Panama City Beach is a beautiful waterfront town located in northwest Florida. It is a popular vacation destination due to its miles of golden sand and great weather all year round. Visitors from all over the country are attracted to its soft and warm Gulf water, which is perfect for wading in.
The summer atmosphere in Panama City Beach creates a classic beach town experience. And if you ever get tired of the beach, there are plenty of things to do here. Outdoor adventures and fun activities are available, from state parks to amusement parks. You can enjoy water slides or go for a hike if you want to take a break from the beach.
12. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
Nowadays, almost every tourist destination has their own version of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. However, even if you have been to one before, it can still be a great activity on a rainy day or an alternative to the beach if you’ve had too much sun.
The unusual and peculiar experience starts right from the parking lot, where you can see a sinking ship emerging from the pavement. Once inside, you’ll find an odditorium with four main areas.
Alongside the collection of shrunken heads and mind-boggling artifacts, there are also attractions such as the 7D Moving Theatre, a mirror maze, and an obstacle course consisting of lasers.
11. Dolphin Tour
Panama City Beach is a beautiful place with calm and warm waters, perfect for dolphins. There are several ways to interact with these majestic creatures, like visiting Gulf World Marine Park. However, if you want the best experience, you should join a dolphin tour.
Many tour companies offer this experience, including Panama City Parasail, which offers a two-hour trip. One highly recommended company is Dolphin and Snorkel Tours. They provide small group tours, allowing for a more intimate experience, with a maximum of six people.
These tours start from Bay Point Marina, which is located at the southern tip of Panama City Beach. Because of their location, they are the closest tour to Shell Island, where most dolphins can be found.
10. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is a great place for people of all ages because it has two golf courses and a very big maze. It is perfect for keeping kids entertained and also for a fun and casual date. The best part of the park is the mini golf experience.
You can choose between two 18-hole courses, or even do both, and they will take you on a thrilling adventure through wild Africa. It will feel like you are on a safari as you test your skill at putt-putt with water features and animal statues.
After that, you can challenge yourself by completing the massive Gran Maze, which is as big as a football field.
9. ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory
The ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory is a wonderful place to explore different animals and have interactive experiences. It’s a great alternative to spending the day at the beach. You can see and get close to animals like lions, kangaroos, and cute sloths from around the world. You can even feed giraffes and alligators, or hold a lemur or sloth.
After that, you can walk through the aviary and see tropical birds flying through the trees. Just remember that some of these experiences may have an additional cost beyond the entry fee.
8. Shipwreck Island Park
If it’s hot in Panama City Beach, going for a swim in the warm Gulf may not seem like the best way to cool down. Instead, you can plan a visit to Shipwreck Island Park. This park offers all the classic rides you would expect from a water park, and more, making it a fun and refreshing option for a family outing.
At Shipwreck Island Park, you’ll discover a relaxing lazy river, exciting water slides, and a wave pool with waves that can reach up to three feet. However, the most exciting part of the park is a replica of a 17th-century ship. You can go on a thrilling zipline adventure across the sky and then drop into a large lagoon from the ship.
7. Pier Park
Pier Park is located right behind the most popular beach in Panama Beach. You can easily recognize the entrance by a sign that stretches across the street in an arched shape. At night, the bright neon lights will draw you in, offering various forms of entertainment, dining, and shopping.
However, even beachgoers will feel a strong urge to visit the park. When it’s noon, it becomes the perfect spot to take a break from the sun and enjoy a tasty lunch. Additionally, most of the dining options have outdoor seating areas where you can feel the refreshing sea breeze.
Pier Park is not only convenient but also offers a wide range of exciting activities. One of its attractions is Pier Park Amusements, which includes an IMAX theater and thrilling rides.
6. Gulf World Marine Park
Gulf World Marine Park is a great place for families because it allows you to get up close to marine animals. They have shows and activities every day that let you see dolphins, sharks, alligators, manatees, and more. One of the best parts is the stingray pool, where you can actually go in the water and swim with the stingrays.
It’s also really popular to swim with the dolphins and have a chance to interact with them. But even if you don’t want to get wet, you can still have a great time and see the animals up close. Overall, it’s an amazing experience for everyone.
5. Conservation Park
Conservation Park in Panama City Beach offers a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature. It is not just another zoo or marine park, but a place that preserves vast areas of land. When you visit Conservation Park, you can explore wetlands and forests where various wildlife and birds reside.
The park features twelve different trails that wind through its grounds. These trails vary in difficulty, providing options for both short and longer hikes. Additionally, there are convenient boardwalks that lead to viewpoints and popular areas where you can observe local bird species.
Located just ten miles west of Panama City Beach, the park offers a short drive away from the crowded coast, allowing you to enjoy a peaceful getaway.
4. Russell Fields City Pier
One of the highlights of your beach days in Panama City Beach is the Russell Fields City Pier, also known as City Pier. It is the most popular beach spot in the area and the longest pier along Florida’s west coast, extending 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico.
The pier is wide and offers a delightful walking experience with stunning views of Panama City Beach, which become more breathtaking the further you walk. Throughout the day, you will see local anglers trying to catch fish in the ocean. During the golden hour, the end of the pier provides a beautiful spot to witness the sunset.
3. Enjoy the beach
Panama City Beach is popular because of its beautiful golden shores. People in Panama City Beach love spending time at the beach, whether it’s a sunny day or a gloomy morning. Locals come to the beach to relax with friends, swim in the Gulf of Mexico, and enjoy the warmth of the sun.
The beach is incredibly long, stretching for 27 miles along the Gulf. This means that you can find a secluded spot with soft sand all to yourself. The water near the shore is shallow, making it perfect for both young and old to swim comfortably. The heart of Panama City Beach is the City Pier, where many people gather.
It’s a lively place where you can play beach volleyball and take a walk along the wooden pier.
2. St. Andrews State Park
St Andrews State Park is located in the southern part of Panama City Beach and offers a glimpse of the Gulf Coast in its natural state before being developed. The park has beautiful beaches with shells and is a great place for outdoor activities.
Visitors can enjoy swimming and shelling on the unspoiled beaches away from the crowded areas of Panama City Beach. If you bring your snorkel gear, you can explore the clear underwater world. To visit Shell Island, you can take a ferry or rent a pontoon boat to cross the channel.
On Shell Island, there are nature trails where you can walk and discover the wild barrier island. If you don’t want to leave, you can stay overnight at one of the park’s 60 campsites.
1. Gator Country Alligator Park
Gator Country Alligator Park is located on West Bay Creek and offers an exciting experience to encounter alligators up close. The park has Airboat Adventures that take you on a tour of the nearby rivers and marshlands in search of these magnificent creatures.
During the guided tour, you’ll not only become familiar with the surroundings but also have the opportunity to see many alligators. As you travel, you may spot herons and bald eagles flying above, and when your guide spots a set of eyes on the water’s surface, your boat will slow down for a closer look.
After the water adventure, you’ll have a chance to feed baby alligators on land.
