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Panama City Beach (PCB), in northwest Florida, is known for its spectacular emerald coast and beautiful beaches. As well as offering the watersports, snorkeling, and boat tours that you would expect from a beachfront city, PCB is also home to some amazing attractions off the water. Here’s your guide to 13 of the best Panama City Beach attractions.
1. Cast Your Line at Russell-Fields City Pier
At over 1,500 feet long, the Russell-Fields City Pier is one of the longest piers on the Gulf of Mexico and is a much-loved PCB attraction. Visitors come here to take a stroll out over the water and to admire the stunning views of open skies and white sand beaches.
Take a peek over the railing to spot some of the area’s incredible marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and stingrays. This is one of the best spots in Panama City to try fishing, and you might catch a mullet, grouper, or cobia.
The Pier is located directly across from the main entrance to Pier Park on Pier Park Drive and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are a few kiosks at the entrance to the pier that sell ice creams and other snack food, so you can pick something up before or after your visit. The entrance fee is very reasonable at just $4 for pier access or $7 if you want to purchase a fishing license.
2. Immerse Yourself in Nature at Camp Helen State Park
Camp Helen is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell, the largest coastal dune lake in Florida. This beautiful state park is popular for visitors to enjoy a full day of outdoor fun.
Camp Helen is a bird watcher’s paradise and is home to species including bald eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, and many migratory species. If you forget your binoculars, they can be rented from the visitor center near the park entrance.
If hiking is more your thing, check out the Oak Canopy Trail, which winds through a dense canopy of maritime forest and overlooks a salt marsh. Complimentary hiking trail guides can be picked up from the visitor center.
Camp Helen is surrounded by water on three sides, making it a great spot for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. If you want to explore the water more, kayaks and paddleboards can be rented from the beach and lake shores.
Entry to Camp Helen State Park is just $4 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian or cyclist, and the park is open from 8 am until sunset, 365 days a year. To make the most of your day, bring a picnic with you, as there are no on-site restaurants here. However, there are plenty of picnic tables throughout the park and one small covered picnic pavilion.
3. Aim for the Pins at Rock’It Lanes
Rock’it Lanes is no ordinary bowling alley. This enormous venue on Richard Jackson Boulevard is one of the most fun things to do in PCB because it has bowling, a pool, an arcade, a roller skating rink, and a sports bar and grills all under one roof. This is the perfect spot if you happen to be in Panama City Beach on one of the rare rainy days, and is guaranteed fun for the whole family.
The bowling at Rock’it Lanes is the star of the show, with brand-new glow-in-the-dark lanes and approaches, giving the whole experience a party feel. After 10 pm things really get exciting with Ballistic Bowling — a light show choreographed to music and glow-in-the-dark pins.
4. Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at Race City
Race City is home to the fastest, tallest, and steepest Go Kart tracks in the PCB area, and guarantees to get your adrenaline pumping. Race around the twisty track, with its hairpin bends and banked turns, and see if you can get the fastest lap time in your group.
If Go Karts aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other attractions at Race City. Climb the 137-foot tower to the Skycoaster, then climb into your harness and fly back down at 60 mph! Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, check out the air-conditioned glow-in-the-dark mini golf course.
Opening hours for Race City vary by season, so check it’s open before hitting the road. Rides and attractions are individually priced, so you only pay for the things you want to do, but unlimited armbands are available and offer good value if you want to try everything. Some of the rides and attractions have height restrictions and may not be suitable for young children.
5. Dolphin Spotting on Paradise Adventures CatamaranÂ
A catamaran tour is a great way to explore the water without getting wet! Catamarans are known for being super-speedy, and their dual-hull design makes them very stable, meaning that you can explore a huge area quickly without the risk of a bumpy ride causing sea sickness.
Paradise Adventures operates two catamaran sailboats and offers a fantastic selection of sightseeing tours. If you want to see dolphins, consider one of the dolphin tours on the Footloose catamaran.Â
On this trip, you will head out into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and learn a little more about these beautiful creatures from the experienced crew before hopefully observing them swim, play, and feed. Prices are generally under $100 per adult, and children are charged a discounted rate.
6. Wonderful WonderWorks
WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park and is a great option for families on rainy days or when you need a break from PCB’s famously hot weather. WonderWorks aims to educate and entertain through dozens of hands-on exhibits, which younger visitors (and adults) will find fascinating.
Start your day with a voyage to the Wonder Zones — six distinct areas, including the extreme weather zone, the physical challenge zone, and the space discovery zone. Then, check out Wonderworks’ many other exciting attractions, including a glow-in-the-dark indoor ropes course and fast-paced laser tag. Tickets for this fantastic attraction start at $33.99 for adults and $27.99 for children. More expensive VIP packages are available which include more rides and a 10% discount on purchases from the shop and café.
7. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
Coconut Creek is home to two tropical 18-hole mini-golf courses in a jungle safari setting, complete with waterfalls and giant jungle animals, and the odd giraffe or two. The courses are great fun for all the family and are even floodlit so you can play in the evening when temperatures drop.
Another feature at Coconut Creek is the Gran Maze. This huge maze is about the size of a football field and will test the whole family’s navigational skills.
Coconut Creek is located on Front Beach Road and is open most days from 9 am until 11.30 pm. Tickets for unlimited games of mini golf and turns in the Gran Maze can be purchased for $26.
8. (Don’t) Walk the Plank on the Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
This two-hour pirate-themed cruise aboard the Sea Dragon, a modern-day replica of the ships that plundered these waters centuries ago, is a great adventure. The Sea Dragon is owned and operated by Capt. “Fearless” Phil, a Panama City local who works tirelessly to ensure that guests on the Sea Dragon get excellent value for money and a wholesome sightseeing adventure that you’ll never forget.
Once you’re on board, there are pirate-style singalongs, sword fighting, and treasure hunting for the kids. A bar also serves cold drinks, snacks, and plenty of pirate souvenirs. Find the Sea Dragon in the Lighthouse Marina next to the Grand Marlin Restaurant on Grand Lagoon.
9. Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze
The Emerald Coast Mirror Maze & Laser Craze is located on the Boardwalk in Pier Park and is another great option for escaping the heat as it is all indoors.
The totally disorientating 2,300 square foot, glow-in-the-dark mirror maze is the third largest in the country. There are lots of dead ends here, so you might find yourself lost for a while, but the special effects and music make it all good fun. If you’re in a group, why not split up and see who can get out first?
When you (eventually) make it out of the mirror maze, head straight for laser tag, and avoid getting shot by your opponent before you can shoot them! Or try bazooka ball, which is like paintball but with spongy foam balls so there’s no mess or pain!
10. Relax on the Water with Pontoon Boat Rentals
Pontoon boats have large decks that can accommodate families and groups of friends. They are a great way to explore the Gulf Coast, so pack your cooler full of goodies and head out onto the water. There are plenty of tour operators, but these are some of the most popular and trusted rental outfits.
Salty Pontoons
Salty Pontoons offers boats that accommodate a maximum of twelve people and can be rented for a half-day or full-day. Boats come with padded seating and bimini tops to keep the heat at bay.
Paradise Adventures
Paradise Adventures offers a VIP “no worries” package for groups of up to 11 people. The package includes an experienced guide who will do all the hard work for you, so you can just sit back and relax.
Lagoon Pontoons
Lagoon Pontoons’ double-decker boats hold up to 12 passengers, and there are even a couple of waterslides to take turns on. The top deck is a great spot for dolphin watching.
11. Spectacular Shell Island
This stunning seven-mile barrier island can be found between St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is totally undeveloped and a great place to experience Florida in its most natural state. The inland lake is home to fantastic local wildlife — keep your eyes peeled for deer, shorebirds, and ghost crabs. The waters around Shell Island are ideal for snorkeling with colorful fish, sea turtles, and dolphins all calling this area their home.
Shell Island is only accessible by boat and the Shell Island Shuttle is the easiest, safest, and quickest way to get there. The shuttle leaves every 30 minutes or so during the summer, and every hour during the offseason, and the ride takes just a few minutes. There are no amenities here, so bring food, drink, and anything else you might need with you. And, of course, remember to take everything with you when you leave.
12. Hike Around the PCB Conservation Park
Just ten miles west of Downtown Panama City Beach is the PCB Conservation Park. This stunning park is made up of around 3,000 acres of uplands and wetlands and offers a fantastic range of outdoor recreational opportunities. Head here for a relaxing day exploring PCB’s nature.
The park has a dozen well-marked trails, totaling around 24 miles and ranging from half a mile to 12 miles in length. Many have sections of boardwalk that are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Gayle’s Trails are paved and connect the conservation park trails with other trail systems throughout the beach area if you fancy a longer hike. The hiking here is great, as the dirt paths tend to be reasonably level, and the towering pine trees provide much-needed shade on hot days.
Entry to the Conservation Park is free, and convenient parking can be found at the Trail Head building. There are also picnic tables and a covered pavilion here, so why not pack up the cooler and make a day of it? Trails are open daily, from sunrise to sunset.
13. Cool Off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark
This fantastic waterpark has to be one of the top attractions in Panama City Beach. Whether you choose to surf the wave pool, float down the lazy river, or ride the raging rapids, the Shipwreck Island Waterpark has everything you need for a fun family day out. There are plenty of eating and drinking options here, so you just need to grab your towel, sunscreen, and bathing suit, and you’re good to go.
Visit Panama City Beach
It’s safe to say that there is no shortage of attractions and sightseeing options in Panama City Beach. These are just some of the many things available to guests and vacationers visiting the area. Whether you want to relax, hit the water, or be entertained to the max, PCB has the perfect activities for you.
Featured Image Credit:Â commons.wikimedia.org
