April | CS On The Road | Adrianne Bowen

ConventionSouth Explores: Northwest Florida

Editor’s Note: ConventionSouth’s Editorial Assistant Adrianne Bowen toured various meeting spots, restaurants and attractions along Florida’s panhandle, and met with representatives of the area’s convention and visitors bureaus. This is a first-hand account of her experience.

A Barefoot Tour Of Paradise Provides Sun-Drenched Adventure

My tropical escape to Northwest Florida, from Pensacola to Panama City, opened my eyes to the region’s coastal warmth and historic charm where relaxation and fun-filled moments combine with diverse and accommodating meeting venues.

Pensacola

In Pensacola and its beachfront island of Pensacola Beach, the Gulf of Mexico lifestyle starts to make sense—whether it’s absorbing yourself in the richly influenced historic area or listening to a band and sipping a Bushwacker at Paradise Bar and Grill.

Historic Pensacola Village is home to a collection of 20 museums, houses and shops. The African American Heritage Society of Pensacola is located in the historic Kate Coulson House and includes such items as masks and the Florida Highway Men artwork exhibit. “Images in Black: A Pictorial History of Black Pensacola,” now sits on my coffee table. The Pensacola Museum of Art, housed in the old county jail, still has much of its original structure, including iron bars leading into what were cells and are now classrooms.

Adventuresome groups will enjoy Sam’s Fun City, where guests can race go-carts and enjoy the continually expanding water park or a fly-fishing experience with Captain Baz, who showed me how to cast and how to truly enjoy the crystalline water of the gulf aboard his vessel.

The Hilton Garden Inn, soon to be a full-service Hilton, offers beautifully appointed rooms with balconies overlooking the gulf. A welcome basket from J.W. Renfroe Pecan Co. provided a tasty treat and recommended happy hour activities include cheese and fruit appetizers at the hotel’s H2O’s bar or wine tasting at Distinctive Kitchens Culinary Arts Center—or both.

Paradise in Pensacola can also be found through accommodations at La Caribe - Paradise Beach Homes, where you won’t want to leave your Havana-styled four-story unit with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and five balconies. Or, experience a freshly pureed strawberry mojito and a chicken and black bean dish at Hemingway’s Island Grill, a restaurant full of Old-Florida flair or try Grits a Ya Ya, a local shrimp and grits favorite at The Fish House restaurant, where Executive Chef Jim Shirley personally signed a copy of his cookbook “Southern Boy Cooks Good Grits.”

The Emerald Coast

A short drive east and you’ll find Florida’s Emerald Coast anchored by the city of Destin. This resort area provides a sophisticated style and cuisine that tempts the pallet. Traditional meals will feel bland after a visit to Chef Tim Creehan’s Beach Walk Crystal Beach where grilled Atlantic salmon or Chinese barbeque sauce are flavorful finds.

Our group was brought together in the wine room at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, a completely glass encased sound-proofed surrounded by an array of wines. At Another Broken Egg, a charming breakfast café, Bananas Foster Pancakes topped with freshly made whipped cream and pecans start off a morning and Magnolia Grill, an early 1900s summer home converted into a restaurant, added charming delight.

As if you needed another excuse to leave your guest room, Silver Shells Resort has up to four bedroom condominium units with balconies and decks leading directly to the pool and Jacuzzi. Or, the convention and visitors bureau provides VIP passes to restaurants and attractions.

Beaches of South Walton

A surprising uncover was the variety of hotels within the delicate beach towns that make up the Beaches of South Walton.

The Embassy Suites truly showed their unsurpassed excellence with world-class Executive Chef Alan Haas, who delivered an exquisite array of chocolate desserts.

On gorgeous sunny days, the Hilton Sandestin’s outside restaurant, Barefoots Beachside Bar and Grill, which overlooks the gulf, is a perfect place to enjoy the view and a Mango Fandango Salad and a Sunny and 75 drink.

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort provides spacious and elegant rooms with a view. The newly opened Finz Restaurant has a diverse menu that includes a Guinness-Braised Oxtail appetizer or a Warm Chocolate Tart with Guinness Ice Cream. Just a few steps away within the resort complex is the Village of Baytowne Wharf, which includes boutique shops, restaurants and nightlife. The Funky Blues Shack is the place to dance and forget your worries.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach, the resort area of Panama City, created a relaxing and adventurous itinerary. Edgewater Beach Resort is a spacious condominium/hotel development where you can everything you ever wanted—beach, golf, tennis, pool, dining and conference space—is on site. Oh, and don’t forget about their spa, it’s a must do.

The Kingfish Restaurant at the Bay Point Resort Marriott tantalizes mealtime with crispy shrimp with Asian coleslaw and a blackened grouper sandwich. And among the exquisite menu offerings at Saltwater Grill Restaurant is the cheesecake with fresh strawberries.

The marine life of the area becomes within reach at Gulf World, which showcases permanent exhibits and live performances.