Three Days in Panama City Beach

Besides being a spring break hot spot, Panama City Beach is popular for its sugar white beaches and emerald waters. As a matter of fact, the Travel Channel rated Panama City Beach as the #5 "Best Family Beach" in America on June 15, 2009. If you get the chance at a mini-vacation in Panama City, here's a good "Three Days in Paradise" guide.

Day 1

Hotel Check In - Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is on the Gulf and features tropical decor in each room along with private gulf-front balconies. This resort has everything you'd expect, including pool, refrigerators in each room, microwaves, Suites, wireless Internet, etc. Holiday Inn Sunspree also arranges cool, fun activities for both adults and kids!

Breakfast - The Holiday Inn Sunspree always serves a great breakfast buffet. They serve sausage, bacon, biscuits, grits, pancakes, eggs, fruit, to name a few. Kids 12 and under eat free with a paying adult.

You can learn more about Holiday Inn Sunspree on their website.

After breakfast, get your bathing suits on, grab your beach bags and go sit on the beach. Swim in the crystal clear water, snorkel, surf, body board, have fun! Don't forget the SPF either!

When you get back, go out to the pool. There's a place called Aqualand that's set up as a mini-water park for kids. For the more mature, the resort has a beautiful waterfall pool and a hot tub. Hang out in the lounge chairs and get more sun, enjoy the entertainment.

Pineapple Willy's is beachside on Thomas Dr. Their menu features ribs, seafood, salad, sandwiches, and baskets. They also have a few kids menu items. Prices are affordable. Ask to eat on the pier; the views are amazing in the evenings.

After dinner, go for a walk and take in some shopping in Pier Park. This outdoor shopping center has stores such as Ron Jon's surf shop, Hollister, Aeropostale, Del Sol, American Eagle, Peace Frogs, Southern Water, Fish Tales, plus many more.

Day 2:

Dunkin Donuts is "America's favorite everyday, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods". You can't beat a cup of coffee and donuts for breakfast! This Dunkin Donuts is at 11150 Panama City Beach Parkway.

On your way back from Dunkin Donuts hop on a charter boat and go fishing. You can choose a full day or half day trips, inshore or offshore. I recommend one of the party boats because it's cheaper. For the late risers in the morning, you can get on a 5 or 6 hour trip that leaves later in the morning, like 9am or 12 noon. If you rather have a full day trip with less party boat crowd, walk the dock and look for boats who need more people to fill their trip. That way you can just pay your share and not worry about chartering the entire boat and price yourself.

When you get back from your fishing excursion, you're sure to have some delicious fresh fish to take home and grill.

If you aren't too tired at the end of the day, check out Club La Vela if you want to party. Club La Vela is the largest club in the USA, and it features a long list of theme rooms from hip hop to techno, from rock to foam! Club La Vela has specials and contests so be sure to view their website for the latest.

On the other hand, if you don't want to leave your family, you can relax in the resort with a movie. You can even pay Splash the Dolphin to come in with cookies and milk and tuck your kids in at night.

Day 3:

You can't beat IHOP pancakes for breakfast. IHOP is located on 23rd Street in Panama City. You can get pancakes, omelette, waffles, french toast, plus more. There's also a kid's menu for those under 12 years of age.

When you're done with breakfast, head over to Shipwreck Island on Alf Coleman Road. This tropical water park has a wave pool, lazy river, water slides, rafting, and kids rides. It's open May through September, and costs $32 for most adults, $27.00 for people below 50 inches tall, and children below 35 inches tall get in for free! Shipwreck Island has food for lunch too, serving pizza, hot dogs, burgers, cold drinks, plus a few more items.

Go back to the resort, get a shower, clean up a bit. You should have a great dinner for your last night in Panama City Beach. Therefore, I recommend the Saltwater Grill. The Saltwater Grill serves lobster, seafood, steaks, pasta, and an early bird menu from 4 until 5:30 every day.They also have a kid's menu with shrimp, chicken, macaroni, and a few more.

For your last night at Panama City Beach, enjoy it by walking out on the beach after dinner. Take in the salt air and beautiful sunset.