A 12-Day Fun-Filled Itinerary for Panama City Beach, Florida

  • Day 1: St. Andrews State Park
    25 minutes (16.2 miles) from Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport

    Start your trip by visiting one of the most beautiful state parks in Florida. This park features beautiful beaches, nature trails, wildlife, picnic areas, and a large boat ramp. Spend your day hiking, swimming, or just lounging on the pristine beach.

  • Day 2: Gulf World Marine Park
    10 minutes (5 miles) from St. Andrews State Park

    Visit this fascinating park that combines marine life, education, and entertainment. Watch shows featuring dolphins, sea lions, and tropical birds. Interact with stingrays, sharks, or tropical fish. The park also features a large indoor playground, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

  • Day 3: Shell Island
    20 minutes (9 miles) from Gulf World Marine Park via shuttle boat

    This remote natural island is a nature lover's paradise, featuring miles of unspoiled beaches, crystal clear waters, and an abundance of sea life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and fish. Rent snorkeling equipment or a paddleboard to explore the island's beauty up close.

  • Day 4: WonderWorks
    15 minutes (7 miles) from Shell Island

    Experience a unique educational adventure with interactive exhibits that challenge your mind and spark your imagination. WonderWorks is an indoor amusement park that features over 100 hands-on exhibits, a giant ropes course, a 4D motion ride, and a laser tag arena.

  • Day 5: Science and Discovery Center
    20 minutes (12.3 miles) from WonderWorks

    Have fun learning about science and technology through interactive exhibits, experiments, and demonstrations. Explore outer space, build and launch rockets, make electricity, and learn about geology and paleontology.

  • Day 6: Pier Park
    15 minutes (8.4 miles) from Science and Discovery Center

    Shop, dine, and play at this open-air shopping center featuring over 120 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, including a movie theater, a bowling alley, an amusement park, and a zip line. Don't forget to visit the iconic Russell-Fields Pier that offers great views of the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Day 7: Man in the Sea Museum
    20 minutes (10.6 miles) from Pier Park

    Discover the fascinating world of underwater exploration and technology through exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia. Learn about the history of diving, the evolution of submarines, and the latest oceanographic research.

  • Day 8: Aaron Bessant Park
    5 minutes (2.3 miles) from Man in the Sea Museum

    Relax and enjoy a day outdoors at this beautiful park that features a lake, a playground, a splash pad, and a large amphitheater. Take a stroll around the park's walking trails, bring your own picnic, or attend one of the many events held here throughout the year.

  • Day 9: Panama City Beach Winery
    10 minutes (4.5 miles) from Aaron Bessant Park

    Taste some locally-made wines that are sure to leave a great taste in your mouth. This winery offers award-winning fruit wines and meads, as well as unique gift items, home décor, and wine accessories.

  • Day 10: Camp Helen State Park
    15 minutes (9.7 miles) from Panama City Beach Winery

    Spend your day exploring the natural beauty of this park that features rare coastal dune lakes, wetlands, and flora and fauna. Swim, fish or paddle in the clear Lake Powell or hike one of the park's nature trails.

  • Day 11: Bay Point Golf Club
    10 minutes (4.8 miles) from Camp Helen State Park

    Tee off at one of the most popular golf courses in Panama City Beach. Bay Point Golf Club features two 18-hole championship golf courses that challenge golfers of all skill levels. The club also offers a pro shop, a restaurant, and practice facilities.

  • Day 12: Beach Day
    15 minutes (7.5 miles) from Bay Point Golf Club

    Spend your last day in Panama City Beach the way you want, lounging on the white-sand beaches and enjoying the crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Read a book, play beach volleyball or just watch the waves roll by.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • St. Andrews State Park (4 hours, $8 per vehicle)
  • Gulf World Marine Park (5 hours, $40 admission)
  • Shell Island (6 hours, $23 shuttle fee)
  • WonderWorks (4 hours, $26 admission)
  • Science and Discovery Center (3 hours, $10 admission)
  • Pier Park (6 hours, free)
  • Man in the Sea Museum (2 hours, $8 admission)
  • Aaron Bessant Park (4 hours, free)
  • Panama City Beach Winery (2 hours, $10 wine tasting)
  • Camp Helen State Park (5 hours, $5 admission)
  • Bay Point Golf Club (5 hours, $100 golf fee)
  • Beach Day (7 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $220 per person

Transportation

If you are traveling from outside of Florida, the closest airport is the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), located 20 miles northwest of Panama City Beach. There are several transportation options from the airport, including taxis, ride-shares, private shuttles, and rental cars. The cost of a taxi or ride-share from the airport to most hotels in Panama City Beach is around $40 one-way, and takes approximately 25-30 minutes.

Useful Tips

If you have a few extra days, consider visiting more of the amazing state parks in the area, such as Grayton Beach State Park, Camp Helen State Park, and St. Joseph Peninsula State Park. Renting a bike is a great way to explore the area and get some exercise at the same time. If you have less time, consider skipping the indoor attractions, such as WonderWorks and Science and Discovery Center, and spending more time at the beach or exploring the natural beauty of the area.

Airports

The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) is the nearest airport to Panama City Beach, located approximately 12 miles from the city center. The airport serves several major airlines, including Delta, United, and Southwest, and has non-stop flights to many US cities, including Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, and St. Louis.

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