This may be the sunshine state – but even Panama City Beach can’t escape a rainy day from time to time. Usually showers are brief, and within minutes the clouds part and the sun reappears as if by magic. For those days when the rain seems intent on sticking around, there’s still plenty of ways to have fun sans sunshine. Before you rush for the umbrella and declare the day a washout, check out our guide to wet weather activities in Panama City Beach – you may be surprised at just how much fun a rainy day can actually be!
See a movie in style. The Grand Theatre at Pier Park is a state-of-the-art stadium seating movie theatre located conveniently in Pier Park, making it simple to combine a movie with a great meal or some shopping. With 16 screens there are always numerous movie choices available, plus reclining seats and an extensive snack selection add to the experience. Tickets are just $6.00 on Tuesdays, and any day is free refill day – enjoy one free refill on a large popcorn and soda anytime!- Strike out at Rock’ It Lanes. The only bowling center on the beach, Rock ‘It Lanes is located in the Edgewater Shopping Plaza and provides hours of indoor entertainment for the whole family. At 50,000 square feet, there’s plenty of room to play all day. Choose from 24 lanes of computerized bowling, 23 pool tables, an arcade featuring all the latest games and some old favorites, plus an 8,000 square foot roller skating rink! Grab lunch or dinner at the Grille, serving up a great menu including home-made burgers, made-from-scratch pizzas, chicken quesadillas and more.
Discover a world of underwater mysteries and diving at the Museum of the Man in the Sea. This unique and quirky museum is located just west of Highway 79, and offers visitors the chance to explore man’s attempts to travel and work underwater and uncover the mysteries of the ocean. The museum houses many fascinating exhibits, including the SEALAB-1, the world’s first working undersea habitat. Both family and wallet friendly, the Museum of the Man in the Sea is a great way to spend some time combining education and fun!- For a totally whimsical museum experience, check out Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum on Front Beach Road opposite Super Wal-Mart. This ship shaped attraction boasts 15 galleries of classic Ripley’s artifacts and displays, plus a moving 4-D theater. Discover a weird and wonderful world that has to be seen to be believed! The museum opens at 10.00 am daily.
Pamper yourself. Panama City Beach is home to many first-class day spas, where you can relax and have your cares massaged away. Perfect for those wet weather days, a day spa is a treat for all the senses. Day spa services include massages, facials, manicures/pedicures, body treatments and much more. Choose from Serenity Spa at the Marriott Bay Point, Salon Baliage & Spa at 12118 Panama City Beach Parkway, Eden Salon & Spa at 8317 Front Beach Road, Bellezza Salon & Spa near beautiful Carillon Beach, or many more.- Shop ‘til you drop. Pier Park may be an outdoor lifestyle center, but it’s dry inside the multitude of exciting stores! The layout of Pier Park makes getting from shop to shop a breeze, even on a rainy day. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re spending some of that hard-earned cash or simply window shopping. The park’s three main department stores are Dillard’s, JC Penny and Target, and there’s numerous specialty, famous name and boutique stores to boot. All stores have a distinctive ‘beach’ feel, and there are a fantastic variety of restaurants, cafes, and eateries to choose from when it’s time for a break. Be sure to also check out the Emerald Coast Mirror Maze and Lazer Craze for some indoor fun!
Visit one of northwest Florida’s leading cultural arts centers. The Visual Arts Center is located in historic downtown Panama City, and is well worth the short trip from the beach. One of the oldest structures in the city, the center offers a hands-on impressions gallery for children, drawing, painting, photography, pottery and sculpture classes for adults, and periodically, nationally recognized exhibitions. For more information about art exhibit schedules, events and classes, go to the official Visual Arts Center website. The center is closed on Mondays.
A rainy day in Panama City Beach doesn’t have to be a day stuck indoors. The wet weather gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a guilt-free day away from tanning – and the chance to discover some of the city’s best indoor attractions!
The Museum of Man in the Sea? Really? Has something changed in the last five years there?
The reason I ask – and for any fans of the museum, I apologize in advance for my negative review, but it’s honest – is because I found it…. dated, at best.
Now, there were some cool things to see in there, but not very much. I’d say this is a 15-20 minute stop, at best.
The equipment they had was pretty cool (and perhaps since I don’t hold any specific interest in it, merely generalized curiosity, perhaps that was a factor), but the exhibits were… well, I’m pretty sure some of those dolls were Barbies… They looked like they hadn’t been touched for decades – not merely years… but decades.
It looked tired, old, and depressed.
But at least it didn’t cost much.
So, again, perhaps a true fan of under-the-sea equipment might get a thrill; but as for me, wow. I sure didn’t, and I haven’t been back.
Maybe others might enjoy it more than I did. I hope so!
Mr. Eiland-Hall,
The answer to your questions is…yes, things have changed a great deal. The museum is under new management as of July 08, with a new Board of Directors and employees. There are also many volunteers, including many from the local Navy Base, who are working diligently to overcome the past deficiencies you mentioned. I hope you saw the article on the front page of the News Herald the first week in August. The Board of Directors is committed to preserving the history and heritage of diving and improving the museum to reflect the contribution Bay County has made to underwater exploration worldwide. It’s truly something we can all be proud of.
If this is the best that PCB has to offer, it is a pathetic list. You could stay in your own home town and do most of these things, why would anyone want to drive hundreds of miles or get on a jet and come to PCB if this is the best we can do! I have said it a million times, we do not have enough good quality classy attractions to justify people coming here and spending their vacation dollars. PCB will always be a tourist town and we have to recognize that and put our best effort towards making PCB the best it can be. Only when we have more quality attractions/distractions will the crowds show up like the good ole days. IMHO
I have visitors coming from the west coast, and checked out your article hoping for ideas to entertain them. Like Jeff said…no help here. I could not find anything that a couple from Portland, Oregon might find interesting. PCB really does need to up its game.
This is a good rainy day list. I think some people might be mistaking what to do on a rainy day with what to do on any day. Just about every time it rains I go to the Grande to catch a good flick or over to RockIt Lanes to show off my skillz in the alley. I’ve yet to go to Ripley’s or Man in the Sea, but next time those clouds start going gray, I know where to go if I still want to have fun.
Thanks for the list Ellie.
You’re a good writer!
I will be returning to the beach this summer. I was looking for something to do that I didn’t do last time…I found it here on your website. The Visual Art Center. Not only will it have an exhibition but they also offer some classes..Great, thanks for help