PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., January 23, 2024 – Panama City Beach is pleased to share a variety of exciting new offerings and experiences for visitors in 2024. From new hotel openings to captivating attractions and expanded food and beverage choices, the destination invites travelers to create lasting memories on a Real. Fun. Beach. getaway in 2024.
“Panama City Beach is thrilled to highlight the many new developments, openings and enhancements throughout the destination in 2024,” says Visit Panama City Beach President and CEO Dan Rowe. “We look forward to welcoming both new and returning visitors to experience the premier accommodations, exciting activities and incredible dining options that await along Panama City Beach’s 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches.”
Please see below for a preview of what’s new in Panama City Beach for 2024 and beyond.
Accommodations:
Residence Inn by Marriott – Opening Summer 2024
The new 121-suite Residence Inn by Marriott will be located on the north side of U.S. Highway 98 near the intersection of Pier Park Drive. Guests will be within walking distance to a number of notable attractions, including the Pier Park shopping and entertainment district and the destination’s beautiful beaches. Along with suite-style rooms equipped with full kitchens, full-size refrigerators, stovetops, microwaves and dishwashers, the Residence Inn will also boast a pool, fitness center, laundry services and breakfast area.
Tru by Hilton – Opening Spring 2024
The new Tru by Hilton will open on Panama City Beach Parkway, offering a vibrant, affordable lodging option that blends both comfort and functionality, with a streamlined design and an array of amenities for travelers. The new property will be located just minutes from Publix Sports Park, and a short distance from public beach access points.
Food and Beverage:
Ford’s Garage (Pier Park) – Opening 2024
Neighborhood burger and brew joint Ford’s Garage is coming to Pier Park, Panama City Beach’s premier shopping and entertainment complex, in 2024. The Fort Myers-based chain serves up mouthwatering All-American favorites in a unique vintage atmosphere that pays tribute to America’s most iconic automobile brand. After a day of fun in the sun or shopping at Pier Park, keep the good times rolling and enjoy famous Black Angus burgers and craft beers inside the restaurants one-of-a-kind 1920’s service station-inspired dining room.
Tootsies Orchid Lounge – Relocating in 2024
Nashville-based Tootsies Orchid Lounge opened its doors to country music lovers in Pier Park in 2008, and the popular hangout is set to relocate to the vacant Spinnaker Beach Club property on Thomas Drive this year.Once remodeled, the new space will offer an expansive beachfront property for guests with increased space for nightly live entertainment.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show – Opening Spring 2025
Country music icon Dolly Parton is bringing swashbuckling fun to Panama City Beach with the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, expected to open in Spring 2025. The family-friendly attraction will feature a 60,000-square-foot theatre where guests can enjoy a four-course feast while watching a thrilling pirate battle aboard full-size pirate ships and in a 15-foot-deep lagoon. Beyond the thrilling pirate stunt show, audiences will encounter enchanting mermaids, tropical birds, and playful sea lions for an immersive and entertaining dining experience.
Attractions and Experiences:
DEEP STIM III Vessel Deployment for Diving and Fishing – Deployment in early 2024
Northwest Florida’s extensive artificial reef system continues to expand with the upcoming deployment of R/V DEEP STIM III, scheduled for early 2024. A 239-foot-long offshore supply vessel previously used for oil exploration, the DEEP STIM III will be the second largest artificial reef site deployed off the coast of Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Panama City Beach and Walton County. The vessel will sit in a range of depths from approximately 70-feet at the top of the wheelhouse to 135-feet at the sand and will be accessible to a wide range of dive levels. In addition to diving, the 65-foot high-relief site will provide an outstanding fishing location.
Gulf Coast Salute Airshow – May 4-5, 2024
Panama City Beach’s inaugural Gulf Coast Salute Airshow will take place on May 4-5, 2024, at the Russell-Fields City Pier. Witness the skies come alive with an exciting show featuring military demonstrations including a F-22 Raptor Demo, 325th Fighter Wing Fly-By, US Navy LCAC Demo and a 1st Special Operations Wing Demo.
Frank Brown Park – Improvements Continue in 2024
A top facility for sports in Panama City Beach, Frank Brown Park is utilized by thousands of local and traveling sports teams each year and is the home of several special events which draw thousands more to the area. Improvements and renovations to the park will continue in 2024, with plans to add numerous amenities, including additional basketball and pickleball courts, a skate park, a BMX park, and more paved parking and bathrooms.
Accessible Beach Access (Beach Access Point 22) – Opening 2024
Public Beach Access 22 on Surf Drive will soon be handicap accessible, enhancing the visitor and local experience for those who will benefit from accessible beach access. Bay County Parks and Recreation and Visit Panama City Beach have teamed up to convert Beach Access 22 into a new ADA-accessible point, and all features at this location will be catered to those with special needs – including handicapped parking spaces, accessible mats that will roll down to the beach, and ADA-accessible showers.
Gayle’s Trails – New segment now open
The recently opened eastern segment of Gayle's Trails spans 1.45 miles and gives visitors and residents the opportunity to extend a serene nature walk or bicycle ride throughout the destination. The new segment of the trail connects the Breakfast Point subdivision passed Arnold High School to just east of Clara Avenue, with a 12-foot-wide trail and boardwalks that stretch over wetlands.
Bicycle Lane on Back Beach Road – Expansion continuing in 2024
Back Beach Road is currently undergoing a multi-phase expansion project that will include new asphalt bicycle lanes and sidewalks for locals and visitors to enjoy. In addition to enhancing the destination's walkability, the project aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety by expanding Back Beach Road from four to six lanes.
TopGolf – Opening Spring 2025
High-tech golf entertainment complex Topgolf is set to open a new 38,000-square-foot facility in Panama City Beach’s Pier Park area, near Powell Adams Road and LC Hilton Jr. Drive. The premier sports entertainment attraction will feature two levels with climate-controlled golf ball hitting bays and an outfield with electronic targets for a game that all ages can enjoy – plus a full-service restaurant and bar and event space.
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