By Blake Guthrie
Panama City
beach is consistently rated as one of the top Spring Break destinations, as well as one of the best
beaches in North America. This is due to the wide sugar white sand beaches and plentiful nightlife. For teens who are burnt out on the beach combing scene and can't go to the bars, there are many options available to have fun.
Funland Arcade & Snack Bar
Since 1953 Funland has been a popular destination for teens in search of affordable entertainment in the Panama City area. Open every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving, Funland is a large arcade boasting everything from old-school skee-ball lanes to modern video games. Every game pays out tickets redeemable for prizes at the back counter. People of all ages, and from all walks of life, can be found here. It's a cultural experience worth taking in, even if you don't play the games. The snack bar seems to remain unchanged since the 1950's, so if you're up for some sugary dip cones or greasy fried food and burgers, this is the place.
Funland Arcade & Snack Bar
14510 Front Beach Rd.
Panama City, FL 32413
(850) 234-3693
Gulf World Marine Park
If you're in Panama City and have the urge to swim with dolphins you have two options: take a swim in the Gulf of Mexico and hope for the best, or head for Gulf World Marine Park. It's one of the few places in North America where you can pay to swim with a dolphin in a contained and controlled environment. Or you can spend less money and see the daily dolphin and sea lion shows and tour the park exhibits, which feature sharks, alligators, penguins, sea turtles and more.
Gulf World Marine Park
15412 Front Beach Rd
Panama City, FL 32413
(850) 234-5271
Shell Island
Shell Island is an uninhabited island between St. Andrews Bay in Panama City and the Gulf of Mexico. Many different tour companies offer boat rides to the island, but the most accessible and affordable way to get there is via the Shell Island Shuttle, which launches from inside St. Andrews State Park. Shell Island is a place for snorkeling, dolphin watching, relaxing and collecting shells. There are no concessions on the island, but you are allowed to bring your own. Just remember to bring your trash back with you on the shuttle.
Shell Island Shuttle
4607 Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408
(850) 235-4004
Shipwreck Island Waterpark
The famed Miracle Strip amusement park of which it used to be a part is now gone to make way for a condo development, but, thankfully, Shipwreck Island still remains. This is the premiere waterpark of Panama City. And while the Miracle Strip went the way of the Dodo due to a lack of upgrades or interest, Shipwreck Island returns season after season with the latest thrills in the water slide department. Visit miraclestrippark.com and you will see that Shipwreck Island lives, despite the loss of the rest of the amusement park.
Shipwreck Island
12201 Middle Beach Rd.
Panama City, FL 32407
(850) 234-3333
About the Author:
Blake Guthrie has been a professional journalist since 1996. His articles have been featured in the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution," "Creative Loafing" and on Travels.com. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.
