Panama City

Panama City, Florida, offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Downtown features art galleries, local boutiques, live music, and great food. Nearby, Historic St. Andrews offers a scenic bayfront, historic landmarks, and fresh seafood. Visitors can enjoy a historic walking trail, explore the St. Andrews Marina, and relax at Oaks by the Bay Park. For outdoor adventures, Shell Island provides stunning beaches and vibrant marine life for snorkeling and diving. A perfect spot for history, dining, and coastal fun!

Downtown Panama City: The Unique Blend of Messy Vitality #MeetMeDowntown

With its charming art galleries, cozy cafés, unique boutiques, and vintage architecture, Downtown Panama City offers the perfect blend of Southern charm and artistic spirit. It’s a place where culture thrives and community comes alive.

Immerse yourself in the thriving arts and live music scene that echoes through every street and corner. From galleries showcasing diverse local talent to lively performances that energize the city, inspiration is everywhere.

Add a splash of colour to your visit by exploring the Panama City Mural Trail. This self-guided walk highlights the city’s creative spirit through bold, outdoor artworks — from the iconic Panama City Postcard mural to the monarch butterflies dancing across the Center for the Arts. Each mural tells a unique story and adds to the charm of Downtown’s evolving landscape.

Curious about how Panama City got its name, or what major event put it on the map? Discover these stories and more on the Downtown Panama City Historic Walking Tour — a 14-stop, ¾-mile journey through the heart of the city. Each stop tells a story, from the Martin Theatre, where stars like Clark Gable once attended events, to the Panama City Center for the Arts, housed in the former City Hall built in 1926. There's even the Bay County Courthouse, site of the landmark Gideon v. Wainwright case that forever changed U.S. legal history.

Food lovers, take note! Downtown Panama City is a culinary destination packed with flavour. Whether you're uncovering hidden gems serving authentic Southern fare or sampling bold creations at trendy new eateries, your taste buds are in for a treat.
So why wait? #MeetMeDowntown — where history and innovation collide, where art meets heart, and where every bite, beat, and brushstroke tells a story.

Historic St. Andrews: Coastal Charm with a Story to Tell #SeeYouInStAndrews

Nestled along the scenic bayfront, Historic St. Andrews is a charming neighborhood blending rich maritime heritage with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. Once a bustling fishing village and an early hub for salt mining, it’s now a vibrant destination where history, flavour, and local culture come together.

Step through history as you explore the historic walking trail, which spans over half a mile with ten stops showcasing the area’s Native American roots and fishing village past. Highlights include the Historic St. Andrews Church (1887), the Panama City Publishing Company Museum (1920), and the Governor Stone, a Gulf Coast schooner built in 1877.

Today, St. Andrews buzzes with marina life, lively eateries, dockside seafood joints, and a popular weekend farmers' market. Visit the St. Andrews Marina and enjoy the bay views, or relax at Oaks by the Bay Park, where you can admire local art, including Chip Gainey’s marine life sculpture.

St. Andrews is also a key stop on the Panama City Oyster Trail, a culinary journey for seafood lovers. Don’t miss Hunt’s Oyster Bar, a beloved local spot known for its fresh oysters served raw, fried, or baked with house butter and parmesan. Whether you're celebrating National Oyster Day on August 5 — or just indulging any day of the year — you’ll savour the flavours and take home a special “Golden Oyster” keepsake.

With its blend of history, culture, and coastal charm, Historic St. Andrews offers something for everyone — from historic landmarks to fresh seafood and stunning sunsets.

Snorkeling & Diving: Explore the sea life up close!

Panama City is a top destination for both snorkeling and scuba diving. With its clear, warm waters, this coastal gem offers the perfect setting to discover vibrant marine life, colourful tropical fish, artificial reefs, and historic shipwrecks that lie just beneath the surface.

Whether you're a first-time snorkeller or an experienced diver, you're in for an unforgettable experience. Explore the pristine waters, where marine life flourishes and every dive feels like a journey into another world.

Shell Island: An Untouched Paradise Awaits

Shell Island is an uninhabited barrier island that stretches across 7 miles of pristine white sand beaches, bordered by the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf and St. Andrews Bay. Shell Island is accessible only by boat.

For those eager to explore the waters beneath the surface, Shell Island offers some of the best snorkeling and diving in the region. The waters around the island are teeming with marine life, from vibrant tropical fish to starfish, conchs, and sea turtles. For both beginners and seasoned divers, the shallow reefs and crystal-clear visibility make this an unforgettable experience. Shell Island is also a prime location for dolphin watching. Take a boat tour and watch these playful creatures as they swim alongside your boat.

As the name suggests, Shell Island is a shell hunter’s paradise. With its unspoiled beaches, you can walk along the shore and collect a variety of beautiful seashells. Sand dollars, conchs, olive shells, and many other species can be found scattered across the island’s beaches. For those who enjoy a little adventure on land, Shell Island offers natural trails that wind through its serene landscape.

If relaxation is your goal, Shell Island’s secluded beaches are the perfect spot to unwind. Lay down your towel, soak up the sun, and enjoy the gentle sound of the waves as you enjoy the natural beauty of this untouched paradise.

Panama City Waterfront Dining: Fresh Seafood, Breathtaking Views

Savour a meal in the warm, salty air, with waterfront views that are truly one-of-a-kind. From iconic pink seafood houses offering 180-degree vistas of the bay to laid-back, island-style spots with palapa seating, Panama City’s waterfront dining scene has something for everyone.

Thanks to its subtropical climate, you can enjoy these scenic views year-round. Relish fresh seafood straight from the Gulf, with everything from casual bites to fine dining options along the bay. Delight in local specialties like Gulf shrimp, oysters, and fish tacos while watching boats glide by and taking in stunning sunset views.

Whether you're dining on a dockside patio or enjoying the ocean breeze, Panama City’s waterfront dining offers a truly unforgettable experience.