Our destination for our senior spring break trip: Panama City Beach, Florida. We had heard that it was the place to be for spring break, and there was no doubt in our minds that we had to check it out for ourselves.
The drive down was great. Music blaring, windows down, and lots of interesting things to see. With 27 miles of gorgeous sandy beaches, you really can't go wrong. When we arrived at our condo the Sterling Beach Resort, it seemed like a total paradise. When heading down to Panama City for spring break, be sure to expect a lot, and i do mean A LOT, of people. The resort was packed, and we were extremely thankful that we had booked our condo a couple months in advance.
Even aside from all the ridiculously attractive people baring all in their bathing suits, the atmosphere was completely exotic and fun. The resort offered loads of cool perks, including a gym, theater, and beach-front view. Partying was of course on our minds, and there were plenty of great people who has the same idea, but there was much more do to than just party. There were plenty of beachy gift shops to get all of our souvenirs from - you know...shot glasses, mardi gras beads, key chains with our names on them...all that classy stuff.
There were also tons of restaurants within 5 miles of the resort, and I'm talking about grade A places. The seafood selection at all of the restaurants we visited was absolutely divine, and we didn't have to spend very much of time scoping out all of the great local food spots. Some of our favorite restaurants included Captain Anderson's Restaurant and Calypso Beach Cafe.
The beach scene in Panama City gave off a paradise-like vibe. Boogie boards, suntan lotion, and sunglasses were a must for a week at the beach, but be sure to leave behind your homework because that probably won't be getting done in Panama City. While lying on the beach, don't be surprised to see parasailers flying above the ocean- lots of activities such as this take place regularly in Panama City Beach. Fishing, jet skiing, and sailing are also extremely popular with tourists.
In addition, don't find it to be too shocking if you bump into MTV camera guys, it's not exactly uncommon, and it is definitely one of the reasons Panama City has become such a popular destination with a younger crowd. The club scene in this area is really energetic and fun. I especially recommend Club La Vela and Coyote Ugly for a really thrilling experience. Expect a lot of top 40 music and tons of dancing!
There's a ton of other entertaining attractions, such as The Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and Gulf World. These places offer a fun break from the party scene in Panama City Beach. If you're looking for more of a family-friendly atmosphere, then these spots are for you!
If you're considering going to Panama City for Spring Break '08, then I suggest that you start making your reservations as soon as possible, seeing as how the resorts and hotels in the area book up remarkably fast!
This advice for spring breakers was contributed by Elizabeth Kunkel.
You can either brave the spring break crowds in Panama City Beach and enjoy the atmosphere, or you can explore the restaurants, clubs and attractions long after the breakers have busted out. Search for a resort condo to rent in Panama City or find a beachfront cottage rental.