Panama City Beach

The gulf coast has always been a family favorite of ours, and Panama City Beach is no exception.  It’s so convenient to much of the eastern United States, and the crystal clear ocean will make you think you are in the Caribbean.  This made PCB an easy choice for our family when Jon / dad decided to compete in the Panama City Ironman.  This consisted of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a full 26.2 mile marathon run!!!   

Details:

Panama City Beach has endless opportunities for family activities, if you can tear away from the miles and miles of beautiful beaches.  During our stay (in November), a sandbar formed right in front of our hotel that we could walk out to which the kids loved as well.  Although the weather can be hit or miss (it was 84 degrees one day while we were there and 38 degrees the next), most hotel pools are heated and include hot tubs as well.  The ocean was still a very comfortable temperature to get in on the warm days.  You can also find amazing deals on hotels during this time of year!

The Ironman race is a great family affair.  We were able to see dad at several spots along the route but would definitely recommend taking breaks and going back to the hotel throughout the day (after all, it’s a 16+ hour day for most athletes).  We brought card games, snacks, and signs to decorate while we were waiting around. Our kids absolutely loved competing in the IronKIDS race the day before, getting a medal, and being part of all the festivities.  

Notes and Tips:

• Splash Resort’s location was a perfect balance for us.  The bike route ran right in front of our condo, and we were able to come and go from Ironman Village very easily.  On the other hand, we were far enough away from the crowds to have a relaxing family getaway.  It also has water slides, multiple oceanfront pools, and an arcade, making it a favorite with our kids. 
• If you travel for the Ironman competition in early November, Pier Park had great trick or treating set up in most of their shops for Halloween.

Gear:

• Since the ocean was very calm most days, we loved getting out on this paddleboard.  It is very sturdy for an inflatable and packed up easily for the drive there.
• Our kids love reading on their Kindle Fires: Kids Edition during long drives.  These would also be a good option for while they wait around at the Ironman race.

Accommodations: 
Southern Vacation Rentals: Splash Resort

Activities:
Ironman Florida
Pier Park

**This post contains affiliate links.  We were graciously hosted by Southern Vacation Rentals in exchange for footage and promotion of their company. All opinions are our own.

If you have questions or tips for traveling to Panama City Beach with kids, let us know!