The Crab Trap: more than just a place to eat

Summer is in full swing in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island. Summer time means long days and even longer evenings, with sunsets that stretch out and allow for dinners that languish into night.

Here on the Emerald Coast, beach days transition into beach nights filled with playtime under the stars, open-air dining with the smell of the Gulf all around you, and sometimes, fireworks to close out the perfect day.

There is no better place to do this along our shores than one of our two Crab Trap locations. Lucky us, we boast a Destin Crab Trap, as well as one at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island. Both locations offer incredible, fresh Gulf-to-Table seafood with favorites such as shrimp, grouper, amberjack and, of course, crab legs.

A Crab Trap experience goes well beyond just what’s on the menu though. The Destin location, found smack in the middle of the beautiful Crystal Beach neighborhood, looks out over one of the prettiest stretches of beach along our shores. There’s just something a little different, a little more crystal, about those particular waters.

Views from the beach bar are breathtaking, for sure, but they are also, shall we say, convenient. Especially for moms and dads looking for a little breather. Just below the beachfront bar and boardwalk dining is a popular playground. Parents can sit back with something to eat and a cold beverage and have a full view of their little ones, just steps away on the sand.

At the iconic Crab Trap Okaloosa Island Boardwalk location, you will find The Crab Trap as the anchor for several more restaurants, including favorites such as Rockin’ Tacos, Al’s Burger Bar and Floyd’s Shrimp House. But, as long-time visitors know, The Crab Trap is the heart of the boardwalk.

Looking out over the emerald water and white sand from above, The Crab Trap serves up favorites such as hot crab dip and gumbo in addition to sandwiches and baskets of your favorite seafood. Simply wander up from the beach after your day on the sand to grab a good meal and a tropical beverage. But, don’t eat and run; the fun is just getting started.

Let the kids play on the playground below after you finish up your meal. They can even wander over to the splash pad and corn hole courts behind Al’s for a little variety as you enjoy the view of the fishing pier and the sunset beyond. Once the sun goes down, get ready for a show.

Monday nights bring Capt. Davy to Al’s, a pirate show sure to delight kids of all ages. Tuesday evenings, catch your favorite classic movie on the sand. On Wednesday’s, fireworks light up the sky at 9PM. Pack your grass skirt Thursday nights and get ready for the luau show behind Al’s, and the weekends bring great live music to our sand.

P.S. There’s one more secret about the Boardwalk location! Did you know The Crab Trap sits atop their very own seafood commissary? That’s right, below your feet, the Saltwater Restaurants crew is processing 2,000lbs of fresh – like just off the boats in Destin fresh – seafood daily, to be served in their myriad of restaurants along the Gulf Coast, including their Crab Trap locations.

So, while you’re sure to have a delicious adventure before and after dinner at The Crab Trap, don’t forget the real star of their show will also be the food!