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Places to See & Things to Do - Panama City
Panama City and Panama City Beach
Nature Trek
Panama City Beach is synonymous with frolicking, fun-loving spring breaks and affordable family vacations. But it's also one of the prettiest places along the Gulf Coast.
 Cast away, if only for a day, on Shell Island, off the mainland of St. Andrews State Park, 4607 State Park Lane. With seven-and-a-half miles of undeveloped coastline, this barrier island offers the best shelling this side of Sanibel. Snorkel in the grassy flats of Spanish Shanty Cove, or hike inland for a glimpse of the foxes and other wildlife that make their home on the island. The island is accessible only by boat. Commercial charters run daily, but set your own schedule and catch the pontoon ferry from the park, which runs every 30 minutes May - Oct. Phone: (850) 233-5140. If you'd rather stay on the mainland, St. Andrews offers two fishing piers, jetties to snorkel and a convenient boat ramp. Nature trails lead through a number of plant communities where visitors may encounter wading birds, alligators and many small animals.
Encounter wading birds, alligators and many small animals.
Heritage Highlights
Goofy Golf, 12206 Front Beach Rd., has been around since the heyday of
tin-can tourists, so-named because of their self-proclaimed status of living off cans of pork and beans while traversing the Sunshine State in their Airstreams and shiny automobiles. It was one of the first miniature golf meccas, and still the best in terms of originality. Phone: (850) 234-6403.
One of the best times will be at Gulf World Marine Park, on Front Beach Rd. During your visit, you'll see the Dolphin Show, Scuba Show, Sea Lion Show and Tropical Bird Show. Enjoy a stroll through the 20,000 square-foot Indoor Tropical Gardens. Visit the Sting Ray Petting Pool, Otter, Iguana, Alligator, Penguin and Sea Lion Exhibits. Ask about how you can swim with a dolphin, or even become a "Dolphin Trainer For A Day." At night, don't miss the "Splash Magic" Laser Show. Phone: (850) 234-5271.
Park the car and dance the night away under the dazzling starlight of the clear ocean sky. The Lady Anderson Dining Yacht Cruise, leaves nightly for sunset dinner/dance cruises from Anderson's Marina. On board, juke and jitter to jazz and boogie the night away to disco favorites; between dances, wine and dine on a full-course dinner. There's also plenty to keep you busy at Captain Anderson's Restaurant & Waterfront Market. A local tradition is to dine early and watch the fishing fleets unload their catch.
Culture Quest
Check out the Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida, 19 E. 4th St. in Panama City, home to "Impressions," a hands-on children's gallery, as well as the permanent Blanchard Collection, which features works by major British painters. Exhibits spotlight local, regional and national artists. Antique shops and private galleries, including the unique Thrine Art Gallery that offers only children's art for sale, are close by. Phone: (850) 769-4451.
Panama City is home to the Junior Museum of Bay County, 1731 Jenks Ave., where interactive programs and exhibits focus on science, history and the environment. Authentic buildings, furnishings and tools evoke Northwest Florida's pioneer history. The museum also features a natural science exhibit where visitors can learn about local and global environmental issues. Phone: (850) 769-6128.
The Orchestra of St. Andrews Bay is a community orchestra made up of professionals alongside student musicians. Programs are generally classical or semi-classical selections. The orchestra's season runs from September to May, with many of its concerts played at the Martin Theater, 409 Harrison Ave., in downtown Panama City. Phone: (850) 271-2579 for the Orchestra's schedule; (850) 763-8080 for information about the theater. For more information on the listings mentioned in this article, click here: St. Andrews State Park, Lady Anderson Dining Yacht, Gulf World Marine Park
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