Panama City Beach Attractions and Experiences
Our Top Picks
Pier Park: Pier Park Website
A coastal shopping and dining destination featuring a beachy atmosphere, an array of eateries, renowned retail stores, and charming local shops along palm tree-lined streets and vibrant buildings. Favorites like Paula Deen's, Nashville's famous Tootsie's, and Margaritaville await.
Catamaran Sail with Island Time Sailing: islandtimesailing.com
Island Time Sailing offers a range of catamaran sails, sunset cruises, dolphin sightseeing tours, and private charters, all complemented by a friendly and accommodating crew, and the stunning beauty of the surrounding sights.
Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill: hookedpierbar.com
A laid-back beachside eatery serving delicious food and tropical drinks that you can take to go, perfect savoring back at your beach chair while enjoying the ocean view.
Holiday Celebrations and Year Round Events at PCB: Events and Holidays
Panama City Beach is the ultimate year-round celebration destination, offering something for everyone. From unforgettable Thanksgiving weekends and dazzling Fourth of July extravaganzas to thrilling New Year's beach ball drops, there's always a holiday to enjoy by the beach. You'll find a calendar packed with music events, food and drink festivals, pirate week, Mardi Gras celebrations, motorcycle rallies, sports events, and beachside car shows. No matter when you visit, there's fun in the sun waiting for you!
Dining Recommendations
Hook'd Pier Bar & Grill: hookedpierbar.com
Relaxed beachfront eatery offering both indoor and outdoor seating with picturesque waterfront views, serving delectable bowls, burgers, and refreshing drinks.
Bayou Bill's Crab House: bayoubills.com
A lively and casual atmosphere, featuring fantastic seafood, creative drinks, locally sourced cuisine, and a unique chance to see real live Florida Gators for an unforgettable dining experience.
Jin Jin Fusion: jinjinfusionfl.com
Casual restaurant serving up a delicious blend of Japanese and Chinese cuisine, from sushi to hibachi meals, perfect for both dining in and takeout.
Havana Beach: havanabeachbar.com
Nestled in the seaside town of Rosemary Beach with cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture, this four-diamond resort casual restaurant, offers flavors of the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean in an inviting setting, adding a touch of upscale dining to your experience.
Beach Activities
Beach Access:
Panama City Beach provides nearly a hundred public beach access points across 27 miles of pristine white sandy shores, ensuring free access to the beach. Explore and find your perfect spot, whether for socializing or a peaceful retreat.
Beach Front State Park: St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park, embraced by the Gulf of Mexico, St. Andrews Bay, and the Grand Lagoon, provides an array of family-friendly activities. You can camp, fish, canoe, and bike, try pier fishing, spot alligators, snorkel near the jetties, or indulge in a sweet treat with some ice cream.
Volley Ball on the Beach: Russel Fields Pier
Beachfront volleyball courts offer the perfect setting for friendly games or tournaments, and you can rent courts and equipment at Russell Fields Pier.
Water Sports: Water Activities
The beach boasts a wide range of water sports options, from parasailing and jet skiing to fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
Attractions and Shopping
Gulf World Marine Park: gulfworldmarinepark.com
Home to a diverse array of marine life, from bottlenose dolphins and sea lions to penguins, stingrays, and even rare rough-toothed dolphins. Enjoy daily educational shows, animal exhibits, interactive experiences, and the chance to connect with these remarkable animals. Open daily, rain or shine, Gulf World leaves visitors with incredible memories.
Pirate Cruse: Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
Set sail on an unforgettable pirate cruise along the emerald shores of the Gulf Coast! Enjoy face painting, epic water gun and sword battles, dance parties, sightseeing, and even a treasure hunt for the young buccaneers aboard. It's a swashbuckling adventure for the whole family!
Shipwreck Island Water Park: shipwreckisland.com
Dive into a tropical paradise at this unique water park, with attractions for all ages. Surrounded by lush landscaping and managed by a top-notch aquatics team, it's a warmly inviting destination for family fun.
Pier Park: Pier Park PCB
Pier Park is a shopper's paradise. Spanning a million square feet, this open-air complex hosts a wide range of shops, from big-name stores to charming boutiques. But it's not just about shopping - enjoy ice cream on the pier, let the kids have a blast on bumper boats, and savor the overall fun and refreshments this place has to offer.
Area Events
Festivals: PCB Food and Wine Festivals
Savor the vibrant flavors of the Gulf Coast at PCB's year-round food and wine festivals. Revel in the Grand Lagoon Bloody Mary and Music Festival, where top restaurants vie for the title of best Bloody Mary. For craft beer and wine enthusiasts, Oktoberfest aficionados, and food truck aficionados, there's a festival for everyone. In February, sate your cravings at the Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival, complete with vendors, lawn games, and live music. And come March, don't miss "UNwineD," a two-day garden party with wine, beer, spirits, and culinary delights crafted by some of the region's top chefs and restaurants.
Music and Dancing: PCB Music Events
Experience the best of country music at the four-day Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in June at Frank Brown Park, featuring special viewing areas and VIP perks. In February, the PCB Mardi Gras and Music Festival delivers live music, parades, costume contests, and fireworks. Don't miss the April Seabreeze Jazz Festival and the Summer Concert Series on Tuesday nights from June to August at the Aaron Bessant Park amphitheater.
Car, Motorcycle, and Bike Enthusiasts: Bike Rally - Car Show - Ironman
Join the Thunder Beach rally, known as "The Most Biker Friendly Free Rally in the United States," where bikers, vendors, and exhibitors from across the country gather for a week of fun. Experience live entertainment, custom motorcycles, and scenic rides along some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Don't miss the classic car show at Aaron Bessant Park during the "Emerald Coast Cruizin Car Show" featuring hot rods, live music, and awards. For the athletic enthusiasts, Panama City Beach IRONMAN awaits, offering a picturesque race route in a stunning beachfront setting.
Holidays in Panama City Beach: Holiday Fun - Beach Home for the Holidays
In July, enjoy the dazzling Fourth of July festivities, featuring four spectacular fireworks displays best holiday spirit with the Christmas Village at Capt. Anderson's Marina and the festive decorations at Pier Park. Thanksgiving weekend begins with the lively "Beach Home for the Holidays" event, offering fireworks, carolers, concerts, s'mores, Santa sightings, and more. And for New Year's Eve, don't miss "Countdown to the New Year at PCB" with the Beach Ball Drop at Pier Park. It includes a thrilling beach ball drop for the kids, and a giant beach ball drop at midnight, both followed by fireworks with live music and food vendors.
Nearby Things to Do
Golfer's Paradise: Golfing Options in PCB
Named one of the nation's top three golf towns by Golf Digest Magazine, PCB offers year-round golfing with 320 days of sunshine and average temps of 74 degrees. Bay Point Golf Club features the only Nicklaus Design course in Northwest Florida, surrounded by nature and minutes from the beach. Legacy Golf Club boasts TifEagle Turf greens and a unique lighted par 3 course, making golfing at night a possibility. Signal Hill Golf Course is a reliable and challenging community course.
Sports Events and Tournaments: PCB Publix Sports Park
Panama City Beach Publix Sports Park is the ultimate hub for sports events in the Florida Panhandle and beyond. Spanning 160 acres of flexible space, the complex hosts a wide range of events, from youth soccer and football playoffs to baseball tournaments, the College Baseball Classic, and competitive sports training programs. PCB is a premier destination for sports tourism and recreation.
Wineries and Tastings: Duplin Winery - PCB Winery
Experience the world of wine at two outstanding PCB wineries. Duplin, renowned for its award-winning, easy-sipping wines, offers relaxing guided tastings with frozen cocktails, homemade crackers, and gourmet cheese dip. Learn about muscadine grapes and Southern winemaking, and witness hand-bottling demonstrations. Panama City Beach Winery specializes in crafting award-winning fruit wines, all proudly made in Florida. Don't pass up their daily tastings and consider booking a private event for your group.
Get to Know Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach, Florida, is the ultimate destination known for its stunningly clear emerald waters, pristine white sandy beaches, a wide array of water activities, vibrant festivals, year-round celebrations, exceptional dining, and family-friendly attractions. Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, this coastal paradise has it all.
Feel free to explore our recommendations, or visit Panama City Beach's website to discover even more about this captivating town and the exciting array of activities waiting for you!
Check PCB's Calendar of Upcoming Events
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