Panama City Beach, Fl is a fun place to visit, even with the rain. It’s an affordable family friendly destination that makes it just as easy to find entertainment off of the beach as it is on the beach. Since the lodging in the area is so affordable, it opens up a little wiggle room for families to spend more on other activities, especially on rainy days. Check out these 5 favorite rainy day beach activities.
WonderWorks & Ripley’s Believe It or Not
Cost: Options ranging from $21.99- $34.99, depending on whether you want laser tag and ropes course.
Located across the street from each other, these two popular indoor activities are sure to be a hit on a rainy day. We visited WonderWorks during a rainy day in the summer and even though it seemed like everyone with kids in Panama City Beach was there, it was still big enough to not feel overcrowded and uncomfortable.
WonderWorks offers a bunch of different activities, some included in the ticket price and others that are extra, such as laser tag, bumper cars, and the ropes course. This is the type of place that you can spend all day exploring.
The same goes for Ripley’s Believe It or Not. The Odditourim is included in the ticket price. For an extra fee you can experience the moving theater, laser race, and the mirror maze.
SheBuysTravel tip: Park at one and run across the street with an umbrella. Traffic can get a little crazy in this section of town!
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Gulf World Marine Park
Cost: Free for kids 4 and under, $19 ages 5-11, $29 for adults (save $5 by booking online).
Much of Gulf World Marine Park is outside; however there are covered areas and several indoor areas that make this a great place for a drizzly or overcast day. We visited on a drizzly day and it was the perfect way to entertain my son when the sunshine was hiding. The birds, snakes, and rays are all located indoors, so it’s a fun way to hang out inside at the park.
If you’ve spent much time in Florida, then you know that the weather can be unpredictable and change quickly. If you’re lucky, the weather will cooperate and you can see a show before you leave! This happened to us. The rain stopped just in time for us to check out this dolphin show.
Pier Park
Cost: free
Pier Park is a shopping center and entertainment hub with great shopping and delicious eats. They have a little amusement park, a movie theater, Dave & Busters, and a virtual reality experience shop.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Parking can be difficult, even on a rainy day. Make sure to bring a rain jacket or an umbrella because you may have a long walk in the rain.
The movie theater in Pier Park is located right across from Dave & Busters, making this a great place to hang out on a rainy day.
Thomas’ Donut and Snack Shop
Brighten up your rainy day by eating at Thomas’ Donut and Snack Shop. This place is so delicious I’d travel back to Panama City Beach just to eat at there again.
Check out this long line of people waiting to get donuts on a rainy day! It’s so good people will wait in the rain to get a donut.
Spinnaker Beach Club
You may not think family-friendly rain activity when you think beach bar. However, Spinnaker Beach Club is a great place to entertain kids and adults on rainy days. The games and beachfront location keep kids entertained while good food and drinks keep parents happy. The bar games are meant for adults, but no one seemed to mind when my son played with the giant Jenga.
Eating well is definitely one way to stay entertained on a rainy day. The corn and shrimp chowder is a great way to stay warm and cozy during the storm.
Don’t let the rain ruin your vacation
While the rain may feel like the end of the world when you’re on vacation, you don’t have to let it ruin your trip. With so much to do in Panama City Beach, the rain is an opportunity to check out all the indoor activities that the city has to offer.
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