Located along Florida’s panhandle on the northern shores of St. Andrews Bay and just east of Panama City Beach, you’ll find Panama City. With a unique cultural mix of art, music, salty air, and uninterrupted nature, there’s something magical in this place where city meets sand.

So before digging your toes into the white sand, step away from the beach strip for these local gems.

LOVE THE ARTS

Discover an eclectic mix of new and old in the pedestrian-friendly historic district of downtown Panama City. With designations on the National Historic Register, be sure to pop into some popular places for history buffs. See the Robert L. McKenzie House, which was built by a woman, and was the private residence of the city’s first mayor.  Later, explore an array of art galleries and studios that can be found through The Cultural Hub of Northwest Florida, a free community service that provides a centralized location to find local galleries and events in the arts, music, and theatre. A community favourite is Panama City Center for the Arts, a local artist incubator that offers a myriad of classes including free admission to visit the centre.

LOVE THE FARMERS MARKET

A foodie’s favourite is none other than the Panama City Farmers Market. Revered as “America’s favourite market,” this local fixture is in the historic district by McKenzie Park. It’s your chance to mingle with local purveyors like donut baker, Opal’s O’s and so many other indie food producers. On Saturday mornings, vendors from across the Panhandle gather to showcase the finest in local produce.  This park happens to be where the city began back in 1887.

LOVE THE MARINE LIFE

The deep-blue waters here have been attracting sun vacationers since the beginning when Panama City was a fishing village. Surrounded by ocean on three sides, that legacy still runs deep as the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico today. 

Over at Shell Island, an uninhabited barrier island with powdery white sand and crystal-clear water, discover a hefty activity list of adventures. Snorkel for shells and sand dollars, spot dolphins and sea turtles, or just relax on the pristine beaches. Whether you take a kayak tour with an outdoor aficionado or an excursion with a local family charter to find that great catch—you’ll hear the colourful and authentic stories preserved in this historic Florida town.

Come this fall and winter, there’s a multitude of adventures waiting to be had in Panama City by land and by sea.

Travel Planner

For more travel information about Panama City, please visit destinationpanamacity.com