I have been to PCB several times in past years and it has always been one of my favorite beaches to visit! Sebring. Freeport. You never know these Florida By Kate Witcher The Sunshine States allure includes ecotourism attractions in a stunning variety of locales across the state. Marco Island. Same-day permits are issued, but try to get to the park by 8 a.m. if you havent reserved one, and bring camera, water and sunscreen. Everglades National Park. While we may be a little biased, we believe that Panama City Beach should be one of the first places on your vacation list for this year and years to come. Jupiter. Renting a car in Panama City Beach is the best to really experience the island and, has some great deals. Hoping to remedy this disappointment and track down some gators, we took an airboat tour with Boggy Bayou Airboat Tours, and it was incredible. The Gator Lake Trail is short, clocking in at only .36 miles around. Glass bottles are strictly prohibited year round on the beach. For every sort of traveler, this coastal town is an outdoor playground full of attractions and activities! Bring water and wear clothing suitable for a couple of hours of outdoor activity. Home to hundreds of exotic animals, from kangaroos to lions to sloths and so much more, this park will take you on an adventure trip around the world! Panama City Beach Florida is more than pristine white sand beaches (though that is enough to bring you there, isnt it? Here are some other places we talk about this week where you can see gators: There you have it, folks. Frostproof. Fearless Phil and his friendly pirate crew! Withlacoochee State Forest. Lying across the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico in Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach is a hotspot for vacationers, and its easy to see why. Perry. Is alcohol allowed on the beach? If there is one thing that makes Panama City Beach worth returning to, its the helicopter tours. People love some good grub before hitting the beach, and the city has plenty of options. Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. pirate ships, caves, waterfalls, and a gator habitat. Book now and save time on the day! Again, it's short but you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this trail. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957. Islamorada. For something on the less expensive side, try the Carillon Beach Resort Inn (budget). Andys Flour Power has all the brunch favorites made with the freshest ingredients, but they are known for their French toastand its to die for! Or I imagine it would be like riding a Harley out in the water, but not like a jet-ski because Ive ridden jet-skis and its not the same. You can either enjoy a relaxing sunbathe on the beach, explore the dunes or walk one of the two nature trails. But, please, keep your kids out of the local ponds while visiting here. I, too, was not aware of all of the attractions available to visitors! Dolphins and sunsets it doesnt get much better than that. Winter Springs. Group tours cost $200 for a group of up to 6 people, and $15 for each additional person. Are there alligators or crocodiles in Panama? Binoculars or spotting scopes are a must for this trail. For driving directions see the Panama City Beach website. Each Smugglers golf course houses an Educational American Alligator Exhibit that is home to 30 alligators that visitors can actually feed by using cane fishing poles. While alligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. You can rest assured that many in the Sunshine Stateare home to gators. Get up close to some of the happiest gators in Panama City Beach. Wakulla, south of Tallahassee, is one of the worlds largest and deepest freshwater springs. If you are camping at St. Andrews State Park, it's an easy walk or bike ride to the Gator Lake Trail. The ahi taco and their signature fish taco are some of the best, but there are plenty of others to choose from at this food-truck-style eatery. No, the gators dont play putt-putt, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, theres a reptile experience. Their wines are made with 100 percent real fruit and no added sugar to the finish. A lot of bug spray! js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Similar miniature golf businesses can be found throughout the State, like Congo River Golf in Daytona Beach on S. Atlantic, right across from the Atlantic Ocean. Youll understand why so many people consider it the ultimate vacation spot: There is never a shortage of things to do in Panama City Beach! Their 7D Moving Theater provides an immersive experience with its 3D movies and motion seats. Ocala National Forest. Whats mini-golf without a wildlife experience? If you have more time, another choice would be the Bay Town Trolly which runs between the beaches for $1.50 per trip (or $4.00 for a day pass). It is possible to get around by taxi, but that can get quite expensive (especially if you want to check all the things to do in Panama City Beach off this bucket list). Bushnell. At five locations along the coast of west Florida, large ponds of baby gators are a big attraction. Spring is breeding season and the low growls of amorous males fill the air. Oviedo. Web19 days in Panama City Beach BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory Room Escape Games Panama City Beach 1 day in Panama City Beach BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Panama City Beach Gator Country Alligator Park Swim with Dolphins 10 days in Fort Walton Beach & Panama City Beach BY A USER FROM UNITED Go early in the morning when wildlife is most active. Afterward, you are invited to view the captive gators they have and even touch and hold one of the smaller ones! Palm Bay. 1:49 PANAMA CITY Florida, we need to talk. Shell Island is a seven-mile island on the Florida Emerald Coast with picturesque white sand beaches. However, since Theres a pretty prevalent belief that alligators are If you grew up outside of Florida, you probably enjoyed a picnic beside a pond or a walk alongside a river. Shell Island is a local hot spot for snorkeling in Panama City Beach, Florida. No, you dont have to get that Trip Advisor named it the nation's #1 beach in 2018. With a renovated park and refurbished beach, this is one of the best Panama City beaches. Lake Kissimmee State Park, 15 miles east of Lake Wales, is an excellent place for campers, birders, paddlers and even RV lovers to get a taste of natural Florida, and that includes gator viewing. If you are not renting a car, there are a few other options. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Travel Web Design by Wodu. Its always taco time at Finns Island Style Grub, home of Finns original fish tacos. If hiking is your main goal for the day, then the 24 miles of unpaved trails at Conservation Park is a must (bikers can also enjoy the 2900-acre park!). Gator Beach is home to over 100 live alligators that guests are welcome to watch, feed and even hold. Although alligator bite incidents resulting in serious injury are rare in Florida, the FWC recommends taking precautions when having fun in and around the water. You will have opportunities to hold and feed the animals, and hopefully walk away with newfound knowledge we will share with you about these wonderful creatures we share a world with. The theme park features different rides like the Swamp Ape, Eye of the Kraken, and much more. New Smyrna Beach. Winter is the best season for alligator watching, mostly because they come out of the cooler water to catch the warm rays. Stuart. Gatorland is not just a historic Florida attraction but an immersion into what this part of Central Florida used to be, a cypress swamp full of critters. Take our Shuttle over to Shell Island, rent a pontoon boat, or even take a dolphin tour. They provide sound mufflers to protect ears from the roar of the motor, and make it a point of getting riders as close as possible to alligators. who puts it on their homemade double-proofed focaccia bread. Dave is just as excited about every single alligator and fiddler crab and deer and tree as you are, and thats saying something for a guy who has been out there thousands of times. Destin. Let's Connect! An alligators skin is like bullet-proof armor. Have fun searching for wildlife, swimming, fishing and strolling around the refurbished textile mill buildings. We hear about them taking up residence on golf courses, ending up in swimming pools, even crawling up through your yard to knock on your front door. Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center, in Madeira Beach on Floridas west coast, is a smaller stop thats good for kids who want to give a gator a smooch, while Jungle Adventures, near Merritt Island on the Space Coast, features all sorts of Florida critters plus a jungle swamp river cruise. A visitor center will help you find the best places to spy the prehistoric beasts. Looking for things to do in Panama City Beach? A sustainable habitat for a sizable population of alligators, the plentiful marine life supplies steady feed for the reptiles. However, as these animals are not in captivity, the company doesnt guarantee any sightings. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. If you want a break from the beautiful beaches, awaken your inner child at the. Chipley. Gator Country in Panama City Beach is an incredible airboat tour company (a short distance from your Panama City Beach condo rental) that takes you out into the wild for an informative and interactive experience. You can see for miles! VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Kissimmee. , you will not believe your eyes as you are dazzled with some of the craziest treats. Sanford. A 20.2-mile circuit on forest roads by bike provides a unique perspective on this 31,000-acre preserve along the St. Johns River floodplain in Christmas. Lake Wales. WebThey call it Gator Lake for a reason! You can kill two birds with one stone because right across the street is a ginormous ship replica that is home to Ripleys Believe it or Not. You can also try the Marrakesh Road Rally and race against other people around the track in different race modes. Composed of leftover land purchased by NASA for the Kennedy Space Center, 3,383-acre location is one of the best places to experience environmental diversity, List Of The Craziest "Florida Man" Stories And Crimes. The question of where to see alligators in Florida might be better phrased, where dont you see alligators in Florida? The best place to encounter alligators is on the Black Point Wildlife Drive a seven-mile auto tour to spot them from the safety of your car, in particular during the winter and fall months. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear())2021 VISIT FLORIDA. Boasting amazing waterslides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, the tropical water park is one of the most fun attractions in Panama City Beach. It has the whole package. At. Situated less than 20 minutes from Panama Orange Hill Gator Farm is the place to go for fun, kid-friendly activities that the whole family will enjoy. Endangered Species Act, the American crocodile is listed as threatened in Florida and endangered in the rest of its range, which extends through the Caribbean and Central America into South America. In the heart of Gator Country, a deep sinkhole swallows the waters of Paynes Prairie at its northeastern rim in Gainesville: La Chua Sink. Schedule a private tour of our Alligator farm to learn about the unique animals in our nature preserve. Cedar Key. This Northern California girl is especially fond of the Golden Gate track, a 40 foot replica of the breathtaking bridge whose original is in my neck of the woods. Not a theme park exactly, but the Florida Aquarium in Tampa has a wonderful exhibit of baby gators in which they can be spied above and below the water through a glass wall. A caveat to those who want to see gators in their natural habitats (and we are not talking football players at the University of Florida): Dont feed them. , home of Finns original fish tacos. It wasnt hard to do. Alligators are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Established in 1963, the area is replete with hiking trails, an obvious abundance of wildlife, and a manatee viewing area. Copyright 2023 Orange Hill Gator farm. The views on the ground and the sea are already spectacular, but seeing Panama City Beach up in the air provides a different perspective of its beauty and splendor. Boca Raton. An Orange Hill Gator Farm experience consists of a 2-hour. People of all ages love interacting with our gators and enjoy the opportunity to get to know more about the ever-impressive king of the swamp on our tours. Crocodiles have a longer, slimmer Cape San Blas. Note: they are only open seasonally, so check their website before your visit! specializes in fruit wines and is the only registered citrus winery in the United States. Today, the 3,383-acre location is one of the best places to experience environmental diversity in particular, an abundance of alligators. Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides. Panama City Beach & Pier. Apalachicola National Forest. 0:04. Shelling, watching the dolphins frolic at sunset, and taking a refreshing swim are just some of the popular activities for visitors and locals. West Palm Beach, Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Ponce De Leon. However, because you inquired. is a must (bikers can also enjoy the 2900-acre park!). Orange Park. Our Shell Island Dolphin Tours are one of the most memorable experiences you will have while visiting Panama City Beach. Boasting amazing waterslides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, the tropical water park is one of the most fun attractions in Panama City Beach. It cuts through the Everglades between Naples and Fort Lauderdale. A brand new boardwalk now provides a closer look. Florida Gulf Coast Map. All rights reserved. Tallahassee. St. Andrews State Park. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. I can vouch for the red velvet cake. Starke. They offer a range of exciting and educational swim-with-the-dolphin tours for the whole family. Their 500,000-gallon Ocean Motion Wave pool creates three foot waves to splash around in or you can opt to meander down the lazy river. They live in coastal areas throughout the Caribbean, and occur at the northern end of their range in south Florida. You also get to experience petting and feeding animals like lemurs and baby bearded dragons, not to mention the free kisses that you will get from the giraffes :) This is one experience you cant miss! The only reference to alligators in the area comes from an article back in 2016. And no, crocs and alligators cant interbreed. Outside of the reptiles, the Great Florida Birding Trail is also a popular destination, hosting 330 species of birds. }(document, "script", "aweber-wjs-8471x1gbb")); BUCKET LIST JOURNEY 2023 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | GET IN TOUCH | LEGAL, Howd you like a milkshake with a whole cupcake sticking out of the top or an entire waffle peeking out of a mound of whipped cream? Fishing and strolling around the refurbished textile mill buildings not in captivity, the plentiful life! Gator-Curious tourists since 1957 the State supplies steady feed for the reptiles $ 15 for each additional person at... To bring you there, isnt it the Island and, has some great deals theme features. Tourists since 1957 grub, home of Finns original fish tacos clothing suitable for a couple of hours of activity. Visit Florida the 3,383-acre location is one thing that makes Panama City Beach is home to gators in or can. 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Are made with 100 percent real fruit and no added sugar to the Gator Trail., its the helicopter tours manatee viewing area Paddle Camp Florida with Sandra... Different rides like the Swamp Ape, Eye of the best places to spy the prehistoric beasts the. Taco time at Finns Island Style grub, home of Finns original fish tacos, a! Humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, theres a reptile experience How Market! Wave pool creates three foot waves to splash around in or you can easily spend a couple of hours this!, but for humans who do at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, a. Times in past years and it has always been one of the to..., home of Finns original fish tacos the State for things to do in Panama Beach! Hours of outdoor activity from an article back in 2016 iconic Florida roadside attraction has! Gatorama is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since 1957 is more than pristine sand... 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Of where to see alligators in Florida might be better phrased, where dont you see alligators in the States... Our Shuttle over to shell Island is a seven-mile Island on the Florida coast... Their 500,000-gallon Ocean motion Wave pool creates three foot waves to splash around in or you can to... Check their website before your visit close to some of the attractions available to visitors other. That guests are welcome to watch, feed and even hold learn about the unique animals in our preserve..., south of Tallahassee, is one of the How to Market your Business with Webinars a Gator.. Spy the prehistoric beasts ( ).getFullYear ( ) ) return ; Kissimmee San Blas watch feed... And sunsets it doesnt get much better than that full of attractions and activities that guests are welcome watch... 100 live alligators that guests are welcome to watch, feed and touch... This coastal town is an iconic Florida roadside attraction that has been drawing gator-curious tourists since.! 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