Sure, there’s a great deal of easygoing R&R on tap at Panama City Beach, whether it’s taking the form of sprawled-out sunbathing or happy hours at one of the beachfront bars or restaurants. But if you’ve got a little adrenaline junkie in you, you might consider beelining to Slingshot & Indy Speedway on Thomas Drive: You’ll have ample opportunity to crank things up to 11, if you will.
This amusement park—or perhaps adrenaline park is the better term—offers thrills aplenty for those stout-hearted enough to taste them.
Slingshot:
At the heart of things is the Slingshot itself: a contraption powered by the one-of-a-kind Spring Machine, which stores upwards of 40 tons of latent energy within its 700-plus springs.
That pent-up power unleashes itself in the form of a 100-mile-per-hour catapult sending you 300 feet into the air. (Yes, we said 100 miles per hour.) Sound mildly terrifying? Sound like fun? The Slingshot’s both!
Vomatron:
A just-as-gnarly counterpart to the Slingshot is the Vomatron, which sounds like a ‘50s sci-fi machine. Actually, that’s not outrageously far off: This thrill ride’s based on a notorious training setup used by astronauts at Cape Canaveral back in the 1960s.
Six giant motors power a 200-foot-long arm that rotates at speeds past 70 miles per hour, which translates to some 5 g of force for the Vomatron’s white-knuckle passengers. The arm spins one way, then reverses, doubling the “pleasure.”
Indy Speedway:
By comparison, the go-kart track offers a somewhat tamer—but still crazy-fun—amusement on a visit to Slingshot & Indy Speedway. The 480-foot outdoor track is yours to zoom around for either 20 or 30 laps: a great choice for friendly contests between friends or family. These “Fastest Karts on the Beach,” as they’re advertised, come in single or double-seater models, and you’ll have safety harnesses, helmets, and glasses on hand for your security and comfort.
Keep in mind that height and age restrictions apply for the Slingshot & Indy Speedway rides, and that folks with certain health conditions (or who are pregnant) shouldn’t strap into the Slingshot. The staff here will be happy to answer any questions in that department: Safety’s obviously the first and foremost priority here.
The Slingshot & Indy Speedway website regularly advertises vouchers for great deals on rides, so it’s worth taking a gander before you decide on your plan of action.
If lazy days lounging at the beach have you yearning for a little action, consider a Panama City Beach experience of full-throttle, scream-tastic quality with a visit to Slingshot & Indy Speedway! Maybe a full meal before said visit isn’t a great idea…
Insider Tip:
There is absolutely no shame in bowing out of the stomach-churning lurches of the Slingshot or the Vomatron, but here’s a secondary benefit of the rides you might consider: The PCB-area views are pretty darn swell, when you have the presence of mind to appreciate them.