When you have a weekend to spare in the name of getaway fun and you’re someone who enjoys sunshine, surf, and sand in abundance, you’ll find the best of it all waiting for you right in Panama City Beach, Florida. This beautiful and inviting vacation destination is situated in scenic Northwest Florida around 47 miles east of Destin and is home to no less than 27 miles of pristine shoreline to enjoy. Whether you’re watching dolphins jump in the waves or soaking up the sun from your place on a beach lounger, you’re sure to love every second of your weekend away. The following guide will help you make sure it’s a Panama City Beach weekend to remember from start to finish whenever you’re fortunate enough to spend time away in this little piece of paradise!
Enjoy Shopping at Pier Park
While time on the sand often tops traveler to-do lists when they’re heading to Panama City Beach for a weekend of fun alongside family and friends, there’s plenty more to enjoy over at Pier Park. If you’re looking to balance out your beach hopping with some well-deserved time shopping, this is the place to be. That’s because Pier Park is an inviting outdoor mall showcasing a variety of shops right near the sand. You’ll find convenient locales like Target on-site, where you can pick up essentials, as well as specialty apparel boutiques like Francesca’s to explore. The parking here is refreshingly convenient so you can leave your vehicle securely behind and spend the day popping in and out of stores at your own pace.
If you’re looking for a new view of it all, consider taking a ride around the massive Ferris Wheel at Pier Park and follow it up with a dinner enjoyed at one of the many on-site restaurants that Pier Park hosts. This is a place in Panama City Beach where you can easily spend an entire afternoon filling your shopping bags and focusing in exclusively on the fun in good company.
Get into Nature at St. Andrews State Park
If you find yourself longing to get into nature and enjoy some time away from the hustle, an afternoon at St. Andrews State Park during your weekend getaway to Panama City Beach might just end up being the highlight of your stay. Located at 4607 State Park Lane, St. Andrews State Park offers its guests access to 1,200 acres of lush and protected terrain to explore just three miles east of the center of Panama City Beach. The entry fee to the park is only $8 per vehicle and once you’ve arrived, you’ll be delighted to find this is a one-stop hub for everything from fishing and swimming to hiking, biking, and picnics. Be sure to bring your binoculars if you plan to spend time on the trails and if you’re a landscape photographer, this park is prime for capturing some great views on camera too.
Enjoy a Great Round of Golf in Good Company
For those who love to spend time on the greens no matter where they roam, a weekend away in Panama City Beach comes with plenty of options for adding a tee time or two to the itinerary. Here, you can typically always count on warm and sunny weather to go with your game of golf whether you head over to the Hombre Golf Club, Signal Hill, or the Holiday Golf Club while you’re in town. A top-rated course in the area is the Nicklaus-designed course at Wyndham Bay Point which is a par 72 course with some incredible water features in place to pair with lush surroundings.
Order Up a Delicious Dish to Enjoy Beachside
When cravings come calling during your weekend in PCB, a meal enjoyed at Pineapple Willy’s Beachside Bar and Grill is a must! Located at 9875 South Thomas Drive, this eatery is located right on the beach and is open seven days a week between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm. You’ll never need a reservation in place to drop by and enjoy the fantastic menu of options as well as live music performances that make time here as entertaining as it is delicious. Whether you go with their Jack Daniel’s BBQ ribs, a shrimp po’boy, clam strips or catch of the day, you’ll be invited to pair it with an ice-cold beer, or a handcrafted cocktail to match. Your tastebuds are sure to thank you for the experience.
Enjoy a Sunset Cruise with Island Time Sailing
The last night of your weekend adventure in Panama City Beach should be dedicated to a sunset cruise booked through the team at Island Time Sailing. Headquartered at 5201 N. Lagoon Drive Ste. 3, this company is happy to help guests set up their place on a two-hour evening sail from the comfort of a catamaran that makes its way through the waters around Shell Island. This is a popular choice for solo travelers, couples, and families alike looking to make the most of time on a 50-foot vessel upon which you can count on enjoying some of the best sunset views imaginable as well as opportunities to enjoy dolphin spotting along the way.
Book a Panama City Beach Weekend Trip Today
When a trip to Panama City Beach is what you’re looking to enjoy, the team at Vacations Perfected is here to make sure you have incredible accommodations in place to match. Reach out today to learn more about our exciting lineup of property options available to book and how we can help you create an unforgettable stay in Florida!
