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Things To Do in Panama City Beach
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Panama City Beach Attractions
For that Panama City–meets–Coney Island vibe, meet Shipwreck Island Water Park, 12000 Front Beach Rd., at Alf Coleman Road (tel. 850/234-3333; $49.99 for those 50 inches and up, adults, $36.99 seniors, $39.99 kids 35–50 in. tall). A 105-foot-high roller coaster is just one of the 30 rides here, including a toddler-friendly traditional carousel. There’s also a variety of water amusements, including the 1,600-foot-long winding Lazy River for tubing, ocean wave pool, rapids, splash cove, and a slide from a 60-foot tower. Live entertainment and tons of junk food round out the offerings. Lounge chairs, umbrellas, and inner tubes are free, and lifeguards are on duty. 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.
- Zoo/Aquarium
Gulf World Marine Park
This landscaped tropical garden and marine attraction has shows with dolphins, sea lions, penguins, and more. Not to be upstaged, parrots perform daily, too. Scuba demonstrations, shark feedings, and underwater shows keep the crowds entertained. The park has interactive programs,… - Museum
Man in the Sea Museum
Owned by the Institute of Diving, this small museum exhibits relics from the first days of scuba diving, historic displays of the underwater world dating from 1500, and treasures recovered from sunken ships. Hands-on exhibits explain water and air pressure, light refraction, and why… - Zoo/Aquarium
ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Park
Situated in a pine forest, this small zoo is ok if you’re bored, but prices can add up. Among the 260 inhabitants here are lemur, capybara, birds, tigers, lions, alligators and other reptiles. Close up “experiences” cost $45 extra and involve encounters with Book up close…
Panama City Beach Nightlife
Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant, 15201 Front Beach Rd. (tel. 850/235-2420), is the quintessence of it being five o’clock somewhere, a beachfront spot popular for day drinkers and dancers alike thanks to a roster of live music and DJs.
The 20-something crowd likes to boogie all night at the area’s last remaining beach club: Schooners, 5121 Gulf Dr. (tel. 850/235-3555;). Every table has a Gulf view and parties and bands are on here throughout the summer. Pineapple Willy’s Lounge, beachside at 9900 S. Thomas Dr. (tel. 850/235-0928), is another fun one, open from 11am to 2am, serving ribs basted with Jack Daniel’s and spotlighting live entertainment during summer and a host of sports on TVs year-round. Oh, and they serve very potent moonshine.
Panama City Beach’s most concentrated nightlife destination is Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr. (tel. 850/236-9979), a Disney Springs-esque dining, shopping, drinking complex located right on the “strip,” across from the beach and featuring, among other things, an IMAX movie theater, beer hot spots Brass Tap and The Craft Bar, and for those not imbibing, The Yard Milkshake Bar.
More laid-back lounges with live entertainment can be found at the Firefly’s Library Lounge at 535 Beckrich Rd.; and the roof deck Sunset Martini Bar at Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill, 1151 Bayview Ave. (tel. 850/763-8427). Shuckums Oyster Pub & Seafood Grill, 15614 Front Beach Rd., at Powell Adams Drive (tel. 850/235-3214) is a place where you’ll want to party once just to see it. The bar has been papered over with dollar bills signed by old and young patrons since 1967.
The 20-something crowd likes to boogie all night at the area’s last remaining beach club: Schooners, 5121 Gulf Dr. (tel. 850/235-3555;). Every table has a Gulf view and parties and bands are on here throughout the summer. Pineapple Willy’s Lounge, beachside at 9900 S. Thomas Dr. (tel. 850/235-0928), is another fun one, open from 11am to 2am, serving ribs basted with Jack Daniel’s and spotlighting live entertainment during summer and a host of sports on TVs year-round. Oh, and they serve very potent moonshine.
Panama City Beach’s most concentrated nightlife destination is Pier Park, 600 Pier Park Dr. (tel. 850/236-9979), a Disney Springs-esque dining, shopping, drinking complex located right on the “strip,” across from the beach and featuring, among other things, an IMAX movie theater, beer hot spots Brass Tap and The Craft Bar, and for those not imbibing, The Yard Milkshake Bar.
More laid-back lounges with live entertainment can be found at the Firefly’s Library Lounge at 535 Beckrich Rd.; and the roof deck Sunset Martini Bar at Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill, 1151 Bayview Ave. (tel. 850/763-8427). Shuckums Oyster Pub & Seafood Grill, 15614 Front Beach Rd., at Powell Adams Drive (tel. 850/235-3214) is a place where you’ll want to party once just to see it. The bar has been papered over with dollar bills signed by old and young patrons since 1967.
