As much as I love the sugar sand beaches and emerald green waters of Panama City Beach, you couldn't pay me to go there in the spring. As a middle-aged adult (actually, I prefer the term "baby boomer"), I don't wish to spend my vacation surrounded by throngs of scantily-clad teens and blaring music. Fall, however, is a different story. We've found that October is the perfect time for boomers to visit Panama City, Florida, but as long as Spring Break season is over, Panama City is the perfect destination for a relaxing beach vacation.
Fall provides great weather, particularly during the month of October - perfect for a long, leisurely stroll on the beach, especially since most of the summer seaweed is no longer washing up. The month averages highs around 80 degrees, with nights dropping to 55. The sea water is actually warmer in October than it is in May, so swimming is still an option. Also, sunbathing is more pleasant under the warm, but not scorching, rays of the autumn sun. And inshore and surf fishing are awesome this time of year at Panama City Beach, with big trout and trophy reds moving close to shore. Another plus about an October vacation in Panama City: on average, there are only five rain days out of the month - the sunniest time of the whole year.
Boomers will find plenty to entertain them besides the beach activities. The Captain Anderson III glass-bottom boat offers daily cruises to Shell Island for watching birds, dolphins, and underwater creatures. A special treat is the sunset cruise, where you'll see the sky painted with pinks, reds, and violets as you watch the sun sink into the gulf. Horseback riding is always fun in the fall, and Beach Stables has trail rides through the woods and on the beach.
With Christmas on its way, fall is a wonderful time for shopping. Panama City has numerous malls, outlet stores, trendy boutiques, and specialty stores offering unique, one-a-kind items. Or schedule your trip to coincide with one of the many fall festivals in the area, where you'll find handmade arts and crafts. One of the biggest is the Indian Summer Festival, held in October. Crafts, big-name singers and performers, a fine arts exhibit, and an amazing array of foods make this a truly spectacular event.
For sports enthusiasts, the area has several golf courses to choose from, with varying degrees of difficulty. Panama City boasts the only Nicklaus course in northwest Florida. Tennis courses and complexes are available, too. Several bike trails at the local parks offer beautiful paths through woods and across streams, with an abundance of interesting plants and wildlife. Deep-sea sportfishing is legendary in the area, offering some of the finest in the world. In October, the king mackerel run is at its height, and blackfin tuna are abundant.
For more relaxing activities, there are several museums in the area. The Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida displays works by local, regional, and national artists. The Paul Brent Gallery houses a large selection of coastal and tropical art, while the Oleander House offers original art, coins, gifts, and collectibles. Panama City's Museum of Man in the Sea takes a unique look at man's quest to work and play underwater, with exhibits of all kinds of diving gear, submarines, and remote-control vehicles. Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park is yet another venue in which to spend a nice fall day. The park is home to over 250 types of plants and trees from around the world, and 350 animals, including several rare and endangered species. The park has daily shows, which are both entertaining and educational.
Most of the boomers I know love dining out, and Panama City will not disappoint. The area is famous for mouth-watering, fresh-from-the-gulf shrimp, oysters, crab, and fish, but that's just the start. Choose from Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, barbecue, country cooking, sushi bars, fast food, and all the major chains. The cool evenings are the perfect time for enjoying one of the open-air dining rooms, especially those with a view of the water.
Lodging prices drop after Labor Day, so visitors can find discounted prices on a variety of rooms. Ranging from budget motels to condos to luxury resorts, Panama City has accommodations for every budget. Unlike summer, when you need to book months in advance, you'll still have rooming options for last-minute fall getaways and long weekends.
With the perfect weather, lower lodging rates, world-class shopping, great golfing, award-winning dining, museums, and lots of other activities available, Panama City isn't just for students and spring break. The area has much to offer baby boomers, especially in the fall. The beach and the water are superb this time of year, and you won't trip over other folks when searching for a spot to spread your beach towel.
This real travel advice for families was contributed by Holle Abee.