Panama City Beach - Family Fun in the Sun

When your family tires of playing at the beach, visit Shipwreck Island for some waterpark fun. You will still be out in the sun and splashing in the water. There are slides and pools to please all ages. A favorite in our family is the Ocean Motion Wave Pool. Parents can relax in a beach chair while the children splash in the waves that come at them every ten minutes.

Address: 12201 Middle Beach Road
Phone: 850-234-3333
Admission: 50in and above-$33; 35-50in-$28; Under 35in-Free
Hours of Operation: Open some days during the months of April, May, August and September; Open June 6-July 31 from 10:30am to 5pm;

Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed several years ago but a few of the rides were given a second chance at life. These rides are still entertaining children at Pier Park, a gigantic shopping and entertainment center. After you have finished shopping, treat the family to a few rides at the Miracle Strip at Pier Park. You can buy individual tickets, all day armbands, or an annual pass. The rides include a ferris wheel, a carousel, a balloon race, an airplane ride and more.

Address: 400 Pier Park Drive
Phone: 850-230-5200
Admission: Admission is free but you must buy tickets to ride the rides. Each ride is one ticket per person. Tickets are $3.50 each. You can purchase a book of ten tickets for $29 or an all day armband for $15 per person.
Hours of Operation: Monday through Sunday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Coconut Creek Family Fun Park offers both mini golf and a chance to find your way out of a maze that is the size of a football field. Wander through the maze while looking for four stations where you punch a card. Once you find all four stations, make your way out of the maze. There are several exits around the outside of the maze so if you get anxious about being in the tight space, you can escape! Kids under six play for free so this is a fun family activity without breaking the budget. Bring bottled water into the maze because it gets very hot during the summertime.

Address: 9807 Front Beach Road
Phone: 850-234-2625
Admission: Unlimited mini golf and maze entry-$18; Mini Golf-$10.50; Gran Maze-$10.50; Children under 6-Free
Hours of Operation: Open daily at 9am (weather permitting) year round except for Christmas Eve and Christmas

St. Andrews State Park offers a beach away from the touristy area where you can swim or snorkel. Enjoy a picnic lunch and go hiking or biking on the trails. If you want to spend more time here, reserve a camping spot. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can take a shuttle from St. Andrews State Park to Shell Island for a fee. There is a good chance you might even spot bottle nosed dolphins on this trip.

Address: 4607 State Park Lane
Phone: 850-233-5140
Admission: $8 per vehicle (2-8 people); $4 single occumpant vehicle; $2 pedestrians, bicycles, additional passengers
Hours of Operation: Open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year

Besides the different ball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, Frank Brown Park also has a large playground, walking trails, and an aquatic center. There is a children's splash area with a play structure. Spend the morning at the pools, have a picnic lunch and then go for a walk one of the trails.

Address: 16200 Panama City Beach Parkway
Phone: 850-236-2205
Admission: $5 0-14yrs; $8 15-64yrs
Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm; Saturday 9 am-5 pm; Sunday 12-5 pm

The kids won't believe their luck when they find out that they will be riding on a pirate ship! The 2 hour pirate ship cruise sails most days of the week (weather permitting) from March to October. They will keep the kids entertained and you might even see dolphins and other sea life. Check the website for a coupon before you purchase your tickets and advanced reservations are highly recommended.

Address: 5325 N. Lagoon Drive
Phone: 850-234-7400
Admission: Free for children under 1; $12 Ages 1 and 2; $18 Children 14 and under; $24 Ages 15 and over
Hours of Operation: Hours vary with season

Ordering a pizza is a great way to save a few dollars when you are traveling as a family and Angelina's serves up some delicious pizza. If you aren't in the mood for pizza, try one of their pasta dishes or calzones. It is a family friendly environment and my kids love the pizza!

Address: 3212 West 23rd Street
Phone: 850-747-0086
Hours of Operation: Sun-Thurs 11am to 9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

If you are looking for a family friendly restaurant on the beach, Pineapple Willy's is a good place to start. This restaurant is not only popular with the tourists, but also with the locals. There is a children's menu with several choices. When you are finished eating, take a walk along the beach.

Address: 9875 South Thomas Drive
Phone: 850-235-0928
Hours of Operation: Open Daily 11am to 10pm