PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL
Some of the world’s most gorgeous white sand beaches
grace Panama City Beach,
Florida. Matter of fact,
St. Andrews State Park’s
beach has been rated as the #2 beach in America (www.TripAdvisor.com).
With an average of 320 rain-free days a year and a host of great accommodations
and attractions, Panama City
Beach has much to offer, including a remarkable amount of cost-free and
budget-minded events and attractions. Just a few examples:
FREE & DIRT CHEAP EVENTS
(1)
Groovin’ on the Green –
free music concerts are held each Monday
night from 7-9pm on the Village Green at
Carillon Beach. Bring your own blankets,
chairs, food and beverages. Upcoming presentations include:
Aug. 2: Jones & Company – jazz & Top 40 tunes
Aug. 9: The Conch Republic – beach and party music
Sun., Sept. 5: Emerald County Line – country & western
(2)
Screen on the Green –
free family-friendly movies at
Aaron Bessant Park begin at dusk every Tuesday
night thru September 7. Bring your own blankets, chairs, snacks and beverages.
The remaining movies for this season:
Aug. 3: The Princess Bride
Aug. 10: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Aug. 17: Toy Story
Aug. 24: Mary Poppins
Aug. 31: The Princess & the Frog
(3)
Pier Park Summer Concert Series – more great
music in a beautiful outdoor setting & free!
Small coolers and pets on leashes are allowed. Held at
Aaron Bessant Park from 7-9pm. Artists on the schedule:
Aug. 5: Colonel Bruce Hampton & Quark Alliance
(photo, right)
Aug. 12: Heartbeat City
(4) Art on a String – a
display of over 200 fabulous kites collected in Asia now at the
Visual Arts Center at 19 E. Fourth St., Panama
City. Admission: $8 adults;
$4 children & senior adults. Exhibit will
be in place thru August 29.
(5)
Backstage Pass Concerts – an indoor concert series held each Friday night at
the Marina Civic Center, 8 Harrison Ave.,
Panama City. Admission: $5. Current
schedule:
Aug. 6: 5 Central
Aug. 13: Gulf Jazz Society
Aug. 20: Dr Hulon Crayton & On Call (photo, left)
Aug. 27: Turtlefoot
POOCH-FRIENDLY
PLACES
If you’re taking along your four-legged friend,
you’ll want to check out Frank Brown Park at
16200 Panama City Beach Parkway. It has a leash-free fenced playground plus 1.5
miles of trails and greenways, plus plenty of people-oriented offerings as well.
Pier Park and Aaron
Bessant Park welcome pets on leashes, and there’s even a 400-foot
Doggie Beach across from
Pier Park. The CVB (Convention & Visitors
Bureau) website includes a
list of local pet-friendly
accommodations.
PIER
FISHING
Just because you don’t have a Florida fishing
license is no reason to miss out on fishing the beautiful waters of
Panama City Beach. Fish
from Russell Fields pier (a.k.a. the city
pier - photo, left) for only $6 per
person – no license is required; ditto for the piers in
St. Andrews
State Park and most other public piers in the area.
ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK
St. Andrews
State Park in Panama
City Beach includes 1.5 miles of pure white sand beach where visitors
can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak or canoe. There are two fishing piers, a
boat ramp, nature trails and picnic pavilions. Modern campsites for tents or RV
go for $28 a night year-round.
Admission to the park is $8 per
vehicle – up to 8 people; $4 per
single occupant vehicle; or $2 per
person for additional passenger, pedestrian or bicyclist.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re not a camper,
Oaseas Resorts on Thomas Drive is a leader in offering package deals and
bargains for the discriminate vacationer. Properties include
The Boardwalk, Cabana
Bay, Calypso,
Emerald Isle,
Grandview, Shores of Panama,
Watercrest and the
Village of South Walton.
Of particular note is
Shores of Panama with a big-beyond-belief
gulf-side lagoon-style pool (photo, left); indoor and outdoor hot tubs; indoor
heated pool; fitness center; full-service spa; steam room; sauna; pool-side Mahi
Mahi Grill; free wi-fi; and a great kids’ club. Units range from well-appointed
studios to 3-bedrooms, and current end-of-summer specials mean rates as low as
$119 a night.
VACATION LAYAWAY
One of the most
brilliant marketing ideas ever conceived is
Panama City Beach’s
Oaseas Resorts’ Vacation
Layaway. Book a stay well in advance at the property of your choice and,
after a $50 deposit, Oaseas will set up
monthly payments via your debit card. By the time your vacation date arrives,
your stay will have been paid in full in small painless increments. (A
$25 non-refundable processing fee will also be
levied.) Visit their website or phone (877) 808-4323
for more information.
DISCOUNTS
& MORE INFO
Download a book filled with discount coupons:
http://www.see-panamacitybeach.com/images/10ABC_PAN_eBook-1.pdf. See a host
of places to eat, shop, stay, play and more at:
www.VisitPanamaCityBeach.com; and be sure to check out the events calendar.
