Discover the Other Florida, Panama City Beach
Visitors can discover the “other Florida” in this seaside retreat, where the revitalization trend goes well beyond the new airport. In addition to new family attractions, visitors to Panama City Beach find added oceanfront spas, restaurants, shopping venues and more. New accommodations fit all budgets, with options ranging from charming beach cottages to luxurious multi-bedroom condominiums with private balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.
Of course, the main attraction remains the beach. Long renowned for its spectacular white-sand beaches and predictably sunny weather, Panama City Beach continues to draw visitors year round for its world-class events, including fishing tournaments, food and wine festivals, classic car shows, triathlons, holiday celebrations and outdoor concerts by the sea. This travel season finds Panama City Beach at the top of its game with these noteworthy offerings.
NEW INTERNATIONAL, ECO-FRIENDLY AIRPORT SET FOR SMOOTH LANDING
The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport makes its debut in May 2010, located on Panama City Beach’s expansive West Bay, the airport is being developed on 1,300 acres of a 4,000-acre site donated by The St. Joe Company.
While gorgeous beaches, family attractions and stellar accommodations have long made Panama City Beach a popular drive destination, the addition of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is expected to open the region to a worldwide audience and allow for lower travel fares and easier access for domestic and international travelers. The airport will also offer a 10,000-foot runway, the only one of this length in Northwest Florida. The length of the runway is designed to allow larger jets and commercial aircraft of any size to be able to land more easily.
The Panama City - Bay County Airport and Industrial District Authority aims to make its terminal certified to LEED standards under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council. Among the terminal’s environmentally sensitive features: rooftop louvers to admit sunlight, a state-of-the-art storm water management system, sustainable materials and a landscaping plan requiring no supplemental irrigation. The terminal will showcase Panama City Beach’s natural beauty with an interior courtyard and soaring, glass window walls to bring views of nature indoors.
The airport will be developed in conjunction with a nature preserve that will include Florida’s largest expanse of undeveloped coastline. The refuge, called the West Bay Preservation Area, will protect 40,000 acres around the West Bay, including 33 miles of undeveloped shoreline and an additional 44 miles of tributaries and creeks. It will provide permanent protection for the area’s water quality, biodiversity and natural beauty. Travelers and locals here will enjoy large expanses for hiking, fishing and bird watching.
THE WAVE OF DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES
Located in the heart of town, the new Pier Park spans roughly one million square feet, making it Northwest Florida’s largest shopping/dining/ entertainment venue. This open-air complex houses restaurants and stores comprising a colorful mix of popular national chains and favorite local boutiques and eateries.
Pier Park’s offerings include: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Dillard’s, Borders, JCPenney, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Old Navy, Candymaker Candy Stores, Massage Envy, Chico’s, ULTA Beauty, Panera Bread, The Back Porch restaurant and Hofbrau Beer Garden. The Grand 16 Theatre -- a 16-screen, 3,000-seat movie theater complex – shows the latest blockbusters.
Located directly across the street from Pier Park, the renovated Panama City Beach’s Russell Fields Pier reopened this year. The landmark city pier is known among locals as the best spot to enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico and is prized as a prime fishing spot for anglers of all ages. The new concrete pier extends more than 1,600 feet into the calm waters, making it the longest pier on the Gulf Coast. With rod rentals and tackle available on site, visitors and locals can fish along the pier for cobia, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, flounder, red fish, pompano and much more year-round.
ACCOMMODATIONS TO FIT ALL BUDGETS
Panama City Beach’s lodging inventory has jumped to more than 21,400 rooms and includes an array of accommodations to fit all budgets, from cozy beach cottages, to luxury condominiums church retreats,campgrounds and RV parks to waterfront, full-service resorts.
Newly opened properties include Sterling Breeze, housing studio and multi-bedroom units with designer furnishings, high-end electronics and private balconies with sweeping Gulf views. Guests enjoy a comprehensive children’s program, state-of-the-art fitness center, poolside Internet cafe and wine bar at this luxury property near popular restaurants,attractions and shopping.
Guests at the new Shores of Panama are pampered, as well, in luxury accommodations ranging from studios to three bedroom suites. Shores of Panama boast a beachfront grand lagoon pool surrounded by a 13,900 square-foot deck. Among the other amenities: a children's activity program;health club with spa, sauna and massage therapy; free high-speed Internet access; and meeting facilities.
The upscale Palazzo condominium resort features one-, two- and three-bedroom units with lofty10-foot ceilings, crown molding and granite counter tops. Also on property are two elevated lagoon pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting facilities.
Newly Opened, Laketown Wharf offers a rich array of exciting resort features including Gulf of Mexico, lake and golf course views. Located right in the heart of Panama City Beach, Laketown Wharf is known for its signature water feature, a massive lighted fountain within its namesake lake, choreographed with dancing water, lights and music into a nightly landmark show. The expansive resort grounds include gathering areas with gazebos, fitness center, five unique pools, a large freshwater lake, 52,000 sq. ft. of lakefront boardwalk, a meditation garden, kiddy playground and the sugar-white sand beaches of the Gulf, just steps away.
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS ABOUND
Popular family attractions include Gulf World Marine Park, where families can learn about preservation and enjoy up-close-and personal encounters with dolphins, sea lions, reptiles, tropical birds and more.
At Shipwreck Island Waterpark, a speedy, new online ticketing service gives guests more time for thrills and spills at one of Florida’s largest water theme parks. For more action and adventure, visitors cruise Gulf waters aboard the Sea Dragon, an authentic 85-foot pirate ship, with cannons blasting and pirates hanging from the rigging.
There is also ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park, home to more than 250 animals, including rare and endangered species.Visitors feed endangered primates and assist in animal shows.Other attractions include Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium,housing fascinating finds from around the world. Additionally,Coconut Creek Family Fun Park offers two miniature golf courses and one of the country’s largest human mazes.
EVENTS SHINE YEAR-ROUND
No matter what their interests, visitors find there’s always something fun to do in Panama City Beach. Slated for 2010 are music and culinary extravaganzas, arts festivals, world-class sporting events, car shows, bike rallies, holiday fests and more. Here are some upcoming highlights:
- The Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine and Music Festival, serves up fresh seafood, specialty wines, family activities and concerts by nationally acclaimed artists, including STYX, Julianne Hough & Grand Funk Railroad.
- Experience the Taste of the Beach, with an international wine tasting event boasting more than 300 wines to taste and food samplings from various Pier Park restaurants.
- Emerald Coast Cruizin’ classic car and hot rod show promises full-throttle fun with thousands of cars, live music, vendor expos, swap meets and more.
- Start 2011 with a bounce and a bang at the 3nd Annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop. Held at Pier Park, the event rings in the New Year with live entertainment and fun activities for the whole family, including fantastic fireworks displays and a larger than life descending beach ball at the stroke of midnight.
HOLE-IN-ONE FOR GOLF
Recognized by Golf Digest magazine as one of America’s top three golf towns, Panama City Beach offers pristine greens, reasonable fees and plenty of choices for all skill levels. The destination has five championship golf courses, including the only Nicklaus-design course in Northwest Florida. Tee time is any time of year! This seaside destination along the Gulf of Mexico enjoys an average annual temperature of 74 degrees and an estimated 320 days of sunshine annually.
