15-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Panama City Beach, Florida

  • Day 1: Gulf World Marine Park
    10 minutes (3.6 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    Gulf World Marine Park is a family-friendly theme park that offers fantastic opportunities to watch dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and other fascinating marine creatures in their natural habitat. The park also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to feed and touch sea animals.

  • Day 2: St. Andrews State Park
    20 minutes (7.4 miles) from Gulf World Marine Park

    St. Andrews State Park is a massive 1200-acre park located on the Gulf of Mexico. The park features pristine beaches, hiking trails, and varied wildlife. Visitors can enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming, and camping while in the park.

  • Day 3: Shipwreck Island Waterpark
    11 minutes (3.6 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    Shipwreck Island Waterpark offers a full day of excitement and entertainment for the entire family. The waterpark features a wave pool, water slides, and lazy river. Visitors can also enjoy mini-golf and other fun activities while in the park.

  • Day 4: ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Conservatory
    20 minutes (5.5 miles) from Shipwreck Island Waterpark

    ZooWorld is a 25-acre zoological park that is home to more than 200 animals from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy up-close and personal encounters with creatures like lemurs, sloths, and meerkats.

  • Day 5: WonderWorks
    14 minutes (4.2 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that combines education and entertainment. The park features more than 100 interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience natural disasters, space flight, and more.

  • Day 6: Panama City Beach
    10 minutes (3.5 miles) from WonderWorks

    Panama City Beach is one of the most popular attractions in the area due to its crystal-clear waters and powdery white sand. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and a variety of watersports while at the beach.

  • Day 7: Dolphin and Snorkel Tours
    15 minutes (5.1 miles) from Panama City Beach

    This tour offers a unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with dolphins and explore the beautiful underwater world of Panama City Beach. Visitors can choose from a range of tour options, including dolphin encounters, snorkeling adventures, and sunset cruises.

  • Day 8: Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
    11 minutes (3.3 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    Coconut Creek Family Fun Park offers a fun-filled day of mini-golf, go-karts, and other exciting activities. Visitors can enjoy the park's beautiful landscaping while having fun with their family members.

  • Day 9: Pier Park
    5 minutes (1.1 miles) from Coconut Creek Family Fun Park

    Pier Park is a beautiful outdoor shopping and entertainment center that offers a unique shopping and dining experience. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of stores, restaurants, and entertainment options.

  • Day 10: Gulf World Marine Park
    10 minutes (3.6 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    For day 10, we recommend revisiting Gulf World Marine Park to enjoy the shows and explore the exhibit stations, which may have missed during the first visit.

  • Day 11: Shell Island Shuttle
    20 minutes (4.4 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    Shell Island Shuttle is an excursion that takes visitors to a beautiful sandy beach with crystal-clear water, which is known for its stunning seashells. Visitors can swim, sunbathe or explore the island's natural beauty.

  • Day 12: Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
    15 minutes (4.6 miles) from Shell Island Shuttle

    Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise is a two-hour adventure that takes visitors back in time to the era of pirates. During the tour, visitors can enjoy pirate music, face painting, and treasure hunting games.

  • Day 13: Rock'it Lanes
    3 minutes (0.6 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area

    Rock'it Lanes is an entertainment center that features an arcade, bowling alley, and roller skating rink. Visitors can enjoy a full day of family fun, competition and adventure.

  • Day 14: Pirate's Island Adventure Golf
    3 minutes (0.6 miles) from Rock'it Lanes

    Pirate's Island Adventure Golf is a family-friendly mini-golf course that is designed with a pirate theme. Visitors can enjoy competing against each other while experiencing the thrill of the adventure.

  • Day 15: Departure Day
    15 minutes (11.2 miles) from Hampton Inn & Suites Panama City Beach-Pier Park Area to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP)

    On the last day, you may choose to rest at the hotel or continue sightseeing before departing from the destination.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Pier Park (1-2 hours, free)
  • Dolphin and Snorkel Tours (2 hours, $99 per person)
  • Coconut Creek Family Fun Park (2-3 hours, $15 per person)
  • Shipwreck Island Waterpark (4-5 hours, $40 per person)
  • WonderWorks (2-3 hours, $34.99 adult, $24.99 child)
  • Gulf World Marine Park (3-4 hours, $38.99 adult, $28.99 child)
  • Pirate's Island Adventure Golf (2 hours, $12.50 adult, $10.50 child)
  • ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Conservatory (2-3 hours, $22.95 adult, $11.95 child)
  • Rock'it Lanes (2-3 hours, $25 per hour bowling, $10 per 30 minutes of roller skating)
  • Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise (2 hours, $39.95 per person)
  • Shell Island Shuttle (2 hours, $32 per person)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $707.38

Transportation

Most of the attractions are located within a 20-mile radius, so it’s recommended to rent a car to make getting around easier. The estimated cost for renting a car is between $40-$100 per day, and travel times between attractions vary from a few minutes to twenty minutes.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you may consider taking a day trip to the neighboring town of Seaside. The town offers a peaceful and charming atmosphere, with white sandy beaches and numerous unique restaurants and shops.

If you have less time, you can shorten your stay by one or two days and combine some of the activities.

Airports

The nearest airport to Panama City Beach is the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). The airport is located approximately 18 miles from the city center and provides several transportation options, including car rentals, rideshares, and public transportation.

0