Pier Park in Panama City Beach: Shops, Dining, and Planning

Pier Park is on the west side of Panama City Beach, at 600 Pier Park Dr. The complex runs along U.S. Highway 98, also known as Panama City Beach Parkway or Back Beach Road, and you can also reach it from Front Beach Road.

U.S. Highway 98 is the city’s primary east-west route. Front Beach Road follows the coast and has shops, restaurants, and beach access points, so it can be useful if you’re linking a stop at Pier Park with other coastal destinations.

Pier Park brings together shopping, dining, and entertainment in an open-air setting. Simon describes it as spanning more than 1 million square feet and having more than 120 stores.

Target, Dillard’s, and JCPenney are among the retailers, and Santikos Theaters – The Grand Pier Park is a movie option. These businesses and offerings can change, so check the official site before you go for current listings and venue-specific hours.

Sit-down dining options include Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House, Pompano Joe’s, Margaritaville, and Longhorn Steakhouse. For a quick bite, choices include Nathan’s Famous, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and PJ’s Coffee. Check the directory for the current selection before planning around a particular restaurant.

You can approach Pier Park on U.S. Highway 98, also called Panama City Beach Parkway or Back Beach Road, or use Front Beach Road. Parking and a rideshare pick-up and drop-off zone are available, along with restrooms and free Wi-Fi. Ample handicapped parking is available.

Bayway serves Panama City Beach, with a drop-off location by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Pier Park. If you plan to use the bus, check Bayway’s official information before travelling, since service details can change.

The Panama City Beach tourism FAQ identifies Pier Park / Russell-Fields City Pier, at 16101 Front Beach Road, as one of the public parking areas with beach access.

Bay County maintains 96 public beach-access points between the east end of Thomas Drive and the west end of Front Beach Road. Don’t park where signs prohibit it or on private property without the owner’s permission.

Russell-Fields City Pier and beach are directly across from Pier Park’s main entrance, making the beach an easy addition to a shopping or dining visit. The pier is more than 1,500 feet long and is open around the clock, every day of the year.

The city lists three beach wheelchairs at Russell-Fields Pier & Beach. A handicapped-accessible ramp at Beach Access #56 allows chairs to reach the beach. Lifeguard service at Russell-Fields Pier & Beach operates from April 1 through September 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check the Panama City Beach Parks and Recreation Facebook page for pier schedule changes.

If you want to focus on the pier itself, the Russell-Fields City Pier guide covers its access and visitor details.