Panama Beach area

[greenclan67]

Hi all,
In the beginning stages of planning a trip for next March 2011. We are going to be in Orlando for a week, but have 2 weeks total. Wondering if anyone has any experience in the Panama Beach area? We are driving this time, actually flying one way, and driving home the other, hoping to get a good price on a one way rental. So we thought if we staying in Orlando for 1 week, and then headed back home at the start of our 2nd week, we could do about a 3- 4 day stop in the Panama area. Any suggestions on sites and attractions there, also places to stay?
Or is there another nicer area to look at besides Panama? I am very open to suggestions. My kids love the beach, but wouldn't handle 4 days of "just" the beach. They still like to be doing things!
Any help would be great. TIA

 

[tazdeb]

The Holiday Inn on the beach is great for families. They have things to do everyday poolside and the rooms have a fridge etc...Things to do in the area are Ripleys, jet ski rentals, a great state park and many more things to do. HOWEVER, MARCH IS SPRING BREAK TIME. You do not want to go there during that time as the beach, roads, resturants will be packed with college kids. I recomend going to Destin instead. Also the farther north you go during march the more risky the weather will be. Sometimes its only in the 60s during march. Whatever you do have fun.

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

I live in PCB.

The pp is right, in March we are overrun with college kids. The Holiday Inn is nice, however it is right down in the thick of it, near Club LeVela (the largest night club in the US, supposedly). I'd recommend staying on the west end of the beach away from all of that.

Family restaurants aren't too crowded during the college spring breaks because they tend to navigate toward cheaper food (read: McDonald's). When you do encounter them in eateries, grocery stores, etc., sometimes they don't have the best manners (read: they swear a lot and don't care if your kid hears them).

The pp also mentioned the state park. St. Andrews state park is a really great park. You can choose a gulf front beach or a calmer swimming lagoon that is really nice for families with small children. Just keep in mind that it is not completely closed off from the gulf/bay so if it swims in the ocean it can swim in the lagoon.

We have a huge recreation facility here in PCB too called Frank Brown Park. There is a heated pool there that you can pay a daily fee to use, in case it's too cold to swim at the beach. They have a website... just google Frank Brown park.

Pier Park is a big shopping mall/entertainment complex that is a lot of fun too. There is a movie theater, shops, restaurants and just newly added are amusement type rides for kids. I'm sure they have a website too so you can see what is offered there.

There are more mini-golf/go-cart/bumper boat establishments here than you can shake a stick at.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to try to help!