Play in the Panhandle | Pensacola - Destin - Panama City Beach
When you desire the charm of the South and the sunshine of a tropical island, you need to visit Florida’s Panhandle. Whether you’re playing in the sunshine in a Pensacola park, having an adventure at a Destin attraction, or enjoying some R&R at a Panama City Beach accommodation, this is how to play in the Panhandle.
Play in the Sunshine!
The waves are calling, and you must answer! Spend your summer days immersed in the emerald waters for which this coast is named, zipping around in a boat or Jet Ski, or even catching your dinner
Few cities have had a more colorful (if not mildly confusing) past than Pensacola. Having earned the nickname “The City of Five Flags,” this city has been through more changes than a celebrity’s wardrobe. Over the course of its history, Pensacola has been ruled by the British, the Spanish, the French, the Confederacy, and the United States! Between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Perdido Key, there are all kinds of fascinating and completely different historic sites to visit; explore the ruins of ancient wars at historic forts, walk in the footsteps of settlers and soldiers long past at historic sites and stir up the occasional ghost at the lighthouse. But just because this place is full of history, don’t get the idea it’s super slow paced.
A very unique park is Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola, where 655 upland acres separate the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. Natural communities, ranging from saltwater marshes to pine flatwoods, attract a wide variety of birds, especially during the spring and fall migrations, while the beaches, shallow bays, nature trails and open woodlands offer splendid opportunities for nature study. The park also beckons visitors to camp, swim, fish, boat, canoe and hike. Crabbing in the shallow waters of Big Lagoon is a popular activity as well.
Not that you needed another reason so visit the beautiful Panama City Beach in the Florida Panhandle, but they have some of the greatest shopping in the state - particularly if you’re looking for shabby chic home decor or coastal-style furnishings. Follow the Coastal Design Emporium Trail (also known as “Decor by the Shore”) to discover a collection of charming local shops wherein you can spend the day searching for your favorite home decor treasures. To begin your retail journey, stop at the Visitor Center for a Decor by the Shore passport, which contains a map, descriptions of each store, and even the chance to get a free souvenir!
visitpanamacitybeach.com
One of the most iconic shopping destinations in Panama City Beach is Pier Park, a complete shopping, dining, and entertainment destination located right on the Gulf of Mexico. This colorful outdoor complex boasts 124 stores, ranging from clothing for the whole family to home goods, shoes and jewelry. Pier Park features anchor department stores like Target, Dillard’s and JCPenney plus tried and true clothing stores like Old Navy and American Eagle Outfitters. For the trendy shopper, Pier Park’s boutique stores so you can find that flawless look. And to put the finishing touches on any outfit, youthful Claire’s, color-coded Charming Charlie, and sophisticated Francesca’s has adorable accessories and fashion jewelry. For those in your family who aren’t as into the shopping, there’s an IMAX theatre, laser tag, and thrill rides.
pierpark.com
Since its inception in 1955, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has entertained millions with interactive marine exhibits, discovery experiences, shows, and amazing experiences that encourage all ages to interact with marine life. Come snorkel with stingrays and sharks, feed penguins, and watch otters play. See dolphin and sea lion shows, become a trainer for a day, and don’t forget to get a kiss from a harbor seal!
gulfarium.com
It’s not just life on the water that you can enjoy on the Emerald Coast - it’s life under the water, too! The 100-Fathom Curve draws nearer to Destin than to any other spot on the Gulf Coast, and with such deep waters comes the opportunity to see incredible marine life with snorkeling and diving. Dive among the artificial reefs, wrecks and a limestone shelf at depths of up to 90 feet. Snorkeling is another fantastic way to see fish and pick up pretty shells, and Destin Snorkel offers snorkeling along with SNUBA. SNUBA is a great way to enjoy the perks of scuba diving without being certified, and is suitable for healthy swimmers over the age of eight.
destinsnorkel.com
In this waterfront vacation destination, it’s no surprise that even some of the attractions on land have to do with enjoying the water; so it is at Big Kahuna’s, the Emerald Coast’s largest waterpark! Combining the refreshment of a swimming pool with the thrills of a theme park, Big Kahuna’s offers heart-pounding fun on the 40-foot free-fall of Jumanji, the four-lane, heads-first race of the Kowabunga Racer, or the dizzy swirls of the Cobra Twister. There are over 40 rides to enjoy, including smaller and slower-paced rides for little tykes and a mini golf course to check out after you dry off.
bigkahunas.com
Play at These Attractions!
If you can manage to pull yourselves away from the water, you will find that the Emerald Coast has so many exciting experiences to offer, from museums and a science center to a marine adventure park, and even boardwalk shopping and nature parks.
Not only is this the place where all naval pilots train; it also is home to the impressive National Naval Aviation Museum and the Blue Angels Naval aerobatics team, who often perform thrilling demonstrations. And you can’t miss out on all the culture - the Pensacola Museum of Art has, over the past 60+ years, presented hundreds of exhibitions and thousands of educational opportunities, becoming the foundation for the visual arts community, offering quality visual art experiences and arts education, now serving nearly 100,000 patrons annually. From the beaches to the bay, eateries, bars, and other forms of nightlife prove that this city truly has it all.
navalaviationmuseum.org
blueangels.navy.mil
pensacolamuseum.org
First City Art Center lets kids get their hands dirty - in a creative way! They take pride in being an artistic "hatchery" for many forms of art creation including glass, pottery, music and visual arts, by allowing children, students and adults of all ages to experiment with art media that they may not have a chance to experience otherwise. You will not only be creating art here, but also memories, as you work together on glassblowing, glass bead making, clay sculpting, pottery on the wheel, hand-built pottery, and more.
firstcityart.org
Pensacola M.E.S.S. Hall is not a place where students eat lunch - it stands for Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff! Rather than exhibits with planned outcomes, visitors get to work like real scientists, developing questions and creating experiments, engaging in complex reasoning and learning science just through tinkering. It's all hands-on science, which is especially great for kids who need to burn off lots of energy from time to time, considering that the staff encourages kids to mess things up.
pensacolamesshall.org
Engaging the entire family in science and fun, the Emerald Coast Science Center in neighboring island community Fort Walton Beach offers a hands-on world of discovery. Learn the properties of color and light and make music with the light spectrum, learn the importance of natural gas and how it is delivered to homes and businesses, see how robots are built and operated, and more! Celebrating 30 years, the ECSC offers innovative experiences like the SMALLab, their brand-new exhibit that is an embodied learning environment where every person is up, moving, and collaborating. Movement is tracked by motion capture cameras, allowing you to walk around on a 15-foot by 15-foot playing field to complete activities. Your family can work together to solve puzzles, create stories and character plots, study the world, and paint digital masterpieces with this innovative programming.
ecscience.org
Play at your Accommodations!
Hotels aren’t just for lying around - they’re for having fun, too! Whether you’re playing with the family (including the pets) or looking for something more romantic for two, you will find that your hotel or resort itself can be its own attraction!
Perfectly situated in Historic Pensacola, the breathtaking Pensacola Victorian Bed & Breakfast warmly welcomes guests into its individually-appointed guest rooms, each with private bath and antique decor from its four-poster bed in the Captain’s Room to its soaker tub in the Suzanne Room. Awake each morning to a delicious home-cooked breakfast, as well as sampling delicious home-baked treats throughout the day. In addition to the hotel, you can relax at the Cottage Cafe, which occupies what was once the property’s carriage house. Boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, museums, the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola Historic Village, and the local Farmer's Market are all within walking distance of the Pensacola Victorian.
pensacolavictorian.com
Portofino Island Resort and Spa is situated on 28 beautiful acres of Pensacola Beach between the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound and features more than 300 luxury accommodations, creating an upscale, full-service environment with a haven of amenities that could honestly satisfy anyone and any taste.
Situated on the picturesque Santa Rosa Sound just off Pensacola, the Paradise Inn is a quaint and classic beach hotel in the traditional Old Florida style that offers pet-friendly rooms as well as private beach, pool, and pier that makes it ideal for boating, fishing, and paddleboarding. Their onsite restaurant, Paradise Bar & Grill, serves up tasty plates and beverages - even the locals love to hang out here.
paradiseinn-pb.com
A gem of a resort on the Emerald Coast, Hyatt Place in Sandestin is a NEW, 84-room select service hotel designed by Howard Hospitality and HVS Design and opened in February of this year. Features of Hyatt Place include daily hot breakfast featuring cage-free eggs, whole fruit, Greek yogurt, and more. Enjoy coffee and cocktail bars, a 1,600 sq. ft. meeting space, and 24 hour fitness center. Room decor includes sleek lines combined with soft lighting and natural accents to offer a modern take on rustic. Suites with sofa beds offer a semi-separate sitting space for more room to spread out. This new hotel is located within walking distance of the bustling Grand Boulevard Town Center, packed with first-class shopping, dining, and entertainment.
hyatt.com
Visitors to Destin and the Emerald Coast have long chosen the Emerald Grande at Harborwalk Village for its incredible location, scenic views, and luxurious feel. Their location on the Destin Harbor offers expansive scenery, and their resort pool is probably where your family will be spending a lot of time. You could probably hang out in your room for a lot of time as well, as the Emerald Grande has beautiful and spacious suites that make it easy to relax. When you want to venture out, you can go shopping in the adjacent Harborwalk Village, a destination in and of itself that offers retail, dining, and entertainment choices. The Village also offers many aquatic rentals, outfitters, and dolphin tours! The best part of staying here is how easy it is to enjoy so many things as a family here and all in one place!
emeraldgrande.com
Perhaps one of the most popular ways to spend your day on the water in Destin is to float in the warm Gulf waters while enjoying the sunshine. Crab Island is a popular spot for pontoon boats, due to its shallower and calm waters and beautiful backdrop of the city. There is even an inflatable waterpark that floats on water! Destin Vacation Rentals specializes in boat rentals; particularly, pontoon boats! This spacious style of boat is laid out perfectly for groups, and the pontoon boats offered by Destin Vacation Rentals are even available with slides - creating an instant waterpark that is especially popular with kids and teens.
destinvacationboatrentals.com
