Spot An Alligator On An Airboat Adventure
You dont have to visit the Everglades to explore Gator Country. You experience the excitement of a high-speed airboat and alligator watching right here in Panama City Beach. These propeller airboats will take you through the backwaters, rivers, and marshlands of Florida as you search for wild alligators lurking beneath the waters surface.
While alligators are the highlight on the airboat tours, they arent the only creatures youll find. The waters are home to a variety of marine and sea life, including snakes, sharks, and manatees. If youre lucky, you might even spot other animals roaming the fields, like deer and wild hogs!
Dining Outdoors Is Pleasant And Virtually Bug
We like to eat outside when were at the beach, but winged insects and a searing summer sun too often foil our outdoor dining plans. Autumn in Panama City Beach is a whole different story. While the sun is still warm, the breezes are cool and bugs are at a minimum, making even inland outdoor meals perfectly pleasant.
A great example? Finns Island Style Grub This quirky hotspot in PCBs Historic St. Andrews neighborhood functions as both restaurant and outdoor market, with stalls showcasing funky local art and a kitchen turning out what just might be the best fish tacos Ive ever eaten. Enjoying the delicious breeze wafting through the outdoor seating area, we lingered over our lunch and had a delightful, relaxed conversation with the kids. As every parent knows, these kinds of memories are priceless.
Nights are cooler in the fall at Panama City Beach, but the evenings were still mild enough for us to enjoy a fantastic late-night dinner on the deck at Uncle Ernies Bayfront Grill in St. Andrews. Our wonderful server, Eddie, gave us great menu advice and we were glad we followed it. Dont miss the side salad or the Grouper Imperial, topped with fresh lump crabmeat. And whatever you do, dont leave without trying at least one slice of Uncle Ernies award-winning key lime pie — Its said to be the best in the region, and in a town where key lime pie is served just about everywhere, thats saying something!
Take An Airboat Tour At Gator Country Alligator Park
Gator Country Alligator Park will give you a heart-pounding experience from start to finish. Youll feel the rush of adrenaline as you coast the rivers and marshlands of West Bay Creek on an airboat tour. You will also get a chance to pet and feed cute baby alligators, as well as seeing adult alligators and other animals like bald eagles and herons.
There is nothing to worry about, though! The whole crew is friendly and will make you feel safe all throughout the tour.
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Things To Do Near Me Today: Russell
Russell-Fields City Pier is right next to City Beach, and is the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico. At 1500 feet long, the pier is wide, easy to walk on, and well-maintained, making it the perfect spot for walking and fishing. Over the edge of the pier visitors can see a variety of marine life such as fish, sea turtles, and rays of many sorts.
Sunrise and sunset are particularly lovely from the end of the pier. City Beach is the only beach in the Panama City area to have lifeguards specially trained in open water. They take a proactive approach to ocean safety, and are on duty from May to October. The beach has eleven beach volleyball courts. Dogs are welcome on the beach, but must be leashed.
16201 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413, Phone: 850-233-5080
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Palmetto Inn & Suites
For those who are flying in from the airport and dont want to rent a car, families will love the added amenity of free shuttle service to the airport. The Legacy By The Sea is one of the best hotels in Panama City Beach, offering both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a beachside playground and two kiddie pools for families to enjoy. The hotel is within close proximity of Pier Park for shopping and dining, but also has gas grills available for use. Families take comfort in spacious suites with full kitchens. With a wide array of beach activities, including kayaking, beach volleyball and shuffleboard, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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Go On A Pcb Helicopter Ride
The views from the helicopter above Panama City Beach are incredible. Ill let the photos and video do the explaining although what you cant see from them are the dolphins jumping and playing below us.
Rides with Panhandle Helicopters start from just $40 absolutely necessary to get the lay of the land, especially if you only have 2 days in Panama City Beach to see as much as possible.
Go Out To Shell Island
Its a short boat ride away but Shell Island at Panama City Beach is one of the most popular things to do there. Shell Island is about 7 miles long and is an absolute favourite for visitors and locals thanks to its natural state.
The barrier island runs from east to west, between the Gulf of Mexico and St Andrew Bay.
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Why Panama City Beach Should Be On Your Bucket List
Located on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Florida, Panama City Beach is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. There are over 27-miles of coastline stretching as far as the eye can see. And with over 100 inlets, access points, and beaches to choose from, youll have no problem finding a quiet spot to relax and soak up those tropical vibes.
Although its residential population hovers just above 10,000, its a lively city bustling with visitors from around the country and globe.
When you visit Panama City Beach, youll see there is a seemingly endless amount of activities to fill any trip. Thats why weve created a list of our favorite things to do in Panama City Beach! From the rugged state parks to the shops and restaurants on the piers, theres something exciting waiting for you in Panama City Beach!
Visit Shell Island Via A Pontoon Boat Ride
Shell Island is a seven-mile island on the Florida Emerald Coast with picturesque white-sandy beaches. You can take a pontoon ride out to Shell Island from Panama City Florida for land exploration and a snorkeling experience. This is an all-afternoon event, as once you get there, you will never want to leave.
Shell Island is an uninhabited island, so it is the perfect day to hire Lagoon Pontoon. You can go aboard their double-decker pontoon boat with a slide. They park the pontoon beachside and let you enjoy the day on the island. You never have to worry about anything, as they will have everything you need: towels, chairs, food, drinks, etc. We hired a captain to make our day carefree and enjoy the fun in the sun! Or, if you want to go slightly faster, take a look atWild Thang Airboat Tours. They are located right on the water and have their own covered dock.
Shell island is a beautiful barrier island punctuated with magnificent sand dunes and coastal sage scrub. While there, I found lots of shells, plenty of secluded spots to relax, and even a starfish the perfect way to spend a lazy day.
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Watch The Sunset On The Beach
One of the best things to do on Panama City Beach is just to sit, with a soft drink, and admire the sunset as it goes down. Chill on Panama City Beach at sunset and youll really see the best of the beach. Therell be bonfires and parties, and you can join in.
Please take the time to enjoy Panama City Beach at night!
Wonderworks Panama City Beach
The building itself makes WonderWorks one of Panama City Beach’s best-known landmarks, a topsy-turvy architectural feat that adds whimsical charm to the landscape. Far more than just another place to bring the kids to work off their energy on a rainy or super-hot day, WonderWorks is more like a giant playground-meets-science museum.
Families can experience interactive learning together, from exciting rides that prove the properties of physics to creating a mural with a wall of backlit colored pegs. Top exhibits include a Tesla coil, where you can put your hand into 100,000 volts of electricity an Army Blackhawk simulator and the Space Discovery area, where you can put on an astronaut’s EVA suit and climb in a replica Mercury capsule.
Additional areas are geared toward younger children, like the Bubble Lab and games in the Imagination Lab.
Address: 9910 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, Florida
Official site: www.wonderworksonline.com
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Check Out This Video Of Shell Island On Panama City Beach
At Shell Island youll find sand dunes, an inland lake, ghost crabs and many endangered species including Choctawhatchee Beach Mice, piping plovers, snowy plovers, and loggerhead and green sea turtles.
You can get there easily using the Shell Island Shuttle from St Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach.
Panama City Beach Bucket List: 30 Best Things To Do In Pcb Florida
Panama City Beach, Florida, is the ultimate dream holiday spot for many people. With its flowing palm trees and sugar sand beaches, this tropical paradise attracts a large number of visitors from all over the world throughout the year.
Youll understand why so many people consider it the ultimate vacation spot: There is never a shortage of things to do in Panama City Beach! For every sort of traveler, this coastal town is an outdoor playground full of attractions and activities!
Lying across the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach is a hotspot for vacationers, and its easy to see why. The long stretch of sugar-white beaches is thriving with beach bums of all ages throughout the year. Couples come here for a sun-kissed honeymoon, families to spend quality time together and young souls to celebrate a long weekend. And then there was me. I was here to find the hottest attractions and best things to do in Panama City Beach, affectionately called PCB. It wasnt hard to do.
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Wonderworks Panama City Beach Florida
WonderWorks Panama City Beach is just one in a chain of indoor amusement parks with branches across the United States. Aiming to educate while entertaining, Wonderworks has more than one hundred hands-on activities for the enjoyment of adults and children, as well as a laser tag arena and a three-story glow in the dark ropes challenge.
Visitors can ride a virtual rollercoaster, dance on a gigantic piano, try on a spacesuit, attempt to land a space shuttle, play in the bubble lab and try virtual sports, and lay on a bed of nails. Wonderworks plays host to birthday parties, is open to school groups wishing to learn about physical sciences, and has a small restaurant that serves pizza and other snacks.
9910 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, Phone: 850-249-7000
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Visit Zooworld Zoological & Botanical Conservatory
Looking for more fun things to do in PCB? Why not go for a private animal encounter at the Zoo World Zoological Conservatory? You can also get an up-close view of tigers, lions, alligators, and other animals at this Panama City Beach zoo.
It is a great place to take a break from the beach after you have been there for too many days. And while there, you can pet a sloth, snuggle a lemur, or even hold an alligator! They have plenty of things for you to do! Plus, two new animals are coming soon!
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Reasons Why You Should Vacation To Panama City Beach
Posted on February 1, 2013
Need a bit more convincing that Panama City Beach is the right choice for your Fall or Winter holiday? Weve got seven reasons why this Northwest Florida gem is calling your name.
Obviously, theres the gulf, but if the waters are a bit too choppy for you , Panama City Beachs resorts, hotels and condos come complete with some of the best pools in the state. Choose from large pools with waterslides, lazy river and poolside grill/bar, to quiet, boutique pools where all you can hear are the palms swaying in the breeze.
Who needs the beach anyway? Panama City Beach has always offered lots of fun activities and things to do for all ages, but now theres more attractions than ever! The list includes Gulf World Marine Park, ZooWorld, Shipwreck Island, Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum, WonderWorks, Miracle Strip Amusements at Pier Park and plenty more.
Panama City Beach is a family-friendly destination, but if youre a fan of going out after the sun goes down, the nightlife alone is worth the trip. Enjoy everything from live music to karaoke. Spinnaker Beach Club is world famous and provides the best of both worlds an open air outdoor concert deck, and an indoor posh night club equipped with a swanky VIP lounge above the dance floor. Bringing the kids? Theres bowling, mini-golf, go-karting and movies.
Shop Til You Drop At Pier Park
Pier Park is an open-air entertainment center for the whole family. Located steps away from the shores of Panama City Beach, youll find plenty of trendy shops, delicious restaurants, and exhilarating activities. For those looking to pick up a new outfit or bikini, Pier Park is truly a shoppers paradise, with over 120 stores lining the boardwalk.
Kids of all ages will also love the Pier Park attractions, like laser tag, arcade games, and even the on-site IMAX theater. So, whether youre shopping for new flip flops or wanting to spend the evening dining under the stars, youll find what youre looking for at Pier Park!
- Hours: Daily 10 am 10 pm
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Panama City Beach Dining:
If you think that dining outdoors is an unpleasant experience in Panama City Beach, then you would be dead wrong. Restaurants such as Lizas Kitchen, Finns Island Style Grub, Eat My Pasty have great outdoor seating. Or enjoy Schooners, known as the last local beach club! They had awesome live music the night I visited! So much so that I felt like I was singing along to every tune! It is a fun place to have seafood and a cocktail. You can also have happy hour and heavy hors doeuvres at the Grand Marlin.
You should not leave Panama City Beach though before eating at the Firefly. The crab soup and filet mignon are delicious picks from the menu! Also, on my last night in town, we tried Saltwater Grill on Hutchinson Boulevard. The waiter was spot on, never missed a beat for our table of 12, was friendly, and did an amazing job! The restaurant has a massive aquarium fish tank inside that wraps around the bar. They also had live music that was excellent the night we went. It was a bit loud and dark, but that was the atmosphere.
And dont forget aboutNicks Slice of Brooklyn The most AMAZING New York-style pizza ever!!!
Panama City Beach Inshore Fishing
With 27 miles of stunning white sand beach, emerald green waters, and plenty of sun-soaked Florida fun, Panama City Beach has a great mixture of family-fun, exciting nightlife, and relaxing spa getaways. Spend your days participating in waters sports and eco-tourism or grab your fishing poles and head to St. Andrews State Park where you’ll find two great piers. Head to dry land for a peak into Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Shipwreck Island Water Park, or the Gran Maze at Coconut Creek. When looking for a place to sleep off the adventures of the day, choose from an array of affordable accommodations and luxury resorts. Your ideal Florida beach vacation is only a click away.
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Best Things To Do In Panama City
Located just inland from the narrow channel of water that connects West and St. Andrews Bays in Floridas Bay County, Panama City had a population of slightly more than 36,000 residents at the time of the last census.
Other than Tallahassee and Pensacola, its the largest city in the panhandle and is close enough to the neighboring state of Alabama to make day trips an option.
Panama City is one of the states largest spring break destinations as well and draws crazy college students from the northeast and Midwest portions of the country.
Below are 15 things to do in and around Panama City, Florida.