By Timothy Sexton
Panama City, Florida has in the past decade or two has become a hot spot for college kids on spring break, but it was always a hot spot for families and beachcombers before then. If you have a family and want to avoid the outrageous behavior that takes place during spring break, remember that for 10 1/2 months out of the year, the city is family-friendly. The white sand is awe-inspiring to anyone used to dirty sand and the warm waters of the Gulf of
Mexico make swimming possible nearly year-round.
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
The Sea Dragon is a replica of a pirate ship that takes visitors out on the high seas for one of the most enjoyable scenic cruises to be found anywhere on the Gulf. The pirate motif is in full swing to the point where you may be dragooned into service as lowly swab and get threatened with walking the plank if you don't perform well. The chance for a dolphin encounter is often the highlight of this activity guaranteed to please anyone who isn't susceptible to seasickness.
Shipwreck Island Water Park
It may seem strange to some that a water park would be necessary on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but the Gulf of Mexico only provides great surfing and boarding opportunities when hurricanes are churning off the coast. Shipwreck Island is one of the most popular water parks along the Florida panhandle, featuring lazy river rides, giant slides, rafting, tubing and a motion wave pool.
Bay Point Golf Course
If you are looking to play a course designed by Jack Nicklaus in Northwest Florida, then you have only one choice. The Nicklaus course at Bay Point is quite simply astonishing. It is laid out over 7,000 gorgeously designed acres and has a course rating of 75.3. "Travel & Leisure Golf" magazine called the Nicklaus course at Bay Point one of the most notable debuts in the entire state of Florida.
Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum
There is a very easy way to detect when you have found the Ripley's museum in Panama City. The first sinking ship whose bow is rising 100 feet into the air is a dead giveaway. All Ripley's museums are popular because who can possibly believe that most of the exhibits inside are actually real and authentic. The Panama City Ripley's ship design is a beacon begging you to discover the amazing truth, but to enjoy the thrilling motion simulation rides through a mine shaft and on a roller coaster.
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About the Author:
Timothy Sexton is an award-winning author who started writing in 1994. He has written on topics ranging from politics and golf to nutrition and travel, and his work appears online for Zappos.com, Disaboom and MOJO, among others. He has also done work for "Sherlock Holmes and Philosophy." He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Florida.
