People are booking tropical vacations, cruises, even sight-seeing tours in Europe and Asia. We arrived at 10: a.m. on the weekend, and the queue was about 20 people deep. Mayo. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Whether you are a fan of mysteries or you just want to have a unique experience with your loved ones, Escape Manor will keep you coming back for more! A brand new boardwalk now provides a closer look. But, by the time we left the place at around 2 p.m., there was no line at all. Orange Hill Gator Farm is the place to go for fun, kid-friendly activities that the whole family will enjoy. Lake Mary. If prey is too large to gobble in a single bite, the alligator will violently spin in a death roll to drown it. I used to live in Florida and I honestly I had no idea that PCB had so much to offer. Gator Country Alligator Park, also known as Airboat Adventures, is a memorable experience for people of all ages. Englewood. If youre looking for fun activities and You will also get a chance to pet and feed cute baby alligators, as well as seeing adult alligators and other animals like bald eagles and herons. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Looking for things to do in Panama City Beach? Port St. Lucie. Gators were once on the brink of extinction in the Sunshine State, but aggressive conservation efforts reversed their decline. You'll be rewarded with good views of the lake and a high vantage point to watch wildlife from. Fort Lauderdale. Im giving you practical tips, exclusive tools and the inspiration to stop dreaming about your bucket list and start living it. Wewahitchka NORTH FLORIDA Alachua. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Lake George, near the St. Johns River in northeast Florida, has the most-- more than 2,300. Lake Butler.Lake City. Then it is just about 15-20 minutes to Panama City Beach You can easily check for the best fare deals at, , which also has the option to choose cheapest month as the departure to find the lowest priced dates to fly to your destination. Dont judge. Here, you have to keep your head on a swivel when near any body of water, just in case one of the millions of alligators that live in the Sunshine State decide to grace you with their presence. South Bay, SOUTHEAST FLORIDA Big Pine Key. Keystone Heights. Get ready for your breath to be taken away with the spectacular view of Panama City Beach on board the 53-meter SkyWheel! The FloridaPanhandle.com Local Expert Team Gator Country Alligator Park, also known as Airboat Adventures, is a memorable experience for people of all ages. You can walk in at any time to enjoy the show, and you can also bring your own beer or wine! They offer 1 day, 3-day, or 1-week programs which blend the natural beauty of a dolphin encounter that some people call the most moving encounter they ever had. If you have more time, another choice would be the. Hobe Sound. 1994-2023 Shell Island Shuttle, all rights reserved. I was here to find the hottest attractions and best things to do in Panama City Beach, affectionately called PCB. Fort Myers. Some popular ones to go to are Camp Helen State Park, St. Andrews State Park (perfect for kids! 6 Are there alligators or crocodiles in Panama? DeBary. If youd like to know more about what Pier Park has to offer, check out the Panama City Beach (PCB) visitors website. Cornhole, smores and a cooler filled with adult beverages, plus a bonfire on the Panama City Beach oceanfront thats what you are going to get with. The gator is even featured as the mascot to one of the countrys biggest universities, our University of Florida Gators. Where is Gator Country in Panama City Beach? PANAMA CITY BEACH Misti Roberts says she knew her dog was loving, but she didn't realize the animal was brave enough to take on an alligator. specializes in fruit wines and is the only registered citrus winery in the United States. SHOP buck & co. FOR PRINTABLE BUCKET LISTS >>>. Also, keep your distance. It opened in 1968 after many years of arduous construction. Males can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh 800 pounds, with the largest ever recorded measuring 17.5 feet. If you want to bring things up a notch, their VIP pass gives you free drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), double the flight time, and the chance to ride their VIP gondola. 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. Our Shell Island Dolphin Tours are one of the most memorable experiences you will have while visiting Panama City Beach. Florida Gulf Coast Map. St. Marks. The same group of animals as crocodiles are called Caimans. It wasnt hard to do. Under the U.S. Gator Beach is home to over 100 live alligators that guests are welcome to watch, feed and even hold. 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. Experience The Annual PCB Mardi Gras & Music Festival, 5 Reasons to Visit Panama City Beach in the Winter, 6 Amazing Beachfront Rentals In Panama City Beach, The Ultimate Guide To Vacationing in Panama City Beach. Big Cypress Seminole Reservation. From one-of-a-kind indoor activities to fun outdoor experiences, this place will surely not disappoint. Males can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh 800 pounds, with the largest ever recorded measuring 17.5 feet. Whether you want to witness the prehistoric beast in the wild or behind a barrier in the safety of a zoo, there are plenty of places to look at this Triassic dinosaur. 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 Niceville. Again, it's short but you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring this trail. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; 1. 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. Here are some of the best places in Florida to see Alligators: This one is a no-brainer. We are home to. Im not sure when the last time you were on Shell Island, but we were just there a few weeks ago, and did NOT find one shell. Myakka River State Park in Sarasota County is a grand spot for alligator watching. to see our incredible animals and guests. 3 Can you drink alcohol on the beach in Panama City? There are lots of different types of animals roaming the St Andrews State Park. This hands-on experience with the American alligator is sure to make this a All you need to do is get in touch with us today and let our amazing customer service representatives book your next incredible Panama City Beach vacation! See wading birds, alligators (hence the name) and other assorted wildlife in the dunes and in the lake itself. , home of Finns original fish tacos. Gators have roamed the habitat of the Sunshine State for many centuries and can be found in 67 counties. Orange Hill Gator Farm is a five-star wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve located in Chipley, Florida, just about an hour and ten minutes away from Panama City Beach. Dolphins and sunsets it doesnt get much better than that. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Apalachicola National Forest. Big Cypress(26.322398,-81.052849). Madison. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. De Leon Springs. Dunnellon. Flagler Beach. Bring binoculars. View them from a great boardwalk sitting area. And did I mention that you can have a Mario Kart-like experience in their Power-Up race mode? The photos show the reptile emerging from ocean water and crawling up on the sandy beach. Is your team capable of escaping before the timer runs out? There is very little shade to an airboat road, and it is very easy to get sunburnt during the hour on the water. Take a splash in the different beaches around Panama Beach City. Green Cove Springs. 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! who puts it on their homemade double-proofed focaccia bread. WebThe Bottom Line: Gator Beach is the place to go for up-close and in-person interactions with alligators. However, because you inquired. It is a haven for donut lovers! Grab a drink and a snack, then end the evening with a beautiful sunset across the emerald waters. Withlacoochee State Trail. 850-527-1383 to schedule your private tour, Serving Chipley, Panama Beach City, FL and all surrounding areas, If youre looking for fun places to go in Panama City Beach, stop by Orange Hill Gator Farm in Chipley, FL! We have everything that you would expect in an amazing vacation spot, including gorgeous beaches and weather, beautiful ocean views, incredible dining opportunities, and plenty of Panama City Beach attractions for everyone to enjoy. 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. We stocked it with goodies for lunch, plenty of drinks (a cooler filled with Fresca!) Blountstown. Port Charlotte. I stayed in a seaside condo at. Okeechobee. 3172 Orange Hill Road Oh no! Ranger-led boat tours take visitors out on the river for about 45 minutes. East Coast Greenway. It is one of the largest coastal dune lakes in Florida with plenty of activities. Ocala National Forest. js.src = "//forms.aweber.com/form/38/171662838.js"; Alligators need to be able to sleep in mud tunnels to survive. Fernandina Beach. Alligator snouts are rounded, with few exposed lower teeth. Besides the beaches, there is Clearwater Beach's inviting, small-town atmosphere. You can either enjoy a relaxing sunbathe on the beach, explore the dunes or walk one of the two nature trails. at cafes or nearby restaurants. Gator Country Alligator Park (also known as Airboat Adventures) will give you a heart-pounding experience from start to finish. Belleview. Corkscrew can be enjoyed by traversing the 2.5-mile elevated boardwalk through pine flatwoods leading to the wet prairie, around a marsh, and finally into the worlds largest remaining virgin bald cypress forest. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, especially moms and babies. Tip: We went at around 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday, and the line was about a half-hour long (with a 20 minute wait after ordering). If you are lucky, you will get to see dolphins as well! 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. Come check them out! New Smyrna Beach. St. Yeehaw Junction, SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Bradenton . You can also get a nice view of the pier (and some great fish tacos) by sitting on the patio of Hookd Pier Bar & Grill. Tarpon Springs. The Russell-Fields City Pier sits at the end of Pier Park and stretches 1,500 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico. Ridge Manor. Delray Beach. The word alligator derives from the Spanish word for lizard (el largarto) the term early settlers of Florida used when first coming across the predatory reptiles. Islamorada. ), there are fun attractions for family members of every age (not just the kids). Among the states gator attractions are GatorWorld Parks, in Wildwood, near Orlando. Lake Kissimmee, near Orlando, comes in second with just shy of 2,000. Besides gators, which often are spied sunning next to turtles, you will see all manner of Florida birds. Children with special needs also benefit from their dolphin therapeutic program. The prehistoric reptiles are an important part of the states ecosystem. Gatorama. Is alcohol allowed on the beach? has all the brunch favorites made with the freshest ingredients, but they are known for their French toastand its to die for! 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. Gator watching can be fun. Palmdale ( 26.917172,-81.290718 ) Started in 1957 as a roadside attraction to show tourists one of the two Florida experiences they wanted alligators! Here are some other places we talk about this week where you can see gators: There you have it, folks. Brooksville. You will have plenty to talk about when you return to your Panama City Beach condo rental after such an eventful activity. 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. 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. WebIf youre looking for fun places to go in Panama City Beach, stop by Orange Hill Gator Farm in Chipley, FL! Brandon. Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The states Living with Alligators page provides more useful tips. Boynton Beach. If you are not renting a car, there are a few other options. How can you see alligators in the Everglades? It is $34 per person for just a tour and $22 for children (ages 2-12). FYI: There is almost always a line in the morning, so get there really early or plan on waiting. 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. Williston, MULTI-REGION Big Cypress Swamp. Branford. If you are not renting a car, there are a few other options.