December, 2020 the coronavirus pandemic was still a major factor in travel for our family. I wasn't comfortable with flying so Panama City Beach seemed like a great place to get some sunshine and enjoy some wonderful outside activities. It's a drivable distance from our home and it's the off season there so we figured their would be less crowds.
We arrived day one just in time for the sunset. We stayed at the Sunrise inn resort. My parents have a time share and they were generous enough to share this location with us. Sadly, my husband couldn't come. He started a new job this year and has very little time off. We did happen to arrive on the city's Santa parade that went right by our condo. We watched from the balcony and the kids loved it. We also ordered pizza. I wanted to try a local place but several were closed for the season or didn't deliver.
We woke up the next day VERY excited to try Thomas Donuts. So many travel bloggers have raved about this place. It's right on the beach, the donuts are affordable, and delicious. But, they are only open seasonally. The kids were so excited about donuts for breakfast we just took them to Dunkin Donuts because I knew they would be open.
After breakfast my dad took the kids to hang out at the condo and my mom and I went grocery shopping. There was a Walmart about a mile from our condo. While we will eat out a few times and splurge on some desserts. We will eat most of our meals in the condo. It's a great way to save money and in the time of Covid it helps us avoid crowds. Next, we went down to the beach. Our condo was right on the beach which was fantastic! The sand was so white and the water was so clear. The kids saw sting rays swimming in the water near our beach so they didn't want to swim in the gulf. They did love the 2 pools and hot tubs at the condo. They were heated which was nice because it got cool in the evenings.
Our steps to the beach
The beach offers endless fun for these kids
We saw a variety of wildlife from the beach including sting rays and dolphins.
There's no better way to start a vacation day then a enjoying a cup of coffee overlooking the ocean.
Our next day we took it slow. We drank coffee and played cards. Then we went to Frank Brown Park. This place is fantastic and free! It was only a few miles from our condo too. We walked on some of their nature trails in hopes of seeing an Alligator. We didn't see any alligators but we did see some great birds. After our hike we went and played at their playground. They had imagine blocks and some really unique equipment that the kids loved. When we got back from the park we played at the beach and then my dad cooked burgers on the grill. It gets dark around 4:45 so we had to eat a little early but that worked for us because Michigan time is 1 hour later.
Hiking around Frank Brown Park
Frank Brown Park
Frank Brown Park
Burgers on the beach
The next day we went to the Panama City Beach nature preserve after we had a slow morning at the condo. It was only a few miles from our condo and it is free. They were very few other hikers out which was all fantastic. They have miles of trails and cypress swamps. We were again hopping to see an Alligator which didn't happen but we saw some great birds and enjoyed plants and trees that don't grow in Michigan. After hiking for a few hours we went to the Gulf Coast Burger Company. They have some insane milk shakes. They were $10 each so we only got milk shakes. There are 5 to choose from plus a seasonal shake. The kids also get to keep the plastic mugs. The kids loved it. It was the number 1 shake restaurant online. We came back to the condo and had lunch then walked on the beach to the pier. I found a sand dollar on the beach that was just beautiful. It was a great way to end a wonderful day.
Panama City Nature Preserve
Gulf Coast Burger Company
I love a good pier on the beach
My sunset sand dollar find
Our next day contained more time on the beach then we took a short trip to Pier Park. They have a Ferris Wheel and plenty of shops and restaurants. We went mostly to taste test the number 2 rated milk shake restaurant, "The Yard". This one the milk shakes were more expensive but this is all they sell and the possibility's are endless. They have set milkshakes with names and those are the most expensive and come in a glass container that you can keep. The other option is to make your own. The boys and I made our own and Maddy got a premade one. We loved the outside seating and the surf board peg game near the setting area. The kids that finished early enjoyed playing this. They were all delicious. Half of us like "The Yard" better while the other half of us like "Gulf Coast Burgers" better. I would recommend trying both if you have time.
Milk Shakes from "The Yard"
Today we went out for our only sit down meal of the week. To be honest I wasn't impressed with the food. It was ok. But the restaurant was right on the beach and outside and super fun. They had a pirate ship the kids could play on while we waited for our food and a Giant shark hanging on the outside. Sharky's was very close to our condo to and we drove by it a lot so everyone was excited for our meal out day. We of course played on the beach and swam in the pool today too.
Sharky's Restaurant
Sharky's Restaurant
Sharky's Restaurant
This was our Put Put day. The kids love to put put on vacation and it is a great covid activity (outside socially distanced) . We decided on coconut creek. They had an absolute blast and it's a great course. We drove by a lot of indoor attractions that we choose not to do because of covid and several things were not open because we were visiting in the slow season. We also went to St. Andrews state park. This is where the ferry leaves for shell island but the shuttle was not going because you guessed it, it was the off season. We still enjoyed the state park and enjoyed hiking and exploring there.
St. Andrews's state park
St. Andrew's state Park
Coconut Creek Put Put
Put put fun
We really enjoyed our time at Panama City Beach. It was a great budget vacation for our family with a focus on outside and low risk covid activities. There is a lot to offer for nature lovers or once covid is over there are so many entertainment options. Til next time travel safe, travel often, and never stop seeking adventures.
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