Fly from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS); flight options and connections vary, so follow your ticket’s departure details. Pick up your rental car at VPS, or arrange a rideshare, then head south on FL-85 and west on US-98 toward Destin—allow about 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic. After checking in, make HarborWalk Village your easy first stop: the harborfront paths are ideal for stretching your legs and watching the boats. Give yourself about an hour, and check individual shop hours if you arrive late, since they can vary.
For dinner, go to Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant for a casual Gulf seafood meal; budget roughly $20–40 per person, before drinks and tip. It’s a relaxed first-night choice, but hours and wait times can shift with the season, so check ahead. Afterward, take an easy wander along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk—browse the waterfront shops and catch the harbor atmosphere as evening settles in. It’s a short walk from HarborWalk Village, so there’s no need to move the car; allow around 45 minutes, or linger if you’re not ready to call it a night.
Start at Henderson Beach State Park while it’s still cool: the beach is the draw, but leave time for the short nature trail through the coastal scrub, too. The park is generally open from 8 a.m. until sundown; admission is about $6 per vehicle. Bring water and sun protection, and expect a short drive between the park and breakfast.
Head to The Donut Hole for a generous brunch—plan on roughly $10–20 per person, and don’t be surprised if the portions are big. It’s popular, so arriving before the late-morning rush can mean less waiting.
Take it easy at Destin Commons, an open-air shopping center with plenty of places to pause between shops. Allow about 1½ hours; most shops are typically open into the evening, though individual hours vary. It’s an easy place to unwind after the beach before driving toward the harbor.
Finish at Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House for Gulf seafood and harbor views. Budget about $25–45 per person, before drinks and tip; dinner gets busy, so make a reservation if available or arrive early. Check the day’s hours before setting out, and leave a little time to enjoy the waterfront rather than rushing straight to your table.
Leave Destin around 8 a.m. for Phenix City. Follow US-98 east, then connect toward US-231 and US-280; plan on roughly 4–4½ hours of driving before stops, and check traffic and road conditions that morning. A quick fuel or coffee break is sensible, but keep the schedule loose enough to arrive, check in, and have a breather before exploring.
Stretch your legs at the Phenix City Riverwalk, a relaxed path along the Chattahoochee River. An hour is plenty for an easy stroll and river views; bring water, especially if the afternoon is warm. From downtown, cross the river into Columbus for dinner at Cannon Brew Pub, housed in a historic building in Uptown. Budget about $20–35 per person, and check the day’s hours before setting out.
After dinner, walk over to the Dillingham Street Bridge for a short sunset wander and views back toward both riverfronts. Allow about 30 minutes, and take care around traffic as you cross. You can return to Phenix City on foot or by car; if you drove to dinner, confirm where you’re parking and avoid leaving valuables visible.
Head across the river from Phenix City to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in south Columbus; allow about 20–30 minutes by car, depending on where you’re staying. Give the exhibits and memorials a relaxed 2½–3 hours. Admission and parking are generally free, but check the museum’s Sunday hours before setting out, and leave time for the outdoor memorials if the weather is comfortable.
Drive back toward town for Country’s Barbecue. It’s a local favorite for a casual plate of barbecue, and lunch usually runs about $15–25 per person. There are multiple Columbus locations, so choose the one that best fits your route north and check Sunday hours before you go.
Continue to the Columbus Botanical Garden in north Columbus for an unhurried hour among the gardens and wooded paths. Public hours can be limited on Sundays, so confirm the garden is open before making the drive. Finish at The Animal Farm, also in north Columbus, where you can spend about an hour visiting the resident animals. Check its Sunday schedule and admission details in advance; both stops are easier by car, with a short drive between them.
Head first to the National Civil War Naval Museum in south Columbus, about a 15–25-minute drive from Phenix City depending on where you’re staying. Set aside roughly two hours for the naval artifacts and exhibits. One important calendar note: October 5, 2026, is a Monday, and the museum may be closed Mondays. Check its current hours or call before setting out; if it is closed, you’ll need to rearrange the visit rather than count on getting inside. Afterward, drive north to Uptown Columbus and give yourself an hour to wander its compact, walkable downtown streets.
Take a coffee and light lunch break at Iron Bank Coffee Co., a café in a striking former bank building; budget about $10–20 per person, and check Monday hours before you go. Then head to the Columbus RiverWalk for an easy 1½-hour riverside stroll along the Chattahoochee—watch for kayakers and the lively water around the rapids, and wear comfortable shoes. Finish back in Uptown Columbus at Mabella’s Italian Steakhouse for dinner; expect about $25–45 per person before drinks and tip, and consider reserving a table. The riverfront and downtown are close together, so you can park once for the afternoon and dinner rather than moving the car between stops.
After your morning Groome Transportation shuttle arrives in Atlanta, confirm the drop-off point and use a rideshare or MARTA to reach Centennial Olympic Park downtown. Stretch your legs with a relaxed 45-minute loop through the 1996 Olympics legacy park; it’s free and an easy way to get oriented. Then walk a few minutes to the Georgia Aquarium. Allow 2½–3 hours, and book timed admission ahead—tickets commonly run around $40–$60, with prices and hours varying by date.
Take a rideshare from downtown to Krog Street Market in Inman Park for dinner; its food stalls and restaurants make it easy for everyone to choose their own thing, usually about $15–$30 per person. Check the market’s hours before you go, since individual vendors may close at different times. Afterward, step onto the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail nearby and walk north toward Old Fourth Ward for an hour or so of public art, lively patios, and people-watching. Wear comfortable shoes, and turn back whenever you like—the trail is a pleasant way to end the day without needing to plan a full out-and-back.
Start with a hearty breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club downtown—expect about $15–25 per person and a possible wait at peak breakfast time. It’s usually open in the morning, but check hours before you go. From there, take a rideshare or MARTA toward Sweet Auburn for the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Allow 1½–2 hours to see the historic district and civil-rights landmarks; outdoor areas are generally open during daylight, while visitor facilities have set hours, so check the National Park Service schedule before setting out.
Head to Ponce City Market in Old Fourth Ward for a browse and lunch; the food hall has plenty of quick choices, typically around $15–30 per person. When it’s time to leave, allow a generous buffer: a rideshare to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport can take roughly 25–45 minutes or longer in traffic. For transit, rideshare to a MARTA station such as North Avenue or Midtown, then take the southbound train to the airport; include the station transfer and walking time. Follow your airline’s check-in and security guidance, and plan to arrive with plenty of time for your flight to Minneapolis.
No packing list attached yet.