Along the Gulf of Mexico in northwestern Florida, Panama City Beach offers miles of white sand beaches, warm waters, and moderate weather, even during the winter months. Spend days playing on the beach, visiting a museum or amusement park, and hitting the golf course. Panama City Beach vacation rentals include trendy condos just a few feet from the beach, as well as cozy family homes within easy driving and walking distance of the water and other attractions. Book your stay today. Check out the top 15 things to do in Panama City Beach, so you won’t miss out on a great time.
1. Go to the Beach
With 27 miles of white sand beaches and jade green waters, Panama City Beach is a great place to while away a day. Toss a blanket on the sand and soak up some sun while catching up on your reading. Play in the surf, or rent a surfboard to catch some waves.
2. Take an Airboat Tour
Learn more about the local ecosystem and habitats with a tour from Boggy Bayou Airboat Tours. The tour takes you through the salt marshes of St. Andrew Bay and lasts around two hours. Arrange to take a private tour if you’re traveling with a large group. The tour guide offers more information about the flora and fauna in the area.
3. Go Golfing
There are three different golf courses in the Panama Beach City area. The Signal Hill Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole course and welcomes visitors. Bring your own golf clubs and store them at your vacation rental until you get a tee time.
4. Visit Pier Park
Need a little retail therapy? Pier Park has all of your favorite upscale stores as well as an outlet mall area to save some money on all your favorite brands. When you need a break, stop at one of the eateries for a meal or a coffee shop for a caffeine buzz and something sweet to give you the energy for more shopping.
5. Zoom Down a Water Slide
Leave the saltwater behind and visit the Shipwreck Island Waterpark. Slide down one of the towering water slides, or relax on a float while the current pulls you around the lazy river. Reserve one of the private cabanas, so your group has a quiet place to meet up, soak up some sun, and enjoy a meal together.
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6. Visit a Local Farmer’s Market
Score some fresh fruit and veggies at the Grand Lagoon Waterfront Farmer’s Market at Pirate Cove Marina. In addition to locally sourced fruits and vegetables, find cheese, baked goods, jams and jellies, and other crafted items. Fill up your bag with goodies and make a farm-to-table meal back at your vacation rental.
7. Relax With a Day at the Spa
Start your vacation off right with a trip to a day spa. At Yoga Element, you can schedule a couple’s massage to enjoy some extra time with that special someone or ask for a sugar scrub to make sure your skin is in tip-top shape. Get a pedicure, so you don’t feel self-conscious showing off your toes at the beach. If you don’t need a spa treatment, relax with a yoga class.
8. Go Fishing
In Panama City Beach, Camp Helen State Park has a freshwater lake just waiting for you to enjoy a day of fishing. Cast your line from the banks, or take a small boat out on the water. Pack a cooler before leaving your vacation rental for a picnic lunch and a place to store caught fish.
9. Play Some Mini Golf
The Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center has two mini-golf courses along with bumper boats for a day of fun. Your group can grab something to eat at the concession stand or play some retro games in the arcade.
10. See Some Unusual Things
Cool off from the summer heat and check out some mind-blowing things at Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Shaped like a ship, this museum has numerous rooms filled with odd items, such as shrunken heads and the bones of rare animals. Check out the authentic vampire hunting kit and many other exotic items.
11. Enjoy a Ride and a Movie
Another rainy day attraction is the Ripley’s Moving Theater. Strap into your seat and feel the motion of the action in three separate movies. Feel like you’re running away from a werewolf or trying to escape from an alien invasion.
12. Go out on the Water to See the Dolphins
Flippers Dolphin Tour cruises take the whole group out for a couple of hours to see pods of dolphins frolicking in the water. The company provides small boat tours so your group can ask the captain and crew members questions to learn more about these intelligent mammals. Another option from this company is to hit the water on jet skis to see the dolphins.
13. Learn More About Brewing Beer
Take a tour of the Nivol Brewery to learn more about the art of the craft beer industry. The brainchild of three friends, this beer company offers state-of-the-art equipment and a tap room. After the tour, try samples of the beer on tap. Buy some bottles to take back to your vacation rental.
14. See the City From the Air
Let the adventurous in your group enjoy an afternoon of parasailing with Adventures at Sea. You take off from the back of the boat and reach heights of 1,200 feet. If you like, let the crew know in advance that you want to enjoy a dip in the ocean before returning to the boat.
15. Visit the Panama Beach City Pier
Get up early one morning, grab a cup of coffee, and drive to the Panama City Beach Pier to watch the sunrise. If you don’t want to get up that early, grab your fishing gear or a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon on the pier.
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