Let Us Entertain You

If laying out on the sugar-white beaches all day isn’t your idea of getting the most out of your Gulf Coast getaway, don’t worry! Your trip to Panama City Beach will be packed with go-karts, games, amusement and animal parks, as well as holiday and music festivals to stimulate all your senses. PCB is awash in awesome attractions and spectacular events for even the most restless travelers.

Arcades and Amusement Parks

Sprint over to Race City, a family fun park that combines a mega arcade for dedicated gamers, indoor mini-golf, as well as fast and furiously exciting go-kart tracks. Race City also has the only roller coaster in Panama City Beach. For another go at go-karting and golf, Hidden Lagoon Golf and Racetrack has two super attractions — a nearly mile-long go-kart track and outdoor mini-golf courses surrounded by fountains and waterfalls.

Seek more geeky outings during your Panama City Beach vacation. NextGen-VR is the play space of your techie-gamer dreams. Book large rooms and choose from more than 120 games run on high-end hardware for a fully immersive, virtual reality experience. When you’re ready to re-enter reality, science and adventure combine at WonderWorks. Here you can explore scientific principles with hands-on edu-tainment in six wonder zones, or challenge your friends on the ropes course or to a game of laser tag.

If a buccaneering bonanza is more your speed, Shipwreck Island Waterpark has a wave pool with a half million gallons of simulated ocean power awaiting your tubular enthusiasm. Ride together on kid-friendly water slides like the Zoom Flume, rock the rapids of White Knuckle River, or battle it out side-by-side via the Pirate’s Plunge water slide duel.

Your love for all things pirate can continue by taking a ride on the Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise which includes a two-hour pirate ship tour into scenic St. Andrews Bay. Captain “Fearless” Phil will point out birds and coastal wildlife, and perhaps you’ll get to see frolicking bottlenose dolphins swimming alongside the ship. Join in a shiver-me-timbers dance party, and enjoy the on-board amusements of pirate swashbuckling, treasure maps, face painting and tattoos.

Wild and Wonderful Animals

If your idea of entertainment tends toward the spectacular gifts of the natural world, Panama City Beach has its share of zoos and animal adventures. Zoo World lets you get up close to graceful giraffes, lovable lemurs, glorious gators, steady sloths and the auspicious aviary! Nourish your animal-loving soul while also hand-feeding some of these wondrous creatures. 

For something truly unique, have a howling-fun Saturday by booking a tour of the Seacrest Wolf Preserve which gets you close to packs of grey, British Columbian and Arctic wolves.

And a trip to Florida’s Gulf Coast is incomplete without a trip to Gulf World Marine Park where you can dip your fingers into the stingray tank to touch their slick skins, or sit back and watch the flipping flourishes of the park’s performing dolphins as they put on a show.

Festival Favorites

If you’re an avid festival-goer, then Panama City Beach’s many music and cultural festivals will give you that thrill of big crowds and tons of rock and rollicking entertainment. 

The weekend before Fat Tuesday, join the party at the PCB Mardi Gras and Music Festival with several parades (for kids, second line, and the big Mardi Gras at the Beach parade), a festival village and tons of live musical entertainment by national and regional acts.

March welcomes springtime revelry during the UNwineD event, which features food as well as beer, spirits and wine from around the region and the world. Kicking off on a Friday and continuing into Saturday for a tasting party and concert, it’s all happening in Aaron Bessant Park.

PCB welcomes Jeep enthusiasts in mid-May for the Jeep Beach Jam which runs for five full days. Bring your Jeep-loving crew, and get your motors running for bumper-to-bumper Jeep events including off-roading, obstacle courses, Jeep vendors, National Go Topless Day (the Jeep, folks, the Jeep) and so much more.

In June you can join the pulsating crowd of music-loving spectators for the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. The stages are set for big headliners in southern rock and country music as well as up-and-coming artists in both genres.

Midsummer night’s fireworks light up PCB’s Real. Fun. Beach. at the annual Real. Fun. Fourth. in July. On the first two nights, watch the pyrotechnics from a beachfront restaurant or hotel and listen to the music set to the choreographed fireworks displays via the radio simulcast.

Just in time for cooler weather, harvest fests and Halloween, put on your peg legs and eye patches for the family-friendly Pirates of the High Seas festival at Pier Park. Join in treasure hunting, pirate parties, musical performances, parades and legendary maritime merriment! 

If you’re in Panama City Beach during the fall leading into the holiday season, check out Beach Home for the Holidays on Thanksgiving weekend. Come to Aaron Bessant Park to listen to caroling concerts and wait in happy anticipation of an appearance by that jolly old elf, Santa!

So come to Panama City Beach any time of year and find games, rides, animal encounters, live music and lively crowds. Entertainment abounds. Explore all the ways to make it yours!

Entertaining Activities