Fun in the Sun 47 returns to Panama City Beach, Florida, April 15–18, 2027, for four days of recovery and fellowship along Florida's Gulf Coast. The official convention site confirms the dates and Panama City Beach location, while its hotel page identifies the Boardwalk Beach Hotel, 9600 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, as the official host hotel and convention location. Fun In The Sun Convention
The setting makes this one of those conventions where the destination can easily become part of the trip. Panama City Beach offers miles of Gulf shoreline, nature areas, seafood, shopping and easy outdoor activities that can fit around convention time without requiring a complicated sightseeing schedule.
Getting to Panama City Beach
For travelers flying in, the closest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). The local tourism bureau describes it as roughly a 15-minute drive from much of Panama City Beach and notes that rental cars, taxis, shuttles, limousines and rideshare pickup are available at the airport. Visit Panama City Beach
Driving is also straightforward. U.S. Highway 98 runs through Panama City Beach, while Highway 79 provides a direct connection north toward Interstate 10. If you're coming from elsewhere in Florida, Alabama or the broader Southeast, Panama City Beach is well connected to the regional highway network. Visit Panama City Beach
Because Fun in the Sun 47 is being held at the beachfront Boardwalk Beach Hotel on South Thomas Drive, travelers staying near the convention may be able to keep some parts of the weekend very simple.
Getting Around Once You're There
Panama City Beach is spread out along the coast, so how much transportation you need will depend on what you want to do.
The tourism bureau recommends rideshare for travelers without a vehicle and notes that bicycles and electric bikes are also available locally. Walking can work well in certain beachfront areas, especially when your hotel, restaurants and beach access are close together. Visit Panama City Beach
For a convention weekend, you may not need to explore the entire city. Choosing one larger outing and keeping everything else near the convention can make the weekend feel much less rushed.
Spend Some Time on the Beach
You don't have to schedule an elaborate excursion to enjoy Panama City Beach. The Gulf shoreline itself is the main attraction.
Bay County maintains numerous public beach access points, and public parking with beach access is available at several major locations, including Russell-Fields City Pier, M.B. Miller County Pier, Rick Seltzer Park and St. Andrews State Park. Visit Panama City Beach
Even a short beach walk before or after convention activities can make the trip feel different from a typical hotel-based weekend.
One important practical note: Gulf conditions can change quickly. Panama City Beach uses a beach warning-flag system, and visitors should check the current flag status before entering the water. Visit Panama City Beach
Explore St. Andrews State Park
If you have a few open hours, St. Andrews State Park is one of the strongest nearby options.
The park sits between the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon and offers more than a mile of shoreline along with walking, birdwatching, fishing, paddling, snorkeling and picnic areas. It also has accessible beach facilities. Visit Panama City Beach
For a convention trip, St. Andrews works well because you can make it as simple as you want. You could spend an hour walking near the water, have a picnic, or devote a larger block of time to exploring the park.
It is also on the eastern side of Panama City Beach, making it a particularly logical outing from the South Thomas Drive area.
Visit Pier Park and Russell-Fields Pier
For shopping, food and a more developed beachfront atmosphere, Pier Park is another easy option.
Pier Park is an outdoor shopping and entertainment district with more than 120 stores, restaurants and attractions. Russell-Fields City Pier sits directly across Front Beach Road, so the area makes it easy to combine food, shopping and Gulf views in one stop. Visit Panama City Beach
This could be useful on an evening when you have free time but don't want to commit to a full excursion.
It is farther west than the convention hotel, so allow driving or rideshare time rather than assuming you can walk there from the event.
Make Food Part of the Trip
Panama City Beach's location on the Gulf naturally makes seafood one of the easiest ways to add some local flavor to the weekend.
You'll find restaurants throughout the Thomas Drive, Grand Lagoon and Pier Park areas, ranging from casual seafood spots to broader American and international options. Pier Park alone has numerous dining choices if you're combining dinner with sightseeing. Visit Panama City Beach
A practical convention-weekend approach is to choose meals based on where you already plan to be. If you're visiting St. Andrews or the Grand Lagoon area, eat nearby. If you're headed to Pier Park, make dinner part of that outing instead of crossing town again.
What April Is Like in Panama City Beach
Mid-April is a particularly appealing time for this destination.
The local tourism bureau describes April and early May as a period locals often favor for pleasant spring weather. Conditions are warming by then, but the intense heat and humidity associated with midsummer have not yet fully arrived. Visit Panama City Beach
Pack for a beach destination, but bring a light layer for cooler mornings or evenings and something suitable for an occasional spring shower.
Because the convention takes place April 15–18, it also falls after Panama City Beach's designated March 28–April 11 high-impact spring period listed in the city's current visitor guidance. Visit Panama City Beach
If You Have Extra Time
If you're staying an extra day, resist the urge to turn the trip into an endurance test.
A relaxed extra day could be as simple as breakfast near the beach, a few hours at St. Andrews State Park, lunch around Grand Lagoon and an afternoon walk along the Gulf.
You could also use the extra time for Pier Park, a longer beach day or another coastal activity without having to fit everything between convention sessions.
The attraction of Panama City Beach is that you don't need to do much for the destination to feel like part of the experience. Fun in the Sun 47 already places you right on the Gulf Coast, so a little unstructured time may be one of the best additions to the trip.
Find the Event and Plan Your Visit
View Fun in the Sun 47 in our NA Event Directory
Official Fun in the Sun 47 event information
Use the official Fun in the Sun convention website for the latest convention-specific information as April 2027 approaches. The current official site confirms Panama City Beach and April 15–18, 2027, and identifies the Boardwalk Beach Hotel as the host location. Fun In The Sun Convention