Sundial Suites / PCB Guide / Family Friendly
Family Friendly
What to do with kids when they need a break from the beach.
Sundial works well for families, ground floor, pool right there, beach in three minutes, no high-rise elevators. Here is what to do with kids when they need a break from the beach.
Beach-day backup plans
Some PCB beach days are too hot. Some have red flags up. Some are just day 4 and the kids need a change. Have at least two indoor / non-beach plans in your back pocket.
WonderWorks (Pier Park)
Hands-on science museum in an upside-down building. Hurricane simulator, bed of nails, laser tag, ropes course. Five-to-twelve range loves it. Plan for half a day. a per-person admission fee.
St Andrews State Park jetties
Calm shallow water, real fish to see, the kind of “first snorkel” spot that ends up being a kid memory. $8 per vehicle (1-8 people). Bring masks. Bring water shoes (the rocks at the jetty are sharp).
Sandbar pontoon trip
Four hours on a pontoon boat, anchored in waist-deep water, dolphins swim by. The single best memory most families bring home. Book ahead.
Free and easy
- Conservation Park trails, the boardwalk loop is stroller-friendly and shaded
- The pier, $4 to walk the pier, watch the fishermen, count pelicans
- Beach treasure hunt, low tide on the West End turns up shells, shark teeth occasionally, sand dollars sometimes
- Splash pads at Pier Park, free, on the south side of the plaza
Kid-friendly restaurants
, kid menu does not insult the kids, aquarium in the dining room.
, casual, sand toys at every table.
Schooners, picnic tables, sand under your feet, kids can wander.
, surprisingly good for kids, pretzels are huge and they bring crayons.
Rainy day go-to
WonderWorks first, lunch at Pier Park, movie at the Grand 16, ice cream on the way home. That’s the full rainy-day script for a 7-to-12-year-old.
Bedtime quiet
Sundial is a quiet building. Pool and parking are away from the unit windows. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM. We picked mattresses and pillows with sleep in mind. Bring a sound machine if your kids need one, the AC alone is usually enough white noise.
Want more like this?
The full Sundial guide to Panama City Beach has more sections, all written by people who live three minutes from the door.
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