Panama City, Florida, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, Panama City Beach, offers a unique blend of Old Florida charm, rich history, and vibrant local culture. The two are very different. Panama City retains its traditional old Florida appeal and offers more than theme parks and tee shirt shops. It’s real. Unlike the crowded tourist hotspots, a weekend in Panama City reveals the town’s authenticity, making it an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the essence of the Sunshine State.
Whether you’re drawn to its colorful murals, unique shops, or the stunning views of St. Andrews Bay, Panama City provides a refreshing alternative to the typical Florida vacation. You’ll find some of the quirkiest places, fun art, great food, true history, and lots of water fun from boating trips to beaches and swimming. Conveniently located in the Florida Panhandle, Panama City also serves as a gateway to some of the state’s most beautiful natural and cultural attractions, all while maintaining its own distinct identity.
Let me assure you, I tell you all of this based on personal experiences while visiting Panama City. I prepared this 3 Days in Panama City Guide based upon my own adventures.
This is Kathleen Walls, a frequent guest author on Gypsy with a Day Job, and a member of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association. I have traveled extensively throughout the United States, particularly the southern states. You may have seen some of my other Florida articles here, such as a Weekend in Punta Gorda, or 5 Days in Tampa Bay. You can see my full bio at the end of the story.
For those planning a short getaway, a weekend in Panama City, Florida, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local flavor. If you’re on a longer trip, you can do this while still having access to nearby popular destinations.
With a mix of outdoor adventures, historical sites, and a burgeoning arts scene, Panama City offers something for everyone. With 3 days in Panama City, you can explore the historic downtown, venture out on the bay, and indulge in some of the best Southern coastal cuisine Florida has to offer. So if you are ready, lets go.
How to Spend 3 Days in Panama City, Florida
Hopefully, this guide will encourage you to visit this fun and unique city in the panhandle, but it will also help you make the most of your time there if you do. Let’s ensure that you experience the highlights of this charming city and maybe discover a few hidden gems along the way. There are two major neighborhoods you will want to visit, the Historic Downtown and St. Andrews Neighborhood.
Getting to Panama City
Panama City is located in the Florida Panhandle, about 50 miles south of Interstate 10, making it easily accessible by car from nearby cities like Destin and Tallahassee.
If you’re flying in, the nearest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), just a 30-minute drive from downtown Panama City. The airport is serviced by major airlines such as Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines, offering direct flights from cities across the United States.
For those who prefer rail travel, Amtrak offers service to nearby cities, with the closest station in Tallahassee, from where you can rent a car or take a shuttle to Panama City. The drive from Tallahassee to Panama City takes approximately two hours and provides a scenic introduction to the region.
Where to Stay in Panama City
You’ll want to stay somewhere that offers both comfort and convenience for your weekend in Panama City, Florida. The Hotel Indigo is a top choice, especially for those who appreciate waterfront views and modern amenities.
Opened in June 2023, Hotel Indigo is the only waterfront hotel in Panama City, located next to the Panama City Marina. Guests can enjoy stunning bayfront views, a variety of dining options, a fitness center, and a pool.
The hotel is also pet-friendly, making it a great option for those traveling with their furry friends. Another benefit of staying at Hotel Indigo is its proximity to both the Historic Downtown and St. Andrews neighborhoods, allowing you to easily explore the city’s main attractions.
My room was comfortable and had a great bay view.
A Weekend in Panama City – Day One
Mural Trail and Visitors Center
Just a few blocks from your hotel, start your 3 days in Panama City at the visitors’ center. It showcases the city’s love or art downstairs with small murals on each post. Upstairs you can get information, use restrooms, get a city guide including the location of the murals, and there is a porch with seating overlooking the bay where you can view the sunset or just take a break even when the center is closed.
Between the beach and the center is a place you can rent kayaks, paddleboats or other watercraft. In front, the colorful LOVEPC sculpture is a popular selfie spot.
I’ve lost count of the murals in Historic Downtown. There’s eight on just the Welcome Wall, including Sea Dreams by Joyful Enriquez and Pelican by Paul Brent. Most of the restaurants and shops have murals on their walls inside and out.
Lunch at Harrison’s Kitchen & Bar
Harrison’s Kitchen and Bar serves southern coastal cuisine with views of the bay from either inside or out on the patio. It’s Panama City’s newest waterfront dining experience. The name honors both the main street in the historic district and the fact that once Panama City was a group of small towns and in 1909 united to become Panama City. This town was called Harrison.
The menu has lots of choices but here was what I had and highly recommend. For an appetizer, the Southern Pimento Cheese Bites, made with fried pimento cheese, green tomato, relish and creole mustard.
The Georgian Salad with macerated peaches, candied pecans, brie cheese croutons, red onions, heirloom tomato, port wine vinaigrette provided my healthy veggies. For my entrée I choose Shrimp Bangers. They’re listed as an appetizer, but I knew I wanted a dessert, so I went lighter.
For dessert, I had M’ssippi Mud Pie, a concoction of creamy filling on a chocolate graham cracker crust, topped with chocolate icing, and whipped cream, with a handful of chocolate chips, easier described as chocolate heaven. It was an outstanding first meal for a weekend in Panama City.
If you are traveling with your four-legged friend, they even have a special doggie menu.
Explore Historic Downtown Panama City
A good starting point is the Bay County History Museum. It’s one of the important things to do in Panama City, as it tells the history of Bay County, but one very significant exhibit deals with a court case that made national history.
When Clarance Gideon was accused of breaking and entering a Panama City pool hall in 1963, he told the court he had no money for an attorney. The court ruled that an indigent defendant was only provided with an attorney in capital cases. Gideon lost and was sentenced to jail. When he appealed, the case went all the way to the US Supreme Court that ruled all indigent defendants should be provided an attorney.
The Gideon case incorporated the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution into the states, so all state courts must provide lawyers for defendants who cannot afford to hire their own. The courthouse, built between 1914 and ’15 is just a few blocks away on Fourth Street. It has a Civil Rights Marker honoring this decision.
The museum building was built in 1931 by the Van Kleeck Co. as a hardware, sporting goods and building supply store in one section, and a ladies’ clothing store on the other side. Bay County’s most famous murder occurred here January 16, 1939, when a disgruntled employee, who had been fired by Van Kleeck, killed him. The killer, Miles Brown, was found guilty but not sentenced to death. Evidentially Van Kleeck had a lot of friends, because on April Fools Day 1939, a group of men broke int the jail, abducted Brown, and killed him. The identities of the vigilantes have never been found.
As you walk along Harrison St., you’ll see a red brick multistoried fountain. This is McKenzie Park, created in 1887. It was renamed McKenzie Park in 1964 after the first mayor of Panama City, Robert L. McKenzie. Directly behind the park on Third St. is the home of McKenzie and his wife. You can tour it.
Martin Theater is on a traffic circle with the town’s historic clock in the center. The Art déco style theater was built in 1936 and called the Ritz. Clark Gable visited it.
There are many interesting boutiques here including Baywitch, filled with crystals, jewelry, organic teas and herbs, and lots of witchy gifts, Bookish Boutique, an independent bookstore, LH Bead Gallery, where you can not only buy bead items, but you can make your own, and so many more. The Portal is a place to go to play real board games, not digital.
Panama City Center for the Arts is another must-visit for art lovers. You’ll see many murals as you walk this district.
Dinner Options
Dinner offers several choices dependent on whether you are looking for bar food, seafood or anything in between.
Hunt’s Oyster Bar
A local favorite that’s been around for years. It’s famous mainly for oysters, but also for fresh seafood. If you don’t like seafood, it offers burgers, chicken, steaks, and more.
El Weirdo
El Weirdo is a taco-pub that’s equally famous for their weird art as their food and brews, and it must be seen at least once during your 3 days in Panama City. A dozen local artists have contributed some of the weirdest art ever. My favorite is a psychedelic painted vintage car in the patio. The rest room runs a close second with its exotic artwork.
The beer is brewed in-house, and there is an alien with a spaceship guarding the taps. You can get cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages to go with your food. My favorite is their Wizard Fries. Probably named because you have to be a wizard to top French fries with chorizo, black bean and corn salsa, pickled carrots and onions, cotija cheese, wizard sauce, cilantro, and lime.
End the Evening at Steam on 5
Steam on 5 is the rooftop bar at Hotel Indigo. It overlooks the bay and is the perfect spot to have a cocktail and some local seafood while you enjoy the sunset over the bay.
I enjoyed a St. Andrews Bay Punch, a blend of Cruzan Coconut and Pineapple Rum, banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juice, and Cruzan Black Strap Rum Floater.
A Weekend in Panama City – Day Two
Breakfast at Tarpons
Breakfast at Tarpons at Hotel Indigo is a good choice for the first breakfast of your weekend in Panama City. It’s an open lobby restaurant with a choice of indoor or outdoor seating again with a great view of St. Andrews Bay. My choice was the strawberry waffles, waffles topped with fresh strawberries and bananas, and dusted with powdered sugar. I added some of the maple syrup to make a perfect breakfast.
Take a Boat Tour with Anchor Charters
To get the most out of Saint Andrews Bay, take a boat tour with Anchor Charters. Captain Chris Bourque took us on the Shell Island trip. He picked us up at the dock near the hotel. You can book a two-hour or longer custom eco tour. We saw so many birds and lots of dolphins and sea turtles.
As we neared Shell Island, Captain Chris took to the water and brought up a variety of shells. He showed us each and explained what lived within then returned them to the sea. He even located a large starfish and captures it just long enough for us to see before returning it to its water home. Some of us took to the water and snorkeled or just swam. Make sure to pack sunscreen for this must do experience during your 3 days in Panama City.
We had one of the most unusual experiences ever. I know we all are familiar with ice cream trucks that drive on our streets and play that enticing tune to get us to buy some cool treats, but I never saw an ice cream boat. They had a large generator keeping two freezers running, so we had a choice of all the same ones a truck would sell. I had a drumstick. On a hot day on the water, it was perfect. You will return from the cruise feeling you have a new friend in Captain Chris.
Enjoy Lunch at Bayou Joe’s Marina and Grill
Captain Chris dropped us off at Bayou Joe’s for lunch, literally. He docked the boat next to Bayou Joe’s, which is over the water, and we climbed out into the dining area. Bayou Joe’s tucked in the heart of Massalina Bayou is a unique piece of old Florida that is part of the oldest marina in Panama City. Kevin Shea and his wife, Jennifer, bought it and turned it into a restaurant in the 1950s.
The menu has a lot of seafood, as can be expected. Kevin told us many of his oysters come from Louisiana, which explains the touch of Louisiana on the menu. One of their traditional choices is Trash Burger that contains whatever the cook decides. One of our group got the Trash Burger that had tons of unique items including animal crackers and a sucker. I had the Blackened Shrimp Salad with spicy grilled shrimp on crisp romaine, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and mango salsa and topped with homemade honey mustard dressing. Fantastic!
And it’s even got a beautiful seascape mural out front for those who enter from the land side.
After Lunch Captain Chris will drop you off at the dock so you can return to Hotel Indigo to change clothes and go on to some of the other fun things to do in Panama City.
Candle Making and Cocktails at Atelier Candle Bar
Have you ever made your own candle while sipping a cocktail? Atelier, meaning an artist’s studio or workshop, is a custom candle pouring experience in Historic Downtown Panama City that allows you to create your candle from your choice of over 50 different fragrance oils. You can also enjoy a signature mocktail, beer, wine or cocktail in the historic building or the Parisian style cocktail garden. I had a traditional Malibu Rum and pineapple juice but some of my friends had a really smoking Old Fashioned.
The owner, Shanta Brannon, told us it takes about an hour or an hour and a half for the candle to harden, but on nights when they have live music, people often stay and listen to the musicians. Other times, you can visit the shops and restaurants around the area. There’s always something interesting to see and do in Panama City.
I chose my vessel and the scent I wanted for my candle, orange blossom, and while the wax heated, Shanta, the owner, told us about the building. It was built between 1910 and 1911 and was the Bank of Panama City, the county’s first bank and was the first brick building in the county.
Dinner at Ferrucci Ristorante
If you are in the mood for upscale Italian food, Ferrucci Ristorante is the place to go during your weekend in Panama City. Ferrucci has been a local tradition since it was founded by Mike Ferrucci in 1995. He passed the torch in 2023 to Matt and Mynta Harbison, who are continuing the authentic Italian tradition.
I loved the freshly made bread served with olive oil and garlic dip with some parmesan cheese. We shared appetizers, one of the house-made Mozzarella Balls topped with prosciutto and roasted red peppers, and Bruschetta, grilled bread with diced tomatoes, basil and garlic.
For my entrée, I kept to the Italian tradition with Pollo Alfredo. The grilled chicken breast strips tossed in a Parmesan cream sauce with the pasta was perfect. For my soup or salad choice, I had tomato soup that had just the right amount of basil and was a perfect contrast to the creamy Alfredo main dish.
Have a drink at Thistle & Thorne
This cocktail bar has the feel of a 1920s speakeasy. It’s one of the most unusual pubs I have ever visited. It’s housed in a former theater and there are tables with an area for songwriter/musicians along one side and a dark wood, marble-topped bar with three gold-framed mirrors reflecting antique chandeliers on the other side.
Towards the back of the building there is a speakeasy, although it’s not a bar but a tattoo parlor, The Prominent Goat. Panama City at one time restricted tattoo parlors from the business district. However, now the law recognizes tattoos as freedom of speech, ending those restrictions. Sierra Latham, the bar owner, is also a tattoo artist, thus the unusual combination. On Thursday they have songwriter sessions and on Friday, open mike nights and Tea & Tarot readers.
The night we visited, Lucky Mud, a duo composed of Mike and Maggie McKinney, were playing their Swampy Tonk and Folkabilly songs. Sierra, who is also a musician, joined in a few songs.
They have a small food menu and specialize in cocktails and mocktails. If you’re not drinking, you can get coffee or tea. I had a perfectly brewed cup of Earl Gray Tea. My server brought it in a beautiful China cup with a cute timer to tell when it was well brewed.
A Weekend in Panama City – Day Three
Breakfast at Luna Muna
I discovered a tiny place with a flower and mural filled patio in the historic St. Andrews Neighborhood. Luna Muna Cafebar is tiny in size but huge in quality. My Raspberry Wild French Toast, hazelnut Challah bread sprinkled with Cinnamon stuffed with whipped blueberries and coconut cream, topped with mixed berries, pumpkin seeds, raspberry maple syrup, with a side of saucy bananas, and decorated with an edible orchid blossom, was so delicious, a perfect breakfast during my 3 days in Panama City. Their tea is served in a beautiful China cup.
The restaurant has murals. There is one around a raised garden bed that’s a colorful mix of birds, flowers, and a happy frog strolling along a path as he plays his guitar. There’s a beautiful one painted by a Floriopolis artist. That’s a local artist community which painted many of the local murals.
Explore Historic St. Andrews Neighborhood
Stroll along Beck Avenue to explore Historic St. Andrews. Floriopolis is a good place to understand the art in St. Andrews. It’s an art complex where artists of many mediums work, and young and old can create a project of their own even if they have never created a work of art before.
Farther down the street, you find Jamie’s Fence. This is the most unique art gallery, as it is outdoors with art hanging on a wooden fence. Art murals bookend it on each of the adjourning buildings. Both of the murals feature horses. One is a peaceful daylight view with a beautiful silver horse and earth and sea creatures, along with two humans enjoying themselves. The other is a darker earth and sea divided by a black stallion that appears to be galloping right at you.
Visit Oaks by the Bay Park
Oaks by the Bay Park on the bay front is a symbol of the local resilience, deserving a visit during your weekend in Panama City.
When Hurricane Michael destroyed many of the trees in the park, the chainsaw artist, Chad Gainey, turned three of the dead trees into works of art that live on. One shows a pelican perched on a stump with turtles at the bottom. Another is topped with an octopus, its tentacles raised to the sky.
The park has a boardwalk to the bay, a gazebo, and an observation platform with benches. There’s a touch of the city’s history with an old salt pot used in refining the salt that was used in the Civil War for preserving meat and curing leather for saddles.
Lunch at Finns Island Style Grub at Little Village
Finns is a waterfront restaurant designed like a huge tiki hut. It offers either indoor, back deck, or side yard dining. Both the deck and the yard are facing the water. We sampled the Epic Quesadilla, a 10 inch flour tortilla that’s grilled and filled with Monterey jack, cheddar cheese, and your choice of proteins and add on’s. Plus, we shared some Fish Tacos. Both were great.
The Little Village offers weekly live entertainment and is pet friendly. Its tiny shops sell eco-friendly, fair trade, recycled and re-purposed items both local and around the world.
Explore the History of St. Andrews
Native Spirit Museum & Gallery
It is a combination museum and gallery, as the name says. The museum traces back the history of the Native Americans living her long before the Europeans came. There are arrowheads, shells, fossils, native clothing, and many other artifacts. The owner, Ben Liggin, is very knowledgeable and can show your evidence that these ancient people were actually Mayans.
The Publisher Museum
It is housed in what was originally the Panama City Publishing Company owned by George and Lillian West. George is considered the founder of Panama City, as he was the one who pushed to combine the small towns under that name. Lillian was a force in an era when women were not expected to wield power or engage in business. She defied the customs.
The museum has George and Lillian’s office preserved as it was when the company printed the three local newspapers. There are exhibits of antique printing presses, type, and other equipment that remind us of how far technology has come. There are three old printing presses, a Heidelberg and two Chandler Prices, and two small tabletop presses.
Browse the shops in St. Andrews Neighborhood
There are so many boutique shops here, I can only give a glimpse. If you’re here on Saturday, there is a Farmers Market from 9 am to 1 pm at Oaks by the Bay Park. Gypsybeach Treasured Kreations features art and recycled items by several “Gypsies.” There is a shop specializing in musical instruments and one where you can find anything kayak, canoe, or camping related. Folklore sells crystals, herbal items and holistic tools. There’s Little Indigo Spa and Apothecary for herbal products or the enjoy a spa experience.
Dinner at Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar & Grill
Enjoy dinner at Uncle Ernie’s in historic St. Andrews. It’s a waterfront restaurant, making it a beautiful sunset spot for dinner. The history is interesting of history. It was built in the late 1800s as the home of Ernest Morris (Uncle Ernie) and his wife, Jessie, making it one of St. Andrews’s oldest structures.
It’s next to the St. Andrew Marina, where the real-life Uncle Ernie worked.
Uncle Ernie’s prides itself on freshness local food. For an appetizer, my friends and I enjoyed the Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. The crust was crispy, the cheese pulley, and the marinara sauce added a perfect touch. For an entrée, I loved my Soft Shell Crab Dinner with two crisply fried soft-shell crabs served with remoulade sauce plus a salad for my side.
Our sunset views were mesmerizing, a gorgeous, almost ending to this weekend in Panama City. They have live music every night.
End the evening at History Class Brewing Company
History Class Brewing Company is half brewpub half museum with the history of Panama City all over the large building that was once the town appliance store.
The brew tanks are up front, and the bar stays busy. They offer traditional bar food like a Giant Pretzel with two sides of our house-made beer cheese. You can get wings, a burger, a salad, or some other choices.
Are You Ready to Enjoy 3 Days in Panama City?
Panama City, Florida, offers a delightful blend of old and new, providing visitors with an authentic Florida experience away from the crowded tourist spots. During our 3 days in Panama City, Florida, we have explored the city’s rich history, enjoyed its vibrant arts scene, and indulged in the fresh, local flavors of the Gulf Coast.
Whether you like strolling through the mural-filled streets of a Historic Downtown, taking a boat tour of a gorgeous bay, or savoring a meal at one of a city’s many unique restaurants, Panama City has something for you. It invites you to slow down, soak in the local culture, and discover the nooks and crannies that make this hidden gem so special.
And with its proximity to popular Florida attractions, Panama City is the perfect base for a longer exploration of the Sunshine State. Whether you’re here for a weekend in Panama City, or just passing through, you’ll find a memorable escape that’s well worth the trip. We hope to see you there soon.
If You’re Interested in Other Florida, or Gulf Coast Destinations, You May Like:
- A Tampa Bay Area Vacation
- A Weekend in Punta Gorda, Florida
- A Weekend in Key West, Florida
- Kayaking in Silver Springs State Park, Florida
- Falling Waters State Park, Florida
- A Weekend in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
- A Weekend in Biloxi/Gulfport – Mississippi’s Secret Coast
Don’t let us miss the sunset – Pin this Please.
About the Author
Kathleen Walls, former reporter for Union Sentinel in Blairsville, GA, is publisher/writer for American Roads and Global Highways. She is a photographer with many of her original photographs appearing in her travel ezine as well as other publications, contributing to many online and print publications.
She is the author of travel books, Georgia’s Ghostly Getaways, Finding Florida’s Phantoms, Hosts With Ghosts, and Wild About Florida series. Her newest book is American Music: Born in the USA in color with pictures of places related to music history.
Member of International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers (IFWTA). You can find her on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter.
