Panama City Beach attracts over 4 million visitors a year — many of them families. So, if you’re thinking of a new vacation destination to bring the kiddos, you’re in luck. Here at The Pines at West Bay, we love hosting families at our serene retreat in PCB.
From amusement and laser parks to alligator feeding and fishing, there’s no shortage of fun, kid-friendly experiences to embark on here in Panama City Beach.
Ready to give your kids a family vacation to remember? Keep reading as we walk through kid-friendly activities to fill your itinerary with.
1. Enjoy a Day of Adventure at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images
Imagine a cross-fit style obstacle course and how much it would tire out an adult. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is the equivalent for your kids. Only instead of burpees and box jumps, the obstacles of choice are:
- Tropical-themed, 18-hole golf course: Take selfies with a gorilla, walk through breezy palm trees, and enjoy the sights and sounds of gentle waterfalls in the background!
- Sea-Themed Mini Golf: 18-hole mini-course with realistic yet artistic statues of a starfish, octopus, turtle, and more!
- Gran Maze: A human-sized, 4-checkpoint maze that the whole family can enjoy.
2. Indulge in Fresh Seafood along the Emerald Coast
Photo Credit: Kzenon
Tuna, flounder, mahi-mahi, octopus — these are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the great catches you can find in the Gulf of Mexico. The good news? You don’t need a fishing boat to grab them.
All you have to do is visit one of these solid PCB restaurants for fresh seafood, like:
- Dirty Dick’s Crab House: If you miss Louisiana cuisine, Dirty Dick’s delivers that Cajun flavor with its shrimp po’boys, blackened mahi mahi tacos, fried green tomatoes, and even fried gator.
- Runaway Island: A casual seafood joint with live music multiple days a week and a fun kids menu with popcorn, chicken, and fried fish.
- Oceans Menu: A great lunch, dinner, and nighttime bar spot, but with a family-friendly kids menu that includes mini corn dogs and chicken tenders.
- Thomas Donuts and Snack Shop: This is more of a snack bar known for donuts, but we can’t ignore the delectable shrimp melt.
3. Hit Up Some Go Karts
Feeling nostalgic? Kids and parents alike will go crazy for PCB’s go-kart racing. You might notice a bunch of options on Google Maps, like the Emerald Falls Family Recreation Center — but a few of these, including that one, are closed. Luckily, you have a great kids’ park right in the center of PCB.
The Slingshot and Vomitron PCB is an amusement park that comes with endless family-friendly activities, like a 480-foot outdoor track with 2- and 1-seat carts. The go-karts are also suitable for younger children who want to ride with their parents. The park also has a slingshot ride that blasts you 300 feet in the air for an unparalleled thrill.
4. Set Sail on the Sea Dragon Private Cruise
Photo Credit: Delbars
Located on Grand Lagoon in the Lighthouse Marina, the Sea Dragon Private Cruise is an engaging activity for the kiddos for a few reasons. First and foremost, you give your kids the chance to see dolphins for the first time.
You’ll also notice some people dressed as pirates, which will surely entertain your children, even the young ones. They’ll feel like they’re in a movie under the Captain’s guidance, playing with play swords and cruising along the Gulf for a fun-filled, 2-hour ride.
5. Immerse Yourself in Nature at St. Andrew’s State Park
Photo Credit: oscargutzo
At the tip of Panama City Beach’s peninsula, St. Andrew’s State Park is a slice of Mother Nature, untouched and preserved with its gentle, stunning coastlines, ecological diversity, and white sand beaches that don’t get too crowded. Soak up some sun and release your inner child as you build sandcastles with your children.
A bit closer to the tip takes you to Jetties, a cushioned, calm swimming area surrounded by rock formations that act as a shelter and aesthetic wonder in one. You’ll also notice a fishing pier where you can bring your own gear or take a fishing boat into the water.
Other fun, family-friendly activities you can try include:
- Surfing
- Shell collecting
- Bird Watching
- Snorkeling
- Paddleboarding
6. Marvel at Wildlife in Zooworld
Photo Credit: ben bryant
The kiddos might have seen giraffes and alligators on television — but what if you told them they could feed both giraffes and alligators at Zooworld? We can’t think of a more intimate experience to have with some of the world’s most incredible creatures.
What’s great about Zooworld is that they center experiences on getting up close and personal with the animals. You and your kids can pet sloths or kangaroos and even hold the infamously chill capybaras. Finally, don’t forget to try a once-in-a-lifetime snuggle with a lemur!
7. Cool Off with Homemade Ice Cream
Is the sun getting to you? Make sure you stay hydrated. But if you want to quench your and your kids’ thirst and sweet tooth, a delicious ice cream cone should do the trick. Luckily, PCB has plenty of ice cream shops for you to stop at, including:
- Kilwins: A creamy, rich ice cream joint that’s been around since 1985. Make sure to order the cappuccino chocolate chip or salted caramel for an out-of-world flavor!
- Hershey’s Beach Ice Cream Shop: The Hot Fudge Sundae is a must-try, but they also have snow cones, popcorn, and chocolate shakes.
- David’s New Orleans Style Sno Balls: Enjoy New Orleans-style cuisine at this no-frills cafe with po’boys, crispy-fluffy beignets, and ice-cream stuffed sno balls!
8. Take a Jet Ski Tour to Shell Island
Take one of the kiddos on the back of a jet ski to Shell Island, a tropical paradise with dolphin sights, pelicans, and white, sandy beaches to relish in the sunshine. If you want to travel with more people, consider a pontoon boat tour instead, which can usually hold up to 8 people.
Our advice? Bring a picnic basket with you, some cold drinks, and snacks to spend the day at this off-the-beaten path beach. Enjoy quality time with your loved ones with the gorgeous landscapes of the Gulf in the background.
9. Wonderworks
Need a break from the sun, water slides, or rollercoasters? Why not enjoy a few scientific attractions in an education-focused amusement park instead? Wonderworks offers a number of interactive exhibits where you and your family can learn about the laws of nature.
Extreme winds help explain the world of climate and weather, while the Imagination Lab gives kids free rein to express their creative abilities.
Take a Memorable Family Vacation at Panama City Beach!
Who says you have to go to Disney World for a family-friendly vacation? Panama City Beach is a less crowded, coastal Florida city that still delivers a multitude of kids’ attractions like go-karts, state parks, amusement parks with water slides, beaches, and more.
But when you’re tired out and just feel like relaxing? That’s what the Pines at West Bay Retreat is for. We have plenty of amenities to keep the kids occupied, like pickleball, swimming pools, and a kid-friendly fishing pond.