FUDPUCKER'S IN DESTIN

Opened in 1989 on what was then the “new” Emerald Coast Parkway (U.S. Highway 98), Fudpucker’s of Destin was built overlooking the Henderson Beach State Park on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. At the time, that area was considered “out in the boon docks”. The initial idea for the Destin Fudpucker’s was to serve as an “annex” to the Ft. Walton Beach location to help handle their overflow crowds. Fudpucker’s of Ft. Walton Beach had had three consecutive years of unparalleled growth following its opening and their building could not be expanded further. At that point, it was standing room only and they had to turn people away. Obviously, something had to be done. It was then that the owners of Fudpucker’s looked ten miles east to what was at the time a “sleepy little fishing village” named Destin. Well, as it turned out, shortly after building a new Fudpucker’s to the east of Ft. Walton Beach, the city of Destin began to grow. And, as the town grew, Fudpucker’s of Destin grew with it. In fact, it wasn’t long before Fudpucker’s of Destin was considered NOT “out in the boon docks”.

Now featuring over 16,000 square feet of indoor restaurant, lounge, and retail spaces, plus another 12,000 square feet of outdoor decks, docks, patios, balconies and bridges, the Destin Fudpuckers’ has evolved into its own unique identity. With two full kitchens, seven bars inside and out, both an indoor and an outdoor stage, a giant playground, a state of the art game room and over 400 seats on multiple levels, Fudpucker’s of Destin is literally an adventure to visit. And, with the recent addition of a 2,000 square foot retail store featuring neat stuff from all over the world, along with world famous Fudpucker souvenirs and t-shirts, the adventure is almost complete. The finishing touch, though, was the opening of Fudpucker’s Gator Beach in the summer of 2002. With over eighty live alligators, Gator Beach is located in a three thousand square foot pond immediately in front of and below the Destin Fudpucker’s. There are a series of decks and docks underneath the main building that allow visitors to see the alligators up close, but don’t worry! There’s plenty of chain-link to protect everyone. And, if looking isn’t good enough, people can even feed the gators with a specially provided meal courtesy of their friends at Fudpucker’s. Needless to say, you need to come early because the crowds can be pretty large.

With something for just about everyone, Fudpucker’s in Destin stays pretty much packed year around. And, like its sister operation in Ft. Walton Beach, Fudpucker’s in Destin is truly a one of a kind place.

Fudpucker’s of Destin
20001 Emerald Coast Parkway
Destin, Florida 32541
(850) 654-4200