16 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO NEAR TYNDALL AFB
By Kevin Lankes
Introduction
Tyndall Air Force Base is located in Bay County, Florida. It’s home to the 325th Fighter Wing. PCSing here is a bit like living in a permanent vacation spot while still having to get up for work every day. The area surrounding the base includes several prominent tourist destinations. Numerous white sand beaches and wildlife preserves can be found close by, along with attractions to keep each member of the family entertained. Nearby cities like Panama City and Panama City Beach are entertainment havens geared toward attracting visitors and keeping them enthralled as long as they can. There'll be plenty of things to do near Tyndall AFB to get into here for everyone. Know what you are looking for? Click the number(s) to go right to what you go: (1-2) Gyms (3) Museums (4-9) Nearby Attractions (10) Bowling (11) Golfing (12) Camping (13-14) Beaches (15) Fishing Spots (16) Movie TheatersSuggested Read:
Tyndall Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome CenterThings to Do Near Tyndall AFB
Tyndall Air Force Base Gym
1. Tyndall Fitness Center
1601 Mississippi Road Tyndall AFB, FL 32403Phone:
1 (850) 283-2455 This Tyndall Air Force Base gym is fully equipped with everything you need to get a great workout. It’s a huge facility with over 70,000 square feet and tons of equipment, including 125 cardio machines, 3 rooms for aerobics and stretching, 2 courts for basketball or volleyball, and free weights. There’s also an outdoor track and field. The fitness center also provides personal training, classes, fun runs, and much more.Callaway
2. Anytime Fitness
856 N Tyndall Pkwy Callaway, FL 32404Phone:
1 (850) 640-6150 Anytime Fitness in Callaway is a fully equipped gym that’s ready to help you with your individual fitness journey. They provide coaching for every workout vibe around. You’ll have access to kettlebells, group classes, battle ropes, and more. A year of access runs you just $60.Tyndall Air Force Base Museum
Panama City Beach
3. Ripley’s Believe it or Not
9907 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407Phone:
1 (850) 230-6113 Ripley’s Believe it or Not is a showcase of oddities and random facts. Inside this museum, you’ll find bizarre and interactive exhibits for the whole family. Some are true, and other encounters are wholly illusions. Ripley’s also offers a wild moving theater, a marvelous mirror maze, and an impossible laser race.Attractions
Panama City Beach
4. Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
9807 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407Phone:
1 (850) 234-2625 The Coconut Creek Family Fun Park is a site with multiple attractions and games. They have two separate tropical-themed mini-golf courses, making this a great site for those looking for the most convenient Tyndall AFB golf course. There’s also a maze here that allows you to coordinate with the family or compete with one another to find the exit.5. ZooWorld Zoological and Botanical Conservatory
9008 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407Phone:
1 (850) 230-1243 ZooWorld in Panama City Beach is a place for adventuring beside exotic animals like sloths, giraffes, alligators, and more. There are petting areas for friendly animals, group tours, special events, and a hatchet throwing experience. Come on by to feed the alligators or snuggle with a lemur.6. Cobra Adventure Park
9323 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach, FL 32407Phone:
1 (850) 235-0321 Cobra Adventure Park is a tourist trap with lots of outdoor fun to be had. Here you’ll find mini-golf, go-karts, an arcade, and more. There’s a roller coaster flight simulator, a roller coaster for kids, and other rides to keep your adrenaline up.7. Gulf Coast Jet Boats
5709 N Lagoon Dr Panama City Beach, FL 32408Phone:
1 (850) 704-0132 Gulf Coast Jet Boats is the place to go for high speed sailing. Dubbed the “roller coaster on the water,” here you’ll find yourself riding in style with 600 horsepower under the hood. It’s an exciting experience for the whole family, date night, or another occasion. Tours go all through the day, with special sunset cruises also available. There’s a 10% military discount.Panama City
8. Shell Island Shuttle
4607 State Park Ln Panama City, FL 32408Phone:
1 (850) 233-0504 Shell Island is a prominent attraction near Tyndall AFB. The shuttle offers a safe and convenient method of reaching the island. You’ll also find tons of opportunities for hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and more at Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park. There’s also camping, biking, wildlife watching, and tons of activities to engage in at both these places. You can book a number of things to do by visiting the website for the Shell Island Shuttle.9. Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise
5325 N Lagoon Dr Panama City, FL 32408Phone:
1 (850) 234-7400 The Sea Dragon is a ship that’s decked out like a pirate galleon and is standing ready to take you and your family on a 2-hour adventure on the high seas. There’s a ton to do onboard, like multiple activities for kids, pirate songs, cold beer and snacks, and tons more. They offer souvenirs to commemorate the experience, and there’s also a restroom onboard the ship.Tyndall AFB Bowling Alley
Panama City
10. Raptor Lanes
112 Virginia Lane Panama City, FL 32403Phone:
1 (850) 283-2380 This Tyndall AFB bowling alley is a great place to get some lane time. It’s been renovated in the past few years and offers families a great environment for extras to go along with their game, like an arcade, indoor playgrounds, a snack bar, and more.Tyndall AFB Golf Course
11. Pelican Point Golf Course
3029 Sabre Dr Tyndall AFB, FL 32403Phone
: 1 (850) 286-2565 Pelican Point is a golf course on base with 18 holes and a course rating of 73.7. The site also includes a driving range.Tyndall AFB Camping
12. Raptor Ranch
Tyndall Afb, FL 32403Phone:
1 (850) 283-2798 Raptor Ranch is a campground on base that’s open to all active duty and retired personnel. The campground is open all year round with reservations and cabin rentals available. Bring your tents and enjoy the rec center with TVs, dart boards, showers, and beer and wine for sale.Tyndall AFB Beach
13. Beacon Beach Nature Trail
Tyndall AFB, FL 32403 The Beacon Beach Nature Trail is right on base and offers a gorgeous walk along a white sand beach. It’s one of the closest and easiest ways to access the ocean and pick up seashells with the family or get your exercise in while gulping down the fresh saltwater air.14. Crooked Island Florida
Tyndall AFB, FL 32403 Crooked Island Beach at Tyndall is another great beach nearby. It’s fairly secluded, with fishing, swimming and camping available. You may need to hike in due to the rough roads that have deteriorated since Hurricane Michael struck, but the locals rave about the location and go back again and again.Tyndall AFB Fishing
15. Tyndall Outdoor Recreational Program
Phone:
1 (850) 527-2009 Fishing and hunting on base are both allowed with the proper permits in the proper locations. There are several locations to choose from, each with its own unique features. To apply for a permit, visit the iSportsman website and follow the detailed information provided.Tyndall Afb Movie Theater
Panama City
16. PC Cinemas
2150 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Panama City, FL 32405Phone:
1 (850) 215-6784 Located inside of the Panama City Mall, this movie theater is rated #1 on Yelp's list in the Panama City area. They have special military pricing at $5.99 a movie and $5 Tuesdays where tickets are $5 all day.Conclusion
Tyndall AFB is surrounded by white sand beaches and entertainment options for the whole family. The area is designed to suck in tourists, and locals can’t be blamed for taking advantage of the available attractions. There are so many outdoor adventures to take part in that you’ll find yourself going back again and again. Find a favorite spot like Crook Beach and watch the sunset fall below the waves while you enjoy a favorite book, or take the kids to see the animals at ZooWorld. This isn’t your average PCS scenario. There’s so much to see at Tyndall that you may never want to leave.The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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