Panama City, Florida
USA
Geographic Coordinates: 30.199500, -85.600300
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 35.0°C (50°F to 95°F)
Population: 149366
Language: There is no Panama City in the United States
Panama City is a beautiful and vibrant city located in the northwestern part of Florida, United States. It is situated on the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of around 36, 000 people. The city is known for its stunning white sand beaches, Crystal clear waters, And warm weather throughout the year. One of the most popular attractions in Panama City is St. Andrews State Park which covers over 1, 200 acres of land with two miles of pristine beaches.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, Fishing, Kayaking or just relaxing on the beach while taking in breathtaking views of the Gulf. Another must-visit attraction in Panama City is Pier Park which offers an array of shopping options including designer stores like Michael Kors and Victoria’s Secret as well as restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. The park also features an amusement park with rides for both kids and adults alike.
For history buffs, There are several museums to visit such as The Visual Arts Center which showcases rotating exhibits by local artists or The Science & Discovery Center that offers hands-on exhibits for children to learn about science through interactive displays. Panama City also has a rich military history with Tyndall Air Force Base located nearby where visitors can take tours to see fighter jets up close or even watch air shows during special events throughout the year.
In addition to these attractions, Panama City also hosts various festivals throughout the year such as Mardi Gras celebrations or seafood festivals showcasing fresh seafood caught from local waters. Overall, Panama City offers something for everyone whether it be outdoor activities like water sports or indoor entertainment like shopping at Pier Park. With its stunning natural beauty combined with its rich culture and history make it a unique destination worth visiting when traveling through Florida’s Gulf Coast region.
- Panama City Beach: A popular beach destination with crystal clear waters and white sand.
- St. Andrews State Park: A state park featuring beaches, hiking trails, fishing piers, and a boat ramp.
- Gulf World Marine Park: An aquarium featuring dolphin shows, sea lion shows, and exhibits of marine life.
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark: A waterpark with various water slides and attractions for all ages.
- Shell Island: An uninhabited island accessible only by boat that offers pristine beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities.
- WonderWorks Panama City Beach: An interactive science museum with over 100 hands-on exhibits.
- Pier Park: A shopping center with various stores and restaurants as well as an amusement park area for children.
- Conservation Park: A nature reserve featuring hiking trails through pine forests and wetlands.
- Frank Brown Park Sports Complex: Sports complex that hosts various events like baseball tournaments throughout the year.
- Saint Andrews Bay Ferry Service: It offers ferry rides to Shell Island from St Andrews State Park.
- 1. Tourism
- 2. Healthcare
- 3. Education
- 4. Military defense
- 5. Retail trade
- 6. Construction and real estate development
- 7. Manufacturing companies (boats, aerospace components, electronic equipment)
- 8. Port of Panama City (cargo shipping operations)
- The founding of Panama City in 1909 as a railroad town.
- The construction of the Panama Canal, which began in 1904 and was completed in 1914.
- The devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in October 2018, which destroyed much of the city’s infrastructure and left thousands homeless.
- The establishment of Tyndall Air Force Base during World War II, which has been a significant economic driver for the region ever since.
- Notable people associated with Panama City include musician Jimi Hendrix, who spent time stationed at nearby Eglin Air Force Base while serving in the U.S. Army; astronaut Winston Scott, who grew up in Panama City and went on to fly two space shuttle missions; and author Michael Connelly, whose bestselling crime novels often feature characters from the area.
- St. Andrews State Park
- Panama City Beach
- Gulf World Marine Park
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark
- Panama City Marina Civic Center
- Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida
- Visual Arts Center of Northwest Florida
- Martin Theatre for the Performing Arts
- Bay County Historical Society Museum
- Williams Backyard Boogie
- Bay High School Tornadoes – The school has a rich history in football and basketball, winning multiple state championships in both sports.
- Gulf Coast State College Commodores – This junior college team competes in basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball and has won multiple conference championships over the years.
- Panama City Beach Pirates – This minor league baseball team played in the Coastal Plain League from 2010-2013.
- Panama City Marlins – This minor league baseball team played in the Florida State League from 1965-1970.
- Bay County Blazers – The American Basketball Association (ABA) team played from 2006-2008.
- Emerald Coast Thunderbirds – An indoor football team that played for one season (2017) before folding due to financial issues.
- Panhandle Panthers – An arena football team that played for one season (2019) before folding due to low attendance and financial struggles.
- Gulf Coast Jam: A three-day country music festival held every September at Frank Brown Park.
- Seabreeze Jazz Festival: A four-day jazz music festival held every April at Aaron Bessant Park.
- Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally: A five-day motorcycle rally held twice a year (spring and fall) along the beaches of Panama City.
- Bay Arts Alliance Art & Wine Festival: An annual event featuring local artists showcasing their work, live music performances, food vendors, and wine tastings.
- Greek Festival: An annual event celebrating Greek culture with traditional food, dance performances, and live music.
- Oktoberfest: An annual event celebrating German culture with beer tastings, traditional food vendors, live entertainment and carnival rides for children.
- Mardi Gras Parade & Music Fest: An annual parade in downtown Panama City featuring colorful floats with beads being thrown to spectators followed by a street party with live music performances from local bands.
- Seafood: As a coastal city, seafood is a major part of the local cuisine in Panama City. Popular dishes include fried shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, and fish tacos.
- Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Grill & Brew House: This waterfront restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and craft beer selection.
- Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Restaurant: A local institution since 1956, Hunt’s serves up delicious oysters on the half shell as well as classic seafood dishes like fried shrimp and crab legs.
- Firefly: This upscale restaurant features Southern-inspired cuisine with a modern twist and an extensive wine list.
- Andy’s Flour Power Cafe & Bakery: A popular brunch spot known for its homemade pastries and breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict and shrimp grits.
- The Funky Mermaid Lounge & Oyster Bar: This funky spot offers live music, craft cocktails, and fresh oysters from around the Gulf Coast region.
- The Fish House & Atlas Oyster House: These sister restaurants offer some of the best seafood in town along with stunning views of Pensacola Bay.
- Dat Cajun Place Cafe: If you’re craving Cajun food in Panama City, this casual eatery serves up spicy gumbo, jambalaya, po’ boys sandwiches,and crawfish étouffée that will transport you straight to Louisiana!
- St. Andrews State Park offers:
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Hiking trails
- Camping
- Picnic areas
- Panama City Beach is a popular spot for:
- Swimming
- Sunbathing
- Water sports like jet skiing and parasailing
- Frank Brown Park has:
- Baseball fields
- Soccer fields
- A playground
- Walking trails
- Hosts many events throughout the year
- Conservation Park is ideal for:
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Miles of trails through natural habitats
- Gulf World Marine Park offers:
- Dolphin shows and encounters
- Sea lion shows
- Exhibits on marine life conservation
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark is a fun-filled waterpark with:
- Slides
- Wave pools
- Lazy rivers
- Perfect for families or groups of friends
- ZooWorld Zoological & Botanical Conservatory is a unique zoo that focuses on conservation efforts while providing visitors with an up-close look at exotic animals from around the world.
- Bay Point Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course that offers stunning views of St Andrews Bay while providing a challenging game of golf for players of all levels.
While some of these teams have had success on the field/court, many of them have struggled financially or folded after just a few seasons of play.
It’s always best to check for updated information regarding these events before planning your trip as dates may change due to unforeseen circumstances or pandemics like COVID-19 restrictions may apply during different periods of time or cancelled altogether for safety reasons.
