Chicago sucks right now....

March 8, 2007 10:08 AM

Please help in deciding where to stay in the panhandle of Florida.

Because of the dates (spring break), airfares to anywhere warm are ridiculous. So we decided to take the plunge and throw the kids in the car and go. The problem is, other than me, the rest of the family abhors driving. It seems the closest place from Chicago to warmth is the panhandle of Florida (open to other ideas). If I am right, what part of the panhandle is a good place to hunker down for a week on the beach. Any accomodation recommendations would be helpful as well. Thanks.

posted by repoman to Travel & Transportation around Florida (23 answers total)

I have been to Destin, FL twice. During the middle of summer, but I assume it's still pretty warm there. I hope to go again this summer. It's VERY beautiful there - very white sand, very clear water, gentle waves. It's a little touristy, but not as touristy as some other beaches in the south east - a little more touristy than Outer Banks in NC, significantly less touristy than Myrtle Beach, SC. If you go, make sure you visit Pampano Joes, the only seafood restaurant I've ever actually enjoyed.
posted by crackingdes at 10:27 AM on March 8, 2007

I'm a huge fan of St. George Island myself. But if you're looking for ferris-wheels-and-airbrush-t-shirt kind of beach, that's not the place.
posted by spilon at 10:27 AM on March 8, 2007

I was just visiting my brother in Destin (and Ft. Walton and places thereabouts) last month. It's great, if you're into nature -- lots of beaches, well-maintained hiking trails, jogging paths, things like that. The sand is sugar white and the water, I swear, is green. There are scads of vacation rentals - hotel, motel, condo, apartment, cottage, etc. Finding a place to stay will definitely not be a problem. If you want more manmade stuff, it might not be the place for you; it's really not a boardwalks and surf shops sort of place.

It's t-shirt and jeans weather there, right now. Highs in the low seventies.
posted by cmyk at 10:54 AM on March 8, 2007

Panama City is pretty touristy, but there are thousands of high rise, beachfront condos for rent there, and it has the same white sand beaches as most of the panhandle cities do. About half way up the coast, west, to Fort Walton Beach is the faux village of Seaside (most famous as the movie set for the Jim Carrey movie The Truman Show). It's creepy to me, but lots of folks love/live it, like adult Disneyland, without the rides. Destin is still further west, and while lots of people love Destin, it's pretty sterile, by my lights. Fort Walton Beach is gritty, college kid spring break, but still pretty cheap, if you can find a spot. Here's a Google Map of the arc.
posted by paulsc at 11:00 AM on March 8, 2007

If it's Spring Break, I would keep your family away from Panama City Beach. Crazy drunken crowds, girls gone wild, and, lots o' traffic. (If you do go, hit Schooners!)
posted by mrmarley at 11:22 AM on March 8, 2007

St. George Island is absolutely beautiful (especially the ocean side). Eat at the Boss Oyster in nearby Apalachicola. Their po'boys will blow your mind.
posted by unknowncommand at 11:44 AM on March 8, 2007

Chicago cannot suck.

I second, third and millionth spilon's suggestion: Apalachicola Bay and St George island are increadibly beautiful, easy living, especially with kids. If you go there make sure to get drinks at the tiki bar in Blue Parrot Cafe on St George island and smoked salmon dip in Boss Oysters. My NYC soul is reeking jealousy right now.

The cabins at Port St Joe State park are very nice (although I haven't been there for several years).

Have fun.
posted by carmina at 11:48 AM on March 8, 2007 [1 favorite]

d'oh unknowncommand!

Perhaps, you might consider Sanibel and Captiva islands, if you can find cheap tix to Ft Myers airport (low cost carriers are yer friend).
posted by carmina at 11:58 AM on March 8, 2007

Anywhere in the Fort Walton area. Destin is the most popular for family-type stuff, which can be nice with kids, but it will be crowded. There are about a million little beaches in that area, all of which have great white sand, calm water, etc.

I used to go down to the Destin area every year in high school, from Atlanta, and the truth is the weather at this time of year in the panhandle is kinda hit or miss. Some years it's great, others, high-60's and windy...

Just google or check out a map of beaches in the Fort Walton area. Grayton, Rosemary, Santa Rosa, Seagrove, Seacrest, Seaside, etcetera...
posted by jckll at 12:02 PM on March 8, 2007

I spent my honeymoon in Niceville. Really! Also, I used to live in Pensacola, and they have nice beaches there, plus historical forts to explore. I liked Gulf Breeze too. Ft Walton Beach is also nice.

I too would probably avoid Panama City Beach as the traffic is terrible, etc.

Gulf Shores, Alabama is also worth considering.

All of this is considered the Redneck Riviera. Make sure you get some gumbo or red beans and rice while you are down there.
posted by konolia at 12:06 PM on March 8, 2007

Oh, one advantage to going this time of year is you will avoid the yearly jellyfish infestation. The water will be kinda cold but considering where you are from that might be a matter of opinion. ;-)
posted by konolia at 12:07 PM on March 8, 2007

MTV spring break, panama city.

More secluded, St. George Island / Apalachicola.

Something in the middle, Destin / Ft. Walton.

For pricing you can also check out Gulf Shores, Alabama, which is also in the panhandle. And cklennon is right, you never know what the weather will be like. Today it's 70 and gorgeous. But spring break can also be 50, windy and rainy. Still beautiful though.

I'm in Pensacola. The beach area hasn't quite recovered from several storms, so I'd look elsewhere (though you may be able to get a deal).

All of this is considered the Redneck Riviera.
posted by konolia

Thanks Konolia. It's always great when our own help perpetuate stereotypes.
posted by justgary at 12:17 PM on March 8, 2007

I was on St George's Island at the end of January. Bit cold and very deserted but seemed like a winner for a relaxing beach holiday.
posted by i_cola at 12:17 PM on March 8, 2007

I live here. Destin is overpriced and traffic is murder. Go to Grayton Beach or anywhere in South Walton County. Traffic is not as bad as Destin and the vibe is just much, much cooler and mellower there.
posted by wsg at 12:56 PM on March 8, 2007

Thanks Konolia. It's always great when our own help perpetuate stereotypes.

Aw, it's a term of affection. I lived there almost a decade, and that's what ALL the locals called it.

But, hey, this is from a gal who now lives in Fayettenam.
posted by konolia at 1:12 PM on March 8, 2007

I live in Alabama and I agree the term "Redneck Riveria" is apt.

I recommend against Panama City. Unless the situation has changed dramatically in the last ten or fifteen years, the place will be absolutely choked with college kids during spring break. Plus, it's just not a terribly pretty or kid friendly place in a lot of respects. Gulf Shores is definitely the better choice here, though, of course, it's going to be more expensive.
posted by Clay201 at 2:33 PM on March 8, 2007

Panama City Beach sucks. Imagine every bad cliche you've ever heard about a resort beach town and you get Panama City Beach.
posted by wsg at 2:49 PM on March 8, 2007

Destin is overpriced and traffic is murder. Go to Grayton Beach or anywhere in South Walton County.

I personally agree, but if they're looking for more than beaches, say putt putt, they'd be better off in destin. Besides, if you have a hotel on the beach driving is minimal.

I live in Alabama and I agree the term "Redneck Riveria" is apt.

And it will continue to be as long even it's residents refer to it as the redneck riveria. You're part of the problem. I never said it was without merit. But I live in the panhandle and it's changed drastically over the past 25 years. It's not a term of affection. It's an insult. If you choose to work/play/live with people that are so backward you want to label the whole region redneck that's your choice. Don't put it on the rest of us.
posted by justgary at 3:56 PM on March 8, 2007

By the way, for the sake of clarity, you're several hundred miles away from the 'redneck riviera' clay201, and since it's been ten or fifteen years since you've been to this area, perhaps I now understand our disagreement.
posted by justgary at 4:05 PM on March 8, 2007

I was in Fort Walton last summer for vacation and it really is gorgeous. White beaches, green water, etc etc etc. And mostly touristy as hell. The area around (I think) Grayton Beach, which was mentioned above, seemed much less touristy. One thing I'd recommend is The Red Bar, the only restaurant we went to down there that was actually good. The food was freaking great. If you end up anywhere in the area, go there.
posted by MadamM at 4:12 PM on March 8, 2007

I think St George island would be murderously boring for a whole week stay, but maybe that is because I grew up in the area and never understood the appeal of long stretches at the beach. It is a beautiful nice place, though, if you're looking for somewhere to rent a house and sit around playing board games, lying in the sand and just chilling out for a week.
posted by ch1x0r at 6:07 PM on March 8, 2007

Grayton Beach - between Destin and Panama City consistently ranks as one of the best beaches in the world.
posted by peace_love_hope at 6:44 PM on March 9, 2007

Grayton Beach - between Destin and Panama City consistently ranks as one of the best beaches in the world.

I agree that Panama City is one of the tackiest places on the Panhandle.
posted by peace_love_hope at 6:45 PM on March 9, 2007