Panama City Beach Condo Rentals

How to Get to Panama City Beach

1. By plane

Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is located near West Bay, north of Panama City Beach. It is the nearest place that visitors from various parts of the world can fly into. Visitors can use Southwest and Delta to get to the airport. From there, guests can rent vehicles to get to Panama City. Alternatively, the airport's shuttle companies are available.

2. By car

Guests to Panama City Beach from the west use I-10 that leads to highway 98 at Pensacola where you can drive straight to the city. If you are from the north, take I-65, at Mobile, switch to either I-10 or I-75 and then turn at Lake City.

3. By bus

Travelers taking the bus use Thomas Drive. Walk to Front Beach Rd. and Wilkinson Ave. And wait for the bus that rides to Hutchison Blvd. and Clarence St. (Walmart). From Hutchison Boulevard, walk to Panama City Beach in 8 minutes.

4. By train

Guests from Miami can take the train to Fort Lauderdale. From Fort Lauderdale Airport, fly to Panama City Beach where you will land at Panama City Beach Airport. From there you can hire a car to drive to your holiday rental.

Where to Eat in Panama City Beach

The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Panama City Beach

1. Bayou Bill's Crab House

Check out this restaurant at Front Beach Road for delicious seafood that will leave your taste buds craving more. You will love the local food, American dishes, and vegan options. There's also a bar that offers a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

2. Saltwater Grill

Visitors can try the Saltwater Grill, only 0.5 miles from the famous Panama City Beach at Hutchison Boulevard. Here you can sample great seafood, steaks, and Martinis. Enjoy the picturesque views of the tropical reef and its fascinating sea creatures from either side of the restaurant.

3. The Wharf Local Seafood Buffet

Set on Panama City Beach's 50,000 square foot boardwalk, this is the best place to be if you love crab legs, fried shrimp and fish, filet Mignon, and other local seafood dishes. The restaurant is only 0.4 miles from Panama City Beach.

4. Dat Cajun Place

This restaurant offers delectable seafood and other delicious local cuisine. With the owners', Jan and Trudy White, traditional and creative tastes, their menu is pretty unique and there's something for everyone, including kids.

5. Firefly Head

Step out of your vacation rental to Firefly Head, a romantic seafood restaurant under a lit-up oak tree. Here you can enjoy awesome seafood, local cuisine, sushi, and soups. The ambiance is warm, and you will have a great time with family and friends.

6. Terrace Restaurant

Check out this family-operated diner in Panama City Beach. Their fresh seafood makes use of the finest ingredients. It also offers chicken, beef, gluten-free options, as well as vegetarian dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate for memorable dining experiences.

7. Fishale Taphouse & Grill

Famous for its uniquely-prepared seafood, local cuisine and American dishes, this restaurant also offers a lively bar where guests can share drinks after a long day exploring the city.

8. Triple J Steaks & Seafood

Travelers come from various places in Panama Beach City to taste this restaurant’s fresh Florida seafood. They also offer burgers, sandwiches, grilled pork, and chicken. Don't miss the weekend Brunch menu, perfect for a post-beach feast on warmer days.

9. Local Steamer

Leave your beach house rental in Panama City Beach for this restaurant on Front Beach Road. Together with your family, you can have palatable steamed seafood for lunch and dinner.

10. Surfside Shrimp Company

This relaxed seaside hangout is 4 miles from Panama City Beach. Here, their menu features oysters, icy cold beer and shrimp, and crab legs you will enjoy with your friends. They also have a great range of American style food.

Alternatives to Seafood

Panama City Beach is populated with beachfront bars, cafes, and delis serving everything from burgers and pizzas to steaks and sandwiches. Andy's Flour Power Bakery offers full-power breakfasts that feature fluffy omelets, cheesy grits, frittata, Belgian waffles, bacon and eggs, and delicious coffee.

Ice cream fans should not miss the refreshing fruit flavored sorbets and real dairy ice creams at Tasty Waves Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt. They sell nachos, pizzas, pretzels, and yummy hot dogs too. The World Famous Tiki Bar is a tropical beach bar set right on the soft white sands of Panama Beach. Live bands often perform here for free.

When to Visit Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach has a subtropical climate where summers can get hot and humid. Owing to school vacations, summer is one of the peak seasons along with spring, when college students descend on the city from all over the United States. With chances of thunderstorms, fall is a quieter period, but you're more likely to score a gorgeous oceanfront vacation rental in Panama City Beach during the off season.

What to Do in Panama City Beach

As one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Panama City Beach thrills visitors with its white sands and deep blue waters. You can find historic and artificial reefs here, as well as an extensive array of beautiful marine life that call the reefs home. The Gulf World Marine Park is a great family destination. Its live shows feature birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even reptiles.

Take advantage of the water sport activities that are on offer here. There's parasailing, charter fishing trips, pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, banana boat rides, and more. Tour agencies arrange for underwater photography trips, snorkeling, dolphin cruises, and diving-and-dinner water cruises. Pier Park in the city center is a hit with families, with its outdoor mall, fun zones, clothing shops, and snack food options.

Where to Explore Art & Culture in Panama City Beach

Take the family down to Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, which houses an "odditorium," a freakish Amazonian shrunken head, and a replica of the world's tallest man. Kids also love the interactive WonderWorks Museum, which was built to resemble an upside-down building.

Next is the Museum of Man in the Sea, a must for those intrigued by the science of sea diving. Scan through models of underwater laboratory Sealab III to figure out how diving bells really work.