Panama City Beach for Families

Quote: I’ve vacationed on all coasts of Florida. This is my first time visiting the Panhandle. I was surprised by a number of things.

First, this area has a Southern flair. I found more cars from Georgia here than from Florida. The culture is different than other areas in the state. The food has more of a Southern flavor.

Second, the beach is gorgeous. The sand is comparable to the Sarasota area. The water is emerald green and clear. This part of the Gulf is exceptional. It is calm and perfect for kids. Only negative is that the water is too chilly for swimming in April. I imagine it is just perfect by May or June.

Third, the east end of Panama City Beach feels a lot like Myrtle Beach, SC. There are a lot of bars and T-shirt places. However, just like North Myrtle Beach, outside of the action but close enough for things to do, West Panama City Beach offers a sanctuary for families. I would not have stayed in a place on the east end during Spring Break. It is just a bit too raunchy. Those with adolescents or teenagers may want to avoid the area during March and April.

Fourth, speaking of Spring Break, the east end is a mecca for 16-to-21-year-olds wearing bikinis hanging out the back of pickup trucks, riding mopeds with no helmets (we saw one boy injured after going down with an ambulance on the way), and hanging out at the bars. The traffic on the Miracle Strip is horrendous from their cruising. You must know the back roads. If you avoid this area, you’re just fine (their party is contained to this area).

Fifth, construction is everywhere, from roads to high-rises to bridges to more high-rises. Everywhere you look, there are cranes and backhoes. I was told that they are exporting in workers just to keep up. Traffic is backed up as a result.

Sixth, Destin is an hour’s drive away and has it all…mansions, family resorts, shopping, and fine dining. I’m thinking that Destin would be my first choice. However, I would return to the west end of Panama City Beach… as long as I was directly on the beach again! I’m also thinking that coming after Spring Break would be better. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this trip very much.

Quick Tips:

There are several good restaurants: The Treasure Ship, Hooks, and Captain Anderson’s. You’ll also find numerous miniature golf places, a small zoo, an aquarium and options for boating to Shell Island. There is enough to do to keep a family busy or just allow relaxation on the beautiful beaches.

Best Way To Get Around:

You need a car to get around. You can stay at one of the hotels on the Miracle Strip and walk to restaurants, but you will be limited in your choices.

Quote: Best Things Nearby:
The resort is in the west end of Panama City Beach - the more family-oriented area. You can drive to many restaurants and activities.

Best Things About the Resort:
The resort is located directly on the beach. It is off of the Miracle Strip, congested area. Yet, you are still close to many wonderful restaurants and things to do. All units have balconies that overlook the Gulf of Mexico.

The service is exceptional. The General Manager and Front Desk person were thoughtful in ensuring our unit was clean in order to check out from our rental to our exchange. All personnel at the resort were friendly and helpful.

Resort Experience:
The Landmark Holiday Beach Resort sits on the 27 miles of crystal quartz sand that defines the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach. The resort caters to vacationers who want a fun beach atmosphere with a few activities like daily cookouts and bingo and amenities including an indoor heated pool and spa. The resort consists of 16 stories: the first two floors are one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath townhouses; floors 3 to 15 house two-bedroom, two-bath units, with a few offering a third bedroom. The 16th floor is the clubhouse where activities are held. The indoor pool is in a separate building next to the main building. Parking is in front of the building, with another lot across the street. The resort is on the west end of Panama City Beach.

The units are villas with private balconies, full kitchens with microwave and dishwasher, cable TVs/HBO, and washer/dryer. All sofas have pull-out beds (though very uncomfortable). Master bedrooms contain a king-size bed, while the second bedroom has two full-size beds. Bathrooms are very small. Units are not luxurious, but clean.

The onsite beach offers chaise lounge rentals for $9/day or discounts for weekly rentals. The service is worth the price. Chris, the lifeguard, sets up your double chaise every morning. He comes by to ensure your satisfaction. It is a very nice pampering amenity.

Two-bedroom units have a balcony and sliding glass doors off both the living room and master bedroom. Screens allow you to keep the doors open at night while listening to the sounds of the gulf. The unit offers ample space for a family of six. The view is incredible.

One-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouses are only on the first and second floors. You enter into the hallway from the parking lot into the second floor, where the bedroom and full bathroom are located. A spiral staircase takes you down to the lower level, where the living room, kitchen, half bath and laundry area are. The spiral stairs make unpacking difficult - getting suitcases, groceries, etc. up or down.

The view is very nice from the upstairs bedroom. Windows open for fresh air. The windows are floor to ceiling. There is no balcony.

The first floor also provides a view of the beach, though the deck in front obstructs it a bit. The advantage to having a first-floor unit is that you can walk right out to the beach and leave your beach toys at your door. This is great with small children (bathroom trips, lunch, etc.). The disadvantage to having a first-floor unit is that everyone walking past looks in, limiting privacy. Another negative is that there is no screen on the door, which disallowed leaving it open at night.

Overall, we very much enjoyed our stay here and would return without hesitation.

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Very Good
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Quote: If you know Panama City Beach, you know Shuckums Oyster Pub and Seafood Grill known for their motto: We shuckum, you suckum. They have been in the same location since 1967, relatively unchanged. The place is visited by people of all ages, from men in sunglasses and baseball caps sucking oysters at the bar, to the couples sitting on the outside patio watching the Spring Break traffic and sharing appetizers and a pitcher of beer, to families with kids coloring dollars sitting at the initial-carved picnic tables surrounded by dollars everywhere a staple can be affixed.

We thought we would enjoy the local food and fun atmosphere. The service lived up to our expectation, with the waitress checking on us every now and then. The food, however, was nothing less than dreadful. The kids wouldn’t eat their chicken fingers (you know something is wrong when that happens!). My crab cake dinner was three cakes, a small soufflé of factory made coleslaw and hush puppies that were so burnt they were inedible. The crab cakes themselves were probably the worst I have ever tasted. My mother’s chef special hot dog was covered with so much gook that she couldn’t find the dog. The only thing we found appetizing was the cold pitcher of beer.

The one highpoint of the meal was when my kids could hang their decorated dollars among the other thousands. We were sadly disappointed when we were told they did not have a stapler, tape, or anything else, but we could leave the dollars in cup for someone to hang them. We left disappointed and hungry.

If you really must visit Shuckums, have a cold beer and oysters, which seem to please those that eat them. Maybe try the grouper or gumbo. Check out their web page before you go for a coupon for a free pitcher of beer. And if you go, see if they really hung up our dollars. . .

Quote: Anybody you talk to will tell you to eat at Captain Anderson’s in Panama City Beach. Established in 1958 and currently owned by the Patronis brothers, they have a reputation for being the best in the area. And you know what? They are!

The wait times are legendary. The restaurant fills up when they open at 4:30 for the diners to watch the fishing boats unload their catch. After 6:00, there is a wait. We enjoyed dinner at this restaurant twice. Once we arrived at 5:30 and had a seat near the back of the restaurant with no view. When we went the second time, we got there at 4:30 and got a beautiful seat right by the windows by the fishing boats. You definitely must get there early. Also note that they are not open for lunch and they are closed on Sundays.

The food is outstanding. The meal begins with homemade breads followed by their famous Greek salad. The wine list is extensive, including both inexpensive well-rounded wines and some more pricey special selections. For the main course, they offer charcoal broiled fresh fish, including a delicious new fish I tried called scamp. They also have excellent fried gulf shrimp, grouper, snapper and steaks with a mushroom gravy on the side (my kids devoured theirs on both visits). The desserts were very tempting but we were too full to try any. The kids were given coupons for free cookies in the market. The fish, meat, bakery items and gifts were tempting, unique, and reasonably priced.

The service at this restaurant is exceptional. On my first visit, the waitress was wonderful with my kids. Not only did she pay attention to them, but she cut up my son’s steak when it arrived. I love it when the server truly shows she wants you to enjoy your meal. She made recommendations on the menu as well (I tried her suggestion and it was incredible!) The second server was just as nice and attentive. In addition, the Capt. in the market paid extra attention to my family and even posed for a photo. He informed us he is publishing a book this summer and even gave us information about it.

Everyone and everything about this restaurant is wonderful. I can’t recommend it more highly. You must eat here. You will not be disappointed.

Quote: When you first see this huge brown pirate ship, it seems as if the inside is going to be dark and uninviting. We had second thoughts about going in, but decided to give it a try. We were glad we did! The Treasure Ship is divided into levels. The restaurants all have large picture windows that offer panoramic views of the Grand Lagoon in Panama City Beach. The lower level is Hooks Grill and Grog, a dockside restaurant with an outside covered patio. They are open for lunch and dinner, 11am-10pm, and offer a menu with a Caribbean flair. The Children’s Menu is the same pirate hat that is offered in the Main Dining Room on the second level, open only for dinner, 4-10pm. This review will focus on Hooks, though we also tried the Main Dining Room and found it equally as good (see my other reviews).

We sat outside on the patio and watched the ships in the marina. My children colored pirate-themed sheets while we sipped cold beers served in mugs. The waiter brought homemade chips with incredibly delicious salsa for us to munch. I asked for his advice about the menu and he was knowledgeable and helpful. The boys ordered chicken fingers and a hamburger. The burger was part of the $4.95 special lunch menu. It was huge! My son really enjoyed it. The kids’ chicken finger meal was average and, at $6.95, more expensive than any of our adult lunch entrees. My mother and I both had the Cuban pork loin for $5.95 each. We selected onion rings and Caribbean coleslaw as our two sides. It also came with plantains. This entrée was wonderful! The sauce for the pork was both garlicky and mango sweet. What a wonderful array of tastes. Our check was very reasonable, well worth the price.

We plan to visit Hooks again to try another of their lunch specials. The food is wonderful and the service couldn’t be better. This restaurant is very highly recommended.

Quote: The Main Dining Room of the Treasure Ship Restaurant offers a panoramic view of Grand Lagoon on Panama City Beach. From the outside, the restaurant looks like a giant pirate ship, with no windows. Costumed pirates walking around the ship lend to the theme. Far from being another Medieval Times kind of place, however, the Treasure Ship offers excellent food in a wonderful atmosphere. Arrive when they open at 4pm, and you get to be seated on the second level by the huge picture windows. When inside, kids are given pirate hat menus. A magician comes around and does sleight-of-hand tricks that delight the kids (pulling hot dogs out of their ears!). After that, the theme is over. Then you are treated to an extensive menu, delicious seafood entrees, and excellent service. We visited this restaurant twice in two weeks and were extremely happy both times.

The grilled mahi-mahi was cooked perfectly with a nice light lemon butter taste. The second time I had it (it was so good), I tried the Imperial crab sauce and was even happier. The kids’ steaks were equally good, with two large steaks on each plate. My only complaint was the salad was a bit wilted on our first visit. The hot bread made up for it, though. The waiter even brought hot cheese biscuits while we were eating our entrees. For dessert, the kids ordered chocolate cones. They received soft-serve chocolate ice cream in Dairy Queen cones. They were thrilled! We found a coupon in one of the free travel guides and got a free slice of key lime pie to go.

The pricing was appropriate for the restaurant. Kids’ meals were a little high ($10.95 for steak). However, you get what you pay for, which is what I hope for when I dine out.

Upon departure, two pirates were outside. One makes balloon animals (parrots, swords, etc.) and the other paints faces/arms/legs. They work for tips and pose for lots of photos. This was a nice ending to a great dinner.

I highly recommend the Main Dining Room of the Treasure Ship. I look forward to returning again.

Quote: The Flamingo Grill at Spinnakers was a pleasant surprise. It is located next to Club La Vela and, as such, I thought it was going to be nothing more than a beach bar. It does serve as a nightclub and hangout for the Spring Break crowd. During the day, however, it is a great place to grab a hamburger and a beer by the beach with your family.

We were seated on the covered patio at high tables overlooking the beach. The only thing that overlooked us was the resident calico cat that never comes down (her sister sits in the corner). We were greeted by friendly service and received good food. The kids ordered kids hamburgers that were generous in portion. Accompaniments came on the side as they should with kids’ meals (mine like them plain). Our adult 12-ounce cheeseburgers were enormous and we could barely finish them. They were delicious with all kinds of toppings and sauces. The beer was on draft and cold as well. They also offer all kinds of seafood: grilled, broiled, baked, fried or boiled!

I highly recommend the Flamingo Grill at Spinnakers for lunch. I haven’t found a better burger anywhere in Panama City Beach. You won’t be disappointed. An added bonus is the wonderful beach atmosphere and excellent service.

Quote: We found Boon Docks as we were driving into Panama City Beach on Route 79. We spotted it below the Intercoastal Waterway Bridge. We returned to the bridge and took a dirt road underneath to access the restaurant. It is located next to an airboat ride marina.

You enter into a door where a hostess gets your party information and gives you a beeper. Their store is a series of rooms with specialty, too high-priced items. You can sit on the back porch but the mosquitoes are out and not worth the scenery. You can also sit in a room with a TV and a bar or another room with chairs and the restrooms. The place is decorated in what may be called shabby chic.

When your beeper lights, you walk outside to another building where you are seated. The four of us were originally seated at a 8 person table in the dining room without a view but asked to be moved to a table with a view of the waterway and were accommodated. We started with the famous fried pickles, which were not too exciting (tasted like fried pickles). We then tried the fried bay scallops and fried grouper with coleslaw and corn on the cob. Both entrees were cooked just right and very tasty. The restaurant definitely specializes in fried seafood with a casual atmosphere. The wait for dinner was very long by the time we left at 6:30pm.

If you are looking for an unusual atmosphere and some tasty, fresh fried seafood, join the locals and give Boon Docks a try. They are open for lunch and dinner and closed Tuesdays. Don’t expect gourmet, just Southern home-cooking.

Quote: I read the history of Hamilton’s on their website. It is interesting how a Greek immigrant brought the place to its current popular status in the Panama City Beach area. Today, Steve Stevens carries on this legacy. I expected Hamilton’s was going to be outstanding. I had read that it was on the same par as Capt. Anderson’s, located across the street. The lines of people waiting outside seemed to testify that this was the place to eat. Our food, service, and the ambience, however, begged to differ.

The restaurant is a large open timbered room with views of the waterway. Unlike Capt. Anderson or the Treasure Ship where you have a view of the marina, the water outside of Hamilton’s is relatively uneventful. The restaurant is nicely decorated though. The décor more seems to suit couples or adults rather than families.

Upon arrival, we were ushered past a window that provided a view of their famed mesquite grill. It would have been nice for the hostess to pause a moment so we could see or even better if she pointed out the grill and its uniqueness. Instead, we had to skip to keep up.

We arrived at sunset, which was very pretty. They had to keep the shades slightly drawn to keep the sun from blinding the patrons. The dinners, including the skewered grilled shrimp, the fried shrimp and the steak, were nothing special. The food was just ok, and somewhat overpriced. We did not try the desserts. It was obvious the server wanted us out to accommodate the crowds of people lined up waiting to eat.

If you must try Hamilton’s, do so not expecting the best meal in Panama City Beach. However, it isn’t the worst either. Maybe try their special ribs with Gus’ special sauce, or the Greek shrimp Christo "a la Steven" with angel hair pasta.

We left not feeling ripped off, but knowing we would not return.

Quote: The Saltwater Grill was voted the best new restaurant in Panama City Beach. I can fully understand why. The food here was the best we had in two weeks of dining out in Panama City Beach.

As soon as you enter the door, you are struck by a panoramic view of their seven-foot high, 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium. To take a look at the sea life, they have a live aquarium webcam on their website.

The Mermaid bar surrounding the aquarium seemed a popular spot, offering happy hour specials. We chose a table for our family in the rich, dark wood dining room. The décor was very elegant yet we felt at ease with our two young boys.

The service was exceptional. Not only did the waiter provide friendly and efficient service, but, he went out of his way to ensure we all enjoyed our meal, including the children.

In addition to the nice atmosphere and terrific service, the food was outstanding! I tried the sunset special. . . for less than $14, I received a grilled shrimp on fettuccini dish that was as tasty as it was filling. I ordered the steak sunset dinner special for my son who couldn’t finish it all. There was very little fat and it was cooked perfectly. For my other son, I order the children's spaghetti with the sauce on the side. Special requests were no problem at all. As a matter of fact, without our asking, the waiter brought out some french fries for my sons to nibble while we enjoyed our salads. These were the little extras that made the meal even better.

My Italian mother’s shrimp fra Diablo was the best she had ever tasted (THAT says a lot!). My husband’s pork chops were huge and just as delicious. Everyone was happy with their choices.

The check for the dinner and drinks was the least expensive of any restaurant we visited for dinner in Panama City Beach. I wish we had tried here earlier as we would have returned to sample more of their delicious entrees.

Try Saltwater Grill for dinner. They are open 7 days a week from 3pm. Early Bird Specials are 3-5:30pm. You will be glad you did!

Quote: Gulf World seems high priced at first, but in reality, you get your money's worth. We had a coupon for $2 off a child's admission. With our paid admission, we received free tickets with no expiration for the evening laser show. We went on a very rainy day. While the weather could have been better to enjoy the exhibits, everything was under roofs and overhangs so that we didn't miss a thing. Not being able to enjoy the beach, this was a great alternative.

At the entrance, they give you the schedule of shows. Each follows the previous so that within three hours, you can see all of them. They offer a dolphin show, a sea lion show, an underwater show, a parrot show and shark and stingray feedings. The least exciting were the shark feedings and underwater show. Feeding the stingrays is interactive, so that was fun for the whole family. The sea lion and dolphin shows were wonderful. You get very close to these amazing animals. If you desire, you can get your photo taken with them after the show. It is worth the $10.

The parrots are in an enclosed aviary but not in cages. The staff often reminds children that they bite. I was amazed that there are so many of them. The show was very cute.

I highly recommend Gulf World for children as well as adults. It is a small marine park, but they capitalize on their size and allow you to feel very close to the sea life.

Quote: We’ve played a lot of miniature golf courses. This was one of our favorites. It isn’t like the modern courses of today with elaborate waterfalls and robotics that compete with Disney. Rather, it recalls the courses of years ago where your skill was measured in how many strokes it took to get the ball into the dinosaurs mouth or through the windmill. Serious miniature golfers (that seems like an oxymoron) might find this course too juvenile. My juveniles, however, found it delightful.

In 1958, Lee Koplin reinvented and reenergized the idea of miniature golf when he opened Goofy Golf in Florida. Previous miniature courses were no more than putting greens. Koplin made obstacles oversized and towering over the putting areas. While his original idea has been modernized by courses today. Goofy Golf remains true to its roots. The course stands nearly identical to the way it was when it first opened. Although Lee Koplin died in 1988, his son keeps the tradition alive.

It costs $5 to play for children over 5. You collect your club, ball, pencil and scorecard and pick a course, 1 or 2. Course 2 is the favorite with larger statues, buildings and moving tails. Course 1 is a bit easier and less crowded. We tried course 2. My kids had loads of fun putting the ball through churches, chicken coops, monkeys tails, and bobbing ostriches. They did fairly well too. Only once did the ball go off the course and into the bushes.I chose to watch this time but secretly wished I had participated. Next time.

The course is right on the main strip in Panama City Beach. It doesn’t have all the ups and downs and steps that the modern day courses seem to all have these days. Instead, it has caves and dinosaurs to climb through and into. My kids loved it and every day ask to do it again.