Not too long ago, a good friend of mine who works for The Hostel Detroit came to me and asked if I would be interested in working with them on their social media marketing. I was surprised because I didn’t really think that The Hostel had a huge presence on these networks. Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of the Spring Break crowd but this actually turned out to be a really fun project. From my experience at Panama City Beach, you can break it up into three parts. First is your biggest source of visitors: University/College spring breakers. Secondly are family vacationers. Thirdly are your typical tourists such as myself who are just looking for an affordable vacation spot with great beaches, decent weather and a place to relax after a long winter. When you take all these groups into account it’s clear that this beach has something to offer everyone.

Earlier in 1964, the Ford Motor Company committed to provide an exciting spring break adventure to five deserving winners, who are also employed by the Ford Motor Company. The excitement of Panama City Beach was a perfect backdrop for the fun-loving Ford employees.

How Detroit Spring Break In Panama City Beach

What to see in Panama City Beach Colleges and universities with Panama City Beach affiliations Join other students from your school on one of the Spring Break trips with Flamingo Tours. One of the most popular destinations for students is Panama City Beach, Florida. Panama City Beach is a world-famous party destination known for its beautiful white-sand beaches and fun nightlife that never seems to quit.

Spring Break in Panama City Beach, FL

I got to tag along with my younger cousin for her senior year spring break trip. Me, my 17 year-old cousin, her best friend, and my other cousin who is 19, all took on the 16 hour drive from the suburbs of Detroit to Panama City Beach. The beach was by far the most amazing part of the trip. It was so nice to relax and literally wake up and walk straight outside to lay in the white sand. We stayed at the Seahaven Beach Hotel, which was not the fanciest place, but we did have a balcony that looked right over the beach.

We hung out around Pier Park, which had a bunch of adorable little shops and restaurants. I also went to Gulf World Marine Park, where I got to pet a sting ray, watch a dolphin show, a sea lion show, and see tons of other wild life exhibits. There are tons and tons of tourist gift shops and attractions up and down Front Beach Road, which is where our hotel was located.

During spring break season, there are also parties pretty much every day ranging from foam parties to paint parties. High school and college spring breakers can even purchase “shark cards” for $50 that will get you into every party for that week.

Overall, the trip was a wonderful break from the cold weather in Michigan! We had a lot of fun, without getting into trouble (hehe). There is nothing like swimming in the clear blue ocean and spending quality time with my cousins!

Seeking to shed its reputation as a spring break mecca, the city recently passed ordinances that ban alcohol on the beach, mandate that bars close at 2 a.m. and prohibit loitering in parking lots.

The first test of whether the new laws will work to slash the normal volume of 250,000 spring breakers will come this week  through the end of March, when colleges go on spring recess.

Lodgings that cater to spring break travelers have seen a downturn in reservations, said Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach.

The city hopes to counter that by offering more family friendly draws such as its first SpringJam country music show in April. It also launched a $1-million marketing effort aimed at families.

What to know about a prostate cancer diagnosis

The Florida Panhandle city has 27 miles of  beach and two state parks.

“We are looking at how to inspire families to come back to Panama City Beach,” Rowe said.

Unlike in hotter parts of Florida, summer is the overall busiest tourist season in the resort city, but spring breakers in March have been part of the scene for 25 years.