My Panama City Beach Bucket List
Turquoise blue or light emerald green, whatever the exact color is, it captivates me.
When I think of Florida, it is this color that instantly appears in my mind. Quite honestly it is the only place in the world (and I have been to a lot of places) that does this to me. The photo above, taken in Florida, is one of my favorite photos I've taken. I love the color of the sea.
I never expected to love Florida, but for the few short trips I've taken, it has definitely captured my heart.
This spring some of my favorite blogging buds, Kristin and Spencer spent some time in Panama City Beach and wrote about their summer bucket lists. I am not a big fan of traditional bucket lists – a list of things to do or places to visit – but I loved the style in which Kristin and Spencer wrote their lists – more than just a single item on a page, they described the who, what, where and why. Now that's a bucket list. And it's exactly what the folks at Panama City Beach are doing, encouraging us to write our own Panama City Beach bucket lists with gusto!
So with that spirit in mind, I created one with 15 items! Here are just a few highlights from that list plus a few others!
I Want to Eat Fresh Taste of Gulf Coast Seafood
If you have been around these parts any amount of time you had to know this was going to be my first item. I travel through my stomach and it is where my mind goes when I think about visiting anywhere. Florida is the place to be for seafood and PCB boasts it could be the seafood capital of the world (I'm okay with that!). It is the first thing on my bucket list!
The gulf coast seafood is calling to me. Shrimp tacos, fish sandwiches, fried crab claws, and oyster po boys…they all have my name on it and there is plenty in Panama City Beach to satisfy the foodie in anyone. They even have snow in Florida! Yes really. I found a place that has stuffed snowballs. I don't think I have seen that anywhere else in the world…and I want one!
Also, I will be a frequent visitor to the Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmers Market, as I can't get enough of them in San Francisco and can't imagine what the fresh fruit and seafood situations would be like at a farmer's market in Florida!
If I time my trip just right, I'll hit the Seafood and Music Festival where I can indulge in mixing food and the culinary arts with music and art all to support local businesses and fishing activities. Supporting those types of local and regional initiatives is so important to me and PCB has made it easy for me….of course, they lured me with food, so that is not surprising!
I Want to Taste the Regional Wine Offerings
There is wine in every state and Florida is no different. In fact, Panama City Beach is home to the largest winery in the state! The SeaBreeze Winery is the only working winery as well. They create several varietals with a muscadine grape and are open seven days a week for tours and tastings – count me in!
Another unique wine product in PCB is citrus wines. I got a taste of this at Volcano Winery in Maui and I loved the concept and the taste. And on the other side of the country in Florida, Panama City Beach Winery is doing the same. They are allowed to use the 100% pure Florida Citrus Juice logo from the Florida Citrus Commission, a pretty big deal. I am dying to try their banana wine!
I Want to Indulge in That Emerald Water
Well, it looks like everywhere you go in Florida, there is that beautiful hue of the water.
I just want to park myself on a beach on Shell Island and look at that color forever. This is an area that mainly locals go to, which attracts me. I'm looking to stay off the beaten track and away from crowds if I can help it. Check out this video, there is nobody there! I would have never imagined.
I can walk for hours, take in all 700-acres (oh right, probably not all 700-acres) of pristine beaches and trails. Getting there looks super convenient, boats, shuttles, no worries, and that is just what I am looking for. That beautiful ocean, a book, and my thoughts.
While there I would definitely be able to check off a few more bucket list items: writing a love note to PCB in the sand (mine would say, “bring me a cold beer”) and after writing that note, I'd take a picture of my toes in the warm white sand.
And if I am really feeling adventurous I will go snorkeling!
I Want to Hang Out at the County Pier
Where there are beach towns there are piers and Panama City Beach has 4! I've got my eye on County Pier where I can watch a breathtaking sunset. Every sunset I have ever seen in Florida has been spectacular.
However, before the sun goes to bed I want to try my hand at something a little creative. Sometimes it's good to do something that forces me to stretch a little and get out of my comfort zone. I have always said that I am not a creative person, although I love writing, which is a form of creativity.
I admire people who can take beautiful photos, draw and paint. There is no better way to try something than to just dive in, preferably with other people who are trying something new for the first time, and when there is someone around to guide you.
That's why I think it would be fun to do one of the plain-air Tuesday beach painting parties that are offered by the Beach Art Group, they often paint right next to the pier. It's a cool way to meet people, try something new and leave with a souvenir of Panama City Beach!
Well, all I can say at the end of that exercise is when's the next flight? I really enjoyed researching and creating my own Panama City Beach bucket lists now how about you?
What would your PCB bucket list look like?
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Visit Panama City Beach. All opinions are firmly my own!
For a visual summary of this post, check out my Panama City Beach web story!
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wow….. i should make mine. sound like so much fun
@Olla, definitely do and come back and share!
Beautiful video. I’ve been to a few beaches, but none like this.
its beautiful….
We visited Panama City Beach 2 years ago but didn’t get to venture out! Next time I’ll have this for reference! Yay!
I am a 63 year old bachelor WITHOUT a bucket list..though I thought the show was incredible. Your information and sharing will cause me to begin one…and it might be Panama..thank you
Looks beautiful!
Amazing <3
i am so hungry after seeing the seafood…
lovely beaches
I have never been to Florida, but these gorgeous pictures make me want to go!
@Melissa, so many great places in Florida, something for everyone all over the state and in PCB as well.
All those photos are beautiful, and such a great bucket list! 🙂
@Erica, thanks – you should try to make your own!
Awesome list! Whenever I vista someone new one of my goals is to taste their regional Wine <3
@Angelic, these seem to be pretty unique, so I bet you’d like them!
Wow that food and scenery is beautiful! <3
The seafood bit reminds me of my mom. She’s always talking about going places for the seafood. Unfortunately for her I developed an aversion to most of it in my teens and it’s still there, alas.
@Lix, ah bummer, that makes it difficult in coastal areas, but they have some great steak places too!
Florida looks so beautiful! Thank you for giving me a different insight to it apart from just Disneyland.
@Fi, Florida definitely has a lot to offer!
I love going to farmer’s markets when I visit new places. It’s a great way to get a feel for the local culture! I love mini bucket lists. Great ideas.
@Jessa, couldn’t agree more. We usually always have picnic lunches or dinners with farmer’s market ingredients.
My bucket list would definitely include Florida! I did the Disney Internship Program when I was in college and hated the program but loved being in Florida! I would also like to go to Spain and watch the Flamenco dancers.
@Marissa, Florida has so many spots to visit and this little PCB has something for everyone too. Love Spain!
FUN!!! And that is such a cute dress 🙂
@Lindsey, yes Kristin Luna of Camels & Chocolate ONLY wears dresses except when she is doing Yoga and they are always adorable!
Florida with it’s white sand beaches speaks our love language! We’ve yet to visit Panama but it’s on our list!
@Kristine, there is something special about those beaches…and that water is magical to me!
Love your photos. I would eat that whole plate of crab! It’s great that you tried something new (Florida 🙂 and found you loved it.
@Tammi, never met a crab I didn’t like!
Panama Beach is so pretty! I went there when I was a little younger for a softball tournament and loved it.
@Carly, the Florida beaches and water are pretty amazing.
It looks stunning!
@Jemma, yes PCB has done so much to revitalize themselves, that water is amazing though.
Such a fun bucket list! I second pretty much everything on yours, hahah.
@Chelsea, we all live through our stomachs, don’t we?!
Wow! This looks like so much fun! I’ve never been!
@Brenda, Florida is awesome!
wow – i love it all! (except the seafood that, as yummy as it looks, i don’t eat). =)
@Laura, plenty of other yummy things for you to eat, you won’t miss out!
Those all sound like worthy list to dos! I hope you get to check each one off the list!
xoxo
The Accidental Mama
@TheAccidentalMama, me too! Especially the seafood!
Oh my gosh it’s gorgeous! My college roommates always talked about going to Panama for spring break, but it was never these gorgeous views!
@Raewyn, the sunsets, the water the beaches – all gorgeous!
Food, wine, sun… I want to go there.
@Rebekah, definitely check it out!
My husband and I have been talking about moving to Florida, if anything this only makes us want to move their more!
@Laurel, from what I’ve seen it would be a great place to live!
It would probably look like a lot of beach time. I loved the west shore of Florida last time I was there.
@Jessica, yes the beaches and waters are quite magical there!
All of these are such great items for a bucket list. I travel through my stomach too and I love finding spots that are barely discovered (mainly away from where the tourists are)
The video is stunning by the way – that sea and the white sand. Spectacular!
Katie <3
@Katie, I have visited Florida several times, but I remember going as a small child and the memory that sticks most are the white beaches!