Panama City Beach, FL draws travelers from up and down the US and there’s no surprise as to why. The beach town consistently ranks in the top 10 of all beach towns thanks to the incredible white sand and smooth, clear emerald green waters. Most resorts offer pools, hot tubs, splash pads, kiddie play areas and more. No doubt this place is synonymous with sun and water.
But when you’re ready to do something beyond the sun (or if there is no sun), Panama City Beach has no shortage of additional activities to enjoy.
Gulf World Marine Park: Check out this tropical garden and marina attraction featuring dolphins, sea lions, and penguins. Get up close and personal with some of the favorites of the water world plus enjoy shows, interactive programs, and the opportunity to swim with dolphins. 15412 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL.
Wonderworks: Touted as an “amusement park for the mind with 29,000 square feet of “edu-tainment.” There are over 100 hands on exhibits sure to keep adults and kids enthralled. You can’t miss this place in the upside down building at the corner of Front Beach Rd and Thomas Drive. 9910 Front Beach Rd, Panana City Beach, FL.
Sea Screamer: Speaking of dolphins, this is a can’t miss activity when in Panama City Beach and is a favorite amount locals and visitors. When you’re on the beach, you’re sure to see these large yellow boats cruising the coastline and may even hear the cannon they shoot as a hello from the water. Be sure to hop aboard for a 2-hour sail to see dolphins who “hitch a ride” on the waves of the craft. Plus, the captains are often native to PCB and full of great info about the sites up and down the beach. 3605 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL.
St Andrews State Park: On the East end of Panama City Beach sits a jewel of the Gulf Coast. St Andrews State Park is a spot to enjoy the calmest and most beautiful water in the area. Protected by jetties, it’s the prime location to snorkel, hike, swim, camp, fish, boat, standup paddleboard, kayak or canoe. 4607 State Park Lane, Panama City, FL.
Pier Park: Welcome to an amazing outdoor shopping/reataurant mecca just off one of the prominent piers in the area. Come stroll boutique shops, great restaurants, candy stores, bars, live music and more. On the north end, larger retail shops are also available. And in the middle of it all sits the SkyWheel, a fantatic ferris wheel offering the best views up and down the beach. 600 Pier Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark: When you love the water but prefer it in slide or ride form and without sand, check out Shipwreck Island Water Park. Enjoy water slides, a lazy river, wave pool, raging rapids, tipping bucket and–for the littles–Tadpole Hole. Open seasonally. 12201 Hutchison Blvd, Panama City Beach, FL.
Rock’It Lanes: Need some fun that’s air conditioned? Rock’It Lanes offers bowling, arcade games, roller skating (slide your comb in your back pocket and let’s go!), lots and lots of TVs, plus a bar and food options. Get out of the rain, get out of the sun with some tried and true games and fun.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not: See that big Titanic-esque boat that appears to be sinking near the intersection of Thomas Drive and Front Beach Rd? Believe it or not, that’s a Ripley’s museum. Fun for all ages, come check out the unique and bizarre! 9907 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise: Ahoy Mateys! If you have kids or kids at heart in your group, this is a great option for heading out on the open seas to enjoy Panama City Beach from the water with some fun swash buckling pirates as your guides. 5325 N Lagoon Drive, Panama City, FL.
ZooWorld Zoological Park: Come “Experience the Wild” at Panama City Beach’s own zoo that features exotic animals from all over the world that you can enjoy without binoculars. Pet a sloth, hold a kangaroo, kiss and giraffe, snuggle a lemur, even pet a porcupine. 9008 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL.
Golf: If hitting the links is your thing, check out the Bay Pointe Golf Club (18 hole) – 4701 Bay Point Rd, Panama City; Legacy Golf Club (18 hole) – 100 Fairway Blvd, Panama City Beach; or the Edgewater Beach Resort executive course (9 hole) – 520 N Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City Beach.
Have a favorite PCB pastime we missed covering here? Chime in with other options below.
