While for some, winter conjures up images of dropping temperatures and a snow-blanketed ground, those who are lucky enough to live in or visit Panama City Beach during winter can enjoy the warmth of the sunshine and mild temperatures along the oceanfront. Get away this winter to the Florida panhandle, and enjoy some of these Panama City Beach winter activities!
Celebrate the Holidays in Panama City Beach
If you’ll be in Panama City Beach over the holidays, you’ll find plenty of options for joining in the festivities. Watch a rendition of A Christmas Carol at Panama City Beach’s Martin Theatre, take in the lights and festive decorations around town, and attend The New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park. Families traveling with children will appreciate an earlier drop for the kids, while those wanting to celebrate at midnight will find plenty to do with live music and entertainment throughout the evening.
Book a Fishing Charter This Winter in Panama City Beach
While most find the water a bit too chilly for swimming during winter months, booking a fishing charter is a way to still get out on the water and enjoy the scenery. During the winter, you’ll find species such as flounder, redfish, and trout that have migrated from the ocean into St. Andrews Bay. In the grass flats, trout and redfish can often be caught, while inshore fishing can bring in flounder and triggerfish. Booking a fishing excursion with knowledgeable guides will ensure that you have all the right gear and local knowledge of when and where you’ll snag the best catch!
Book a Table at the Best Restaurants in Panama City Beach
With summer being the peak tourist season, winter sees fewer crowds in every realm. This means less waiting in line to get a table at the most popular Panama City Beach restaurants! Runaway Island and Pineapple Willy’s are both great dining spots if you’re looking for oceanfront dining in Panama City Beach. Runaway Island is known for their fresh seafood dishes, while Pineapple Willy’s serves up their signature ribs in one-pound buckets alongside tropical beverages in souvenir cups. For a romantic dinner this winter in Panama City Beach, consider heading to Firefly, where white twinkling lights strung around a large indoor tree create a special ambiance.
Stay Entertained at Top Panama City Beach Attractions
Panama City Beach is not only home to amazing beaches, but there are also plenty of things to do away from the waterfront. To take a break from the beach but keep in step with the ocean vibe, plan to spend a day at Gulf World Marine Park, which offers daily animal shows and dolphin encounters. Daily shows include the Dolphin Show, Sea Lion Show, Feathers & Friends Show, and Stingray Bay Feeding Opportunities. The Park’s southern stingrays and cownose stingrays glide through water in an open-top tank, where they can be touched and fed, often a highlight for children! The daily sea lion and dolphin shows amaze audiences with their abilities to dance, clap, kiss, and so much more! For visitors who truly fall in love with the dolphins, personal dolphin encounters are offered. Several levels of experiences are available, allowing visitors to get right into the water alongside the dolphins, touching and interacting with them. Great for teens and adults alike, those with a truly deep interest in the life of an animal trainer can be a trainer for the day. This six-hour experience shadowing the Gulf World trainers and getting hands-on experiences with the animals is sure to be memorable!
Another top Panama City Beach attraction is ZooWorld, where more animal encounters await. Watch animals from around the world as they live daily life in habitats that mirror the wild. A few of the animals you will encounter at ZooWold include lions, giraffes, sloths, lemurs, alligators, and so many more! ZooWorld offers an additional element in that this zoo is for more than simply observing from a distance. Up close animal encounters allow visitors to learn more about these majestic creatures while at the same time enjoying an interactive, hands-on experience. From holding an alligator to petting a sloth to letting a giraffe munch on a leaf from your hand, children and adults alike will find something to enjoy at Panama City Beach’s ZooWorld.
Best Things to Do in Panama City Beach
Enjoy easy access to all the best Panama City Beach winter activities when you book a stay in one of our Panama City Beach vacation rentals! When you book with us at Vacations Perfected, you can rest assured that you will receive quality customer service and accommodations that meet or exceed expectations. Our Panama City Beach accommodation listings range from private beach homes to lavish oceanfront condos, accommodating everyone from a romantic couple’s getaway to large groups of friends or family. Make that dream beach vacation come true with a stay in Panama City Beach! Contact us today to learn more.