Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill

You can't say you've been to Destin until you've been to Fudpucker's Beachside Bar & Grill. It's a Destin institution since 1982 — part casual restaurant, part live-music venue, part live-alligator attraction, and 100% family-friendly. Kids love it, grandparents love it, and nobody leaves without a goofy photo and a t-shirt.

Gator Beach (Free Attraction):

• Home to over 80 live alligators, from hatchlings to 12-foot giants
• Free to walk through and view anytime the restaurant is open
• Paid Gator Feeding and Handle-a-Gator experiences available
• Photo ops with a baby gator (extra fee) — a Destin vacation classic

Kid-Friendly Food:

• Burgers, fried gator bites, chicken tenders, wings, pizza, and full kids' menu
• Coastal mainstays: grouper sandwiches, shrimp baskets, po' boys
• Big outdoor patio and tropical bar for the grown-ups

More Family Fun:

• Live music most nights, often on the outdoor stage
• Massive gift shop packed with souvenirs, custom tees, and toys
• Arcade games and kid-friendly corners
• Host of the annual GatorFest festival each May

Pro Tips:

• Come for Gator Beach at feeding time (check with the host on arrival) for the best show
• Seats fill up fast at sunset — grab a reservation or arrive early
• Kids love the outdoor seating overlooking the gator pond
• It's right on Hwy 98 between Destin and Miramar Beach — easy stop from either property