Featured Image: Destination Panama City
Wondering where you can catch a live songwriter round, sip a craft cocktail under twinkle lights, slurp fresh Apalachicola oysters, and stumble into an indie film screening—all within a few walkable blocks? Good news: Panama City delivers all of that, plus a few surprises locals like me love to keep to ourselves.
Set along St. Andrews Bay and just across the bridge to Florida’s award-winning Gulf-front beaches, Panama City is where the city’s creative pulse lives loudest, especially during favorites like the Panama City Songwriters Festival and the FLLUXE Arts Festival. Between the boutiques, murals, and new-school spots like Revival House General Store, the downtown district feels both historic and in motion. And when you need a breather, just a short bike ride away along Beach Drive, Oaks by the Bay Park offers a breezy waterfront escape, complete with the Old Sentry Tree and a timeline mural that quietly tells the story of the city.
Add in family-friendly Mardi Gras fun, holiday celebrations that light up the streets, and an oyster trail that begs you to eat your way through town, and you’ve got a destination that’s equal parts laid-back and lively.
Here’s everything you need to eat, stay, and explore in Panama City.
Eat
Fun Fact: Nearby Apalachicola once supplied 90% of Florida’s oysters and 10% of all oysters eaten across the country. The oyster beds closed in 2020 because of decimated populations, but reopened in 2025 with limited harvesting. Check out Panama City’s Oyster Trail to slurp some of these iconic bivalves.
History Class Brewing Company
Part restaurant, part bar, part storytelling session, History Class pairs delicious pub food with a deep appreciation for Florida’s past. The space harkens back to Panama City’s past with Letterman jackets from Bay High School, the original Marie Motel sign, and historical memorabilia donated by locals—it feels nostalgic yet hip, and the drafts on tap are as thoughtful as the decor, often inspired by local legends. It’s an ideal first-night stop to settle in and get a taste of the city’s personality.
El Weirdo
What started as a beloved food truck tucked in the alley behind History Class has grown into a colorful brick-and-mortar brewpub from the same team. With more than $100,000 invested in local art alone, El Weirdo doubles as a gallery of Panama City’s creative community. Come for the murals and bold energy; stay for the Brussels sprouts tacos and a side of queso so good you’ll be tempted to drink it.
Wild Root Coffee & Tea
Fresh, vibrant, and veggie-forward, Wild Root leans into wholesome bowls, salads, and smoothies. They also have an entire menu devoted to tea with tasting notes for each blend. And their coffee, elixirs, and shrub selections cover everything from a traditional Cubano to kombucha. It’s a bright, easy breakfast or lunch option that fuels an afternoon of exploring historic neighborhoods.
Captain’s Table Fish House Restaurant
A longtime local favorite, Captain’s Table keeps things classic and coastal. On the patio, live music drifts over plates of fresh Gulf oysters, fried mullet, and coveted grouper throats. Inside, it’s all Southern hospitality and seafood done right—generous portions, cold drinks, and the kind of menu locals return to week after week.
Insider tip: Ask about the catch of the day. Menus shift with the boats.
FINNs Island Style Grub (Little Village)
Tucked inside Little Village’s palm-thatched palapa, FINN’s channels laid-back island energy with bold tacos and craveable house-made sauces. Grab a seat on the back deck where live music hums most nights, browse the eclectic boutique filled with local art, and settle in—the sign says it best: “No strangers… Only friends we haven’t met yet.”
Tarpon Dock Seafood Market
This no-frills seafood market is the place to grab a tub of smoked fish dip, a local staple best enjoyed with crackers and a bay view. While you’re there, scan the fresh catch and chat with the crew about what’s in season. It’s a quick stop that tastes unmistakably like the Gulf.
Alice’s on Bayview
Rustic and relaxed, Alice’s pairs fresh seafood with one of the prettiest dining courtyards in town, perfect for sunny afternoons. Start with their legendary deviled eggs, then order the grouper piccata and linger awhile.
Insider tip: Say hello to the Salty Cats of St. Andrews, often lounging along the boardwalk just across the street.
Stay
Hotel Indigo Panama City Marina
Anchoring the end of Harrison Avenue in historic downtown Panama City, this five-story boutique property offers sweeping views of St. Andrews Bay and design touches inspired by the area’s coastal heritage. The hotel is pet-friendly and perfectly positioned for walking to locally owned restaurants, bars, and shops. Even if you don’t book a room, it’s worth stopping in for dinner at Tarpon’s, where locally caught snapper arrives with smoky maque choux, or heading up to Steam on 5—the only rooftop bar in Panama City—to sip a St. Andrews Bay Punch as the Gulf Coast sunset turns fiery overhead.
Insider tip: Grab a blanket to claim a spot on the Marina Lawn for Backstage Pass (Thursdays Sept. 17–Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.), and enjoy live music steps from Hotel Indigo on the shores of St. Andrews Bay.
Hilton Garden Inn Panama City
Set in the business district off Highway 231, this property balances convenience with polished comfort. It’s an easy 10-minute drive to downtown Panama City and Historic St. Andrews, with Panama City Beach and St. Andrews State Park just over the Hathaway Bridge. After a day antiquing or paddling the St. Andrews Bay, unwind at the outdoor pool or recharge in the 24-hour fitness center. Perks like an on-site restaurant, EV charging stations, free parking and WiFi, pet-friendly rooms, and digital key access make this a seamless stay for business and leisure travelers alike.
Holiday Inn Panama City
At the intersection of Highway 231 and 23rd Street, this spot to rest your head puts you close to all Panama City has to offer. Downtown’s galleries and waterfront boutiques are 10 minutes away. Back at the hotel, relax in the heated indoor pool and hot tub, squeeze in a workout at the fitness center, or settle in at Bellini Café & Cocktail Lounge, where kids under 12 eat free. Free parking and WiFi, and a 24/7 market add ease for families, teams, and business travelers.
Play
See the Sites on Foot
The best way to understand Panama City is at walking pace. In Historic St. Andrews, a half-mile trail traces Native American roots, fishing-village grit, and 1887 churches before opening onto bayfront parks where locals still cast lines at sunset. Downtown adds enamel-brick banks, the Martin Theatre, and a 1926 Old City Hall, while Glenwood’s narrated stops dive into cultural legacy and neighborhood resilience. Or follow the Mural Trail with more than two dozen large-scale works across historic neighborhoods. The Welcome Wall bursts with color from multiple local artists, while beneath the Visitors Center, 19 compact murals transform concrete pillars into a playful 24-hour outdoor gallery.
Take a Class (and Leave With a New Skill)
At Somethin’s Cookin’, you’ll chop, sauté, and plate a full meal under expert guidance. The Panama City Center for the Arts hosts hands-on painting and mixed-media workshops inside historic Old City Hall. At The Portal, learn Mahjong over handcrafted sodas and vintage board games, or try glassblowing at Panama City Hot Glass, shaping molten color into a one-of-a-kind keepsake.
Hit the Farmers Markets
Come early for the best selection and linger over conversations with growers and makers at the St Andrews Farmers Market or the Panama City Farmers Market in Historic Downtown. Pick up a jug of Register Family Farm honey, admire hand-turned wooden bowls, stock up on handmade soaps, fresh produce, and small-batch baked goods. It’s equal parts shopping trip and Saturday morning ritual.
Shop Local
Historic Downtown and St. Andrews reward slow browsing. Duck into antique stores for weathered coastal furniture and vintage glassware, flip through shelves of regional books, and discover original paintings, pottery, and handcrafted jewelry by local artists. These aren’t souvenir-shop finds; they’re pieces with stories.
Get on the Water
The bay is the city’s backyard. Book dolphin tours or fishing charters with Papa Joe’s Bayside, paddleboard or kayak with Bayside Rentals, glide through bioluminescent glow tours with Glow Float, or sail into the breeze with Emerald Coast Sailing Excursions. However you launch, expect salt air, open horizons, and a deeper appreciation for life on the Gulf.
Find more Southern travel inspiration here.
This article is presented in partnership with Destination Panama City, a Modern South Founding Partner.
