Where to stay

Kids of all ages can appreciate the family-focused attractions here. Central Panama City is a great place to stay to visit the Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, with exhibits and activities featuring dinosaurs, pirates, reptiles, and more. Stay slightly north of town in Lynn Haven to see rescue animals at the Bear Creek Feline Center. Hotels along the ocean in Laguna Beach are perfect for visiting Man in the Sea Museum to learn about the history of diving, from individual diving rigs to submarines to the underwater living space of SEALAB. Book a hotel in Gulf Resort Beach to enjoy Gulf World Marine Park as well as the waterpark, go-karts, and minigolf nearby.

The Gulf Coast has miles of white sand beaches. Stay in Rosemary Beach to have fun at its sandy beach, multiple swimming pools, beachfront promenade, and Town Center shopping areas. Nearby is Camp Helen State Park. Find accommodations close to the park for easy access to its biking, birding, and kayaking. Moving southeast, book a hotel in Laguna Beach for the pretty sandy section known as Carillon Beach, as well as Lake Powell, a coastal dune lake with fishing, swimming, beachcombing, and hiking. Archaeologists have documented 4,000 years of history in the area. Find hotels in Panama City Beach, where white sands stretch for miles and miles. Enjoy scuba, sunsets, and golf and visit ZooWorld, with flamingos, sloths, alligators, and giraffes.

Panama City borders pretty Saint Andrews Bay. Oaks by the Bay Park and St. Andrews Marina, to the west of central Panama City, are good spots to enjoy views of the bay. Try kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, and kiteboarding on the bay or head to the ocean for charter fishing and dolphin-watching. North of town, Lynn Haven hotels are close to great golf opportunities. To the south, Upper Grand Lagoon accommodations are great for visiting St. Andrews State Park, which is filled with pines, dunes, birds, and butterflies. Beachcombing at Shell Island is always fun. About a 1-hour drive southeast, Port St. Joe is a great place to stay for snorkeling, fishing, and lounging on the beach. Stroll around the marina to watch fishermen hauling in their catch and then enjoy the delicious seafood, especially oysters, at nearby restaurants.