With a full week to spend in Panama City Beach, there will be plenty of time for a mix of both relaxation and activities that will make your vacation memorable. Be sure to include some of these Panama City Beach family activities on your next vacation to the Sunshine State!
Relax with a Beach Day
With no need to rush through a packed itinerary, treat yourself to some relaxing time along Panama City Beach’s 27 miles of picturesque oceanfront. Building sandcastles, swimming in warm ocean waters and huddling under damp towels as you watch the sun sink below the horizon are what family beach vacations are made of. If your family prefers a more active day on the beach, stand up paddleboarding, surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking are all easily accessible. Consider a day along the beach at St. Andrews State Park for some time away from the hustle and bustle.
Explore Offshore With These Panama City Beach Family activities
A boat excursion from the shores of Panama City Beach is often a highlight for families. Take a boat shuttle or charter to Shell Island, an undeveloped barrier island that is great for exploring. Family-friendly fishing charters or excursions that include dolphin sightings and snorkeling are a great way to continue enjoying life on the ocean. Check out Dolphin and Snorkel Tours Inc and Lagoon Pontoons for options that will delight the whole family!
Shell Island Shuttle also offers pontoon rentals that are great for a day of family fun out on the water. With no boating experience necessary, these vehicles are easy to operate even for novice boaters, and kids will enjoy joining in at the captain’s seat. Shell Island Shuttle’s double-decker pontoons boast twin waterslides that extend from the upper deck into the water, promising hours of fun for the whole family on your pontoon excursion. Accommodating up to 12 people and with plenty of space on the second level to barbeque and enjoy a day in the sun, boating along Panama City Beach’s coastline or exploring Shell Island from your private boat will be a memorable experience.
Visit Gulf World Marine Park
Make the dream of swimming with dolphins come true with a visit to Gulf World Marine Park. Here you can choose among daily dolphin and sea lion shows. Kids will love getting up close and personal with the park’s stingrays, where they can touch and feed them. Perhaps the most memorable family activities in Panama City Beach are booking a dolphin encounter, where participants can get into the water and interact directly with the dolphins!
Where to Eat & Drink
Panama City Beach has plenty of options for dining that will keep the whole family happy. Pineapple Willy’s is a favorite for all ages, with frequent live music and fun souvenir cups. This eatery has been a mainstay in Panama City Beach for years, offering up an unbeatable location in stilted buildings right on the sand.
When it comes to dessert, those with a sweet tooth should not miss out on The Yard Milkshake Bar. This eatery located in the Pier Park shopping center offers not only delicious tasting treats, but their desserts are also a feast for the eyes. Milkshakes and sundaes are served in pint or quart mason jars, with toppings galore. With toppings piled high above the jar, each order truly makes you feel like a kid again. Unless you’ve come extremely hungry, sharing may be a good idea. In addition to holiday and seasonal specialties, choose from over a dozen specialty creations, each coming with a souvenir jar. There’s also an option to build your own sundae, choosing from over 30 ice cream flavors and around 60 toppings. You can even add a scoop of 8 different edible cookie dough options to the top! Fun flavors catered toward kids, such as The Mermaid and The Unicorn offer toppings such as birthday cake or cotton candy ice cream, marshmallow cream, and rainbow-colored whipped cream that result in colorful, creative treats. For a rich flavor, the Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss comes with brownie batter ice cream in a peanut butter dipped jar. Chocolate shavings, whipped cream, fudge, peanut butter drizzle, and a fudge brownie make this a decadent treat you’ll still be dreaming of long after it’s gone!
Your Weeklong Stay in Panama City Beach, FL
Enjoy every moment of your weeklong vacation of family activities in Panama City Beach, even when you’re headed back to your accommodations when you stay in one of these Panama City Beach vacation rentals! Our vacation rentals in Panama City Beach range from condos with convenient amenities to private beach homes that offer plenty of square footage for the whole family. Among our listings, you’ll find accommodations that offer beach views, private pools, and more! Spend your next family vacation in Panama City Beach, creating lasting memories together along the oceanfront! Book your accommodations here or contact us to learn more.