Panama City, Florida

[Urizen]

My woman has a cousin that's getting married at the end of April and I suspect the wedding is going to be held down near Panama City, FL and/or Tyndall AFB. What's the weather like that time of year and what would be worth checking out down there (that's affordable) if given the chance. We'll likely be making the drive back and forth from central Ohio.

[Chris Mortika]

It's been over two decades since I was down there, but the weather in April was lovely, with a strong chance of a deluge of drunk college kids. (But that was early April. They should all have sobered up and started studying for finals by the end of the month.)

[Urizen]

Oh crap, I forgot about spring break. If I recall correctly, I think we're shooting for around the 24th. We're just waiting for the 'keep the date' RSVP announcement so I can get an idea where it would be best to get lodgings. I get skeptical sometimes for the bait and switch false reviews you see on some travel websites when what you're seeing is definitely NOT what you're getting.

[Chris Mortika]

My brother and his friends still vacation in Panama City every year. I'll ask him for specific advice tonight.

[Urizen]

I appreciate you looking into it, Chris!

[Chris Mortika]

For hotels, my brother recommends "The Chateau", which is reasonably priced (at least after the Spring Break season). He notes that the fountains and fireworks at "The Atlantis" are designed by the same fellow who designed the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

For shopping, he recommends the Pier Point shops, which run bargain deals between Spring Break and Memorial Day.

For quiet nature-trails away from the huge hotels, he suggests St. Andrew's Beach, or taking a boat ride to Shell Island.

He also notes that the best restaurant in town is the waterfront Captain Anderson's & the Lady Anderson ship.

[Ambrosia Slaad]

Never been to Panama City, but the weather in April should be lovely.

[Urizen]

Chris Mortika wrote:

For hotels, my brother recommends "The Chateau", which is reasonably priced (at least after the Spring Break season). He notes that the fountains and fireworks at "The Atlantis" are designed by the same fellow who designed the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas.

For shopping, he recommends the Pier Point shops, which run bargain deals between Spring Break and Memorial Day.

For quiet nature-trails away from the huge hotels, he suggests St. Andrew's Beach, or taking a boat ride to Shell Island.

He also notes that the best restaurant in town is the waterfront Captain Anderson's & the Lady Anderson ship.

Thanks, Chris! I'll be sure to cross reference theses and check 'em out. I'll follow up on here or FB if I have any additional questions.

[Whited Sepulcher]

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:

Never been to Panama City, but the weather in April should be lovely.

yeah, Florida should be thawed out by then. ;-)

That said, I've been to Panama City area ages ago and the beaches at the time were awesome, I really recommend checking it out and enjoying the sand.

[Urizen]

Whited Sepulcher wrote:

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:

Never been to Panama City, but the weather in April should be lovely.

yeah, Florida should be thawed out by then. ;-)

That said, I've been to Panama City area ages ago and the beaches at the time were awesome, I really recommend checking it out and enjoying the sand.

Anyplace comes to mind to you if you can remember specifics?

[Whited Sepulcher]

Urizen wrote:

Whited Sepulcher wrote:

Ambrosia Slaad wrote:

Never been to Panama City, but the weather in April should be lovely.

yeah, Florida should be thawed out by then. ;-)

That said, I've been to Panama City area ages ago and the beaches at the time were awesome, I really recommend checking it out and enjoying the sand.

Anyplace comes to mind to you if you can remember specifics?

I think we went to Destin beach area nearby the city. That's about it really, it was when I was a wee lad. hah.