Panama City Beach is a beautiful, oceanfront city on Florida’s Gulf Coast, known for its sugar-white beaches, fishing piers, nature preserves, restaurants on the water, and of course, Pier Park!
Pier Park is the place for families and friends who love a great time. Located in the heart of Panama City Beach, this outdoor shopping mall offers more than 120 stores and restaurants, as well as live entertainment shows. It’s also right next door to Russell-Fields Pier and the beach.
Come spend your vacation at this family-friendly destination with lots of fun activities for kids and adults! There’s something for everyone here – from indoor amusements like virtual reality games and laser tag to an IMAX theater, arcades, and much more.
There are plenty of dining options, too – so come hungry!
And best of all, Pier Park is open year-round and it’s 100 % free to visit. There are huge, free parking areas, too.
Here are the best things to do at Pier Park in Panama City Beach!
Pier Park Panama City Beach-
10 Fun Things To Do!
1. Pier Park Shopping
With over 120 stores, from large retail clothing stores to souvenir gift shops to kids’ stores to food and snacks, Pier Park has you covered!
Closer to the highway is mostly shopping and a few chain restaurants mixed in (Red Robin, Panera Bread).
Target, JC Penny, Dillard’s Department Store, Old Navy, and other large retail stores are all at the north end of Pier Park.
You run into the gift shops, novelty stores, and beach shops as you work your way south through the park, past the Sky Wheel and movie theatre.
Toy Kingdom, Coastal Casuals, and Just Beachy Gifts are just a few stores at the southern end of the park. There’s also a Ron John Surf Shop to get all your supplies before heading to the beach!
2. Ride The Sky Wheel
When at Pier Park, be sure to take a ride on the giant Ferris Wheel!
Pier Park’s Sky Wheel takes you up almost 200 feet in the air and gives you the best views of Panama City Beach!
The Sky Wheel is open all year and the temperature-controlled capsules make you feel comfortable for the ride, regardless of the time of year. And you can purchase photos from your ride to re-live the experience!
They also have VIP passes for purchase with a free drink and glass-bottom floors to enhance your experience.
Be sure to check out the mini-golf and ropes courses once you’re done with the Sky Wheel Ride.
You can buy tickets separately or combine and save!
3. See A Movie
If you’re looking for a rainy-day activity or want to escape the Florida heat for a while, you can see a movie at The Grand Theatres!
Here, they offer luxury seating and IMAX for the ultimate movie-watching experience!
The Grand Theatre offers a wide array of movies on its 16 screens.
Looking For Another Rainy Day Activity At Pier Park?
Go To Dave & Busters For Drinks, Food, & Arcade Games
4. Dine At Pier Park Restaurants
A visit to Pier Park Panama City Beach would not be complete without dining at one of the many restaurants!
Pier Park has over 30 restaurants to choose from, whether you’re looking for just a quick bite at a large chain restaurant or casual dining overlooking the beach and pier.
From a slice at Great White Pizza to chicken wings at Buffalo Wild Wings, or seafood and oysters at The Back Porch, Pier Park has it all!
Other restaurants include Angry Tuna Seafood Company, Brass Tap, Dick’s Last Resort, Margaritaville, and Pompano Joe’s.
Feel like you’re back in Nashville with some country music and honky tonk vibes at Pier Park’s version of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
Or have food and drinks right across from Pier Park at Hook’d Pier Bar & Grill, while enjoying views of the Panama City Beach and pier.
5. Experience The XD Dark Ride
Feel like you’re part of the game with this interactive ride! I also did one of their 7D rides in Orlando and these immersive experiences do not disappoint!
Play Zombies, Los Banditos, or Road Fighters at the Pier Park location.
This is a great place to hang out with friends or family, while you compete for the high score! They do birthday party events here, as well.
6. Try Axe Throwing
For a perfect date night activity or night out with a group of friends, try axe throwing at Pier Park. This is a great activity for all ages and skill sizes!
They also do birthday parties, corporate events, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and more.
Play at either their indoor or outdoor lanes here.
7. Figure Your Way Out Of The Escape Room
A fun activity to pair with Axe Throwing is The Royal Escape Room. They are located right next to each other and you can bundle and save on tickets!
Unfortunately, you can’t axe your way out of the room to escape, but you can use the clues to solve the puzzle and get out.
The Royal Escape Room at Pier Park has 4 different rooms to choose from. Every room is able to hold from 2-3 people up to 10-12, depending on the room you pick.
Each room has over a 70 percent escape rate so none of these are too difficult. Good luck!
8. Cool Off At The Marble Slab Creamery
With several locations throughout Florida, The Marble Slab Creamery is a great way to cool off from the Florida heat with their nice, cool treats!
As you can see, they serve many flavors of ice cream, sundaes, smoothies, yogurt, and shakes.
They also specialize in made-from-scratch ice cream cakes, cupcakes, and waffle cones.
Enjoy- just be sure to finish it quickly before it melts!
Other ice cream shops nearby include Dippin’ Dots and The Yard Milkshake Bar.
If you’re in the mood for more sweets, they have I Love Sugar candy store and Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, just across the street.
9. Find Your Way Through The Mirror Maze
The Mirror Maze was one of my favorite things to do at Pier Park with the family!
We always have big laughs while trying to find our way through these types of mazes, and while trying not to bump into the mirrored walls too much.
Laser tag, a laser beam challenge, and a bazooka ball are a few more of the activities offered at The Mirror Maze.
They also offer packages for birthdays and private parties.
10. Hit The Beach & Pier
Pier Park is a lot like Icon Park in Orlando since they are both large outdoor shopping centers, with plenty of entertainment, and giant Ferris Wheels.
One thing that sets Pier Park apart, though, is that it’s right next to a beautiful Gulf beach and pier!
After spending the day shopping and hanging out at Pier Park, come relax at the beach, just across the street from the shopping complex!
Dog Beach is next to the pier and is an ideal spot to bring your four-legged friends.
Stay to watch an amazing sunset from Russell-Fields Pier, which extends 1,500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico.
The pier is also a nice spot for fishing or spotting wildlife such as dolphins and sea turtles.
Russell-Fields Pier
16201 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32413
If You’re Looking To Do More Things On The Water, Check Out These Panama City Adventures!
Snorkel and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise with Waterslide
Sunset and Dolphin Catamaran Cruise
Scuba Diving (No Experience Needed)
Sport Fishing With “Captain Extreme”
Pier Park Panama City Beach-
FAQ’s
Where is Pier Park?
Pier Park is located at 600 Pier Park Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32413.
How many stores are at Pier Park?
There are 136 stores at this outdoor shopping center!
What’s all at Pier Park?
Shopping options here include department stores, men’s, women’s, and children’s fashion and specialty, entertainment, home decor, gift shops, restaurants & food, and jewelry stores.
Go here for a full list of the stores and restaurants.
Conclusion: Pier Park Panama City Beach-
10 Fun Things To Do!
As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do at Pier Park and nearby!
For more of the best places to stay nearby, check out the Best Hotels & Resorts Near Pier Park Panama City Beach!
Pier Park sounds like a lot of fun! I would love to try some ice cream from The Marble Slab Creamery