Panama City

Panama City Beach

Overview- Panama City Beach is located in Bay County, Fla., in the Northwest part of the state. The destination is best known for its more than 27 miles of white sand beaches edging emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge.  With an average 320 days of sunshine annually, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers.

On May 23, 2010, the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened as the first international airport in the United States to be built from the ground up in over a decade. The 125,000 square-foot facility attracts travelers from major markets, both domestic and international.  Leading low fare carrier Southwest Airlines operates eight daily flights through the airport non-stop from Baltimore, Houston, Nashville and Orlando. Delta Airlines operates non-stop flights from Atlanta and Memphis.

Accommodations;

More than 21,000 rooms ranging from resorts, hotels, condos, town homes and villas are available for quick getaways or extended stays in Panama City Beach.  Each accommodation caters to travelers of different interests, from families and sun-seekers to couples, honeymooners and meetings groups.  

Dining;

Known as the “Seafood Capital of the South,” Panama City Beach offers an array of dining options to please all palates including award-winning restaurants, casual beachfront cafes and family-friendly tables.  Chefs fuse bold flavors and fresh seafood to create signature dishes in distinct spaces that make the most of their seaside setting.

Visitors can enjoy island cuisine, steakhouses, barbecue, ethnic cuisine, and specialty sushi. Experiences are available for any occasion from elaborate mulch-course meals and dinner cruises to buffets, grills, taverns, ice cream parlors and even trendy food trucks .    

Family Entertainment

Panama City Beach offers a variety of activities for all ages such as marine attractions, water parks, zoos, pirate cruises, boating, fishing, snorkeling, diving and parasailing.  Some of the most popular family attractions include:

•    Wonder Works
•    Miracle Strip @ Pier Park
•    Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Auditorium
•    Gulf World Marine Park
•    Shipwreck Island Water-park
•    Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
•    Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park
•    Museum of Man in the Sea

Outdoor Adventures 

In this destination known as the “Wreck Capital of the South,” scuba divers explore historic wrecks and artificial reefs while snorkelers chase Manta rays and brightly colored tropical fish.  Sailing, windsurfing, pleasure boating, para sailing and jet skiing are all popular ways to explore the Gulf of Mexico.  Visitors may also hop aboard tour boats for excursions to Shell Island.

For landlubbers, Panama City Beach features five 18-hole championship golf courses.  The destination was recently named the third best golf town in the U.S. by Golf Digest magazine.  Also on land, visitors can fish, hike and camp in St. Andrews State Recreational Area.