Panama City Part 2 – What To Do When You Visit Panama City

Panama City: Sun, Sand, and a Lot of Steps

I. Introduction

After visiting New Orleans we took advantage of being down at the coast and made the short drive to Panama City Beach, stopping at Felix’s Fish Camp on the way.

II. Beach Walks

One of our favorite things to do when we come to the beach, oddly enough, is not to swim in the ocean. Besides it being cold this time of year, being old fogeys, we just like to walk on the beach. Dipping our toes in the water, feeling the soft sand, and observing the wild life (and sometimes the “wild life”) happening all around us as we walk.

We take long walks, sometimes strolling to the east and on another day, to the west. And it gives me a rare chance to get a little sun on my bare torso. The beach here is broad, but most of it is soft sand that the water never reaches. The solid sand is sparse, especially at high tide. And walking on the soft sand can take it out of you. Yet we still love it.

III. Russell-Fields Pier

Across from the Embassy Suites hotel is the Russell-Field Pier. It extends far out into the ocean. And is used both by curious tourists and avid fishermen. On most days there’s plenty to see, and even though there is a small fee ($3 for seniors) we walk the pier on every stay here.

Be aware that if can be quite windy on the pier, depending on the day. So a windbreaker and a secure hat helps.

It is fun to watch the fishermen and see what they catch. Many bring wagon-loads of equipment and coolers and multiple fishing rods. There is a limit of 3 rods per person and you pay an extra fee for fishing. If you have more than 3 rods, you have to pay an additional amount per rod.

On some days you might meet Mr. Pelican. He is pretty tame and is looking for any handouts from the fishermen. On another day we saw, only for a brief moment when I happened to be looking over the railing, a sea turtle. I surfaced, looked around for few minutes and then disappeared into the blue water. Fun fact: Sea turtles travel the entire world. They are not fast but they are steady. And they live a long time, estimated to be between 50-100 years.

From WorldWildLife.org:

Sea turtles have roamed the Earth’s oceans for the last 110 million years. An important link to marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, some sea turtles also eat large numbers of jellyfish and provide a source of income to local communities as a draw for ecotourism. But sea turtle populations have been on the decline. Thousands of marine turtles are accidentally caught by fishing gear each year, and the beaches upon which they depend for nesting are disappearing.

Sea turtles can be found all around the world, from the cold waters off California to the warm beaches of the Coral Triangle. Males never leave the ocean, while females will come ashore to lay their eggs on sandy beaches during the nesting season. WWF tracks sea turtles to learn more about the species’ movements and routes from feeding and breeding grounds to other areas of the ocean.

Sea turtles migrate thousands of miles in their lifetime through ocean basins and high seas. One female leatherback traveled more than 12,000 miles round-trip across the Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia to the northwest coast of the United States. Both males and females migrate long distances between foraging grounds and nesting beaches.

IV. The Aaron Bessant Park & the Faith Festival

The Aaron-Bessant Park is right behind the hotel, just past the Pier Park Shopping Center, where you’ll find restaurants, shops, games, and even a movie theater. The park is spacious – 70 acres of open spaces and trails – right in the middle of the busy city.

This is another place we tend to go when we visit. The trails are well kept, and within a short walk from the hotel, you can get away from the madding crowd and immerse yourself in nature.

On our way to walk the trail loop, we passed through Amphitheater area. It features a massive world-class outdoor amphitheater that hosts the Summer Concert Series and various festivals. On that day there was a Faith Festival. Speakers were appealing to the crowds to join him in prayer, and shared his beliefs with the audience. Mostly he was “singing to the choir”.

We took a leisurely walk around the ½ mile loop, soaking in the sounds of the birds and occasionally catching sight of one or two. The sun was shining, and the open air was just perfect. It’s a wonderful spot—the open lawn and trails make it one of the most peaceful places to stroll through when you’re at the beach. Plus, there’s a large public bathroom building at the end of the loop, which is a lifesaver for anyone who needs it.

V. Camp Helen State Park

About 20 minutes to the west of Panama City Beach is the Camp Helen State Park. In the park you can walk along Powell Lake. Powell Lake is the largest coastal dune lake in Florida, separated from the ocean but a broad dune.

There are trails skirted by oak trees, weathered by storms over their lives. I you are lucky you might see otters and/or eagles along the way. We saw neither.

The one time we have been here we did see a lot of pumpkins. It was nearing Halloween and the park was hosting huge sale of every kind of pumpkin imaginable.

This is another place you might enjoy. It is peaceful and there is plenty of trails to hike on. You’ll see an abundance of deer moss, and hundreds of Southern Live Oaks – a tree that is prolific along the gulf coast. They are often hung with Spanish moss. These trees can live for hundreds of years and the canopy spread can exceed the tree’s height — some specimens reach 60+ feet wide. A magnificent tree!

We walked about 5 miles there and we were ready to get back to the hotel and rest a while. Well worth it though.

VI. Coconut Creek Family Fun – Miniature Golf and the Maze

This is a fun spot, whether you are a couple, a family, or just want some time for yourself. There is a 2 18-hole mini golf courses, and a maze that is really challenging.

We bought a ticket that included as many games of mini golf courses as you want, and the Maze. On the first day we played the 36 holes of golf. The course is well maintained and has some very tricky holes. Throughout the course, for ambiance, there are faux animals.

The ticket allowed us to come back the next day and do it all over again. We started on the Maze. The record here is 33 minutes. You have to reach 4 elevated Stations within the maze and punch your card. From each elevated Station you can look down on the maze and figure your next move. It looks simple but we ran into many dead ends and had to retrace our steps.

In the end, we came no where near matching the record. Not by a long shot. But it was fun. And worth the price and the challenge.

To wind down we played another round of golf and headed to lunch. BTW, my wife beat me decisively at golf – both days. She even got a hole in one on the second day.

VII. Closing

This is one city on the gulf we’ll return to again. We didn’t have much of an agenda, unlike when we visit a big city and that makes our time here more enjoyable. And going to the coast – any coast – is refreshing to me. I grew up around the beaches in northeast Brazil, and I feel most at home on the coast.

In the next post, I’ll tell you about some of the great restaurants we visited while here, and some great seafood dishes (or not so great).

Have you been here? What is your favorite beach in Florida? Tell us about your stays on the Gulf – your favorite get-away, food you enjoy while here, and maybe some things on your agenda that are memorable. Till the next post – Ciao, Randino