Summer in the City... Panama City!

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Panama City Beach, FL -
Think white-sand beaches soft as biscuit flour, clear blue water, native wildlife, unspoiled wilderness, and quaint fishing villages along the coast... there's no place on earth like the Emerald Coast in the Panhandle of Florida... home to Panama City Beach and the world's most beautiful beaches. At one time, this beautiful area was often overlooked by vacationers seeking an escape... but the secret is out and summer in Panama City Beach is where it's at... look closely and you'll even see some of the world's most beautiful people on the beach and dancing all night long! Summer is "season" on the Emerald Coast and Panama City Beach is brimming with life and quite simply one of THE places to be. The beach is literally jumpin' every night and "life is good" at Spinnaker... this fabulous beach hangout is famous for good times and those one-of-a-kind, "takes two hands to hold 'em" cheeseburgers... and of course there's nothing better than a frosty cold beer in your hands while enjoying the beach. You can anchor your boat (or jet-ski) just off shore and literally wander right into Schooners just as you are for a frozen Pina Colada or one of the best grouper sandwiches on earth! Schooners is also known as "the last local beach club" and they're not kidding-so, don't miss it! And if you're looking for good times, good food and a slammin' wine list, Boatyard sits right on Grand Lagoon with a grand view of sunset!

Think white-sand beaches soft as biscuit flour, clear blue water, native wildlife, unspoiled wilderness, and quaint fishing villages along the coast... there's no place on earth like the Emerald Coast in the Panhandle of Florida...

Summertime in Panama City is all about livin' the good life and there's nothing better than a rack of BBQ'd ribs at Pineapple Willy's where you sit at tables that hover just over the water on Willy's famous pier. Kingfish Restaurant and Sushi Bar at the Bay Point Marriott Resort serves up delicious food morning, noon and night and naturally, some of the best sushi on the beach! A visit to Capt. Anderson's is always a must and the Captain's Table in historical St. Andrews (by St. Andrews Marina) is another local favorite. But Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Pier Park is hands down the place for good music, great margarita's and that famous cheeseburger in paradise. If you have a set of "wheels," a lively ride down 30-A is not only beautiful but filled with oodles of funky bars and terrific restaurants to suit every taste. Rosemary Beach, Seaside and all the waterfront communities that flank 30-A are really happening these days and some say it's THE only place to be... especially in the summer when the Gulf of Mexico is at its most inviting. The water is irresistible but landlubbers can simply watch it all from the upstairs bar at Bud & Alleys in Seaside, where the view (and people watching) keeps everyone highly entertained... in style!

Happy Hour you say? Beach parties? Moonlit strolls on the beach... you bet! But the best summertime hangout is clearly IN the water... or ON it with a high-powered jet ski or a slow moving pontoon boat that's perfect for the whole family-it's the best way to party on the water. Summer is also the best time for parasailing high in the sky where you get the best view of all the action below... and world-class attractions are everywhere, including Gulf World Marine Park that just had a spiffy makeover and is more magical than ever! Let's not forget ZOO World and its myriad of exotic animals or Shipwreck Island Waterpark where everybody takes a splash! Panama City Beach is also the land of miniature golf and an unbelievable number of colorful (and that's putting it mildly) courses literally dot the beach... they're wackier than ever and always fun to play! Ripley's Believe It or Not will easily entertain the whole family before you even walk inside. A massive sinking ship houses the museum and artifacts that have amused and delighted visitors for many years now... but just across the street, the visual gets even better... or stranger depending upon your point of view? A four-story upside down house is home to WonderWorks, the beach's newest and most exciting attraction. WonderWorks has the largest interactive game facility and scientific displays anywhere... period! Over 100 exhibits and thrilling challenges await each and every excited visitor who steps through the upside down door and into a world of the unknown. Right side up or upside down, it's an unrivaled experience that's not only FUN but educational, too.

No summer vacation would be complete without a little shopping... OK, a LOT of shopping and Pier Park has grown into a mega-world of retail and souvenirs galore complete with an amusement park and food on every corner. It's BIG but it's possible to cover most everything if you plan on spending the better part of the day there... and when you tire of walking, there's a train that will take you anywhere you want to go. Kids love the train but there's plenty of other entertainment for them as well, so everybody's happy at Pier Park and all summer long, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, The Pier Park Summer Concert Series brings the very best musical artists to sing and play live every Thursday night... and it's free! Just bring a blanket or lawn chair and get comfy on the big lawn of the Pier Park Amphitheater and enjoy a summer concert with your favorite band!

Some say it's HOT in the summer but if the temperature rises beyond your comfort zone, just head for the Mall... the Panama City Mall where it's not only air-conditioned but filled to the brim with all your favorite shops. You'll find all the biggest names... Gap, JC Penny and Sears just to name a few and this is THE place for the best deals on swimwear, summer fashions, sunglasses and much more. You'll never go hungry inside the Mall either and there's a cinema if you feel like a "cool," cool movie? But most people enjoy the warm summer weather on the Gulf... the brilliant sunsets and the soothing warm waters... sea oats that sway in a gentle sea breeze and azure blue skies that go on forever. Summer is the best time on the Gulf Coast and it's a destination unlike any other with the world's most beautiful beaches. If this sounds like paradise... you're right! So, come see us SOON-good ole southern hospitality is alive and well on the Emerald Coast... all the way from Apalachicola to Pensacola!