For decades, parents have loaded their children up in the car and headed to Panama City Beach for their spring or summer vacation. But if you haven’t been in a few years, now is the time to go. Long known for its emerald-green waters and white sandy shores, the destination has recently experienced a tidal wave of growth and development. Perhaps the greatest example of this growth is the opening of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, which opened in May 2010. Luckily, this charming beach town with Southern hospitality is within a three-hour drive of the River Region.
Another big change is the addition of Pier Park, a 1.1 million square foot, open-air regional lifestyle center located in the heart of Panama City Beach. Opened in February 2008 as Northwest Florida’s largest shopping, dining and entertainment venue, Pier Park houses restaurants and stores comprising a colorful mix of popular national chains and favorite local boutiques and eateries. Its distinct architecture achieves a warm, beach-like atmosphere that is enjoyed by hundreds of thousands each year. Now often referred to as “Downtown Panama City Beach,” Pier Park plays host to many large scale community events each year and has become a prominent new landmark in the region.
One of the latest additions to the district is Miracle Strip @ Pier Park, an attraction which features original rides from the former and iconic Miracle Strip Amusement Park, open in Panama City Beach from 1963 to 2004. The 1964 Allen Herschall 36-foot model carousel, featuring 30 horses and two chariots, and the classic 1975 Big Eli Ferris Wheel are among the rides which have been fully restored for their new home at Pier Park. The shaded Pavilion area in the middle of the amusements is perfect for parents and grandparents to sit and relax while kids enjoy the rides that they once used to enjoy.
WonderWorks™ Panama City Beach, which also opened last year, is a four-story interactive fun lab housed in an eye-catching upside down building. Virtual, mental, and physical challenges combine with an interactive game facility and scientific displays, including more than 100 exhibits and challenges.
Of course, a family trip to Panama City Beach wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Shipwreck Island Water Park. The tropical theme waterpark is filled with loads of attractions for children of all ages such as the 500,000 gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool. For the thrill-seekers, the Tree Top Drop features two slides descending from a 65-foot tall platform, while those looking to simply enjoy a relaxing tube ride will enjoy the 2,000-foot-long Lazy River. Other attractions not to be missed by the first-timers are Gulf World Marine Park, where children can enroll in a Trainer for a Day program or swim with the dolphins, and the Coconut Creek Family Fun Park’s Grand Maze, a giant size human maze about the size of a football field.
Panama City Beach offers many more activities for all ages such as ZooWorld, boating, fishing, snorkeling, diving and parasailing. Captain Anderson’s Marina is a one-stop shop for water excursions. Half-day and all-day deep sea fishing or diving trips are available, as well as dinner and sightseeing cruises aboard the Lady Anderson yacht. For an adventure the kids will love, Sea Dragon Pirate Cruises has it all. This two-hour family cruise offers dolphin sightings, great music, food and non-stop pirate activities for all ages. Island Time Sailing also offers a Snorkel/Dolphin Cruise on a 30-foot catamaran, which takes guests on a beautiful sail through Grand Lagoon and into St. Andrew’s Bay and stops at Shell Island, where those aboard can snorkel, swim, and collect shells. Shell Island is one of the area’s hidden gems, a pristine 700-acre undeveloped island that provides a peaceful spot to relax. The surrounding water is home to one of the largest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins in the country. Shuttle boats are also available from St. Andrews State Park in the spring and summer months.
St. Andrew’s Recreation Area is one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in Florida and is characterized by rolling, white sand dunes separated by low swales of pinewoods and marshes. The 1,260-acre area, located on the peninsula, has more than 1.5 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico and the Grand Lagoon. The Blue Heron Trail winds through the area and offers hiking opportunities, as well as a beautiful vantage point for spotting wildlife and bird-watching. Visitors can swim and snorkel in the warm waters of the Gulf, as well as in the shallow, protected pool behind the jetties which is perfect for the younger kids in tote. Various types of fishing can be enjoyed at the park, which also has boat ramps and a small store with refreshments and all types of watersport rentals.
Another rather noticeable change is the recent development of new beachfront resorts and high-rise condominiums offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. More than 21,000 rooms ranging from resorts, hotels, condos, town homes and villas are available for quick getaways or extended stays in Panama City Beach. One of the newer, family-friendly properties is Shores of Panama, offering accommodations from studios to three-bedroom suites, a grand lagoon pool with tiki huts and poolside grill, a children’s activity program, health club with spa, and more. Other standouts include the well-appointed units at the Palazzo with their lofty ceilings and granite countertops and Laketown Wharf’s expansive resort grounds with a boardwalk, several pools, a meditation garden, and children’s playground.
The seaside town’s culinary scene is also heating up in recent years as Panama City Beach restaurants are also working their way onto the map. The destination, often referred to as the “Seafood Capital of the South,” offers a variety of dining options to please even the pickiest palates. Captain Anderson’s Restaurant has long been a family favorite, serving fresh local fish, premium Certified Angus Beef® brand steaks, and a children’s menu that extends beyond simply chicken tenders and fries. With the addition of Pier Park, a whole new crop of restaurants have emerged, from Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and Reggae J’s Island Grill – both with direct water views – to popular chains the kids love, ice cream parlors and candy stores, and local faves like Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House and Bootleg Barbeque. A great option for sandy beachgoers is the newly opened Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill, a casual beachfront joint at the base of City Pier with terrific fish tacos, cold beverages, and a stunning sunset to match. Cheers to that!
For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or call their Visitors Center at 1-800-PCBEACH (or 850-233-6503).
Photos provided by Panama City Visitor’s Bureau.
