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Step 1
Choose how you will get to Panama City Beach. It is actually a fairly small town and the local airport has only 5 carriers, so flights can be hard to come by and most people do not fly there. All of the major travel companies encourage driving and do not offer airfare packages. My friends and I drove the 972 miles from Chicago to Panama City Beach to celebrate our college spring break and it was great! The road trip was an amazing experience and we had a blast, even if it was 15 hours in a car. It was also nice having a car while we were there and saved money.
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Step 2
Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Panama City BeachPick your resort! The Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort is famous in Panama City Beach and has been the headquarters for MTV when they visit for their annual college spring break special. My friends and I stayed there and it was the best! The hotel is in a semi circle shape so that if you are on your balcony you can see everyone else and still have a gulf view. The staff was amazing and did their best to let everyone have a good time but remain safe. Some other great college spring break hotels in Panama City Beach are the Holiday Terrace, Summit Condos, and Paradise Found Resort.
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Step 3
Club La Vela, Panama City Beach--the largest club in the country even has a pool!Find out where to PARTY! Panama City Beach has some of the best and largest clubs in the country--Spinnaker and Club La Vela! These dance clubs are off the hook and offer amazing parties throughout spring break and even have events during the day. Do NOT leave Panama City Beach spring break without checking them out!
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Step 4
Take a walk down the strip! I think my friends and I had the most fun walking the beach and walking the strip. We met people from all over the country and from dozens of colleges and universities. You never know what you will find on spring break in Panama City Beach. We saw a group of guys sitting out on the strip with a giant boa constrictor snake you could take a picture with! Then of course there is the (in)famous bead ritual.
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Step 5
Lay on the beach! Panama City Beach has one of the nicest white sand beaches in the country. This beach has won many awards and is amazing. The sand is soft and pure white and the Gulf water is warm and crystal clear. It is the ultimate relaxation. And, if you are not in the mood to relax, there are always groups of people partying or organizing silly college spring break events (like male bikini contests). When I was there you were allowed to drink alcohol on the beach, but there was a Panama City Beach police presence checking IDs and underage drinking and binge drinking is definitely discouraged!
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Step 6
Go out to eat! If you are staying up late, partying, and/or drinking, you need to keep your strength up! Panama City Beach has some great bars and restaurants. My friends and I ate at a lot of places, but we had the most fun at Hooters! The girls were super nice and the raw oysters were fantastic! It was a great atmosphere, and there were a lot of guys there which was nice! Sharkey's Beach Club, Harpoon Harry's, and Hammerhead Fred's are also a MUST! They host parties, have drink specials and have great food!
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Step 7
Water sports at sunset!Enjoy some water sports on your college spring break if you have time. You can parasail and jet ski for reasonable prices in Panama City Beach and there are vendors up and down the beach offering deals. Walk the beach and pick one!
Comments
Wasatch said
on 2/21/2009 Well written article. I never did get into the drunk scene of thousand. I like a beach with very few other people.
LissaK said
on 2/20/2009 Wish I had the cash, I would be catching a plane right now! I'll still try to make the best of mine though ^.^