Area Attractions
By Julia Schuster
All you've wanted to do for months was stretch out on the beach. You dreamed about it. You envisioned it. You wanted sand between your toes and you needed the sound of the tide. Taped to your computer screen, last year's postcard of our emerald green waters has tempted you and teased you, beckoned you to return - and now you are here.
With three bottles of sunscreen, your favorite Destin
beach towel, a cooler loaded with cold drinks, an umbrella,
a radio and a chair, you head for the beach faithfully
every morning. Flip-flop clad, you've made this trek
for three days in a row. Now, your skin is scorched.
Your swimsuit is sun bleached and your eyes wear a perpetual
squint.
You have finally had enough of the beach.
Depending on your age, your activity level, and your determination to forgo all other activity that is not located on the beach, the following attractions may or may not appeal to you. But it is always good to know what awaits you just north of the beach highway. You may have planned to sunbathe from dawn until dusk, but once you hear about the plethora of fun and fascinating attractions here, you may cap the sunscreen and head out for ...
Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach. With more
than 25 shows and exhibits, Gulf World offers the vacationer
a personalized encounter with sea life. Dolphins, sea
lions, sharks and stingrays, are just a few of the sea
creatures you'll meet at Gulf World.
And if your trip has brought you further west to Okaloosa County, the Gulfarium on Okaloosa Island is another fun Marine Park to check out.
The largest water park on the Emerald Coast is Shipwreck Island Water Park in Panama City Beach. But also check out Alvin's Big Island Magic Mountain, Fun City, Great Adventure Amusement Co., all located in Panama City.
Destin and Fort Walton Beach offer their own variety of attractions from which to choose, such as, Big Kahuna's Lost Paradise Water Park, Fudpucker's Gator Beach, Emerald Coast Science Center, Pleasure Island Water Park, and The Track Recreation Center.
In the evening, grab a putter and test your skill at
any of the area's miniature golf courses. Most of these
establishments offer much more than your typical game
of putt-putt. Hop into a Formula One go-cart-racing machine
and speed around the track in a race for the finish line.
Strap a bungee cord to your ankles and step off the edge
for a 15-story freefall. Now that takes guts!!
Catch a ball game at Frank Brown Park in Panama City. This recreation complex plays hosts to sports fans and enthusiasts of every age, ability and sport. With tournaments and special events year-round, this park offers the action enthusiast a great choice of opportunities to enjoy.
Panama City Beach's Ocean Opry is a country music rip-roaring romp. Its 16-member troupe welcomes guest stars that will "wow" music lovers and offers fun the whole family can enjoy.
Another place not to miss is ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Park in Panama City. More than 350 animals lounge their days away in this lush tropical landscape. This zoo offers the visitor a glimpse at nature's wildlife up close. Orangutans, giraffes, reptiles and monkeys, lions and tigers and bears, oh my! ZooWorld will delight children ages 2 to 92 and beyond.
The Zoo in Gulf Breeze, just west of Fort Walton Beach, is another zoological wonder to explore.
And we have yet to mention the dog track. Ebro Greyhound
Park and Shuffles Poker Room are just 15 minutes north
of the beaches at Highway 79 and Highway 20. For adult
entertainment, you will enjoy the excitement of wagering
on year-round, world-class thoroughbred dog racing.
This list of attractions along the Emerald Coast could go on for days. Check out these and the other exciting opportunities of fun listed on the other pages of this vacation planning section of EmeraldCoast.com. But most importantly, make your own fun while you're here. The Emerald Coast makes it easy to have the vacation of your dreams.
