Panama City Beach Things to Do

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All along this section of the coast there are sparkling white sand beaches. In the winter when we were there, this made me think that there was snow. But it isn't snow, it is sand. Panama City Beach advertises their beaches as The best beach this side of paradise...

Panama City Beach Florida beaches have been honored with numerous beach awards throughout the years, making us one of the top Florida beaches. The following is just a selection:

AOL Travel Top 10 Budget Destinations for 2011 - AOL, 2011

CNN Top Five Value Destinations for Winter 2010 - CNN, 2010

Top Five Bargain Destinations for Spring 2010 – USA Today, 2010

#3 “Top 10 Vacation Rental Hot Spots in the U.S.” –TripAdvisor, 2010

#2 “Top 10 Destination to Visit in 2010”–Frommer’s Travel Guides, 2009

America’s Top 10 Beaches – TripAdvisor, 2008, 2009

America’s Top 5 Beaches for Families – Travel Channel, 2009

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One of the things you can do even in the rain or when it is cold in the winter is visit the Interpretive Exhibit at the Environmental Interpretive Center. It isn't Smithsonian quality, but they did have a small aquarium, some diorama exhibits, posters about migratory birds, butterflies and shells that are local to the area. One of the interesing exhibits was about the Hermit of St. Andrews (last photo).

According to that exhibit, A Norwegian seaman, Theodor Tollofum became the hermit of St Andrews in 1929 when his 26 foot fishing boat wrecked on the penninsula during a hurricane. "The boat wrecked here and so we've stayed together" is how he described his decision to homstead on the windswept sandy shore for the next 25 years. Subsisisting on fish he caught each morning, Teddy built a shack, smokehouse and pen out of driftwood and kept chickens, cts and a pet pig that loved to go boating.

Fee Schedule

Admission Fee:

$8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.

$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

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I picked this park to visit because it was close. The fact that it was named by Dr. Beach (Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman) as America¿s Best Beach in 1995 didn't really matter to us as it was January and cold. At other seasons this might be a selling point for the park which s 1,260-acre park is located on a peninsula with over 1.5 miles of beach on the Gulf of Mexico and Grand Lagoon.

In addition to beaches, summer activities might include (in alphabetical order), bicycling, boating and boat tours (boat launch is $12 for one person with a boat), camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, picnics, a playground, scuba and snorkeling, surfing, and swimming.

We primarily did the wildlife viewing after we went to the Interpretive Exhibit at the Environmental Interpretive Center. There are two trails in the park to choose from: Heron Pond, and Gator Lake trails. The Heron Pond Trail takes you on a hike through the flatwood pine forest, and past the Turpentine Still. The trail at Gator Lake takes you on a scenic view of Gator Lake. We did the Gator Lake trail

Fee Schedule

Admission Fee:

$8.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.

$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.

$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

We actually chartered a boat with only myself, my wife, my brother in law and my sister in law. There was the captain and his assistant or "deckhand". It was around $150 dollars per person but worth every penny. It was one of the most enjoyable things I've ever done on vacation.

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ripley's believe it or not is one of several museums around the country that has collections of oddities from all over the world. back in the 1930's the cartoonist and explorer robert ripley traveled the world in seach of unique artifacts and cultural oddities. along with the museum ripley's also has a 4-d movie presentation. the museum is located in an interesting "sinking" ship on front beach road in central panama city beach. ripley's is an interesting place to visit in p.c. beach.

pier park is a new shopping and entertainment area located across US 98 from the city pier. this huge development has major department stores and a "main street" section that has gift shops, restaurants, and bars. a fun place to visit in central panama city beach.

most visitors to the panama city area come for it's beautiful white sand beach. panama city beach is a gulf barrier island that is several miles long. panama city beach is lined with resort hotels, condos, and beach bars. panama city beach is world famous for it's annual college spring break. as with most northwest florida beach towns prices are higher for accommodations in the spring and summer.

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Basically, deadsville, but sometimes they have nice gallery openings and exhibits at the visual arts center and new productions at the Martin Theatre. There are a few nice restaurants. They are trying, but you still don't have action packed streets day or night. It has a main street USA look, trying to have character but a ways to go. Safe and friendly though.