Parties and Spring Break. If that’s what you think of when you hear the words Panama City Beach, you’re missing out on beautiful beaches, spectacular views, and fun family activities. Now that older kids are back in school, the months of August and September are the perfect time for a vacation with preschoolers. The weather is warm, the beaches are less crowded, and the atmosphere is relaxed. What more could you ask for? Just check out our Panama City Beach Family Fun Guide for some of the best activities and restaurants to help you make the most of your visit.

We attended a Preschoolers in Paradise media event in Panama City Beach. All opinions are our own.

Panama City Beach Family Fun Guide

There’s plenty to do at Panama City Beach for everyone in the family, from toddlers to grandparents.

Family Friendly Attractions at Panama City Beach

1. Shell Island – This uninhabited barrier island, accessible only by shuttle or boat, provides 7 miles of the pristine white sand and sparkling clear water. Partially owned by St. Andrews State Park and partially by the Tyndall Air Force Base, this island provides a unique opportunity to witness an unspoiled glimpse of natural beauty. Begin the day by boarding the Shell Island Shuttle, which provides a relaxing 30-minute boat ride to the island. You’ll probably see dolphins frolicking beside the boat as Shell Island has one of the highest concentrations of Bottle Nose dolphins in the world. If you’re lucky you might also see deer swimming between the narrow stretch of water between St. Andrew’s Island and Shell Island.

Once the boat is docked it’s a short walk across the island from St. Andrew’s Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. You can walk along the beach, enjoy a dip in the ocean, snorkel, fish, or relax with a picnic or a good book on the beach. It’s also a favorite spot to search for shells but come early in the day if you want to find the best selection. On the day we visited the water at St. Andrew’s Bay was calm, allowing the kids to wade and hunt for fish. The Gulf has stronger waves and sometimes has a riptide. Use caution as there are no lifeguards on the island.

If you plan a visit to Shell Island, (and you should!), be aware there are no facilities of any kind on the island. This includes no restrooms, no trash cans, or other amenities. Bring whatever you need for the trip, including snacks and sunscreen, and be prepared to take all the trash back to the mainland. The Shell Island Shuttle also rents umbrellas and beach chairs, and from Memorial Day through Labor Day, has a concessions boat. The shuttle is located at 4607 State Park Circle.

2.Shipwreck Island Water Park – Open since 1983, this 20-acre water park is a like a mini tropical paradise. Tastefully landscaped, you’ll find plenty of shaded and secluded areas to rest and relax. The kiddie area- called The Tadpole Hole- is the type of area that fills every preschooler and toddler dreams. There are adorable animal slides, ranging from a frog, an elephant, and a penguin, in different sizes, along with a ship slide for older and braver explorers. Critter loved the “Silly Sub,” a bright yellow submarine that included room for climbing and a short slide.

Critter loved this tunnel at The Tadpole Hole. It was the perfect size for her to swim through to one side or the other!

For those of us who like to relax, the 2000 feet of Lazy River is a soothing respite. All of the adults I talked to exclaimed they could have peacefully floated around the river the entire day, although the kids had other ideas. Families will enjoy the 500,000 gallon Ocean Motion Wave Pool, which generates 3 feet waves every ten minutes, and Skull Island, with its gigantic tipping bucket that dumps water every three to four minutes, and the Pirate’s Race, a family Racing Slide.

The Silly Sub

Thrill seekers will enjoy one of the water slides; including the Tree Top Drop, the Zoom Floom, the White Knuckle River, the Pirate’s Plunge, and the Raging Rapids. The Great Shipwreck allows guests to combine two favorite activities, zip lining, and swimming. While outside food and drink, along with coolers, are not allowed inside the park, there’s plenty of food options inside the park. One unique feature I noticed at Shipwreck Island is Swashbuckler’s Beer Shack. Not only did they sell beer in souvenir cups, they also sold frozen beverages like pina coladas.

If you’re planning a trip with a toddler or preschooler, be sure to get your hand stamped at the gate. This allows guests to enter and exit as often as they wish on the same day. This is a good option to allow the kids to take a break from the stimulation, cool down, and maybe take a nap, before returning for more activities. Shipwreck Island is located at 12201 Hutchison Boulevard.

3. Gulf World Marine Park – Working closely with the Gulf World Marine Institute, Gulf World Marine Park seeks to provide fun educational encounters with marine life. All of the animals in their care are either rescued and deemed nonreleasable by the US government, born in human care, or in the case of cats, dogs, and birds, donated by their former owners. The park features tropical gardens, a plethora of educational shows, and optional animal encounters. On the day of our visit, we attended the Sea Lion and Rough Toothed Dolphin show. Gulf World is the only facility in America to house these special creatures. This show is filled with information on their training and enrichment, along with plenty of humor. It’s a hit with kids of all ages.

The park is small, taking only 3 to 4 hours to explore and see the shows. The park is open daily, rain or shine. Several of the exhibits are either covered or indoors. Gulf World Marine Park is located at 15412 Front Beach Road and features free parking.

Delicious Dining at Panama City Beach

I have to commend all the restaurants where we dined. It’s not easy to travel with a toddler who has an anaphylactic reaction whenever she is exposed to anything that has touched a dairy product. These restaurants went out of their way to answer questions about how the food was prepared and the ingredients used. They left off or changed ingredients for us, and cleaned off the grill to make sure she had an allergen-free experience. This is the kind of service, along with their delicious dishes, that will have me returning to their establishments the next time I am in the area.

1. Liza’s Kitchen – Another locally owned restaurant, Liza’s Kitchen may be small but it is packed with flavor. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, from the bread all the way to the mayonnaise. Located across from the beach you can dine outdoors and enjoy the view. We stopped by for breakfast where I tried the specialty “Hippie Hash.” It’s a mixture of goodness containing fried potatoes, chicken, cheese, green onions, two eggs benedict, and more. The portion is huge and could easily be split between two diners.

I was tempted by the French Toast, huge slices of fresh French Bread, dipped in egg and cooked to the perfect level of brown, which the kids in our party promptly devoured. I also heard rave reviews about the Classic Breakfast, which included toast, eggs, a choice of bacon or sausage, and a choice of grits or potatoes, and the Vanilla Latte. The next time I’m in the area I plan to return to try the lunch “B.Y.O.S.” (build your own sandwich.) Liza’s Kitchen is located at 7328 Thomas Drive.

2. Thomas Donuts & Snack Shop Located at 19208 Front Beach Road, on a more residential area of the beach, Thomas Donuts & Snack Shop is a favorite with the locals. They’ve been in business since 1971, and one visit will let you know why. Although we visited at 8:30 on a Sunday morning, the line for doughnuts and breakfast items stretched almost to the road. We couldn’t decide between the many tempting varieties of doughnuts, so we opted for a dozen and decided to sample them. I’m glad we did! We picked some tried and true flavors- vanilla creme filled, blueberry, raspberry filled, and chocolate glazed with sprinkles. Then, we went all out and ordered some new varieties; chocolate-bacon, key lime filled, Samoa, and red velvet. I was slightly skeptical of chocolate-bacon, but it turned out to be my favorite. We also ordered a ham and kolache to split. Hint: Get several of these. You might not want to share. It’s a mixture of creamy melted cheese and ham baked into a flaky crust and is worth all the calories.

Breakfast is served until 11 AM but get there early before all the donuts are gone. This locally owned restaurant also serves sandwiches, lunch specials, and has an ice cream shop that’s open until 10 PM. There’s plenty of outdoor seating with a beautiful view of the beach.

3. Andy’s Flour Power is the place to be for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Their motto, “We don’t do fancy. We do fresh. And you can’t fake fresh,” says it all. From the moment you step inside the door you’ll be tempted to mouthwatering treats, like the fresh cakes available in the bakery. One of our party had a slice of chocolate cake for breakfast. All of the patrons at nearby tables stopped to stare at the massive mound of chocolately goodness. It made me rethink my choice of a particularly tasty Belgian waffle topped with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. Critter was able to enjoy a meal of crispy bacon, a scrambled egg, and a fruit cup. The waitress was knowledgeable about the menu and patiently answered all my questions about preparation methods and ingredients.

Andy's Flower Power — *The Belgian Waffle*.

Meals come in hearty portions, and owner and chef John Certo mingled with the patrons, stopping by to ensure everything was perfectly prepared. It’s easy to see why this restaurant has been voted the best café and bakery on Panama City Beach. Andy’s Flour Power is located at 2629 Thomas Drive.

4. The Grand Marlin – If you’re looking for amazing views and tasty food all served in a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll find it here. The sunset over the Grand Lagoon is breathtaking, the service is impeccable, and the drinks…. I could go on and on about them. I had The White Marlin and I can’t recommend it highly enough. It’s a mixture of Ke Ke Beach Key Lime Liqueur, Cruzan Coconut Rum, and Liqueur 43. Several people in our party ordered The Pain Killer, a mixture of Pusser’s Rum, orange and pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. I repeatedly heard murmurs of, “Oh! This is good!”

The White Marlin

They received the Florida Trend Golden Spoon Award and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2017, thanks to their extensive wine and drink list and their fresh seafood, including daily specials. Start dinner with the Blue Crabs Claws. You won’t be disappointed. They’re only available seasonally, so if you miss them the Oysters Rockefeller and the “Salt and Peppers” Calamari are good choices too. One of my favorite dishes was the lobster truffle macaroni and cheese. I could have eaten this as an entrée, although it paired well with my pan-seared red snapper. Although their focus is on seafood, they also serve a few steak and chicken dishes. The Grand Marlin is located at 5323 North Lagoon Drive.

5. Schooners Billing themselves as “the last local beach club,” Schooner’s is open daily for lunch and dinner. On the night we visited, they were packed and it was easy to see why. You can sit in the dining room and enjoy an open-air view of the beach from your table. The kids became a little restless during the wait for the meal so we led them down the steps and allowed them to play on the beach. I spotted patrons from several tables doing the same. There’s a family-friendly vibe at Schooner’s, with the nightly firing of an old cannon at sunset, but it’s also a great place to hang out with friends. The views are incredible, the band is lively, and the atmosphere is hopping.

The fried oysters at Schooners.

I recommend the Sunset Splash- a Schooners original- featuring a mix of Raspberry Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Mango, Pineapple, and orange juices, and a splash of sweet and sour. I had the Fried Oysters and they were amazing. I can always tell the difference between fresh and frozen oysters, and these were fresh, lightly battered and served with a choice of side (French fries for me) and two hushpuppies. The chef cleaned the grill to prepare Critter’s fish and changed her green beans to be allergy friendly. Since all the desserts had butter and the other children in our group had one with their meal, our waitress offered to bring her maraschino cherries. It’s this type of service that makes me return to restaurants! Schooners is located at 5121 Gulf Drive.

6. Diego’s Burrito Factory — If you are in the mood for casual dining with a Mexican flair, Diego’s is the place to be. The process is simple; you choose your base, fillings, and toppings to create a delicious dish that is customized to your taste. Start with a base with choices like burritos, tacos, or nachos. Then add your choice of meat, fish, or veggies. Top it with everything from rice to chipotle mayo. There are 20 toppings to choose from! The atmosphere is laid back, the food is tasty, and there is something for every taste. Diego’s Burrito is located at 15514 Front Beach Road and 6209 Sunset Drive.

*The Nachos at Diego’s Burrito Factory*.

Where to stay at Panama City Beach

Sheraton Bay Point Resort Accommodations can make or break a trip. I want somewhere I feel safe, along with luxurious accommodations. We found all this and more at Sheraton Bay Point. Having recently finished a $30 million dollar renovation, they’ve received the prestigious AAA 4 diamond rating. Guests can enjoy amenities such as three swimming pools, one heated and two unheated, a state of the art fitness room, a full-service spa, two golf courses, and a private beach.

The view from our room.

I was impressed with the “extra” touches they gave each guest. Each guest checking into the hotel is given a complimentary ticket for their exclusive shuttle service to Shell Island. Guests are also allowed one hour daily of free kayaking or paddleboarding and can use the private floating playground. Other features I enjoyed were the complimentary rides from the hotel to the beach (because it’s hard to carry a two-year-old and all their gear!), the free parking with no required parking permits, and the free wi-fi.

The Private Beach.

If you’re hungry, there are several options ranging from The Cabana Cafe, serving Starbucks Coffee and homemade pastry, the casual Flip Flops Pool Bar, Pelican’s and Bar 72, all featuring classic American food and great views, and the more upscale Tides, featuring Cajun Food. We enjoyed dinner one night at Flip Flops Pool Bar where we played a rousing game of trivia, coming in second place, and enjoyed tasty mahi-mahi tacos and fried avocado bites. Best of all, the rooms were spacious, well appointed, and comfortable. One morning I found myself in the elevator discussing how comfortable the beds were with a total stranger. I have to give a shout out to the staff, all of whom were exceptionally friendly and went out of their way to talk to Critter. Sheraton Bay Point is located at 4114 Jan Cooley Road. It’ secluded enough to be a quiet destination, but is within minutes of shopping and dining options.

Fried Avocado Bites.

Have you visited Panama City Beach? If not, you’re missing out on a fantastic adventure for the entire family. If you have visited, what were your favorite spots?