Panama City Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida. It is known for its pristine white sandy beaches and emerald green waters, as well as for its endless activities.
This coastal city is home to several amazing attractions, from adventure-filled water parks to serene parks, fascinating museums, and scenic boat tours. Let’s take a look at the top things to do in Panama City Beach that you can’t afford to miss.
After a long day filled with adventure, come stay in one of our Panama City Beach rentals with Greta’s Beach Rentals to make the most of your vacation!
Pier Park
Pier Park is Panama City Beach’s top shopping and entertainment spot, centrally located in the city. This outdoor complex has 124 stores, offering everything from family clothing to home goods, shoes, and jewelry, ensuring a complete shopping experience. The dining scene at Pier Park is equally impressive, with a wide range of eateries to satisfy any craving. Beyond shopping and dining, Pier Park provides entertainment options with the Grand IMAX movie theater, laser tag, and live music venues.
Shipwreck Island Waterpark
For waterpark enthusiasts, Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a must-visit destination. This family-friendly water park not only offers a range of thrilling water rides and slides like the Pirates Plunge, Raging Rapids, and Treetop Drop but also provides opportunities to relax in a lazy river or enjoy the wave pool with your family. When you’re ready for something cool and refreshing, Shipwreck Island has you covered with a selection of ice cream, slushies, and all your favorite Pepsi products. Additionally, for those looking to unwind, the park offers a wide selection of ice-cold draft beer.
Conservation Park
For a family-friendly recreational experience, consider visiting the Conservation Park, managed by the Bay County Parks & Recreation Department. Encompassing over 2,900 acres, this expansive nature park offers an array of activities, including hiking and biking trails, birdwatching sites, wetlands, marshes, and abundant wildlife. With 24-plus miles of trails and over a mile of boardwalks, the Conservation Park provides opportunities to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and serenity. The park features trails ranging from 0.6 miles to 11 miles, offering a variety of options for hikers and bikers. Additionally, there are covered pavilions equipped with plenty of picnic tables, providing the perfect spots to rest and enjoy a leisurely break during your visit to this park.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Ripley’s Believe It or Not is another exciting attraction for families. Built upon the adventures of Robert Ripley and his travels across the globe searching for extraordinary people, unusual artifacts, and unbelievable things, Ripley’s embraces the spirit of discovery. Visitors will encounter a human shrunken head, the world’s tallest man, and other unbelievable things that will leave them amazed. Through these experiences and stories, Ripley’s strives to curate a sense of wonder for the weird world around us. So, step inside — explore their story and what makes Ripley’s just as unique as the artifacts, animals, and amazing stories they celebrate! Visitors can set sail to discover Titanic artifacts, trivia, and hands-on interactives in an exhibit of epic proportions.
Gulf World Marine Park
Gulf World Marine Park offers an amazing opportunity to get close to some of the world’s most exotic marine creatures, like penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and more. In addition to observing these fascinating creatures, visitors can also participate in various interactive programs to learn more about them and their habitats. An exciting activity is Swim Adventure, where you can enjoy a fast and exciting ride with the dolphins while holding onto their pectoral fins, as well as experiencing the magnificent belly ride. For those of all ages, the Dolphin Encounter program is a great choice. This program is a hand-target activity that is very entertaining as the dolphins will jump to touch your hands and receive a kiss and a hug from these incredible animals.
St. Andrews State Park
If you’re looking for a place to camp, St. Andrews State Park has got you covered! They offer camping grounds for visitors who want to submerge themselves in nature. For those who want a more luxurious camping experience, the park even has a glamping site available. The park also has an amphitheater that hosts various events throughout the year, as well as pavilions that can be reserved for picnics or other gatherings. Whether you’re spending the day or planning to stay the night, St. Andrews State Park offers many activities for everyone to enjoy, from walking trails to fishing and water activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling.
ZooWorld
Visitors can take part in various interactive animal encounters, like petting a sloth, kissing a kangaroo, feeding a giraffe, meeting a lemur, and even petting a porcupine. The newly opened Steve-O’s Pub Australian exhibit is the perfect place to feed and hold a baby kangaroo. If you like your animals a bit more on the scaly side, you could choose to feed ZooWorld’s family of bearded dragons while you sip on a frosty beverage. Visitors can also tickle the tummies of the adorable bat-eared fox family and meet and greet with the zoo’s own African-crested porcupines! However, just be careful where you pet! ZooWorld also offers behind-the-scenes tours, seasonal events, and exhibits that are sure to excite visitors of all ages.
Plan Your Visit
Ready to check out all the fun things to do in Panama City Beach? Book your stay with Greta’s Beach Rentals!
SkyWheel
SkyWheel is the newest and most exciting attraction located at Pier Park, which is the area’s premier shopping and entertainment destination. This full entertainment venue features an 18-hole miniature golf course and the prestigious SkyWheel observation wheel that stands nearly 200 feet tall. Each gondola is fully air-conditioned and can seat up to six people, offering a unique experience for children and adults of all ages. From the SkyWheel, you can enjoy stunning 360-degree views of the beach, Gulf Coast, and the city skyline, providing a whole new perspective of all the beauty Panama City Beach has to offer. If you’ve worked up an appetite from all the fun activities, the Snack Shack is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and a cold drink. The Snack Shack offers a variety of refreshments such as bottled water, sodas, specialty cocktails, and draft beers.
Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
Coconut Creek is one of the top things to do in PCB for adventure and fun for the whole family. This park features three challenging miniature golf courses designed for all skill levels. Guests can experience the excitement and challenge of playing two ‘tropical-theme’ courses and the new ‘sea-theme’ course, as well as a 19-hole soccer-themed mini-golf course. Visitors can test their navigational skills by finding their way through the awesome giant-sized Gran Maze, which adds an extra element of fun for all ages.
Stay with Greta’s Beach Rentals
Why not stay with Greta’s Beach Rentals, offering a range of fully-equipped Panama City Beach vacation rentals. Our Panama City Beach condo rentals are complete with pools, ocean views, and balconies. You can choose from a variety of properties to suit your needs and budget, all with the added convenience and luxury of fully-equipped kitchens. With an incredible range of things to do in Panama City Beach, you’re sure to find an activity that suits your interests and budget. From outdoor adventures to indoor entertainment, the city has something for everyone. So, pack your bags and get ready to enjoy an unforgettable experience in paradise with Greta’s Beach Rentals.
