Panama City and Panama City Beach

By VISIT FLORIDA staff
Published: May 8, 2008
Last Updated On: January 13, 2012

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Beaches

Parks

Museums

Driving Tours

Panama City Beach

Cruises

Shelling

Tours On A Tankful

Join us on a drive through Panama City and Panama City Beach.

Heritage Highlights

Panama City is home to the Science and Discoverity Center, where interactive programs and exhibits focus on science, history and the environment. Authentic buildings, furnishings and tools evoke northwest Florida's pioneer history. The museum also features a natural science exhibit where visitors can learn about local and global environmental issues.

Cast away, if only for a day, on Shell Island, off the mainland of St. Andrews State Park. With seven-and-a-half miles of undeveloped coastline, this barrier island offers the best shelling this side of Sanibel Island.

Nature Trek

"PCB," as Panama City Beach is affectionately called, is synonymous with frolicking, fun-loving spring breaks and affordable family vacations. But it's also one of the prettiest places along the Gulf Coast.

Cast away, if only for a day, on Shell Island, off the mainland of St. Andrews State Park. With seven-and-a-half miles of undeveloped coastline, this barrier island offers the best shelling this side of Sanibel Island. Snorkel in the grassy flats of Spanish Shanty Cove, or hike inland for a glimpse of the foxes and other wildlife that make their home on the island. The island is accessible only by boat. Commercial charters run daily, but set your own schedule and catch the pontoon ferry from the park, which runs every 30 minutes May - Oct.  If you'd rather stay on the mainland, St. Andrews offers two fishing piers, jetties to snorkel and a convenient boat ramp. Nature trails lead through a number of plant communities where visitors may encounter wading birds, alligators and many small animals.

One of the best times on your vacation will be at Gulf World Marine Park.  During your visit, you'll see the Dolphin Show, Scuba Show, Sea Lion Show, Performing Parrot Show, The Reptile Show, magic show and a live shark and turtle feeding. Enjoy a show in the Tropical Garden Theatre, or visit the sting ray petting pool. Ask about how you can swim with a dolphin, or even become a "Dolphin Trainer For A Day." Open daily rain or shine. Summer months, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the rest of the year, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Culture Quest

The Lady Anderson Dining Yacht offers sunset dinner/dance cruises March through December. Dine and Dance while cruising in beautiful St. Andrews Bay. The evening features a fabulous buffet dinner, live music by the Seabreeze band. There are also theme cruises held June through August. The yacht is also available for private charters, weddings, meetings, school dances and retirement parties. For more information, call 800-360-0510 or 850-234-5940.

The Panama City POPS Orchestra will play their concerts at the Marina Civic Center in Panama City this year. The orchestra’s season runs from October to May. They perform traditional contemporary and popular symphonic music.