Travelers Find Oceans of New Offerings In
Panama City Beach, Florida

Provided by the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau
October 2009

Visitors find a rising tide of growth and development at one of America’s top beach destinations—Panama City Beach, Florida. Long known for its emerald-green waters and white sandy shores, the destination beckons today with an array of new offerings to satisfy every member of the family.

Construction is progressing ahead of schedule on the new Panama City — Bay County International Airport, on track to open in May 2010. The eco-conscious terminal is designed with the goal of being the nation’s first to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

"Travelers can look forward to better service and more competitive fares, as Panama City Beach becomes easily accessible from major domestic and international markets," says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Once here, visitors will find plenty to do. This Northwest Florida destination is home to a Trip- Advisor’s^® 2008 Top Two beaches in America: St. Andrews State Recreation Area, cited for its pristine waters and shores. Other offerings from which to choose include family-friendly events and attractions as well as vibrant, new shopping/ dining/entertainment venues.

Accommodations to Fit all Budgets
Panama City Beach’s lodging inventory has jumped to more than 21,400 rooms.

Newly opened properties include Sterling Breeze, housing studio and multi-bedroom units with designer furnishings, high-end electronics and private balconies offering sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. Guests at the new Shores of Panama are pampered in luxury accommodations ranging from studios to three-bedroom suites. Shores of Panama boasts a beachfront grand lagoon pool surrounded by a 13,900 square-foot deck.

The upscale Palazzo condominium resort features one-, two- and three-bedroom units with lofty 10-foot ceilings, crown molding and granite countertops. Also on the property: two elevated lagoon pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and meeting facilities.

Adding still more to the destination’s offerings are Ocean Reef and Tropic Winds condominiums and Tidewater Beach Resort, located on 636 feet of private white-sand beachfront. They join an existing inventory of accommodations to fit all budgets, from cozy beach cottages, church retreats, campgrounds and RV parks to luxury resorts and high-rise condominiums.

Events Shine Year-Round
No matter what their interests, visitors find there’s always something fun to do in Panama City Beach. Slated for 2009 are music and culinary festivals, arts and crafts fairs, world-class sporting events, car shows, motorcycle rallies, holiday fests and more. Here are some highlights:

The Panama City Beach Seafood, Wine and Music Festival, Oct. 9-11, serves up fresh seafood, local wines, concerts by nationally acclaimed artists and family-friendly activities.

The Ford Ironman Florida Triathlon takes place Nov. 7. Each year, thousands of athletes from around the globe travel to Panama City Beach to compete in this qualifying event for the World Championship.

Emerald Coast Cruizin’ Classic Car and Hot Rod Show promises full-throttle fun, Nov. 9-14, with thousands of cars, live music, vendor expos, swap meets and more.

Celebrate the start of 2010 in Panama City Beach at the annual New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop, Dec. 31. Held at Pier Park, the event rings in the New Year with live entertainment and fun activities for the whole family, including a fantastic fireworks display amidst dazzling white-sand beaches and holiday lights.

Other events that occur earlier in the year include:

The Seabreeze Jazz Festival made its Panama City Beach debut in April 2009.

Thunder Beach Spring Motorcycle Rally roars into town also in April for a weekend of concerts, custom bike shows, parades, and motorcycle fun.

For the Gulf Coast Triathlon held in May, more than 1,800 athletes from 36 states and 15 countries swim 1.2-miles through the Gulf of Mexico, pedal a scenic 55-mile bicycle race and top off the day with a 13.1-mile run.

The 26th Annual Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament is held in July. The Gulf’s premier fishing tournament draws more than 10,000 attendees for a long weekend of live entertainment, tasty local cuisine, sponsor displays, weigh-in festivities and more.

Pier Park Expands Offerings
Located in the heart of town across from the City Pier, 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.

In April 2009, Guy Harvey’s Island Grill opened the restaurant chain’s fifth U.S. location. To support marine research and conservation efforts, a portion of all proceeds from sales of artwork and licensed products will fund marine research for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.

For additional fun in the sun, Pier Park’s offerings also include: Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Dillard’s, Borders, JCPenney, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Old Navy, Candymaker Candy Stores, Massage Envy, Panera Bread, The Back Porch restaurant and Hofbrau Beer Garden. Fashion and beauty retailers also include Ann Taylor Loft, Chico’s, ULTA Beauty and more. Plus, the Grand 16 Theatre — a 16-screen, 3,000-seat movie theater complex — shows the latest blockbusters.

The complex is adjacent to Aaron Bessant Amphitheater, home of the Pier Park concert series, held Thursday nights in June-July. This popular series features outdoor musical performances ranging from rock and country to jazz and blues.

Making Waves For Family Fun
Located directly across the street from Pier Park, the renovated Panama City Beach’s Russell Fields Pier reopened June 2009. 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. 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.

The clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay make Panama City Beach a natural playground for water sports and fun-in-the-sun activities any time of year. In this destination, known as the "Wreck Capital of the South" scuba divers can explore historic wrecks and artificial reefs, while snorkelers chase manta rays and brightly colored tropical fish. Above the surface, visitors can cruise along the pristine coastline onboard an elegant catamaran sailboat or luxurious yacht. Pontoon boats carry passengers to unspoiled Shell Island nearby. Canoe and kayak tours travel along secluded bays, coastal dune lakes and natural springs, offering pristine views of Florida’s wilderness and native wildlife. For more adventure, windsurfing, power boating, jet skiing and parasailing provide high-speed thrills.

With gentle to moderate swells, it’s no wonder Panama City Beach is a popular surfing spot. Stand-up paddleboarding is the newest way to explore Panama City Beach’s waters. As in surfing, riders stand on a buoyant longboard but navigate the calm Gulf currents with the help of an extended paddle. The destination’s shallow shores offer an ideal surface for skimboarding. Kite surfing is also now popular here, with protected inlets and barrier islands providing perfect expanses of water.

Beyond the sand and surf, Panama City Beach offers a variety of affordable family attractions. Swim with the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park, home to more than 25 shows featuring musical variety acts, magicians, comedic sea lions, exotic birds, penguins and more. For more action and adventure, sail on the Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise, an authentic 85-foot pirate ship with blasting cannons and pirates hanging from the rigging. Head to Shipwreck Island Waterpark, one of Florida’s largest water theme parks or visit ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park, featuring more than 250 animals, including rare and endangered species, in a lush tropical landscape. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium is the place to view fascinating finds from around the world. For other above-par recreation, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park welcomes with two 18-hole miniature golf courses plus the Gran Maze, recognized as one of most challenging human mazes in the country.

Home Run for Sports
With moderate and sunny weather year-round, state-of-the-art sports facilities, award-winning beaches and affordable accommodations, Panama City Beach is at the top of its game as a venue for major regional and national sporting events.

Frank Brown Park, the premier sporting facility in Panama City Beach offers more than 200 acres of recreation. The Panama City Beach Aquatic Center, located on the grounds at Frank Brown Park, features an Olympic-size, heated swimming pool and children’s water playground. Frank Brown Park also serves as the trailhead for the greenways and trails systems, offering 30 miles of paved trails connecting St. Andrews State Park on the east end of Panama City Beach to the 3,000-acre Pines and Ponds nature park on the west end. This dog-friendly trail travels through beautiful wooded areas that feature an abundance of flora and fauna.

For family fun, the state-of-the-art Under the Palms playground and several covered picnic shelters adorn the grounds of the facility. A lighted 30-acre festival site is home to the destination’s most popular year-round events, including the Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show, Panama City Beach Seafood Wine & Music Festival, Emerald Coast Cruizin’ and more.

For more information, call 800.PCBEACH (850.233.6503) or check out the official Web site of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, visitpanamacitybeach.com.

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