By William E. Males
For the past few years my family has been enjoying taking our vacations in Panama City Beach. Now, what I would like to clarify is that it’s not like the rest of the time and we’re just stuck in some congested ole’ town somewhere, landlocked with no accessible water. Nope, that certainly isn’t our case here in Crystal River, Florida. To be honest, we are literally less than three miles, mere minutes, from a beautiful beach area with a crystal clear freshwater spring that feeds into Kings Bay and the out to the gulf. From the moment we decide to go out for the day in only thirty minutes we can be loaded up and driven to where we can launch our boat or just throw the kayaks and be off on one of several quick excursions to other incredibly fabulous springs to swim or fish. Well then, with all this in our own backyard it should be evident that Panama City Beach must have a lot to offer in order to get us up and out of our own fine little home town. Read More
| ALVIN'S BIG ISLAND TROPICAL DEPT. STORE 12010 Front Beach Rd. (850) 234-3048 or (850) 234-1149 | Live sharks Alligators Shopping No Admission | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Credit Cards |
| CAPT ANDERSON'S III Capt. Anderson Marina 5550 N. Lagoon Dr. (850) 234-3435 | Glass Bottom Boat Shell Island Cruises dolphin encounters | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| CAPT ANDERSON'S CRUISES LADY ANDERSON DINING YACHT Capt Anderson Marina 5550 N. Lagoon Dr. (850) 234-5940 | Dinner-Dancing Gospel Cruises | Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| DAN RUSSELL MUNICIPAL PIER 16101 Front Beach Rd.. (850) 233-5080 | Fishing | Open Year Round Food & Beverages |
| EBRO GREYHOUND PARK State Hwy 79, Ebro, Fl (850) 2343943 or 1-800-345-4810 | Greyhound racing | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| FUN LAND ARCADE & SNACK BAR 14510 Front Beach Rd. (850) 234-3693 | Games gifts snacks | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| GREAT ADVENTURES AMUSEMENTS CO 15236 Front Beach Road (850) 230-1223 | Go cart track Bumper Boats Kids safari Bungee jumping Arcade Midway | Open Year Round Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards Parental Permision |
| GULF WORLD 15412 Front Beach Rd. (850) 234-5271 | Sea Lion Shows Dolphin Shows Open rain or shine | Open Feb-Oct & Holidays Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| M.B. MILLER PIER 12213 Front Beach Rd. (850) 233-3039 | Fishing | Open Year Round Food & Beverages |
| MUSEUM OF MAN IN THE SEA 17314 Back Beach Rd. (850) 235-4101 | Under Sea Museum | Open Year Round |
| NOAH'S ARK BEACH MINISTRY 12902 Front Beach Rd. (850) 234-6062 | Concerts Family entertainment | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| Pirate Cruise / Sea Dragon Docked at Lighthouse Marina 5325 North Lagoon Dr. (850) 234-7400 | Pirate adventure for the whole family. | Food & Beverage Credit Cards Reservations Recomended |
| PIRATES ISLAND ADVENTURE GOLF 9518 Front Beach Rd. (850) 235-1171 | Two 18 hole mini-golf courses | Open Year Round Food & Beverages Discounts GRP Rates |
| Sea Screamer Dolphin Cruise Docked at Lighthouse Marina 5325 North Lagoon Dr. (850) 233-9107 | Sightseeing Cruise Dolphin Encounters Cruise the Coastline | Food & Beverage Credit Cards Discounts GRP Rates |
| SHIPWRECK ISLAND WATER PARK 12000 Front Beach Rd. (850) 234-0368 or 1 800 538-7395 | Water Park | Food & Beverage Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |
| SIGNAL HILL GOLF COURSE 9615 Thomas Drive. (850) 234-3218 | 18 Hole Golf | Club House Pro Shop |
| ST ANDREW STATE RECREATION AREA 4607 State Park Lane (850) 233-5140 | Swimming Fishing Boating Picknicking Nature Trail Turpentine still | Open Year Round Food & Beverage Discounts GRP Rates |
| ZOO WORLD 9008 Front Beach Road (850) 230-1243 | Tropical Animals, Botanical Gardens Petting Zoo | Open Year Round Food & beverage Discounts GRP Rates Credit Cards |