Born out of a desire for children's museum in Bay County, the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida displayed its first exhibit back in 1969 in a farmers market building. Today, the museum spans a 6,000 square foot space filled with interactive exhibits designed to inspire a love of science, technology and history. The museum plays host to a rotating variety of exhibits that are sure to engage children and adults of all ages.
Shipwreck Island located in the heart of Panama City Beach, is an exciting water park offering more than you can imagine. Rides like Tree Top Drop, Pirates Plunge, and Raging Rapids will thrill you until closing time. If you want to escape the heat, let the gentle currents of the Lazy River sweep you around the park. The main attraction here is the Ocean Motion Wave Pool, which is a 500,000-gallon pool that creates 3-foot waves every 10 minutes for visitors to enjoy.
At Gulf World Marine Park, you can experience all the sights and sounds of marine life. See firsthand the habitats of the bottlenose dolphin, California sea lion, a variety of turtle species, and much more. Be sure to check out daily shows like the parrot, reptile, and underwater shows, as well as other exciting demonstrations that are entertaining and educational. Special programs such as "Trainer for a Day," "Adventure Camp," and "Snooze with the Sea Life" give guests the chance to get a close-up experience with aquatic animals.
Pier Park is a gleaming, fun hub and shopping spot at the western edge of Panama City Beach, showcases the vibrant commercial life of the city. There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops here, and something on offer for every taste. The close access to the beach makes this a perfect place to grab some beachwear before a session in the sun or a tasty meal afterward. It is also close by numerous hotels, resorts and attractions, and features establishments that cater to family, vacationers, locals, and young people.
Situated between Panama City and Apalachicola on Florida's Forgotten Coast, Port St. Joe is a historic point on the Florida Coast. As one of the first towns established on the shore and the site of the first Constitutional Convention of Florida State in 1838, it has kept its atmosphere as part of "old Florida," of a time before high rises and amusement parks. The town is known for its marina, boat rentals and tours, and, of course, fishing; Port St. Joe's main industry in the summer months revolves around its famous bay scallops. Spend the day taking in a piece of Florida State history, take trip on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and don't miss this landmark that is, perhaps, a little off the beaten path.
Go back to a simpler time at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement. This living history museum has dedicated itself to preserving the traditions and lifestyle of the region's pioneers to educate future generations. In addition to their museum exhibits, the settlement offers a wide variety of activities, such as arts and crafts workshops and programs for boy and girl scouts. There are rental spaces available for weddings, celebrations, and dinners, and the settlement is happy to cater any event with a traditional pioneer feast. Stop at the Pioneer Settlement's shop where you'll find everything from Tupelo honey, maple syrup produced on site, as well as hand-crafted artisan goods from the Panhandle region.