A Tale of 2 Cities: Is Destin or Panama City Beach Better for Kids?

Florida is brimming with beautiful beaches and a bunch of fun things to do. From snorkeling in springs to fantastic festivals, there’s always something to delight visitors to the Sunshine State. While some activities are best for couples or friend groups, we love finding things for the kiddos to enjoy, too.

There are two particularly popular family vacation destinations in our state: Destin or Panama City Beach. But which one is better with kiddos in tow? We’ll break down the top activities in each location so you can decide which one is best for you and your crew!

Both Destin and Panama City Beach are located on the Emerald Coast and boast gorgeous Gulf views and white sand beaches. Picking one over the other is insanely difficult… but for the sake of amazing vacations and interesting journalism, it must be done. Let the competition begin!

Contestant #1: Destin

Located on the western side of the Florida panhandle, Destin is the perfect parallel to the eastern side of Panama City Beach. In fact, the two cities are often called “the bookends” of the Emerald Coast. So, what makes Destin unique from its twin? The attractions and the vibe!

When it comes to the beaches, the main difference is that one is more of an eggshell white, and the other is more of an alabaster color. In other words, you’ll get squishy-soft sand in either location! Destin’s beach does, however, tend to be a little less busy than the shore of Panama City Beach.

The Vibe Check

Just like the beach itself, the rest of Destin also tends to be quieter than the rest of Panama City Beach (also known as “PCB” for short). It’s still a popular location, so expect some traffic, but know that it’s not as crowded as PCB. Destin actively strives to cultivate a family-friendly atmosphere, which means raucous parties and wild shenanigans are prohibited. Rather than making Destin feel rigid or strict, these policies help maintain an enjoyable laidback atmosphere. Often described as “upscale,” Destin is an excellent place to relax and unwind.

Coolest Things to Do with Kids

Known as the “Luckiest Fishing Village in the World,” Destin is prized as a prime casting location for deep-sea fishers of all skill levels. It’s a great place for water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding! Depending on the age of your kiddos, these might be viable options for afternoon activities… but here are some guaranteed great choices for the younger crowd!

• Big Kahuna’s Water Park – While it’s hard to beat nearby Henderson Beach State Park, Big Kahuna’s water park has some over-the-top thrills that you just won’t find on that beautiful coastline. With over forty water rides, slides, and splashtastic play areas, it’s an endless day of fun in the sun! With both kiddie-sized slides and 70-foot-tall sensations, kids of all ages are sure to have a blast at Big Kahunas.
• Henderson Beach State Park – Ranked the #1 thing to do in Destin on Tripadvisor for 2023, Henderson Beach State Park is a consistent source of beauty and fun. With gorgeous sunsets, sand, and surf, this setting is unbeatable! Take a swim in the crystalline waters of the Gulf and sink your toes into the sugar-soft sand in this slice of unspoiled paradise. With an onsite playground, restrooms, showers, and picnic pavilions, there’s everything you need for a full day of family fun. (In fact, it’s one of the best Florida beaches for families!)

• Gulfarium – If you have kiddos who adore animals, then your family will love taking a trip to the Gulfarium! A bit like a miniature SeaWorld, the Gulfarium offers animal encounters, shows, and trainer talks about Florida’s many amazing marine creatures. Dolphins, sea turtles, and gators are all popular critters at the Gulfarium, but there are even non-native friends like penguins and harbor seals, too!
• Gator Beach – Kids will be fascinated by the reptilian predators, and parents will be pleased with the price: FREE! Fudpucker’s Gator Beach is a great attraction that highlights one of Florida’s most iconic mascots – the American alligator. Stroll around the park and visit all of the gators, talk to trainers, and watch the alligator shows at no cost! For $5.00, you can feed the gators, and for $15.00, you can have your photo taken with a gator!
• Crab Island – One of the most iconic attractions in the area – regardless of age – is Crab Island. This sandbar is surrounded by serene azure water, perfect for floating and swimming! Due to its popularity, Crab Island can get pretty busy, but the gentle waters make it a lovely location for even your smallest swimmers.

There is so much to do in Destin, from nature hikes to shopping sprees – and even pirate cruises! If you’re looking for a kid-friendly getaway that tends toward the chill side (but is still plenty exciting!), then you’ll definitely want to hang out here on the western side of the panhandle!

Loving the sound of Destin? Check out our ultimate guide to Destin, which includes 20 of the best activities for all ages!

Contestant #2: Panama City Beach

Just over an hour away lies the rival to the east: Panama City Beach.

One of the top beaches in the United States, PCB has 27 miles of sand, surf, and vibrant fun! However, just like its twin, this vacation destination is truly set apart by its attractions and vibes. So, let’s see what this bustling beach town is all about!

The Vibe Check

PCB is lively and fun, and the feel of the town is often considered “spring breakish” in nature. There’s a bit of a party scene and a well-established nightlife that tends to draw a younger crowd to the area (as opposed to the retirees of Destin). Despite PCB’s energetic atmosphere, the city is still family-friendly and has plenty of kid-oriented experiences!

Coolest Things to Do with Kids

Panama’s claim to fame is having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and they aren’t just great to look at – these shores are perfect for playtime, too! In addition to your traditional beachside activities (swimming, sand castle building, shell hunting, etc.), you’ll also find some unique in-town attractions for the kiddos to enjoy at PCB.

• ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory – For folks who are all about animals, the ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory is a wonderful and exotic outing for the whole family! Home to over 350 animals, you can cuddle up with Coconut the capybara or take it slow with the resident sloths. Whether you choose to spring for an extra animal encounter or simply enjoy the sights and sounds provided by general admission, this zoo is a great afternoon diversion.
• Shipwreck Island Water Park – Ahoy, there! If you’re looking for amazing water rides and a way to stay cool during your vacation, Shipwreck Island Water Park is the perfect place to be. So much more than just a pool, this pirate-themed water park has numerous play areas, water rides, and water slides for all ages. In fact, there’s so much fun to be had. This water park is ranked as one of the best activities in PCB on Tripadvisor!
• WonderWorks – Science enthusiasts will be ecstatic to visit WonderWorks, the iconic upside-down building – and secret laboratory – in PCB! Divided into several “Wonder Zones,” you can explore hands-on exhibits about weather, chemistry, physics, and even art! Experience an earthquake, land a space shuttle, and ride a 360-degree roller coaster! It’s all in a day’s work for a top scientist and the perfect way to make your vacation feel like an episode of Phineas and Ferb.

• Ripley’s Believe It Or Not – Enter the realm of the bizarre at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! This zany museum will keep you guessing with every turn in the Marvelous Mirror Maze and have you holding onto your seat through the insane “7D Moving Theater” experience! In addition to oddities and amusements, this particular Ripley’s also has an exhibit dedicated to the Titanic, complete with genuine artifacts from the legendary shipwreck!
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park – Another amazing outdoor attraction at PCB, Coconut Creek Family Fun Park has the coolest mini golf courses! The two 18-hole courses are jungle themed, so you’ll encounter gushing waterfalls, rocky caverns, and wild animals along the way. Fun for all ages, the courses are designed to be enjoyed by players of any skill level. Oh, and there’s also a gigantic Gran Maze, so you can test your navigational skills and try to reach all four checkpoints!

Panama City Beach is a hopping place with so much to do! With numerous attractions and activities, you’ll never be bored if you decide to vacation here. For folks who like to pack their itinerary to the brim, PCB offers plenty of options your kiddos are sure to love!

Is this sounding like your dream destination? Check out our list of family adventures in Panama City Beach for 12 of the best activities in the area!

The Final Verdict: Is Destin or Panama City Beach Better?

We’ll start with the cop-out answer: it depends on what you’re looking for.

And, ultimately, that’s true! If you enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere, then Destin is definitely the way to go. However, if a faster pace is what makes your vacation feel like a success, then Panama City Beach it is! And, with both cities within an hour and fifteen minutes of each other, you could theoretically mix and match a few attractions, too.

That being said, we promised a verdict. So, here’s our hot take: Destin is the best place to vacation with kiddos!

We’ve chosen Destin as our winner because we prefer both its atmosphere and attractions. While Panama City Beach is definitely family-friendly, we just enjoy the peaceful pace of Destin a bit more.

When it comes to attractions for kiddos, Panama City Beach probably has more to do, but Destin’s activities feel more distinctly Florida. There are Ripley’s museums, water parks, and mini golf elsewhere – but there’s only one Crab Island. And the animal experiences of the Gulfarium and Gator Beach highlight the best of Floridian wildlife. Sure, your vacation doesn’t have to be entirely Florida themed, but it’s special – and memorable – to see something on your vacation that you won’t see anywhere else.

At the end of the day, both Destin and Panama City Beach are excellent options for your family vacation, and we hope you have a blast wherever you go!

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Have you been to Destin or Panama City Beach? Which one is your favorite? Tell us about your must-see attractions in the comments below!

Happy travels!

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Cover photo: Unsplash