10 Best Things to Do in Panama City

Floriopolis, St. Andrews Art & Culture Metropolis is where you can find the Panhandles artistic hub. Located in St. Andrews Marina, the non-profit community centre encompasses an art gallery, studio space, a public art courtyard and even a market. If you want to learn a new skill, classes, performances, and workshops take place here year-round.

Don't forget to check out the market, where works by over 100 local artists are displayed, from pottery to sculpture and literature. Time your trip to Panama City in early September to catch the unique Art Break Day project, which sees the whole of St. Andrews Bay turning into an art experience.

Step back in time at the Bay County Historical Museum and explore the fascinating history of the region. Highly organized exhibits walk you through the life of a local through the years, from understanding the local industries to grooming tools residents used to ‘freshen-up’.

Start by learning about how the fishing industry shaped the birth of the area well before the Civil War via the boats and artefacts on display. You can also discover how locals sewed their own clothes and check out an early 20^th-century barbershop. The highlight of the museum is the Bay Line exhibit, taking you back to the time of the great railroad days. The building is in downtown, right across from McKenzie Park.

The 5-acre Oaks by the Bay Park is one of the city’s most scenic waterfront parks. Spend an afternoon strolling along the waterside boardwalk, picnicking under the shade of majestic oak trees, and watching sailboats glide by on the observation platform overlooking the bay.

Beauty and weird meet at the park’s centrepiece attraction, a 4-headed Pindo palm. Not native to Panama City, but somehow nature brought this bizarre specimen here. Don't miss the information stations along the boardwalk, which explain the local history and how a salt kettle is used to distil the local seawater for drinking.

The Native Spirit Museum & Gallery is a fascinating place to learn about the Native Americans of the Florida panhandle area. History and art lovers alike with be enthralled with its extensive collection of fine handcrafted weapons, fossils, and native artwork.

Grab a birthday gift for an art-loving friend from the gallery’s beautiful collection of turquoise and silver jewellery. For aspiring geologists, the Native Spirit Museum & Gallery carries the largest selection of crystals and stones in the region. The museum is across the street from Oaks by the Bay Park. Combine a visit here with the nearby Floriopolis for a full day of gallery-hopping in Panama City.

Visit the Science & Discovery Centre of Northwest Florida for an exciting family-centred day out in Panama City. Located in the Mayfield neighbourhood, it’s filled with interactive exhibits, numerous educational classes, and a packed calendar of events, all devoted to science and technology.

Children are encouraged to touch and play here, with popular exhibits like the live reptile meeting and dinosaur fossil digging available year-round. Book your little scientist for summer camp while you explore the rest of Panama City.

The Tarpon Dock Seafood Market is where you can find fresh seafood straight out of St. Andrews Bay. The owner partners with local fishermen to deliver fresh fish from the ocean every morning, supplying the seafood market and many top-end restaurants in the area.

Grouper is a must-try in the region, with Tarpon Dock offering the red, black and Yellowedge varieties. Fresh shrimp, oysters and scallops are also popular choices, but if you’re overwhelmed by the extensive options, ask the on-site staff for recommendations. The market, right by Bristol Harbor Marina, only sells raw fish so make sure you have a BBQ or kitchen ready to cook up your purchases.

Watson Bayou Mariana & Heritage Oaks RV Park is an excellent basecamp for exploring St Andrews Bay and the surrounding area. It’s about 4 miles east of downtown Panama City. The RV park has all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay, including laundry, 24/7 security, Wi-Fi, and electrical hook-ups.

If you want to test your sea legs, rent a cruiser sailboat from the marina and peruse the calm waters of the Watson Bayou. For an epic sunset, walk a few hundred yards south to Millville Waterfront Park and head to the edge of the boardwalk.

The Bay Point Golf Club consists of 2 immaculate 18-hole courses designed by golfing great Jack Nicklaus. Paired with the scenic waterfront and a prime location across from St Andrews State Park, this is a must-visit course for golf enthusiasts.

Due to its popularity, make sure to book a tee time at least a month in advance. Don’t forget to bring a few dozen balls as water hazards within the course are magnets for renegade golf balls – alligators often hide in the water, too.

Harrison Avenue is the nightlife centre of the Panama City, and where locals head for a night out on the town. Cutting downtown in half north-to-south, the main strip of bars and restaurants is easily walkable, making for an enjoyable bar-hopping adventure.

Start the night at The Place Downtown with live music and a cold beer in a sports bar setting. Pop across the street to The Funky Mermaid Lounge and Oyster Bar to sample the famous Apalachicola oysters before heading to the House of Henry Irish Pub, where the real partying begins. If a nightcap is on the agenda, swing by Corner Pocket & Craft Beer Emporium for some late-night billiards and a great craft beer collection.