One of our most memorable annual mother-son adventures took me and my son, Aaron, at age 11, to Panama City Beach to camp and body board at St. Andrews State Park and snorkel on Shell Island, a short ferry ride away. A whole other side of Panama City Beach we hadn’t experienced, Aaron loved it as much as he had the amusement parks in the past. Eight years later, there’s now still another whole new side to explore.
With its new Pier Park entertainment complex, long-popular family attractions, emerald-green waters and a brand-new airport on the horizon, Panama City Beach is the quintessential Florida beach that has spelled out “REAL. FUN.” through the ages, for all ages. To top it off, Panama City Beach is home of a 2009 TripAdvisor Top Three Beach in America, and summer 2009 brings added enticements for digging your heels into the bright white sumptuous sands.
With its new Pier Park entertainment complex, long-popular family attractions, emerald-green waters and a brand-new airport on the horizon, Panama City Beach is the quintessential Florida beach that has spelled out “REAL. FUN.” through the ages, for all ages.
Swashbuckling Past, Bring Eyepatch
First a pirate’s playground, Panama City Beach and its more than 27 miles of legendary beach have made history entertaining families since the 1930s. The pirates, who once stashed their treasure on secluded Shell Island, have left their fingerprints in a prevailing devil-may-care beach attitude, a restaurant in the shape of a Spanish galleon and pirate cruises complete with cannon fire; 1930s nostalgia lingers lightly in a setting that has evolved through the years to meet vacationing trends and needs.
In 1969, for instance, far ahead of its time, Gulf World Marine Park began educating visitors about dolphins, sea lions, fish, birds and reptiles. Today its interaction programs and rescue efforts nudge it to the forefront of environmental awareness.
Another popular attraction has its roots in the ’60s and even before. Shipwreck Island Water Park pirates its theme from the graveyard of wrecks – popular with divers and anglers – that lies offshore. The park sits adjacent to the former site of one of Panama City Beach’s earliest amusement parks, Miracle Strip.
Today’s Treasures, Remember Camcorder
Miles of go-kart tracks, acres of mini-golf courses, plus kiddy rides and a human maze continue to draw families. Powder-sand beaches that are always winning awards, gentle gulf waters shimmering like gemstones in a jeweler’s case and the wet fun they invite get kids outdoors and active sans parental nagging.
Fishing from the town’s piers has always been a favorite childhood lure, and it just got better. Russell Fields Pier (also called City Pier) reopens in June after renovation and an extension that makes it the Gulf Coast’s longest pier. Just across the street, Pier Park continues to grow its collection of stores, shops and restaurants, some with rooftop alfresco dining and sunset views. During the summer, the park’s amphitheater attracts music-lovers with its Thursday evening concert series.
Tip: Find out if you're an Eco-Seeker, Wave Warrior, After Dark Shark, Soul Surfer or part of the family-friendly Sandy Bottom Bunch at www.realfuncontest.com. Then capture your travel personality on video, and you just might win a trip, all expenses paid, to Panama City Beach. The “REAL. FUN. BEACH.” travel personality video contest runs through July 31, 2009, and five winners will get $10,000 each for a grand total of $50,000 in cash and prizes, including five-night vacations in Panama City Beach. (Go to www.realfuncontest.com to register and find out more.)
Bright Future, Wear Shades
Besides its unfailing sunshine and blinding white sands, Panama City Beach requires shades for its ready-to-take-off future on the wings of its international airport. Panama City-Bay County International Airport will be ready to launch in May 2010 and is being developed in conjunction with a nature preserve across the bay that will include the largest expanse of undeveloped coastline in Florida.
With Panama City Beach’s growing inventory of accommodations, particularly of the luxury flavor, and its new restaurants to join old favorites, it has matured into a destination that can answer anyone’s fantasy. Whether you’re looking for a cheeseburger on the beach, seafood right off the boat, a full-service Gulf-front resort or a quiet place in the sand to stake your tent and bond with family, Panama City Beach has your fun already designed. (For. REAL.)
This article is brought to you by Panama City Beach. For more information, visit www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-6503).
