Grand Panama Beach Resort by Emerald View Resorts is located along 650-feet of beach on the Gulf of Mexico in Panama City Beach. It may take you a few minutes to choose which of the free beach loungers to use – but that’s about the only decision you’ll have to make all day. Just kick back and let the Grand Panama Beach Resort do the rest. Don’t bother unpacking once you get to your condo, just get changed into swimsuits, apply sunscreen and get ready to hit the two outdoor pools (one of them is heated!) and the seasonal on-site tiki bar. Lounge poolside with a cocktail and get comfortable, you’re going to be here for awhile. Take advantage of the poolside WiFi and post some pics – these views are definitely Instagram-worthy. The resort even has a well-equipped fitness center if you can persuade yourself to put that beach read aside for an hour. If the weather is cooperating, head for the bbq grills and have a family cook-out. Recruit the kids to help carry burgers, hot dogs and side-dishes. Then lay out the condiments and toppings and let everyone have at it.

One- to three-bedroom condos sleep six to eight guests. Full Kitchens allow you to save money by making your own meals. And freezers are perfect for storing dessert – popsicles for the kids (and a Ben & Jerry’s stash for the grown-ups). Take a family field trip to the local Publix to stock up on groceries. Flatscreen TVs with cable provide in-suite entertainment. DVD players are perfect for a low-key night in for family movie night. Choose from the resort’s collection of free DVD rentals or bring your favorites from home. Pop some popcorn and call everyone into the living room. First kid on the couch gets to choose the movie. Put your multi-tasking skills to good use and throw a load of laundry into the in-suite washer/dryer while the movie is playing.

Beachfront Adventures Family Park is a short drive from Grand Panama Beach Resort by Emerald View Resorts. This family park features adventures for both kids and grown-ups. Kid adventures include a rock climbing wall, animal rides, an aqua maze and a bungee jump trampoline. Grown-up adventures include go karts, zip lines and a ropes course. There’s also miniature golf that the whole family can enjoy together. Ready for more family fun? Head to Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Little ones will love the Tadpole Hole’s children’s activity pools. The Zoom Flume mat slide allows kids and parents to ride together. Challenge another rider on the sixty-foot tall Pirates Plunge dueling slides. There are two rides with a height restriction of forty-eight inches. The Tree Trop Drop is a sixty-five-foot tall platform with two slides. Raging Rapids is a white water rafting inner tube ride. Ready for some hard-core shopping? Pier Park Mall features a variety of shopping and dining. Dillard's department store features apparel, jewelry and watches, accessories and footwear. Find bargains at Marshalls and Target. Hungry? Grab a burger at Five Guys, pizza at Red Brick or pasta at Olive Garden.