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Panama City Beach simply has to be one of the highlights of northwest Florida. It’s a wonderful place to visit — you could spend weeks here and still not see everything! There is an amazing variety of activities on offer that will ensure the whole family has fun in the Florida sun. Here are 11 of the can’t-miss things to do in Panama City Beach.
1. Spend a Day on the Beach
The clue is in the name: Panama City BEACH! You simply cannot visit Panama City Beach (PCB) and not see the city’s centerpiece — twenty-seven miles of dazzling white sand and clear waters stretching along the Emerald Coast section of the Gulf of Mexico.
The beach here is loved by locals and tourists alike and is a haven for watersports, or you can just rent a lounger and enjoy Florida’s famous sunny weather. The water is shallow and calm along much of the coastline, making it safe and suitable for younger visitors and nervous swimmers.
Getting onto the beach is very easy, and the Gulf Coast has almost one hundred access points. Closest to the downtown area is Front Beach Road, which has street parking and plenty of access points. If you have a car, you might want to take a trip out of town to Mexico Beach, which is about 35 miles east of PCB. Mexico Beach has a quieter feel with a tranquil small-town atmosphere and is full of independent shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
2. Family Fun at Pier Park
If you’re visiting PCB with kids, be sure to check out Pier Park Attractions, just opposite the City Pier. This massive shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is a great place to escape the summer heat or visit on a rainy day.
There is a lot to see at Pier Park: the IMAX theater, Ferris wheel, carousel, and train to mention just a few. There’s also plenty on offer for younger children, including a splash pad, playground, and arcade. Pier Park offers free concerts, movies, and festivals throughout the year, so it can be a great place to visit if you’re looking for budget-friendly activities.
Pier Park has a fantastic range of dining options, with chain favorites such as Olive Garden, Subway, and Five Guys on site. There are also several more upmarket, sit-down restaurants for meals to remember.
3. Take a Ride on the SkyWheel
The SkyWheel is one of PCB’s newest attractions and offers stunning views from fully air-conditioned gondolas. This giant Ferris wheel takes riders 170 feet into the sky and provides a whole new perspective of your surrounding area from the top. The wheel is open day and night, is suitable for all ages, and is accessible for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.
In the same complex as the SkyWheel is the SkyTrail, a ropes course that loops you around a series of obstacles high in the air. And for those with a head for heights, the short zipline here is a great introduction to ziplining.
4. St. Andrews State Park and Shell Island
St. Andrews State Park is a 1,200-acre park located three miles east of Panama City Beach. Comprising five distinct ecological zones, this is a great way of getting close to nature without having to travel far from the city.
Two miles of white sand beach feature shallow, protected areas for a relaxing swim and snorkeling. Marine life is abundant here, so look out for beautiful tropical fish and stingrays while exploring the waters. Water sports equipment rentals are available at the beach, including canoes and kayaks, and you can also hike, bird-watch, and picnic in the pavilion.
Camping at St. Andrews State Park is very popular, and the campground has recently been upgraded, so many of the facilities are brand new. All sites include water and electricity, providing additional comfort for multi-day stays. Keep your eyes peeled for the abundant wildlife while you’re here; alligators, herons, ibis, and whitetail deer have all been spotted by visitors.
St. Andrews State Park is also the jump-off point for Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island with its own stretch of beautiful beaches. The Shell Island Shuttle runs every half hour during the summer and costs around $20 for adult tickets and $10 for children. Tours are also available and will cost around double the shuttle price. Another option for getting to Shell Island is to rent a pontoon boat.
This is a great choice for families who want to explore the island at their own pace. Shell Island has no restrooms or other facilities, so take everything you need with you (and, of course, bring it back with you when your day is over).
5. Explore the Water
A great way to explore the beautiful water in the PCB area is from a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. The beautiful Saltwater Paddle Trail and Econfina Creek are two of the most popular locations to explore, and each spot has trails suitable for visitors of all ages and abilities.
If you’d like to get out on the water without having to paddle, several companies offer fishing charters and catamaran sailing trips. Most fishing charter operators will provide your fishing equipment (including bait and tackle) and the licenses you need.
Some companies (like The Reel Contender Fishing Charters) offer a more personalized fishing experience, with an expert Captain and just a few anglers on board. Trips vary in length, from five hours for near-shore excursions to up to ten hours for offshore, and can be customized to fit the needs of your group.
Prices range from around $60 per person for half-day trips and $100 or more for trips lasting eight to 10 hours.
The Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise is a two-hour pirate-themed cruise and is a great one for the kids, with onboard activities, including sword fighting, face painting, and pirate sing-a-longs. For the grown-ups, there is a galley bar serving cold drinks and snacks.
If you are a couple on vacation in PCB, take a romantic Sunset Sail on Sunset Catamaran Sail’s Privateer for a truly memorable date night. Head out in the late afternoon and enjoy the breathtaking views with a complimentary glass of wine, then watch a legendary Panama City Beach sunset on your way back to shore.
Dolphins are very common in the waters around Panama City Beach, and you may even be able to spot them from the beach at sunset. But for the best chance to see these beautiful animals up close, join an organized tour.
One of the best dolphin tour operators is Dolphin and Snorkel Tours, which guarantees dolphin sightings. Their boats are small, with a maximum of six passenger, so you’ll get fantastic views of the dolphins up close. Dolphin and Snorkel Tours are located at the Bay Point Marina, and tours typically last around three hours, including snorkeling opportunities.
6. Be Amazed at Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Ripley’s Believe It or Not has been newly renovated and is a fantastic rainy-day outing for families visiting Panama City Beach. Adults and children will be astonished by hundreds of unusual artifacts and interactive exhibits.
One of the highlights must be the 7D Moving Theater, with a motion simulator that makes you feel like you’re part of the show. Ticket prices vary depending on which attractions you want to participate in, but combo tickets for all four attractions offer good value.
It would be easy to spend a whole day at Ripley’s. But if you fancy a change of scenery, head to nearby Coconut Creek Family Fun Park. It has two 18-hole mini-golf courses, which have to be the best in town, with crazy water features and huge African animal statues. Or if mini golf isn’t your thing, challenge your navigational skills in the enormous Gran Maze.
Another great rainy-day option for families is WonderWorks, just across the street from Ripley’s. It’s a kind of giant-playground-meets-science-museum, where you can feel the power of an 84mph hurricane in the Hurricane Shack, take part in an astronaut training challenge in the Space Discovery Zone, and play the giant piano in the Light and Sound Zone. Younger visitors can enjoy making huge, person-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab.
7. Cool Off at Shipwreck Island Waterpark
The fantastic Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a 20-acre park and is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. Highlights at the park include a wave pool, a lazy river, several water slides, and flumes.
For novice swimmers and younger guests, there are two shallow pools. For strong swimmers and those with a head for heights, a zip line ride ends with you splashing into a giant lagoon pool.
Tickets are around $35 for adults and $30 for children, and the park is open from April to October, 10:30 am to 5 pm.
8. Immerse Yourself in Nature at the PCB Conservation Park
If you hope to explore more of PCB’s nature, look no further than the PCB Conservation Park, a 3,000-acre area of uplands and wetlands just a few minutes’ drive from Laguna Beach.
There are miles of well-maintained trails for hiking, biking, and running, and many of the trails have boardwalk sections accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Bring binoculars if you have them, as plenty of birds and wildlife are in the area.
There is no admission fee to PCB Conservation Park, so if you bring your own picnic, it can be a very cheap family day out. There are public restrooms at the Trail Head building, as well as drinking water, picnic tables, and a covered pavilion.
9. Get Close to the Animals at ZooWorld
ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Park is a relatively small zoo but is home to a big selection of animals, including giraffes, tigers, tropical birds, reptiles, and many more. The park has been significantly improved in recent years and now has a larger lion enclosure, a new crested porcupine nursery, and a viewing spot to see baby cranes.
The zoo offers close-up encounters, including feeding giraffes from an elevated platform, snuggling with lemurs, sloth petting, alligator feeding, and walking through an aviary with tropical birds flying above. Most of these animal interactions will be an extra cost to the ticket price.
ZooWorld is located on Front Beach Road, just a few minutes from Long Beach Resort.
10. Listen to Live Music
Panama City Beach is full of nightlife venues offering live music of all genres. Whether you’re after a dance party or jam bands, there is a place for you. These are some of the best.
Aaron Bessant Park
This 70-acre park is home to an amphitheater that hosts free summer concerts on Thursday nights throughout the summer. Bring chairs, blankets, coolers, and food, and grab a spot to sit in the grassy area before the stage.
Pineapple Willy’s
Pineapple Willy’s has been a Panama City Beach favorite since 1984. They serve up great seafood here and a delicious rum cocktail called… Pineapple Willy. This family-friendly establishment hosts live tribute bands, classic rock, and country music.
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant
This casual beachside restaurant specializes in seafood and pours some of the best margaritas in Panama City Beach. There is a Tiki hut and a patio with stunning views overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Live music adds to the party atmosphere.
11. Panama City Beach Winery
The Panama City Beach Winery produces award-winning wines and proudly displays the Florida Department of Agriculture’s seal. This is the only tropical winery in Bay County and is a popular spot for visitors looking to spend a relaxing afternoon in the sun while sipping something delicious.
It’s no great surprise that the star of the show here is the wine made with delicious Florida-grown grapes and no preservatives.
Do not miss trying the Key Lime wine! Complimentary wine tasting is available to the public every day, and you can also book after-hours wine tastings and large group events.
Get Ready for a Panama City Beach Getaway
There is no shortage of fun things to do at Panama City Beach. It really is a super sightseeing destination. If you are traveling with younger children, you might want to avoid some of the bars and clubs during Spring Break, when they will be filled with raucous youngsters letting their hair down!
Featured Image Credit: Mathew Risley
