Panama City Beach FL

[phillmolly]

My SIL and I are taking our 3 kids down for a few days next week. We will be there from a Monday to Friday. We have both been to Florida tons of times, but never to the panhandle or gulf coast.

What do we need to know? Anywhere we "must" eat? Things, places to avoid?

Our main goal is really just to spend a few days relaxing on the beach before we go back to grind of school. We will have 3 kids with us, her DS, 12 and DD 8 and my DS almost 7. Luckily all the kids get together pretty well and DSIL and I love to travel together!

 

[Wishing on a star]

We usually stay over towards Destin, and like that simpler, a bit more upscale, vibe better than PCB.
But we have very much enjoyed spending time at PCB when we are down there.

Love the gorgeous beaches!

The Pier Park area is really nice.
Last visit, we finally went out on the pier with DS and his friend.
They enjoyed seeing the fisherman, and even one pulled in a tiny reef shark.

Where are you staying?

Other than the beaches, what kind of activities would you be most interested in.
I can't remember the name of it, but there is one catamaran sail and snorkel to the back-side of Shell Island that sounds like it might be fun.
I can't remember the name off the top of my head. but a search would easily find it.

We have enjoyed an afternoon at Piineapple Willy's for the great vibe, the signature drink, and have the T-Shirt.

If you are on Tripadvisor, that is the best place for good insight and advice!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We stay at the Holiday Inn & honestly don't really leave the hotel. Beach to pool to beach to pool to bed LOL.

Bring binoculars to watch for Dolphins at sunrise.

Boat to Shell Island is fun

Gulf World is fun

We like Hungry Howie's for cheap pizza

 

[livie1205]

Being from Florida I would suggest going 30 minutes over and staying in Destin, it's nicer and you can always drive to PCB if you have something to do there. The beach is 100% nicer in Destin. Have fun!

 

[Immadismom]

We were just in Seagrove last week, about 15-20 minutes from PCB. We drove over there twice. Once to eat at a place my kids love, called Sweet Basil's. Kind of a hole in the wall, but the food was great & very reasonable. The other time we ate at Bayou Bill's. Kids also loved that place. (Our kids are 11, 12 & 14).

We tried to go to Pier Park, but the crowd was insane & we decided we'd rather spend that time on the beach.

If you ride over to Seaside, be sure to stop by the Shaved Ice food truck on the Main Street. Super nice ladies running it, and tons of flavors. My girls were there twice & were dying to go back. I had the Mounds flavor, which was coconut shaved ice with cream & chocolate...insanely yummy!!

 

[NewRVLady]

I love to go to Seaside and visit the shops - love the glass shop- gorgeouse hand blown glass- I always buy earrings there
Panama City is a tad more "Wild college kids " place- ok to visit
I much prefer Destin

 

[luvsJack]

We will be in PCB over Labor Day. Spent our beach vacation there last year and love it. We did not like Destin at all the previous year. I am sure it depends on what you like to do.

We love the beach during the day and fun activities at night. Go kart tracks, rides, renting scooters or golf karts and riding the strip are things we did. There is a ripleys and wonder works there but we have done those in other places.

Places to eat--we really didn't have a bad experience. Just don't order pizza delivered. Takes too long. Lots of really good seafood places.

The water and beach are beautiful. I was worried about the "party" atmosphere but there wasn't anymore of that than in Destin or Gulf Shores.

There are upscale places to stay and there are $40 a night dives. Holiday Inn is fantastic.

We just found PCB to have everthing we love in a beach vacation. Since you aren't going spring break or a graduation week, I don't think you will see too much of a college crowd. We were there over the 4th last year and it was mostly families. And not any more partying than we saw in other areas in previous years.

Pier park was fun. Music, shopping, ice cream shops, just fun.