The Science and Discovery Center sits on a small wooded plot at the northern edge of town and is a hands-on children's museum with a particular focus on the natural history of Bay County. The standout exhibit is the Suzy Hagen Wildlife Refuge, a fenced outdoor area with rescued raptors, alligators, an enormous tortoise, and small native mammals that cannot be returned to the wild.
Inside, there is a planetarium, an aquarium room with local marine life, and a series of interactive science stations aimed at primary and early secondary school children. Plan around two hours; the centre is the best rainy-day option for families in the Panama City area and an easy detour off Highway 77 on the way to or from the beach.