Whether you’re planning a trip to Florida, or you already live here, the Panama City area has a lot of places to see and a variety of fun attractions. The clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico offer the ideal playground for those who love to be out on the water or sitting on the beach, but Panama City has lots of other things to do too. Take a look at some of the Panama City locations to visit in the new year.
1. Shell Island
Shell Island is an unspoiled area off the coast of Panama City. You’ll have to take a boat ride to get to this barrier island, which features magnificent sand dunes, unspoiled habitats for wildlife, and lots of shelling and fishing opportunities. The island is stunning, and if you look out over the water, you are almost sure to see bottle-nosed dolphins. The island has a large population of these majestic mammals, and they are often intrigued by island visitors.
Plan a day at Shell Island, and you can rent a kayak or paddleboard and get out on the water, or try snorkeling and see what’s under the water.
The Shell Island Shuttle is the official transport service to the island and will get you there quickly and safely. The shuttle also provides snorkeling gear and sells tickets to the Shell Island Snorkel Tours.
2. St. Andrews State Park
St. Andrews State Park in Panama City was once a military reservation, and now this hidden gem is home to 1200 acres of land to explore. Spend the day at St. Andrews State Park, and you can see five different unique ecological landscapes in one area. It has the Gulf of Mexico on one side and St. Andrews Bay on the other, making it the perfect place for lots of adventure.
The park is a popular stop for many migratory birds and butterfly species, and with over a mile and a half of beaches, you can spend your day swimming, fishing, and more.
Some of the activities you can enjoy in the park include:
- Bicycling. The two-mile paved road is the perfect spot for a bike ride.
- Birding. The migratory birds are always a unique site.
- Boat Tours. Boat tours are offered from the park’s mainland to Shell Island in the spring and summer.
- Boating. Boaters can ride around St. Andrews Bay, the inlet to the Gulf of Mexico, and Shell Island.
- Camping. The 60-site campground the park sits in the pinewoods near Gand Lagoon. All sites have water, electricity, picnic tables, and grills. The sites can accommodate anything from tents to RVs up to 45 feet long.
- Fishing. The fishing at St. Andrews ranges from deep-sea jetty fishing and surf fishing. The jetty rocks provide Spanish mackerel, redfish, flounder, sea trout, dolphin, bluefish, and more.
- Hiking. The path has two half-mile trails to explore. The Heron Pond trail takes you through the fatwood pine forest and toward Sandy Point. The Gator Lake trail takes you to scenic views of the lake.
- Paddling. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and paddle around Grand Lagoon or head across the channel to Shell Island.
3. Russell-Fields City Pier
Image via Flickr by dconvertini
The Russel-Fields City Pier stretches out 1500 into the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can walk out to the end of the pier for a daily fee of $3.00, and if you want to fish, a fishing license is just $7. The pier stays open all year round and depending on the season, and you might catch Blue Liners, Hardtails, Redfish, or Spanish mackerel. Fishin rods are also available for rent if you don’t have your own, but you don’t need to fish to enjoy the pier. It’s a great place to enjoy the sea breeze and take beautiful pictures at sunset.
4. Pier Park
Pier Park is the premier shopping center in Panama City. The outdoor complex has over 124 different stores, with everything you might need for the home and lots of clothing and accessories for the entire family. Pier Park is also home to many restaurants and dining options, and it has a Grand IMAX movie theater, live music venues, and even a laser tag venue.
The stores at Pier Park range from big department stores such as Target and JC Penny to trendy clothing stores such as American Eagle Outfitters and small locally-owned boutiques. When you get hungry, you can stop at LongHorn Steakhouse for a big meal or grab something lighter at one of the smoothie shops or Five Guys.
If you want a fun dining experience, Pier Park also has a Margaritaville, a hibachi steakhouse, and an oyster bar. After a day of shopping and eating, if you still have the energy, stop by Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge to experience the world-famous honky-tonk and some of the best country music in the area.
5. Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
It takes just over an hour to drive from Panama City to Ponce De Leon State Park. However, this part is worth the drive with clear spring water pools. The water in the springs is formed by two underground water flows that produce millions of gallons of water each day. No matter when you go, the water stays constant at 68 degrees all year round.
In addition to the springs, visitors can take a walk along the self-guided nature trails and learn more about the Florida ecology and wildlife. If you want a ranger to guide you, they offer some guided hikes as well. The park has pavilions available for rent if you’re going to plan a family event at the park. You can pack a picnic or make an entire day of it.
Admission is $4 per vehicle, and the park stays open from 8 a.m. until sunset every day of the year.
These are some of our favorite Panama City locations and attractions. Stop by Panama City Toyota to find the next vehicle that will take you to see these and other beautiful Florida sites in the new year.
