhibits were first rate. The staff are volunteers who have lived their entire lives in Destin. They are very knowledgeable. The local fishing, fishing history, and pretty much anything of interest in the area they can tell you. There is a leader board and some videos of the annual fishing competition that takes place the entire month of october. Very reasonable admission. A few outside exhibits and the old post office building. I've been there twice and will go again.
Written February 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
joaniemaria
Eldridge, IA2,202 contributions
Couples
We stopped on a Wednesday afternoon. The docents are friendly and knowledgeable about Destin history. There is an audio tour included with admission that is informative and interesting. I enjoyed hearing about the white quartz sand and also why we hear the ocean in a seashell. There is a small area of items for sale such as shells and books priced very reasonably. All fish displayed were caught in Destin. I was able to identify a small sponge that I found on the beach. There was one almost identical to it found at Henderson Beach. Interesting! I also enjoyed the old post office located on the property. This place is well worth admission and they give a senior and military discount.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so very much for taking time out of your day to visit the museum. We love sharing the history of our area. Hope you can come back again as we are always adding new exhibits!
Written February 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen M M
Bloomington, MN240 contributions
We decided to visit the museum on advice from the chamber of commerce and what a great idea. They had so many articles and fish and sea shells to look at. There was a lot of history from the area of original families with object of antique fishing gear. We spent and hour looking at everything and bought some shells to take home for the grandkid. It is a non profit so donations are welcome and a very small entrance fee of $4.00 to get in. Worth the time
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so very much for taking time out of your day to visit the museum! We love sharing the history of our early pioneers and fishing industry. Hope you can come back as we are always adding new exhibits!
Written March 16, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jill U
Seattle, WA97 contributions
We needed something to do on a day with less than ideal weather and so we stopped in here. The staff provided us with a scavenger hunt that was perfect for getting the kids to engage with the exhibits. And after completing the scavenger hunt, each child got a shark tooth. They had a great time, and honestly, you can't beat the staff. They were so awesome..
Written March 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
johnellen@mchsi.com
Jefferson City, MO732 contributions
This museum is not very big but it has wonderful history of the area. The fishing exhibits were great, very informative especially for anyone that is not familiar with fish that is not on a menu. It was most interesting to see what the fish looked like in the wild. It also has Dentin's Original Post Office.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so very much for coming by the museum! We love sharing our history and what's out there in the Gulf!
Written March 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
maxona
Fort Walton Beach, FL562 contributions
Solo
As others have written, it is a small museum, although bigger than you expect on the inside. This is a museum that is about the history of Destin. If you are from the area, you should visit at least once. You may know some of the people on the walls.
If you are visiting the area, it is not expensive and it may be worth it to learn a little about the families that helped form Destin and history of the fishing that helped to start Destin as the World Luckiest Fishing Village. Also, I think anyone interested in fishing, or boats would be interested in this museum. There are tons of fish in here, as well as all sort of equipment for catching fish, as well as historical equipment used on boats. There are small areas dedicated to the history of turpentine in the area, as well as some Indian history. And for those of you familiar with the area, you may be interested in seeing old pictures of Destin and how it was over 50 years ago.
They do have volunteers who can give you a mini tour to start you out, or you can go off on your own and look around. There is a lot of reading on the walls, so if you use glasses, bring them. There is a small selection of gifts to buy. If you do take time to read much of what is there, I would expect you might be here at least an hour. Not sure that I would travel a long distance just to visit this museum, but certainly for the price and size, add it to you list of things to do if you are out and about in Destin. (This museum is not far off hwy 98 near the bridge to FWB)
If you are visiting the area, it is not expensive and it may be worth it to learn a little about the families that helped form Destin and history of the fishing that helped to start Destin as the World Luckiest Fishing Village. Also, I think anyone interested in fishing, or boats would be interested in this museum. There are tons of fish in here, as well as all sort of equipment for catching fish, as well as historical equipment used on boats. There are small areas dedicated to the history of turpentine in the area, as well as some Indian history. And for those of you familiar with the area, you may be interested in seeing old pictures of Destin and how it was over 50 years ago.
They do have volunteers who can give you a mini tour to start you out, or you can go off on your own and look around. There is a lot of reading on the walls, so if you use glasses, bring them. There is a small selection of gifts to buy. If you do take time to read much of what is there, I would expect you might be here at least an hour. Not sure that I would travel a long distance just to visit this museum, but certainly for the price and size, add it to you list of things to do if you are out and about in Destin. (This museum is not far off hwy 98 near the bridge to FWB)
Written January 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rj S
Destin, FL
What are your hours and pricing
gatortrout1
Destin, FL37 contributions
The hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 10AM - 4PM.
Fees, if I recall are Adults $5, seniors and military $4 with all students $3. Under 6 years of age are free.
Rj S
Destin, FL
What are your hours and pricing
Kathy B
Destin, FL
The Destin History and Fishing Museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am 4 pm. We have around 4,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space featuring the history or our early settlers from 1835, the history of the fishing industry from seine net boats to the fishing of today, over 75 fish mounts of locally caught fish and many other aspects of Destin's unique history. Adults are $5, $4 for military or folks age 55 and over, students age 7 thru college are $3 and children 6 and under are free.
Destin History & Fishing Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Destin History & Fishing Museum
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