Panama City Beach Announces New Summer Offerings and
Developments on the Horizon
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., June 15, 2019 –With its peak season just around the corner, Visit Panama City Beach is looking forward to welcoming a number of new and exciting offerings and developments to the destination this summer. From United Airlines’ brand-new nonstop service to Chicago, to the grand opening of Paula Deen’s first Florida restaurant at Pier Park, to the completion of its $37-million-dollar, world-class sports complex, Panama City Beach’s newest additions are sure impress both first-time and returning guests this summer. In addition, three new hotel and resort properties by The St. Joe Company are making headway in construction, as well as the first high-rise condominium to be built in Panama City Beach in over a decade.
“After another record-breaking spring, we are so excited to see the incredible economic developments on our horizon,” shares Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe. “With new restaurants, flights and the completion of our new state-of-the-art Sports Complex, there’s never been a better time for vacationers to visits our white sand beaches and emerald green waters.”
Please see below for an overview of Panama City Beach’s summer updates and developments on the horizon:
United Airlines New Nonstop service from Chicago
United Airlines’ brand-new, nonstop, roundtrip service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) will begin next month on Saturdays from June 8 through August 5, 2019. Southwest Airlines will also be offering a brand-new, nonstop, roundtrip service to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) during these same dates. These two new flights to Chicago and Kansas City will join a number of other nonstop flights retuning to Panama City Beach this summer including Austin, Denver and St. Louis.
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen celebrated its grand opening at Pier Park on Thursday, May 16 and the queen of Southern food herself was there to enjoy the festivities. This is the first Florida location for the beloved restaurant, which offers a variety of famous Deen Family recipes, including Paula’s Southern Fried Chicken and her Ooey Gooey Butter Cake. For more information and to view menus, visit www.pauladeensfamilykitchen.com
Panama City Beach Sports Complex
With the completion date for the brand-new Panama City Beach Sports Complex set for July 5, the destination is excited to host its highly anticipated grand opening this fall. The $37-million world class facility will offer visitors on ‘play-cation’ 13 fields to practice their favorite sports including soccer, lacrosse, rugby, football, flag football, baseball and softball. With over 40 major sporting events already booked for 2020, the Sports Complex is already propelling Panama City Beach to becoming the major athletic hub for the South. Stay tuned for details of the opening and special festivities for Bay County residents. For more information, visit www.playpanamacitybeach.com.
SpringHill Suites by Marriott
Opening in June 2019 and located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the 200-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott is sure to be a favorite among families, featuring a beachfront lazy river pool as well as a dune walkover with direct beach access. The property will also include in-suite work spaces for those visiting the Real.Fun.Beach on business. For more information, visit www.springhillsuitespanamacitybeach.com.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Next year, Panama City Beach will welcome a brand-new 124-room hotel in the extensive shopping and entertainment district of Pier Park. The St. Joe Company and InterMountain Management broke ground on the joint venture in October 2018 and are planning to brand the property towards the destination’s growing year-round family-oriented tourism. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
Embassy Suites
The St. Joe Company has partnered with Key International with plans to break ground this year on a full-service Embassy Suites on Front Beach Road. The hotel, also in proximity to Pier Park, would include 252 rooms, a pool and event spaces. Stay tuned for the latest updates.
New Hotel at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
The St. Joe Company has also announced plans to build a third new Panama City Beach hotel, in addition to its 252-room Embassy Suites and 124-room TownePlace Suites. This hotel will be located adjacent to the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport within what is already St. Joe’s 110,500-acre development known as the Bay-Walton Sector Plan, and is anticipated to help service a more than 300% increase in passenger traffic to the airport since 2009.
Palace Sands
Earlier this year, local developer Michael Jones announced plans to start construction on Palace Sands, a 25-story, high-rise condominium tower home to nineteen residential floors, two- and three-bedroom units, multiple two-story penthouse units and an indoor swimming pool. This beachfront property will be the first condo to be built in Panama City Beach in over a decade, with plans to break ground in September or October 2019.