Panama City Beach Attractions And Amusements
Imagine this... Twenty
seven miles of sugar white beaches, sparkling emerald green
waters, palms swaying in a gentle ocean breeze and you have a
problem... deciding what to do next!
We know it's hard to choose from so many attractions such as
two state parks, marine and water parks, a zoo,
amusements, jet-skiing, swimming, snorkeling, diving, dolphin
encounters, fishing, boating, sailing, bumper boats,
tennis, golf, miniature golf, dinner cruises, and incredible
dining. Folks tell us they like having so many choices at Panama
City Beach. Maybe it's why people return to vacation in Panama
City Beach year after year. Enjoy yourself, there is always something
more to do at Panama City Beach.
4607
State Park Lane,
Panama City, FL 32408
1-850-233-5140  Visitors
to St. Andrews State Recreation Area can enjoy swimming,
diving, boating, fishing, surfing, biking and camping.
Rated the #1 Beach in America, the St. Andrews State
Recreation Area continues to be the most popular Florida
shore park. Complete camping facilities include: restrooms,
showers, picnic areas with grills and tables, a playground,
and a store.
St. Andrews State Recreation Park
is located at the east end of Thomas Drive. It encompasses
1,260 acres of beaches, dunes, pinewoods and marshes.
Visitors swim in warm Gulf waters or in the shallow
protected area behind the jetty. This area is great
for small children. The massive rock jetties make one
of the best fishing, snorkeling and diving spots on
the Gulf coast, and a boat ramp provides access to the
Gulf. The park opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at sunset
year around. See below for more on St. Andrews State
Park.
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|  Catch
the Shell Island Shuttle to Shell Island, one of the
most densely populated bottle-nosed dolphins habitats.
This pristine island situated between the Gulf of Mexico
and St. Andrews Bay provides an array of activities
including: abundant wildlife, dolphin encounters, snorkeling, pontoon
boat rentals, kayak rentals, and fishing
boat rentals.
Coolers are welcome. Facilities or concessions are not
available on
Shell Island, but are available at St.
Andrew's State Park.
The Shuttle departs every 1/2 hour, 7 days a week from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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| Just off Highway 98 and west of Phillips
Inlet Bridge
Camp Helen State Park is one of the recent
acquisitions by the state of Florida's program
to reclaim and preserve lands. The park is bordered
by Lake Powell, Phillips Inlet, and the Gulf
of Mexico. The parks provides an ideal backdrop
for hiking, picnicking, fishing, boating and
swimming. The park also provides a essential
respite for migratory Central American birds. |
5412 Front Beach Road,
Panama City Beach, FL 32413
1-850-234-5271
 Gulf
World Marine Park, a Panama City Beach landmark since
1969, is one of Florida's top Marine attractions. Gulf
World features five shows, many exhibits and offers
an action packed day that will long be remembered.
Acrobatic and energetic performances by Gulf World's
bottle-nosed dolphins will delight children and adults.
The new million-gallon Dolphin Habitat hosts SplashMagic,
the park's exciting nighttime laser light show. Observe
the cockatoos, macaw, flamingos, iguanas, jungle foliage,
fountains and waterfalls in a visit to the Tropical
Gardens.
The Swim-With-Dolphins program at Gulf World
Marine Park allows guests (ages 5 and up and
a minimum of 48 inches tall ) to get in the water
with these beautiful marine mammals, and
to swim with them if they choose. This popular program
gives you and your family, the opportunity to
interact with a dolphin in waist to chest deep water.
Lasting approximately one hour and fifteen minutes,
the program is comprised of two segments. The first
segment teaches you about dolphin conservation
and familiarizes you with the dolphin’s
senses. The second segment puts you eye to eye
with these beautiful creatures. Listen for underwater
sounds the dolphins may be making, be imitated
by a dolphin, and get a handshake or a kiss. |
12000 Front Beach Rd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407-3413
1-850-234-0368
 Plan
to spend the day enjoying rides and picnicking amid
six acres of lush landscape in one of the best water
parks in Florida. There is something for everyone. For
the daring, get ready for rushing water adventures.
Whitewater enthusiasts will delight in Rapid River Run,
an inner tube ride. Don't miss, a 65-foot free fall
slide, the Top Drop, with a plunge pool waiting at the
end.
For something calmer, the Lazy River Ride offers a relaxing
trek through the park along a 1,600 foot stream. Families
love to ride White knuckle River together in a giant
inner tube. Comfortable gazebos are the place for adults
to relax while overlooking the Tadpole Hole, for younger
guests. At the Tadpole Hole, youngsters will discover
a ship to explore, a submarine just for tots, a giant
purple frog slide and more.
Beginning in March, the parks is open Fridays and Saturdays.
From Memorial Day through August the park is open seven
days a week. |
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Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum and Moving Theater opened in June 2006 on Panama City Beach. The entertainment complex is designed to look like a 1950's luxury cruise liner stranded on Panama City Beach.The museum houses interesting discoveries from around the world including an authentic shrunken head from Ecuador, a real mummy found off the Florida coast, and a 11-foot Eiffel Tower made completely of matchsticks. The Moving Theater is a high-tech, dynamic motion-based simulation ride.
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Coconut Creek Fun Park
9807 Front Beach Rd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
1-888-764-2199
Can you or your friends figure out the awesome Gran Maze
that spans the length of a football field? It's a race
against time in the first human-size maze of its kind
in the country. Tickets must be validated at nautical
checkpoints before clocking out at the exit.
Open year round.
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|
 Pirate
ships, lush jungle settings, cascading waterfalls are
a few of the miniature golf courses that dot Panama
City Beach. Enjoy playing miniature golf among a variety
of vibrant courses rich in detail and designed for maximum
fun.
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9008 Front Beach Rd.
Panama City Beach, FL 32407
1-850-234-1243
 Enjoy
a day with snow leopards, monkeys, other primates,
snakes and
all kinds of reptiles at ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical
Park. The zoo is home to more than 350 animals, including
endangered animals.
ZooWorld is an active participant in The Species Survival
Plan. Zoologists established The Species Survival
Plan in 1980. It is a global concern dedicated to
protecting the world's most severely endangered animal
species.Open year-round.
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State Hwy 79
Ebro, FL
1-850-234-3943
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The
Ocean Opry closed its doors for good in August 2005. |
17314 Panama City Beach Pkwy
Panama City Beach, FL32413
1-850-235-4101
 This
unique museum is dedicated to the history of diving,
and houses relics from the earliest underwater
exploration to recovered shipwrecked treasures. "Firsts" in
underwater technology are well represented, with
many of the originals in ocean exploration to be
found among the scuba gear, submersibles, and commercial
diving equipment. Their comprehensive collections
of historic underwater equipment includes the earliest
animal-skin bladder to cutting edge deep-dive gear.
Experience the unspoiled estuary life
of St. Andrew Bay through a computer program. Climb
through a submarine, try on a diving helmet, and a saltwater
touch pool, plus special changing exhibits add to the
fun.
Museum hours are 9 to 5, seven days a
week. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's
Day. |
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Spend
an evening with Lady Luck at Ebro Greyhound Park. From
March until September, Ebro offers live greyhound racing
excitement and a night of fun and great food, come rain
or shine. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, matinees feature
live greyhound racing. Up for a bit of Satellite Wagering?
From September through February take your pick from
greyhound racing to thoroughbred racing. Ebro features
racing circuits from Calder, Gulfstream and Hialeah
Park for thoroughbreds to greyhounds racing from Jacksonville
and Tampa. 
