Panama City: Art, History, and Market Life

Panama City offers a variety of cultural and local experiences: large-scale murals, historical interpretation, live events, and food culture. If you’re looking for a hotel in Panama City, these highlights can help shape which experiences matter to you during your stay. The offerings differ in perspective, ranging from citywide art to history and community, as well as events and food.

Street Art Across the City

The Panama City Mural Trail is a self-guided tour of large-scale murals throughout the city. It features more than 15 works of art and extends from St. Andrews through Downtown Panama City to Millville. Its focus is on murals, while its geographic reach makes the trail a citywide offering. The self-guided format makes it a distinct way to explore if you’re especially interested in large-scale art.

History and Community

The Glenwood Historical District Sign Trail shares African American history, the development of the community, and Glenwood’s resilience through interpretive signs. Unlike the Mural Trail, its focus is not large-scale art but the history of a community.

The Panama City Publishing Company Museum preserves and presents local history, cultural resources, and historic printing arts. Its building was constructed in 1920 in historic St. Andrews. Guided tours are also offered in the historic district, providing insights into the community there. These offer different ways to explore local history: the museum focuses, among other things, on printing arts, while the tours focus on the district’s community.

Live Events and Visitor Information

The Panama City Center for the Arts hosts live events and family-friendly activities. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Fridays; admission is free. The opening hours and admission information were checked in September 2026. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Market and Culinary Heritage

The Market at St. Andrews is a year-round waterfront farmers market held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Oaks by the Bay Park in historic St. Andrews. Its offerings focus on agricultural products, food, and crafts. Weather can affect operations; if the market is important to your plans, check ahead to confirm it will be open on the Saturday you visit.

Bay County’s culinary history is also the subject of an exhibition: on February 21, 2026, the Bay County History Museum opened the Smithsonian FOOD exhibition “Bayside Bounty – The Culinary Heritage of Bay County.” While the market highlights agricultural products, food, and crafts, the exhibition explores culinary heritage. Together, they offer two different perspectives: what the market sells and the history of local cuisine. Check before your visit to see whether the exhibition is still on display.

Carl Gray Park is a waterfront park in Panama City. Together with the market, which is also held on the waterfront, it illustrates the simple distinction between a park and a regularly held farmers market.

Discover more destinations: Mexico Beach, Panama City Beach, Upper Grand Lagoon, Callaway.

For the main travel overview: Bay.