At Legacy By The Sea, you won’t need the car much (blissfully welcome news if you drove awhile to get here!). A 14-story mid-rise along Highway 30, the beachfront resort is right across the street from the Gulf World Marine Park and walking distance to Pier Park for shopping, dining and entertainment. Take in the expansive views over Florida’s spectacular Emerald Coast from the windows in the gleaming lobby, and you’ll get why this place consistently makes TripAdvisor’s top 20 for Panama City. Even the fitness center is situated facing the water. The heated Gulf-front pool is worth a visit – that said, the sugar sand beach is the main attraction. Plan to park yourself under an umbrella indefinitely, taking the occasional break to check on sand castle progress or watch the older kids on Wave Runners. Eventually you’ll want to make your way over to the super-casual Barefoot Hideaway Grill between Legacy By The Sea and Beachbreak By The Sea to nab a spot on the open-air deck for seafood, sandwiches and prime sunset viewing.

Casual, one-bedroom suites all have full kitchens for low-key meals in, but don’t stock up on too many breakfast goodies – continental breakfast is on the house. Rack up some serious hours on your private, gulf-view balcony – just you and your book, popping back inside now and then for some more ice for your drink. The living space is blanket fort-friendly, if that’s your kids’ thing. Meanwhile, the dining table doubles as craft studio or LEGO assembly station.

One look at the view explains the draw to Panama City Beach – 27 miles of white sand and emerald green water. Local family-friendly attractions abound, from shopping and movie theaters to water sports and fishing charters. Shipwreck Island water park is a crowd-pleaser (just three miles away), plus you’ll want to check out the year-round calendar of events, from the famous Seabreeze Jazz Festival to Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally to the New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park.