Tales from the Road: Kickin’ Around Pier Park
(Due to technical difficulties, Tales from the Road was delayed)
Last summer, I wrote about some of the new changes and attractions in Panama City Beach, and one of them was the opening of Pier Park.
This shopping/entertainment complex just may be perhaps one of the best things to have opened in the area. It’s one of those places that you realize how much it was needed when you there walking around.
Pier Park is similar to Destin Commons, yet different as well. By that, I mean it has its own style and flare. Pier Park is divided into two sections: the Town Center and the Boardwalk (across the street from the beach and the soon-to-be finished pier.) I spend most of my time (and money) on the Boardwalk side. Now, that’s not to say that there isn’t anything to see in the Town Center side (hello, Target!), but many of the shops and restaurants found along the Boardwalk are regional and/or speciality shops.
What exactly can you find here? 
Well, to eat – there’s the Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House (and let me recommend 
the seafood nachos. How good are they? Let’s just say, I’m addicted). There’s also Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville and Reggae J’s. Interestingly, there’s a Hofbrau Beer Garden as well. And don’t worry if you don’t see anything on this list that automatically clicks, there are many more places to choose from.
Now what good is lunch or dinner without the dessert? Of course, you can always order dessert at the restaurant, but you can work off that meal en route to your dessert (or snack) at such places as the Candymaker Candy Store (great foot-shaped lollipops) and 
Kilwin’s Chocolates & Ice Cream (highly suggest the divinity, and they have something that looked neat, but I didn’t try it, called dark chocolate sea foam.)
When it comes to shopping, you can’t visit at the beach without at least stopping by Ron John Surf Shop. There’s also a handful of neat “gift-y” type places along the
Boardwalk as well.
Have little ones you want to entertain? Make sure they ride the Pier Park train. Entertainment for older people? There’s a movie theater and Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge (yes, that one from Nashville, Tenn.)
Of course, during the summer there is a lot more going on, but it’s a great place to visit anytime. And the best part is, don’t think you have to come here and spend money (although it’s awfully tempting), Pier Park is a great place to walk and take in everything.
4 Comments
Great post, I definitely want to go just to visit the Oyster hut. What all was on those nachos?
shrimp, fish (I ask for no fish), scallops, black olives, cheese, tomatoes and jalapenos. Sounds like a odd combination, but it isn’t! It is so good and of course, I’m craving some right now.
Apryl
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