Panama City Beach is a vibrant, exciting vacation destination for the family, with something for everyone! With white sandy beaches, piers, and attractions, Panama City Beach has it all.
Pier Park has great restaurants and shopping, all right by the beautiful beach and pier. Front Beach Road is filled with many fun spots to see, too!
We’ll help you find your perfect trip to Panama City Beach by showing you the most popular places first on our list of activities and attractions in this city.
Our list includes restaurants & bars, entertainment venues, as well as outdoor adventures like fishing piers and hiking at St. Andrews State Park – whatever fits your fancy!
7 Things To Do With The Family In Panama City Beach!
Shop, Dine, And Play At Pier Park!
Pier Park has everything that a person could want in an attraction!
There are games and rides, lots of shops and stores, awesome restaurants, and it’s right next to the beach and pier!
The north end of the park is mostly shopping and larger retail stores, with the entertainment starting in the center. There are lots of activities for the kids to do here, too!
Grand Theatres Movie Theatre, Mirror Maze, Dark Ride Experience, Axe Throwing, and Royal Escape Rooms, are located near the center of the park.
And you can’t forget the SkyWheel, the Ferris wheel that takes visitors up 200 feet for incredible views of the Panama City Beach area!
Cool off with an ice cream cone at Marble Slab Creamery or play some games at Dave and Busters. They also have candy stores including I Love Sugar and Candymaker.
The southern end of the park is a mix of shops, restaurants, and bars until you hit Front Beach Road, where the beach and pier await!
Check Out The Exhibits At WonderWorks
Your entire family can experience something new at WonderWorks! It’s just a 15 minute drive from Pier Park.
With over 100 interactive exhibits, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
WonderWorks is a one-of-a-kind science attraction that will thrill all ages with over 100 hands-on exhibits including their 6D Motion Ride and Wonder Zones.
The Ropes Course and Laser Tag are perfect for kids of all ages!
WonderWorks
9910 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Swim With Dolphins At Gulf World Marine Park!
Gulf World Marine Park is the perfect place for your family trip! This is a great choice for families looking for an interactive experience with dolphins and other marine life.
They offer activities such as daily shows and learning about their behavior through educational presentations.
You can even get up close and personal during one of their interactive programs, which include swimming with the dolphins and meet and greets!
They also have harbor seals, sea lions, penguins, and more.
See their website for rates on general admission and additional experiences.
Gulf World Marine Park
15412 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
See The Museum Of Oddities At Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
There are so many things in this world that defy our understanding of how the universe works!
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not is home to some of the most amazing and unbelievable oddities on Earth.
From shrunken heads, to interactive games, they have an endless supply of weirdness for you to enjoy!
They also have a Mirror Maze, a 7D Moving Theatre, and a LaseRace challenge that you can do while here.
You can just get general admission for the odditorium if you want or you can bundle with the Mirror Maze, LaseRace, and 7D Moving Theatre attractions and save!
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!
9907 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407
Visit The Beaches!
Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach is lined up with resorts, restaurants, and 27 miles of white, sandy shoreline! There are many beach access points along this stretch of road.
After you visit Pier Park, be sure to visit the beach which is right across the street from the south end of the park. Bring your dogs to Dog Beach which is just west of Russell Fields Pier.
While in Panama City Beach, also be sure to visit St. Andrews State Park!
Surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay, this park is popular for camping, fishing, swimming, and more! There’s almost 2 miles of white sandy beach here.
Other things to do here are hiking, biking, snorkeling, bird-watching, kayaking, and boating.
Some of the must-visit beaches in Panama City Beach include:
Russell Fields Pier & Dog Beach
St. Andrews State Park
M.B. Miller Pier & Beach
Shell Island
Rick Seltzer Park
If you’re looking to stay in Panama City Beach, check out these beach resorts!
See The Views At The End Of The Piers (Or Go Fishing, Too!)
Russell Fields Pier is just south of the Pier Park restaurants on Front Beach Road, and right next to Dog Beach.
At 1500 feet long, this pier is a popular spot for fishing in Panama City Beach! Some of the common fish to catch here are Mackerel, Cobia, Flounder, and Red Fish.
Just a few miles east of Russell Fields City Pier is the county pier (M.B. Miller)! This pier is about 1500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico, as well.
When you’re on the M.B. Miller Pier, you can see the city pier off in the distance!
When you visit St. Andrews State Park, be sure to visit the pier there, also.
The piers are also excellent areas to spot dolphins, stingrays, and other sea life!
Russell Fields Pier
16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
M.B. Miller County Pier
12213 Front Beach Rd., Panama City Beach, FL 32413
Enjoy Some Oceanfront Dining!
Panama City Beach has some excellent beachfront dining options! Margaritaville, Pompano Joe’s, and Dick’s Last are all at Pier Park just across the street from the beach and pier.
Hook’d is a beachfront Bar & Grill right at the pier with fresh seafood, drink specials, and deals on appetizers.
Front Beach Road is right along the coast and filled with waterfront restaurants.
Hang Five, Runaway Island Beach Bar & Grill, and Harpoon Harry’s are along Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach.
Come to these restaurants for some amazing views of the Gulf, live music, and seafood.
And of course, you can let the kids burn off some energy at the beach after!
As you can see, there are some great things to do with the family in Panama City Beach!
For more of the best attractions, beaches, and things to do in Florida and the Atlantic Coast, check out Always On The Shore.
