Howstuffworks "Panama City Beach Overview "

Resting on the shores of Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach is party central. MTV takes over PCB's beautiful white-sand beaches and clear waters each year, and makes it the channel's spring-break headquarters, filling the city with music as well as bikini-clad gals and shirtless guys strutting for the cameras. And there's plenty to film: more than 500,000 students descend on the city for spring break every spring.

But PCB isn't only for the frat set. Kids will love to stay at Holiday Inn's Sunspree Resort not because of the fabulous view of the Gulf of Mexico, but for the hotel's Aqualand, a Polynesian-themed waterpark complete with a kidney-shaped pool, waterfalls, fake rock formations and tiki huts. The kiddies also will want to head to Gulf World Marine Park to see bottle-nosed dolphins or Circus by the Sea for a thrilling aerial and stage show.

Aside from the spring-break festivities, PCB also hosts autumn activities that draw big crowds. Panama City Beach's Boardwalk Beach Resort gears up for the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally and the Super Boat Florida/National Championship.

If you are looking to do some partying, there's still some of that, too (and not only during spring break). PCB's Club La Vela is the largest nightclub in the country and has 10 music-themed rooms. Visit the high-energy Thunderdome, which thumps with top-40 hits and hip-hop, and the hipster haven Underground, which blasts progressive and hard house.

Parents who want a more chill evening should dine on oysters at Shuckums Oyster Pub and Seafood Grill, which has been serving the freshest mollusks since 1967. And be sure to get a picture of the kids with the kitschy plastic camel out front. Couples might prefer the Lady Anderson Dinner/Dance Yacht Cruise on St. Andrew's Bay. There's no better way to drink in the beauty of the beach than an evening cruise.

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