Although the t-shirt shops, seafood dives and bars advertising beer and daiquiris still line Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach on the Northwest Florida gulf coast has taken a decided turn toward the family vacation market. With many tourist attractions that hearken back to old-time Florida vacations, including Gulf World Marine Park, and new upscale shops and hotels, this beach resort town is actively seeking family vacationers.
Panama City Beach Tourist Attractions
- Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum - 9907 Front Beach Road, 850-230-6113. Looking like a shipwreck in the middle of Front Beach Road, the U. S. S. Ripley has the usual displays of Ripley oddities and offers two 4D movies that have viewers reeling down a mine shaft or tearing through the cosmos at breakneck speed.
- Gulf World Marine Park - 15412 Front Beach Road, 850-234-5271. For decades, Gulf World Marine Park has been a Florida vacation staple, offering daily shows that include the dolphin show, the sea lion show, the All-American High Diving Show and the Magic of Noah Wells show. Gulf World also offers swim with dolphins programs and serves as the area coordinator for the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
- Shipwreck Island – 12201 Middle Beach Road, 850-234-3333. This is the place for water park fun. Dive into the “shipwreck” pool, float on the lazy river, or hang on for dear life on the “white knuckle river.” The Ocean Motion Wave Pool, Tree Top Drop and the Pirate’s Plunge are just the beginning.
- Coconut Creek Family Fun Park - 9807 Front Beach Road, 850- 234-2625. Two 18-hole miniature golf courses wind their way over bridges and around waterfalls of the man-made “Good Luck Lake.” Explorers can test their navigational skills in the Gran Maze, themed after the South Pacific explorer Captain Cook.
Upscale Shopping at Pier Park
Across Front Beach Road from the Gulf of Mexico and the Dan Russell Pier is the newest shopping venue on the Northwest Florida gulf coast. Pier Park offers one million square feet of upscale shopping and entertainment venues. Stores include Dillard’s, JC Penny, Sunglass Hut, Target, Hollister’s, Ron Jon Surf Shop, Victoria’s, Secret Coldwater Creek and Ann Taylor Loft.
Restaurants include Guy Harvey’s Island Grill, Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Olive Garden, Gugliemo's Italian Grill, Red Brick Pizza, and Back Porch Seafood and Oyster Bar. There are also rides and activities over near the Grand Theatre including the refurbished 1964 30-horse carousel that once graced the Miracle Strip Amusement Park.
Panama City Beach Hotels and Resorts
- Holiday Day Inn SunSpree Resort - 11127 Front Beach Road, 850-230-4080. Family friendly and right on the beach, this hotel offers supervised kids’ activities and a free kids club as well as grown-up activities like a martini lounge, and a poolside tiki bar.
- Beachcomber by the Sea - 17101 Front Beach Road, 850-233-3600. This beachfront hotel offers a heated, gulf-front pool, gulf-front accommodations with private balconies and fully-equipped kitchens, and is within walking distance of the Pier Park shopping and entertainment complex.
- Tidewater Beach Resort - 16819 Front Beach Road, 850-636-8000. Beachfront and near Pier Park, this resort offers one, two and three-bedroom condo units, all with fully equipped kitchen, walk-in closets, washer/dryers and spectacular views of the Gulf.
Panama City Beach is a great family vacation choice. For more information, contact the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1-800-PCBEACH or 850-233-5070.
Pamela Watson - I first hit the road at the tender age of three weeks when my career-Army dad packed up my mom and me and moved us from Indiana to New ...
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