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You’ve been working hard all year… and now you finally have some free time to get away and relax. The boss has cleared your schedule, the kids are bouncing off the walls, and you’re ready to head for the beach. Unfortunately, these are tough times, and so that much needed vacation is often put on the back burner and deemed a ‘non essential expense.” If you are thinking about a Panama City Beach vacation but not sure if the budget will allow, there’s good news. There are many ways to cut back expenses and save money without sacrificing the quality of your well deserved getaway. So check out our tips and get packing! Tip # 1 – Schedule your vacation out of peak season. Summer rates are typically the highest, as it’s when the kids are out of school and most people choose t...

Having grown up in England, living in Panama City Beach is sometimes like living on vacation. The skies are blue, the sun is shining, and the beaches are spectacular. In England, the skies are nearly always gray, the sun really doesn’t shine very often, and the beaches….well, let’s just say that they don’t have quite the same tropical feel. Of course England is an incredible country, rich with history and culture, and I am proud to call it home. And in all fairness, some of its beaches are nothing short of breathtaking. Here is a humorous account of the differences between a tropical beach vacation here in Panama City Beach, and a beach “holiday” in good old Blighty. In Panama City Beach (hereby referred to as PCB) the sands are soft and almost snow-white, complemented by a cr...

Having been a smug local… of Panama City Beach for many years, I often find myself thinking how great it would be to experience our fabulous destination as a tourist. Just for a day it would be fun to be on vacation schedule, to see it all through the eyes of the visitor, and to appreciate just how beautiful Panama City Beach really is. It’s easy to take things for granted when they are right on your doorstep, so with a cleared schedule and an open mind, I embarked on a mini vacation in my home town. I gave myself 30 hours to experience Panama City Beach as a tourist, to do or see anything that took my fancy. Here’s what happened. Friday – 5pm. Sunset with a bang. Friday night in our house usually consists of some high quality couch time or perhaps dinner and a movie if ene...

10. Flamingo Joe’s One the outside, by name and exterior, one might think Flamingo Joe’s transplanted right out of Key West. But the second you bite into one of their signature Grouper sandwiches, you’ll know the flavor’s all Panama City Beach. Loved for great food, laid-back atmosphere and the tastiest salsa West of the Mississippi, Flamingo Joe’s is basically a residential right-of-passage for beach lovers. Flamingo Joe’s is located at 2304 Thomas Dr Panama City, FL 32408. Call ahead at (850) 233-0600 9. Ms. Newby’s Every city has a local bar to which locals, after a night of fun or dinner, just gravitate. No matter what new bar opens, or what spot becomes a summer trend, Newby’s, for lots of PCB locals, is like home. What began as a liquor...

There are all sorts of ways to enjoy a Panama City Beach-side lunch without spending loads of money. Here are 10 essentials to helping you skip the concession stand and pack a picnic to enjoy in the sand. 10 Necessities for the Perfect Beach Lunch 1. Themed Snacks Incorporate ocean-inspired munchies like Goldfish and Shark Bite fruit snacks to create a fun beach-themed lunch your kids will love. 2. Apples This fiber-rich snack will sustain you through the sandy ride home. And with no messy peel, the portable fruit is perfect for outdoor eating. 3. Baby Wipes Washing sticky hands in the salty ocean doesn’t always get the job done. These do. 4. Refreshments Don’t buy sugary sodas. Make your own lemonade or iced tea at home for a thirst-quenching refresher. Freeze bottles of water or jui...