9 Best Sights in The Panhandle, Florida

At the southeastern tip of Panama City Beach, the hotels, condos, and traffic taper off, and a pristine, 1,260-acre park appears, offering a peek at what the entire beach area was like before development arrived. Although swimming is a very popular activity here, the waters around the park also are ideal for fishing, snorkeling, paddling, and surfing. A rock jetty creates a calm, shallow play area that's perfect for young children, and you can hike clearly marked nature trails. You'll also find camping facilities (including glamping tents), a snack bar, and rental concessions. In high season, board a ferry to Shell Island, a 700-acre barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico with still more stretches of pristine beach, as well as piney woods that attract butterflies and migrating birds. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming; sunset; walking.

This state park is small—only 180 acres—and only open in the daytime, but its location can't be beat. It's on the shores of Lake Powell, the area's largest coastal dune lake and a great place to kayak, paddleboard, or fish (you'll need a license). The park was also once a retreat for employees of Avondale Textile Mills, and the lodge and some of the original cabins have been restored and are used as venues for weddings and meetings. The bucolic surroundings are good for bird-watching, but the main draw may be the beautiful, powdery beach. It's a ½-mile hike down to the sands, but this means you're almost guaranteed to find peace. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

You're likely to find absolute solitude at the powdery beach of this planned community west of Panama City Beach proper. Public parking is available at the entrance to the development, and then it's a several-block stroll to one of the seven over-dune walkways. You'll expend some effort, but it's worth it if you want to find a groomed beach without crowds. The development has several restaurants, but the only on-beach services are for members only. Amenities: restrooms. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

This park is a winner with kids thanks to things like alligator and otter exhibits; educational chats and shows featuring dolphins, sharks, and birds; and a tropical garden. The stingray-petting pool and the shark-feeding and scuba demonstrations are big crowd pleasers, and the old favorites—performing sea lions, otters, and bottlenose dolphins—still hold their own. For an additional fee, you can participate in the interactiveTrainer for a Day program or one of the swim-with-the-dolphins experiences. Gulf World is also home to the Gulf World Marine Institute, dedicated to sea turtle and marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release.

Just over 30 miles east of Panama City, along scenic U.S. 98, is Mexico Beach, known for seclusion and a slower pace than its neighbors to the west. Although there aren't a lot of attractions, there is at least one of everything—gas station, grocery store, restaurant—so the comforts of home aren't too far away. Plus, it's a rare delight to see the Gulf unobstructed by houses and hotels. Although the town itself was destroyed in 2018 after a direct hit from Hurricane Michael, it has made quite a comeback and welcomes visitors with completely rebuilt or refurbished amenities, including several accommodations whose boat docks provide easy to access Gulf waters. In addition, the 5 miles of Gulf beaches along U.S. 98 have been fortified, and new dune walkovers are in place, greatly expanding beach access. Amenities: parking. Best for: solitude; swimming.

With nearly 100 access points along 27 miles of the sugary white sand and jewel-green waters for which the Emerald Coast is known, it's easy to find a place to sunbathe or swim on Panama City Beach. It still attracts the spring-break crowd, but the atmosphere is far less rowdy and much more family-focused these days, and the tradeoff for all the high-rises is an abundance of places to stay, play, and feast—you won't easily get bored or go hungry here. If, however, you're planning to drive to the beach, note that there are only four public parking lots. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

Almost 3,000 acres of forest and wetlands have been set aside for this city-owned park at the edge of Panama City Beach. Some 24 miles of trails and boardwalks offer ample opportunities for walking and biking, and they connect to the Gayle's Trails system of bike paths around Panama City Beach. A visitor center offers clean restrooms and drinking water as well as a classroom for occasional programs.

On a huge swath of land that was once an amusement park, this open-air, 900,000-square-foot entertainment complex creates the "downtown" that Panama City Beach otherwise lacks. Shopping ( www.simon.com/mall/pier-park) is a major draw, with large anchors such as Dillard's and Target, as well as specialty stores like Ron Jon Surf Shop. But there are loads of other attractions, too: the 200-foot-high Sky Wheel, the 16-screen Grand IMAX theater, a Dave & Buster's, laser tag. Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, and other clubs and restaurants keep things hopping after dark. Pier Park is also the site of festivals, holiday celebrations, and other special events throughout the year.

Open each summer, this 15-acre water park has 3 million gallons' worth of splashing-good fun for all ages—from speedy slides and tubes to a giant wave pool to the slow-moving Lazy River. Oddly enough, admission is based on height (whether you are over or under 50 inches), with those under 35 inches entering for free. Wear water shoes or flip-flops to protect your feet on the hot pavement.