5 things to do around Destin for mom on Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and have you decided what you will do for that special person in your life? 

If not, here are five ideas that can be done locally? 

Flowers

“Flowers are always appropriate,” says Becky Pavlic Edge of Pavlic’s Florist, 116A Benning Drive in Destin behind Sexton’s Seafood. 

Edge said she got that piece of advice from a customer when she was first starting out in the flower business more than 50 years ago and never forgot it. 

More:Pavlic's Florist opened before Destin was a city. 50 years later, it's still going strong

And if you’re looking to order flowers for mother and have them delivered for her special day – now is the time to get those orders in. 

“Mother’s Day is the biggest holiday for flowers,” Edge said, noting orders have been coming in already. 

“If you think ordering two or three days before is early ... it’s not,” she said. By then, she’ll already have 150 orders in front of you. 

So, now is the time to get those orders in. 

“The sooner the better,” she said. 

Most order a mixed spring arrangement. But if you know what color momma likes, they can add that in. 

Edge said the traditional flower for mom is carnations. Red carnations signify that her mother is still alive, while the white signifies her mother has died. 

Whatever the order, “the sooner the better,” Edge said. 

For more information or to place an order, visit Pavlicsflorist.com or call 850-837-6941.  

Brunch

Dining out is always a good treat for mom and especially on Mother’s Day. 

Brotula’s Seafood House and Steamer on Destin harbor at 210D Harbor Blvd. will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Sunday starters on the menu for brunch include crispy fried calamari, hot crab dip, house smoked tuna dip with pita chips, celery and carrot sticks or crispy fried crab claws flash fried and made with Remoulade sauce to name a few. 

Also included on the brunch menu are salads such as a black-and-blue chicken salad as well as a side salad made with assorted greens, tomatoes, red onions and Ranch dressing. 

The lunch/brunch menu includes such delights as burgers, sandwiches, shrimp and grits, a Southern Chicken Benny, Southwestern omelet, French toast to name a few. 

Seafood platters and waterfront buckets are always available for brunch as well. 

Reservations are not required. If you can’t make it there for Mother’s Day, a gift card for another time would be great. 

For more information about Brotula’s, visit Brotulas.com or call 850-460-8900. 

Dolphin cruise

Has mom ever seen a dolphin up close? Or has she been for a cruise around the harbor, bay and even out into the Gulf of Mexico? 

Well, a trip aboard the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise boat would check all those boxes. 

The Southern Star, “Destin’s original dolphin cruise,” as touted on its website, has been featured on CNN and National Geographic. The Southern Star docks at HarborWalk Marina behind Margaritaville. 

More:Miss Destin contestants set sail for annual cruise aboard Southern Star

Aboard the 80-foot, double-decked boat, mom will get the chance to see seabirds, other marine life and of course dolphins. The boat holds 140 people, has an air-conditioned cabin and bathrooms. 

On Mother’s Day, the Southern Star has two cruises scheduled. The first sets sail at 4 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. for the sunset dolphin cruise. 

Both cruises, which are narrated, last an hour-and-a-half. Although no coolers are allowed aboard the vessel, they do offer hotdogs, snacks, soda, beer and wine. 

Reservations are suggested. Also, if you cannot make it out on Mother’s Day for the dolphin cruise, gift cards are always available for mom to use another day. 

For more information about the Southern Star visit their website at Southernstardolphincruise.com or call 850-837-7441. 

Spa time

Float Brothers Float Spa is not your usual spa. 

Located at 4463 Commons Drive W. in Unit 10B, Float Brothers is open every day but Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Float Spa is just that — you float to relieve pressure and stress. 

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“With the elements of 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate) at a depth of 10 inches of water heated to 94-degree homeostasis these pods help to heal not only the body but also the mind,” according to the Float Spa’s website. 

And for Mother’s Day, Float Spa is offering a special just for mom. 

From 2016:Relax and float awhile: New float therapy spa coming to Destin

“We are doing a two-float special for $89 which is two 60-minute floats,” said Michael Hineline, manager of Float Brothers. 

Moms will also get a gift to go with the float. 

“Customers can choose between a soap, a couple of bath bombs or a towel,” Hineline said. 

Appointments can be scheduled for that day or people can buy a gift card and then mom can come float whenever, he said. 

What makes Float Spa different? 

"It’s the Epsom salt ... getting the noise and cutting the chaos, checking in with your breath and being in an anti-gravity environment,” Hineline said. 

“It takes a lot of pressure, both mentally and physically, off your body and the stress of what motherhood is all about,” Hineline said. 

Float Spa has started a nonprofit and will be giving free floats to pregnant moms on Wednesday, May 8. 

For more information, visit Floatbrothers.com or call 850-460-8720. 

Cruise

SunQuest Cruises aboard the Solaris Yacht will be celebrating mom with two cruises on Mother’s Day, brunch and sunset. 

The Solaris, docked at Baytowne Marina in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, is a 125-foot yacht with three decks of indoor and outdoor spaces that cruises around Choctawhatchee Bay, according to the Sunquest Cruises website. 

The Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise is two and half hours, while the Sunset Dinner Cruise is 3 hours. 

“Make reservations as early as possible,” said Samantha Moeller, business development manager with Sunquest, noting there are 149 spots for each cruise. 

What to expect on the brunch cruise? 

A two-course brunch with a waterfront view. There will be a full-service bar open to purchase mimosas, Bloody Marys and more, according to its website. 

What to expect for sunset dinner cruise? 

A three-course meal with live entertainment as the sun sets on Choctawhatchee Bay. Music can be heard on all three decks. And your ticket for the cruise includes iced tea, coffee and water. The bar will be open to purchase drinks.