Amusement Parks -- For that Panama City-meets-Coney Island vibe, there are two amusement parks good for killing some time. A 105-foot-high roller coaster is just one of the 30 rides at the Miracle Strip Amusement Park, 12000 Front Beach Rd. at Alf Coleman Road (tel. 850/234-5810; www.miraclestrippark.com; $29 adults, $18 seniors, $24 kids 35-50 in. tall). Little ones will love the traditional carousel. The park is 9 acres of fun, with continuing live entertainment and tons of junk food. The adjoining Shipwreck Island Water Park (tel. 850/234-0368; www.shipwreckisland.com; $29 for those taller than 50 in., $24 for those 35-50 in., free for those shorter than 35 in.) provides a variety of water amusements, including the 1,600-foot-long winding Lazy River for tubing and a daring 35-mph Speed Slide. The Tad Pole Hole is exclusively for young kids. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and inner tubes are free, and lifeguards are on duty. Combination tickets are available. Both are open Saturday and Sunday from mid-March to Memorial Day, then daily until mid-August, and back to weekends from then to Labor Day weekend.
