Sundial Suites / PCB Guide / Things To Do
Things To Do in Panama City Beach
From the jetties to the go-kart track. Everything within range of Sundial, water, thrills, nature, and rainy-day escapes.
Everything within range of Sundial, water, thrills, nature, and rainy-day escapes. All verified open June 2026.
On the water (departing from PCB)
Beach Bonfires
Permitted bonfires set up directly on the sand, fire pit, chairs, and s’mores kit included. Book in advance; several operators run this along the Gulf-front.
Shell Island
An undeveloped barrier island at the tip of St. Andrews State Park, no cars, no crowds, just Gulf-clear water and sandbars. Take the ferry from St. Andrews Marina. Half-day or full-day trip.
Sea Screamer Dolphin Cruise
Billed as the world’s largest speedboat, the Sea Screamer runs dolphin-watching cruises out of Treasure Island Marina. High-energy and good for all ages, book ahead in peak season.
Fishing Charters
Dozens of captains run half-day and full-day offshore, nearshore, and bay fishing trips from PCB’s marinas. Gear and bait typically included, book a few days out in summer.
Parasailing
Multiple operators run Gulf-front sessions right off the beach. Single, tandem, and triple rides available. Stunning aerial views of the Emerald Coast.
Jet Ski Rentals
Waverunner rentals from beach kiosks all along the strip. Most sessions run 30 or 60 minutes, no license required.
Salty Pontoons
Pontoon boat rentals for self-guided bay and lagoon cruises. BYOB-friendly, no captain required. Great for groups who want to explore the back bay on their own schedule.
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
A pirate-themed boat cruise with water cannons, treasure hunts, and face painting, the hit activity for kids under 10. Runs out of Treasure Island Marina. Book ahead.
Scuba Diving
PCB has accessible dive sites including artificial reefs and nearshore wrecks. Several operators along Thomas Dr run guided dives and certification courses year-round.
Helicopter Tours
Gulf Coast helicopter tours depart from the PCB area and offer 5–30 minute flights over the beach, barrier islands, and bay. Best views in late afternoon light.
East along Front Beach Road (5–25 min)
Conservation Park
A 2,900-acre nature preserve with 24+ miles of trails through longleaf pine flatwoods and wetlands, right in the middle of PCB. Free to enter. Bring bug spray and water.
WonderWorks
The upside-down building on Front Beach Rd, 35,000 sq ft of hands-on science exhibits, laser tag, a 4D motion theater, and a ropes course. A reliable rainy-day destination for families.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Classic oddity museum with hundreds of weird artifacts and interactive exhibits. Good backup when the weather turns, especially for older kids and adults.
Zoo World
A family-owned zoo and botanical garden on Front Beach Rd with mammals, reptiles, and birds, including hands-on animal encounters. A low-key alternative to a theme park.
Mini-Golf (four courses)
PCB has four solid mini-golf options clustered along Front Beach Rd: Goofy Golf (the original, open since 1959), Coconut Creek (jungle maze + golf), Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf (pirate theme, two 18-hole courses), and Hidden Lagoon Golf & Racetrack (mini golf plus a go-kart track). All open daily through summer.
Race City PCB
Multi-track go-kart facility with adult tracks, a kids’ track, laser tag, and arcade games. One of the larger amusement complexes on the strip, open evenings and all day on weekends.
Kartona Electric Speedway
Indoor electric go-kart racing with European-style karts, a faster, more serious experience than most beach-strip options. 18+ for the fast karts; a junior class for younger kids.
Shipwreck Island Water Park
The Gulf Coast’s largest water park, wave pool, tube slides, lazy river, and a 35-foot free-fall drop slide. Open seasonally May–Labor Day. A classic PCB family day.
Swampy Jack’s Wongo Adventure
Outdoor amusement complex with go-karts, mini golf, a ropes course, and a climbing wall in a jungle-themed setting. Open seasonally, popular with families and groups.
Pier Park
PCB’s main outdoor shopping and dining destination, 900,000 sq ft with national chains, restaurants, and entertainment anchors including Topgolf, Dave & Buster’s, and the SkyWheel. Good hub for a rainy afternoon or evening.
Topgolf
The full Topgolf experience at Pier Park, climate-controlled bays, food and drinks, and game formats that work whether you golf or not. Great for groups.
SkyWheel Panama City Beach
A 200-foot Ferris wheel at Pier Park with climate-controlled gondolas and Gulf views at the top. One of the most-photographed landmarks in PCB, runs until midnight in season.
Dave & Buster’s
Full Dave & Buster’s at Pier Park North, 500+ arcade games, a bar, and a full restaurant. Reliable rainy-day option for teens and adults. Open daily noon–midnight (later weekends).
Rock’it Lanes
Bowling alley with cosmic bowling nights, arcade games, and a full bar, one of the few evening options in PCB that isn’t a bar. Open daily from 2pm; later on weekends.
Just Jump
Indoor trampoline park with open jump areas, foam pits, dodgeball, and ninja obstacle courses. Good for burning off energy on a hot or rainy afternoon.
Arcades & Escape Rooms
Funland Arcade has been a PCB institution since 1967, skee-ball, redemption games, and old-school charm on Front Beach Rd. Mirror Maze & Laser Craze adds a mirror maze and laser tag nearby. Royal Escape Rooms runs several themed rooms for groups of 2–8.
Russell-Fields Pier
A 1,500-foot public fishing pier extending into the Gulf. Free to walk, small fee to fish. One of the longest piers on the Emerald Coast and a great sunset-viewing spot.
Man in the Sea Museum
Run by the Institute of Diving, this museum covers the history of underwater exploration, diving technology, and U.S. Navy saturation diving programs. Free parking, low crowds, genuinely fascinating. One of the most underrated stops in PCB.
Duplin Winery
North Carolina’s famous muscadine winery has a PCB outpost with free tastings and a wine shop. A good stop for something different from the usual beach-bar scene.
Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show
Full pirate battle show with acrobatics, live animals, and a four-course meal while two crews duel for treasure on an 18-foot indoor lagoon. Runs year-round; book ahead for weekend nights.
PCB Cigars
Premium cigar lounge with a walk-in humidor, lounge seating, and accessories. Multiple locations on PCB, a laid-back way to spend an evening that pairs well with bourbon.
Powder Room Shooting Range
Indoor gun range near Pier Park with lane rentals and handgun/rifle options. Clean, modern facility with staff ready to help first-timers. Open daily.
North of PCB (10–18 min)
Wild Thang Airboat Tours
Flat-bottom airboat rides through the bayous and wetlands just north of PCB, one of the closest airboat operations to the beach. Guides narrate local wildlife and ecology. Open year-round.
Airboat Adventures (Swampvette)
Swamp and river airboat tours on a 1,300-horsepower custom boat off Hwy 79. Farther north, so it draws smaller crowds and covers bigger water. Multiple tour lengths available.
Bay County Shooting Range
County-operated public outdoor range with pistol, rifle, and shotgun bays. Very affordable (<$10/day for most visitors). Open Wednesday–Sunday. Bring your own ammo, no retail on-site.
West toward 30A (15 min)
30A Farmers Market at Rosemary Beach
A beloved Sunday market in the Rosemary Beach town center, running year-round 9am–1pm. Local produce, artisan food, fresh flowers, and crafts, worth pairing with breakfast on 30A. Free to browse.
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The full Sundial guide covers restaurants, beaches, bars, day trips, and everything within range of the West End.
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