Destin or Panama City?

[arthur06]

We are looking to do about 4 nights in August at either of these locations.

We have never been to either and want some input on which to choose.

We are traveling with 3 boys, 14, 8, 6 along with myself and my wife.

We are looking for some action (parasailing, jetskiing, and snorkeling) in the mornings with the afternoons being alot of beach and pool time. Also, mixing in some shopping and a few adult beverages is her interest. Which location would be better for that type of trip?

Also, wanting to find a room close to the ocean in the range of $1,000 for the 4 nights.

TIA

 

[tazdeb]

Both places are nice and offer everything you mention not much difference between the two. There is a Holiday Inn in Panama Beach that is geared to families with pool activities, night time movies at the pool, and is right on the beach. All the rooms come with a mini kitchen and can fit 5 with a rollaway.

 

[MimiOfTwo]

Both are nice but I much prefer Destin. They have a huge outlet mall. All the activities you are looking for & more. We stay at Holiday Surf & Racquet Club every year. It's a condo right on the beach. It's an older property but I like it because it's only 7 stories high so the beach isn't crowded.

 

[Sweeney1996]

I live in Panama City, though not the beach side, but am over there everyday. I would choose Destin. The Islander at Destin come in around your budget for the time of year you are traveling. You will find the activities you mentioned at both locations.

Editing to add you can get a two bedroom in your price range that will have a kitchen at the Islander, if that is something you will be looking at.

Good luck!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I live near PCB and visit Destin occasionally. PCB has more family-type activities, IMO, like Wonderworks, Gulf World, waterpark. Pier Park has a lot of restaurants and places to shop. The outlet mall near Destin (really, in Sandestin, which is between PCB and Destin) is great, but nothing that you can't find at many other outlets all over the country.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We have done both and prefer Panama City. Traffic seemed more manageable, there seemed to be a better range of evening activities, and we loved the state park. We did visit the outlet mall last time and agree it is nothing special that can't be found outside every other metro area of the country.

 

[kydisneyfans]

We have done both and prefer Panama City. Traffic seemed more manageable, there seemed to be a better range of evening activities, and we loved the state park. We did visit the outlet mall last time and agree it is nothing special that can't be found outside every other metro area of the country.

With the above being said, most summer stays are week long only, so you will need to go with a chain or mom and pop type hotel to get 4 days in August.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Both places are nice and offer everything you mention not much difference between the two. There is a Holiday Inn in Panama Beach that is geared to families with pool activities, night time movies at the pool, and is right on the beach. All the rooms come with a mini kitchen and can fit 5 with a rollaway.

This is where we stay as well (3 times so far). We got the bunkbed room last Summer. Lots of stuff to do in the area, though to be honest, we only left the hotel once (for dinner) in 5 days.

Www.hipcbeach.com

 

[LovesTimone]

Destin... I used to live in Pensacola, We loved Destin such a nice town, the beach is beautiful, Great Outlet mall, and lots to do.. Must try McGuire's for dinner their Shepard's pie is super yummy.

 

[donkeyandshrek]

IMO PCB is more party city and seemed to have more intoxicated young adults. . Destin more family friendly my family prefers Mirimar Beach

 

[Under the Library]

I live and hour away from PC & spend a month there in the summer housitting for my grandparents. There are pros & cons to each, and PCB can tend to be more, um rowdy?, but they are cracking down on that after Spring Break problems this year. Pier Park would probably be a hit with the teens, outdoor mall type place, other attractions as mentioned above. St. Andrew's State Park is $8 a day and worth every penny if you want some beach space to spread out. That said, the outlets are good too, and Destin is beautiful. If you have time, and the teens are interested, National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola is a great day trip from either place.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

IMO PCB is more party city and seemed to have more intoxicated young adults. . Destin more family friendly my family prefers Mirimar Beach

That's primarily a Spring Break thing. We have never experienced that in all our Summertime stays there & our favorite hotel is party central during Spring Break (MTV often headquarters there). We see very few singles & young adults. It's almost exclusively families & retirees when we're there.

Now, PCB is a big place & further down the beach may be another story. But the Holiday Inn & areas surrounding it are absolutely family friendly in Summertime.

 

[tami82]

I would pick Destin or Ft Walton which is close by. If you and your kids like lazy rivers there is an awesome gigantic one that goes through the middle of the property and changes color at night. It's called Destin West Resort in Ft Walton. I'm not a kid but I loved it.