hey everyone i will be in destin may 18th and our son 4 years old really enjoys the marine park in fort walton the gulfarium
my question is this there is a park in pc the gulfworld how would you guys rate this park as accesable for kids lots of hands on or backstage tours available please let me know im trying to decide whether to go back to the gulfarium or head east to pc and try out the other one

I think you can't go wrong with a trip to Panama City Beach for any reason....of course I am a local and love it here....but if you need an excuse, then Gulf World could be just that. I have not been out to the Gulfarium in Destin, and though I hear its a great place, word is it can't compare to Gulf World!

The have four or five different shows: dolphins, sea lions, shark feedings, trained parrots, underwater coral show...I can't remember it all, below is their web address:

http://www.gulfworldmarinepark.com/

as for hands on...they have a few different programs for kids but i will leave that for the experts...check ou their site and if you have any other questions fire away...it will be fun for you and your family.

OH yeah i forgot, you can look at their marketing video on line at:

http://www.tripsmarter.com/panamacit...ions/index.htm

Randy

They do have a dolphin encounter, in which visitors are allowed to interact with dolphins while in waist-to-chest deep water. It's a great way to be able to touch and play with dolphins, but it's a bit pricey - $95 per person, which inludes all the regular shows.

There's also a "trainer for a day" program, which runs for six hours. You also get to be a part of the show... at $175/person.

A "meet the dolphins tour" is only $6 and you do get to touch the dolphins, and take a tour of the facilities.

Hope this helps you make your decision...

well it looks like its a trip to pcb for me ive never been there so it will be an adventure ive checked out the pcb bulletin board but the places to eat section seems wanting for more information so im asking the locals randy??? any suggestions maybe in town or on the way back to destin hope to hear soon

wow, that is a hard question, simply because there are so many places you could eat and be very satisfied! i would suggest a little diversion on the way home and try out a place called Red Bar. I think it is one of the nicest, most eclectic places on the Emerald Coast. Don't let the name fool you though, they have a really laid back cool little bar, but this place packs them in nightly for food and fun. The menu is small, changing everyday, but the food is primo.

Looking for something a little more mainstream...you oculd try just about any place in Seaside. Seaside is a small little toen halfway back to Destin. It is very charming, a lot of the movie The Truman Show was filmed there. There are several really nice places right in the heart of Seaside. Instead of taking 98 back to Destin, you would hang a left on 30-A and travel along the coast. Anyone at Gulf World or your hotel will be able to give you great directions.

The list could go on and on...if you want something in PCB near Gulf World, you could try Shuck-Ums. Its a great little Oyster Bar and Grill. Excellent food and beverage, and great oysters if you are looking for them as well.

Hope it helps,
Have fun and look us up when you are in PCB.

Randy

There are a bunch of good places beachbum5024. I havent been to Red Bar but everyone says it is great, and Randy is right on about Shuck Ums. That is real locals doing it there!

If you're looking for authentic local seafood try Bayou Ann's on 30-A between Seaside and PCB. It sits on a little bayou and its just cool as can be. And the food is awesome!

If you want an all night kind of multi course meal and money isnt a concern try Criollas. Its on 30-A too and it is probably the most talked about place on the coast. And hey, those guys in the Spring Break forum are right, if you want BBQ, go to Beach BBQ it rocks!

Actually Bayou Ann's is closed. It was sold a year or so ago to the Fudpucker folks who ran it for a while. When my wife and I rode past it this winter it was closed and the building looked like it was for rent. Seaside is a great place to stop for anything from pizza to sandwiches to seafood. Another source for restaurant reviews and ideas is at the Northwest Florida Daily News website (www.nwfdn.com) Go to the archive section and they have dining reviews going back a few years from restaurants from Ft. Walton to Seagrove Beach. You can't get much more local than the local newspaper. Have a good trip. Do take the time to trave 30-A between Destin and PCB. The drive may take a little longer but you really won't care!