Panhandle for Family Reunion?
 

We're planning a family reunion vacation for Aug 03. The group is made up of 20 adults and 15 children (Ages 1- 14). We're looking for location that will offer kids activities and the opportunity for us to dine together and relax. I've heard good things about the panhandle area (Destin and Seaside). I would appreciate any ideas....

Keith,<BR><BR>I've never attempted an outing such as you describe, but I can provide a few details about Seaside that may be helpful.<BR><BR>Seaside is really a little town, with a town center consisting of a common area/stage (concerts in August? I would think so), a grocery store, and several other shops. There was a wine bar too the last time we visited. in the back portion of Seaside (furthest from the ocean) is an artists village with quite a few galleries and clothing shops.<BR><BR>Across the beach road is a pavillion area with restaurants (Bud & Allie's is great), shops, a bookstore. Most of the town is located on the land side of the beach road, but there are a few cottages/houses that are direct ocean front. Everything is a relatively short walk to the beach.<BR><BR>I don't usually notice childrens' activities because I don't have children. But I seem to recall that Seaside does quite a bit to accomodate children.<BR><BR>The beauty of taking a large group there is that you could rent several houses (perhaps even adjacent) and have a real sense of community. I don't believe the B&B there, Josephine's, is big enough to hold all of you. But if it is, that would be a great choice.<BR><BR>Hope some of this helps, and perhaps you'll get a few more comments with this message back on top.<BR><BR>Have a great time!

I love Seaside and I've always thought it would be a great place for a reunion because you can rent these great big houses and split the costs or rent more than one if you need to. I have been three times and its just me taking my mom and son so its pretty expensive but if you could split it more than one way it works out. Supposedly Seaside has a "Camp Seaside with kids activities" but we always go in the spring and the Camp only runs during the summer. It is beautiful beach, clean white sand and water that is three different shades of blue. Seaside has a great website. You should check it out. www.seasidefl.com.

I went with my family to a reunion in Destin and we had a great time. We stayed in a lovely condo, and the beach up in the Panhandle is fantastic. I have a friend who lived in Seaside, and she says that is great too. You will definitely have time to relax!

Try Rosemary Beach on 30A 8 miles from Seaside. I't Andres Duany's newest iteration in the Panhandle. The houses are much nicer than Seaside. The web address is rosemarybeach.com

I am sure you would have a wonderful time together in Seaside. In case that doesn't work out may I suggest St. George Island. The National Park has huge pavillion areas that would accomodate you all for a 'bring a dish' reunion style buffet. As for activities for the children theres the beach and bicycle rentals. Nearby Apalachacola (within a 20minute drive) is also quite nice with many beautiful places to stay and dine.

If your family has to panhandle for a vacation, they can not afford to go and should stay home.

I wouldn't bring a large group of young children to Seaside. It's geared towards yuppie couples with none or one or two very young (under five) kids at most. It's very, very expensive. <BR><BR>Try Panama City Beach or Destin. They're both full of movie theaters, water parks, theme parks, water sports and go-carts for kids. Seaside has nothing like that. The kids will get bored very quickly.

seaside sam,<BR><BR>your post made me realize that when I think of activities for kids, I rely upon my own DISTANT memories of what I liked (as my wife & I are child-free).<BR><BR>I guess things were simpler on summer beach vacations back then. I enjoyed playing in the water, building sand castles, fishing, discovering amazing things washed up on the beach, etc.<BR><BR>Given that modern kids apparently require a lot more to do, your point about the paucity (or at least simplicity) of child-friendly amenities at Seaside is well-taken.

I took my son to Seaside at age 3, 4, and 5. We didn't make is this spring and he was very disapointed. Made me promise to take him this Spring and we'll be there. Its a great place for kids. And you don't have to rent the most expensive house there to enjoy it. We like the simpler one better anyway. Less stairs to contend with.

I would never take my kids to Panama City for more than just to drive through and see the tinsel town/neon lights/tatoo shops/t-shirt shops/body piercing/condom shops. Panama City used to be such a great place to vacation 15 years ago, but now has become so cheap/dirty looking. It is now a spring break destination and of course the business that prospers for the college crowd have cheapened a place that was laid back, family friendly. Just drove through this July and the traffic in horrendous, a few feet at at time is all you can go, and my two children 13 and 6,got to see more breasts and buttucks than you can imagine, as they were flashed and mooned as we were sitting in traffic more times than I can count, and yes I did shake my head and chuckle how brazen young people have become on any given week night,and remembered the fun times I had in teens/early twenties down there but with discretion and a level of grace. It has most gorgeous beaches, butyou just have to overlook the tinsel town atmosphere to find it. In Panama City, there is still one of my favorite restaurants of all time, for the last 29 years, Captain Anderson's, they have a whole stuffed flounder that is heaven. If I were going to have a family reunion, there are so many better places, such as Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Dune Allen Beach, Grayton Beach, Seagrove just to name a few. If you will go to website of abbott-resorts.com, you can request a catalog of hundreds and hundreds of resort, cottages, rentals that will have many options for you to choose from. Hope this helps. We have been going to the panhandle area for 35+ years, and can recommend many great restaurants if you need.

What did you decide to do? We're just starting to plan a family reuntion for Summer of 2003.

This part of Florida is the most beautifl and relaxing. It is GREAT for families. I have been going there for years since the early days of Seaside. It is a very warm family-friendly environment - Besides Seaside, there is Watercolor which is very nice - next to Seaside as well as Rosemary Beach further down. I have seen a development less pricey call Old Florida Cottages in Santa Rosa. The beaches in the Panhandle are White like snow - water Emerald Green. Like having the Caribbean in the U.S. Contact me if I can answer any questions.

Marilyn<BR>(Or anyone who knows) We have reservations in Navarre for this summer for a family vacation of 10. Are you familiar with this seaside beach? Any suggestions?

Navarre is a very nice beach isolated across a toll bridge. The beaches are big and the water is very nice. You will enjoy Navarre. My family has been going for 30 years.

Thanks Rog<BR>Are there boat rentals close?

CD do you mean boat rentals for your own personal use? Charter boats? For the ocean? There is a bay as you cross the bridge, the bay is very shallow with no access to the ocean. I am not sure if they have boat rentals.