We’ve got all the best places to stay cool at the beach! This summer in Panama City Beach make plans to cool off and have fun at the water park, take a dip in the pool, grab a cool treat, or get adventurous on the water. Whatever your preference is, there is a refreshing spot for you. We have picked the best places to cool off this summer, so let’s get to it.
Make a Splash at an Iconic WaterPark
Shipwreck Island is the biggest waterpark in Panama City Beach. The park features 3 million gallons of water on 15 acres and has plenty of fun adventures for the kids. The kids will love the multiple waterslides, like the Zoom Flume, White Knuckle River, and the Pirate’s Race. You can bounce around in the large wave pool or enjoy lounging in the lazy river. This premier family attraction serves cool and tasty treats and refreshing beverages for kids and adults. To purchase tickets, visit Shipwreck Island Waterpark.
Check out the Aquatic Center
Panama City Beach has an excellent aquatic center located within Frank Brown Park. The aquatic center has a seasonally heated and cooled Olympic-size pool for visitors to enjoy. The little ones will love the Kid’s splash park. The aquatic center offers water aerobics classes and swim lessons and has a snack bar and gift shop. For pool hours and a full schedule, visit Panama City Beach Aquatic Center.
Famous Frozen Treats Served in a Fresh Pineapple
Anyone coming to PCB needs to try Coco Locos. They are known for their beautiful, tropical, frozen drinks served in a fresh pineapple. Many say they are the best drinks on the beach, all served out of a Tiki Hut. Visitors come from all over the country to get a fresh pineapple drink, and they are a local legend.
Coco Locos has several locations and something for everyone. They have two locations at Calypso Beach Resort. Calypso Tower 3 (north of Front Beach Rd) offers delicious pineapple drinks and the frozen dole whip, while the location at Calypso Resort on the beach side offers a full bar and their famous pineapple drinks. Coco Locos at Splash Resort offers a coffee shop, ice cream, and a full bar. Make sure you stop by their location at the County Pier as they are serving up snow cones and of course their signature pineapple drinks on the beach.
Grab a Scoop or Three
On a hot day it's great to cool off with a frozen treat and Panama City Beach has some fun options for ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sweet treats. If you are in Pier Park you will want to stop by Kilwin’s or Marble Slab Creamery for a scoop of delicious ice cream. If milkshakes are more your style, The Yard Milkshake Bar in Pier Park has some delectable treats. Gulf Coast Burger Company is a local favorite known for their huge Cat 5 milkshakes.
Frozen Yogurt is a delicious option for a sweet treat, and picking all your favorite toppings is a fun experience for the entire family. Sweet Frog in Pier Park North has a fun atmosphere and variety of options for delicious soft serve frozen yogurt. If you are looking for a unique ice cream experience Dippin Dots offers little balls of ice cream or Mr.Puffs has hand rolled ice cream.
Have Lunch by the Pool
Want to take a splash in the pool after lunch? There are a few dining experiences that offer poolside dining and you can use the pool. At The Deckhand Social there is no charge to swim as long as the group is ordering drinks or food from their extensive menu. They have a full lunch and dinner menu, full bar, offer brunch on the weekends and have a dock-and-dine option with complimentary boat parking available at Pirate’s Cove Marina.
Barefoot on The Beach is directly on the beach offering a family-friendly environment where parents can enjoy a delicious meal while the kids play in the pool. On the weekends guests can enjoy live music and the bar area serves up tropical frozen cocktails.
Get Cool with some Water Activities
Panama City Beach has so many great spots to get out on the water and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. Visitors love getting out on the water by jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Many condos offer jet skis and parasailing rightoutside on the beach for your adventure. You can rent a surfboard or paddleboard at Mr. Surf’s Shop. Snorkel cruises to Shell Island are a great way to beat the heat and have some fun. Island Time Sailing offers Snorkeling tours to Shell Island and Sunset dolphin tours that are a must-try for your visit.
Cool down with a Frozen Coffee
Tiki Mike’s Exotic Tea and Coffee Bar is a fun spot to cool off in the summer. Located in a colorful tiki hut across from the beach you will find their menu delights your tastebuds. You will find real fruit smoothies, exotic iced teas, frozen coffees, unique soda concoctions, Tikiccinos, energizing iced teas, iced coffees, and more.
One popular favorite is the Hot chocolate Tikiccino with chocolate drizzle loaded with marshmallows, graham crackers, and a Hershey's bar. Their champagne sprite is a non-alcoholic sprite with champagne flavoring and eligible glitter. There are so many great things you will want to try, like The Elvis Smoothie, The Mermaid, The Aquaman, The Wedding Cake Sprite, and more.
Explore the Arcade with some Cool Treats
Funland Arcade and Snack Bar is an icon of Panama City Beach that locals and visitors have enjoyed for years. It is one of the original businesses opening in 1953 bringing generations of family to enjoy fun at the beach. Families love to cool off with hand dipped or soft serve ice cream cones, banana splits, milkshakes, sundaes and rootbeer floats. After a sweet treat be sure to enjoy the arcade with original pinball games, upgraded games and rides for the young and young at heart.
Beat the Heat and Book your Stay Today
With things starting to warm up it is the perfect time to start planning your summer vacation. Panhandle Getaways offers the best selection of vacation rentals in Panama City Beach. Many resorts include pools, kids splash pads, water adventures, and ice cream shops on site and many beach houses have their own private pools. So, book now and let us know what your favorite way to cool off this summer is.