Panama City Beach Florida. It may not be Vegas or New York, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops when the sun goes down.
One of our favorite ways to maximize your vacation time is to plan some exciting things to do with kids at night while you are here.
It would be a mistake to overlook evenings as part of your family vacation too. Night time can be so much more than just the time in between your vacation days on the beach.
In fact, some of our favorite vacation memories with the kids have been made at night. Once you’ve had a great night with the kids in Panama City Beach, you’ll start to realize that laying out by the pool the next day is just recharging your batteries for the next awesome vacation night!
Top Tips:
- Come in from the sunshine at around 4pm before a big night. That will give the family a couple of hours to shower and get dressed for the night.
- Plan to eat at around 6pm. That way you’ll beat the crowds, avoid a long wait time, and (depending where you eat) you might even still get the early bird special.
- Use your downtime in the Hotel room (while others are getting ready) to search for coupons online. Many attractions and restaurants will post their specials and coupon on their social media pages.
Watch a Late Night Movie in Pier Park
There’s nothing like getting the family together for a movie night.
Maybe it’s the smell of the bottomless fresh-cooked movie popcorn.
Maybe it’s the high end surround sound and enormous screen you just don’t get at home.
Whatever it is, there’s something pretty special about catching a movie with the family.
During the daily grind at home, it can be hard to find time to get the entire family out at night for a movie.
So take advantage of being on vacation in Panama City Beach where everybody is together, and do something you wouldn’t normally do together.
(We won’t date this post by naming a specific movie, but no matter what year you are reading this we bet the latest blockbuster is still probably something from the Marvel Comic universe!)
The best part of this tip: you can do this AND some of the others too!
Play Arcade Games at Dave & Busters
Located in Pier Park, Dave & Busters definitely has something for everybody in your group. You can buy a play card loaded with points, and play as many games as you like.
Depending how well you play, each game will award you points, which can then be redeemed for prizes in their “Winner’s Circle”.
This is a really fun way to compete with the kids (and show them who’s boss!)
See who can win at Mario Kart, who’s the best shot at Big Game Hunter, and test your timing skills on the carnival style games.
There’s some serious bragging rights up for grabs here!
Top Tips:
- If you plan ahead and pick certain nights to play, you can score free bonus points!
- Free credits are up for grabs just for signing up for their newsletter.
- Groupon.com often has additional deals.
- The more money you place on your card(s)
- You can even grab a bite to eat here too. Although Pier Park has an excellent selection of great places to eat to chose from. Still, it’s nice to have the option.
Race Go Karts at Race City
While there are multiple places you can race Go Karts at night in Panama City Beach, one stands out above the others; Race City.
Since this is all about the kids, anywhere that caters to all different ages is going to be a good option.
Just like the mini golf courses, Race City is open (and fun) during the day time too. But it really feels more exciting and fun at night.
In addition to having the largest indoor arcade on the beach (with “Fun Cards” that work just like Dave & Busters), lots of thrill rides and a roller coaster, Race City is definitely equipped to keep the kids grinning.
And we’ve not even mentioned the Go Karts yet!
Race City is home to several different tracks, which are suitable for all ages and heights.
So the teenagers and mom & dad can tear it up, while the smaller kids also have their own slower-paced, smaller tracks and karts.
Top Tip:
Instead of paying to ride each thing individually, definitely buy the Unlimited Armbands.
They are good for the entire day and night, and let you come and go from the park as much as you like.
That value is about as good as it gets for Panama City Beach attractions.
Knock Down some Pins at Rock It Lanes
There’s no denying that anything you can compete against with the kids is going to make some fun memories.
That’s why a night at Rock It Lanes is an evening well spent.
There’s a lot going on under one roof here, so you could easily plan to spend the entire night.
With 24 bowling lanes (all with bumpers and ramps for the smaller kids) you shouldn’t ever be waiting around for a lane. The price per game is less than $5 but you will need to pay for shoe rental as well.
Top Tip:
You need socks as well, so if you plan to wear flip flops, pack socks for everyone too, to avoid that cost as well!
At night time, things change pace. The lasers come on, and it transforms into Cosmic Bowling.
But that’s not all you can do here during a night with the kids.
There’s a Roller Skating rink (with skate rentals). A pretty big arcade (with ‘power cards’ that work the same way as Dave & Busters). You can even grab a bite to eat here.
The best part? Just a few doors down is the Pink Pelican ice Cream bar… Which makes an excellent way to finish off the night. One rule: The loser pays! Ok, forget that… Dad is probably paying 🙂
Score a Hole in One at Goofy Golf!
Mini Golf is pretty much one of the quintessential things you have to do when you visit Panama City Beach.
While all these places are also open during the day, there’s just something about night time that makes them feel way more fun!
One of our favorite ways to spend a night is to play a round at 3 different courses, and crown an ultimate winner by the end of the evening. Grab a juicy burger and fries with a malt / milkshake in between courses and show the kids a retro-themed night.
Listed in no particular order:
- Blacklight mini golf at Race City (indoor);
- The original (OG) 1950’s mini golf at Goofy Golf (outdoor);
- A tropical / caribbean themed Pirates Island mini golf (outdoor);
- Coconut Creeks’ African safari themed mini golf (outdoor).
While we definitely stick to our recommendation to try multiple courses, if you only have time for one we’d pick Goofy Golf.
The original Goofy Golf was built in 1959, and was one of the very first Panama City Beach attractions.
Finish With a Sweet Treat!
There’s only one perfect way to end a fun night in Panama City Beach with your kids, and that’s with an Ice Cream!
There are a few other pretty good ways to end a night, but nothing comes close to a sweet treat with the family.
Before you start to worry, remember; calories don’t count when you’re on vacation!
Panama City Beach has more than just a few great places to choose from.
There’s the ‘usual suspects’ in the form of the typical fast-food franchises if your kids already have a favorite go-to treat. They can get a McDonald’s Blizzard or a Sonic Malt etc.
But since you’re on vacation, we recommend being a bit more adventurous and letting the kids try something they can’t get back home.
Here are a few of our favorite local places for an awesome ice cream:
- Thomas Donut & Snack Shop
- Tasty Waves (with over 40 toppings to choose from!)
- Pink Pelican Ice Cream Bar
- Hershey’s Beach Ice Cream Shop
The best part, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll crash and fall asleep in the car before you even get back to your family friendly Resort!
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