This was my first time visiting Panama City Beach proper, and I’ve gotta credit Visit PCB for a killer itinerary. Our entire trip was so thoughtfully put together, I couldn’t wait to share it with you! From the activities and adventures we experienced, to the restaurants we ate at – it was the perfect schedule of events. If you are planning a trip here in the near future, bookmark this page to refer back too – I promise you will not be disappointed.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re probably well aware that Panama City Beach was affected by hurricane Michael a little over 6 months ago. Media coverage around this area is more important now than ever as travel and tourism was obviously affected by this natural disaster. Having been a kid in Orlando, Florida during 2004 – one of the Atlantic’s worst hurricane seasons to date, this hits near and dear to my heart. I’ve lived through those disasters first hand, and know it takes an army to rebuild. While I realize many are still awaiting disaster recovery in the Panama City and Mexico Beach area, from a tourism standpoint – I am here to say, go visit Panama City Beach (Bay County’s tourism corridor). Tourism is a critical part of this city’s economy, and will help drive recovery efforts while also providing jobs for Bay County residents.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We stayed in a beachfront vacation condo this trip! While I love hotels, there’s something so nice about having a full size refrigerator and kitchen at your convenience – especially on a beach vacation or if you’re traveling with family or a larger group in general. The location of this condo is directly on the beach with panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. The beds were super comfortable, and we each (Katie and I) had our own full sized bathroom (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms). It’s also located just two miles from Pier Park, which is a wildly popular shopping center with restaurants, a Sky Wheel, large pier, and most importantly – a Starbucks.
ACTIVITIES
JET SKI ADVENTURE TOUR VIA LAGOON PONTOONS // IF YOU ENJOY JET SKIING AND DOLPHINS, THIS IS A MUST! WE HAD AN ABSOLUTE BLAST. IF YOU’RE NOT A BIG FAN OF JET SKI’S, THEY ALSO OFFER PONTOON RENTALS AND TOURS THAT TAKE YOU TO SHELL ISLAND WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY STUNNING – HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
PANAMA CITY BEACH WINERY // TROPICAL WINERY WITH DAILY WINE TASTINGS! GREAT COUPLES OR GIRLS DAY ACTIVITY IF YOU WANT A BREAK FROM THE BEACH.
EXPLORE THE SKYWHEEL AND SHOPS AT PIER PARK // 124 SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, AND A SKYWHEEL WITH AMAZING VIEWS OF PANAMA CITY BEACH. CROSS THE STREET FOR THE PIER ENTRANCE – PERFECT VIEWS AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES AT SUNSET!
SUNSET AT THE CITY PIER (PIER PARK) // HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING THIS OUT IF YOU GET A CLEAR EVENING FOR SUNSET!
EVENING SUNSET SAIL ON THE “FOOTLOOSE” CATAMARAN WITH PARADISE ADVENTURES PCB // SUNSET SAIL WITH DOLPHIN SIGHTINGS AND LIVE MUSIC! THE MUSIC WAS FANTASTIC, AND THE DOLPHINS WERE SO MUCH FUN.
This is the perfect destination for all walks of life. Whether you’re headed on a girls trip, a family vacation, or a getaway with your significant other – there’s something for everybody here. The travel time to get to Panama City Beach was super convenient. If you’re located in Charlotte, there is a direct flight available with American Airlines that gets you into the city in a little over 1 hour. If you’re not located in Charlotte, PCB is also a decent driving distance for most cities in the south. I can’t thank the team at Visit PCB enough for an awesome stay, looking forward to many more visits to come!