Tucked along the edge of St. Andrews Bay, Historic St. Andrews is one of Panama City’s most charming and walkable neighborhoods. What started as a working fishing village is now a favorite destination for visitors looking for good food, waterfront views, local art, and a laid-back coastal atmosphere. From museums and parks to murals, fresh oysters, and bay adventures, the things to do in St. Andrews cover every interest and every pace. Here are ten of the best stops to get you started.

Explore Local Museums

If you are looking for things to do in St. Andrews that connect you to the history of this place, start at the Panama City Publishing Museum. This historic brick building once housed the printing presses for the area’s earliest newspapers, including the St. Andrews Bay News. Inside, original equipment and restored workspaces bring the story of George and Lillian West to life. Together, the couple ran the press and helped shape the local community for generations. The presses still run today during live demonstrations, and the small shop sells printed keepsakes made on site.

Just across the street, the Native Spirit Museum and Gallery offers another layer of local history. The exhibits highlight Native American culture in the Florida Panhandle with a collection of tools, artwork, and everyday objects used by Indigenous communities throughout the region. A gallery space offers authentic handmade crafts to take home, and the museum is a quiet, meaningful stop that connects the past to the present in a very real way.

Visit the Waterfront Park Oaks by the Bay

Among the most peaceful things to do in St. Andrews, a visit to Oaks by the Bay Park is a must. This waterfront park is known for its sweeping views of St. Andrews Bay, shaded walking paths, and towering live oaks that have stood here for centuries. The most iconic is the “Old Sentry,” a heritage oak estimated to have sprouted nearly 100 years before Florida became a United States territory in 1821. It has stood watch over St. Andrews Bay ever since, earning its name as a sentinel of the neighborhood’s long history.

You will also find a small bayside beach, wooden dune walkovers, and a picnic area with benches that look out over the water. A mural painted around the Old Sentry is one of many stops along the Panama City Mural Trail, and a historic salt pot near the park nods to the area’s early days as a Civil War-era salt production site. On Saturday mornings, the Market at St. Andrews sets up here with fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, and handmade goods with bay views in the background.

Discover the Panama City Oyster Trail

Enjoying fresh Gulf seafood is one of the top things to do in St. Andrews, and the Panama City Oyster Trail is the best way to experience it. This self-guided trail features local favorites serving oysters every way you can think of — raw, baked, fried, or topped with house-made butter and cheese.

In Historic St. Andrews, Hunt’s Oyster Bar is the anchor stop. A longtime neighborhood institution, Hunt’s serves oysters shucked right at the bar in a casual, no-fuss setting that locals and visitors have loved for decades. Whether it’s your first oyster or your hundredth, this is the place to try it. Ask for a “Golden Oyster” keepsake if it’s your first time.

Get Out on the Bay

Getting on the water is one of the best things to do in St. Andrews, and the neighborhood makes it easy. St. Andrews Bay is calm, clear, and full of marine life — dolphin sightings, sea turtles, and rays are all common on a typical day out.

Most tours and charters depart directly from St. Andrews Marina or the CSS Yacht Basin, both in the heart of the neighborhood and fishing charters are plentiful year-round. For visitors who prefer to explore on their own schedule, Beachy Boat Rentals offers center consoles and pontoons for rent by the hour or the day.

Follow the Panama City Mural Trail

The Panama City Mural Trail winds through Historic St. Andrews with large-scale murals on building sides and smaller, tucked-away pieces that reward curious walkers. It’s one of the most colorful and accessible things to do in St. Andrews, and entirely free.

Many of the murals in this neighborhood reflect St. Andrews’ coastal roots and creative community. One of the most recognizable pieces sits outside Sunjammers near the marina. Others pop up in walkways and on shop walls throughout the district, turning an ordinary walk into a neighborhood gallery tour.

Shop Local

Browsing the local shops is one of the most enjoyable things to do in St. Andrews, and the neighborhood has a genuinely eclectic mix of boutiques, outfitters, and specialty stores worth exploring.

Browse trendy clothing and accessories at The Trendy Side or Gypsy Willow. Sunjammers is the go-to for outdoor gear, water-friendly apparel, and everything you need before heading out on the water.

For handcrafted goods, local art, and artisan finds, Little Village is a St. Andrews staple. The collection of vendors and makers gathered here reflects the creative, salty spirit of the neighborhood — a great place to pick up something genuinely made with care and local roots.

Music lovers should make a stop at Sound Collective, where you can flip through records and discover local and independent music in a setting that feels like a neighborhood institution. It’s the kind of shop that reminds you why locally owned stores matter.

On Saturday mornings, the Market at St. Andrews at Oaks by the Bay Park brings fresh produce, baked goods, local honey, and handmade goods together in one spot with bay views in the background.

Taste the Local Flavors

Food is always among the top things to do in St. Andrews, and this neighborhood punches well above its size when it comes to dining. Fresh Gulf seafood, waterfront patios, and locally driven kitchens make it easy to linger over a meal here.

Enjoy a waterfront dinner at Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill, where the two-story outdoor deck overlooks the marina and the sunsets are hard to beat. Alice’s on Bayview serves elevated Southern dishes with a bay view and a warm, come-as-you-are atmosphere. For casual island vibes and fresh fish tacos, Finn’s Island Style Grub at Little Village is a neighborhood staple.

For those arriving by boat, many St. Andrews restaurants offer dock and dine options. Pull up to the marina and walk straight to your table — it’s one of the most enjoyable ways to end a day on the water.

Paddle through St. Andrews Bay

For a slower, more immersive perspective of the neighborhood, paddling St. Andrews Bay is one of the most memorable things to do in St. Andrews. The calm, protected water makes it accessible for all skill levels, and the bay is full of wildlife worth stopping to watch.

Launch from Oaks by the Bay Park or connect with a local outfitter for a guided kayak or paddleboard experience. All equipment is typically included with guided tours, and routes are beginner-friendly with plenty of scenic bay views throughout. It’s a peaceful way to slow down and experience St. Andrews from the water looking back toward shore.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with Krewe of St. Andrews

For three days every year, Historic St. Andrews transforms into the Gulf Coast’s most spirited Mardi Gras celebration. The Krewe of St. Andrews Mardi Gras parade and festival has been Bay County’s largest celebration for over 25 years, filling the streets with parades, beads, live music, and the kind of energy that makes you feel like a local from the moment you arrive.

There are parades for kids, parades for pets, and the main event that draws crowds from across the region. It’s one of the most festive and community-rooted things to do in St. Andrews on the annual calendar.

Witness the Blessing of the Fleet

The Blessing of the Fleet is one of Panama City’s most beloved annual traditions and a one-of-a-kind addition to any list of things to do in St. Andrews. Held each spring along the docks of St. Andrews Marina, this long-running ceremony honors the fishing community, local sailors, and the deep connection this waterfront neighborhood has to its working boats and open water.

Shrimp boats and sailboats line up along the seawall, some decked in streamers, some showing up just as they always have, ready to be blessed for safe voyages ahead. In the weeks leading up to the event, strings of socks appear across porches, patios, and storefronts throughout St. Andrews, a nod to the long-standing tradition of burning your socks at the event — a lighthearted ritual marking the end of winter and the return of barefoot coastal living. It’s one part ceremony, one part street party, and entirely worth showing up for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in St. Andrews, Panama City, FL?

Historic St. Andrews has something for every type of visitor. Top things to do include exploring local museums, dining at waterfront restaurants, following the Panama City Oyster Trail, fishing and boating on St. Andrews Bay, shopping locally owned boutiques and specialty stores, paddling the bay, walking the Mural Trail, and taking in the neighborhood’s annual events and festivals.

Is Historic St. Andrews worth visiting in Panama City, Florida?

Yes. Historic St. Andrews is one of Panama City’s most distinctive and walkable neighborhoods, with a genuine mix of history, arts, waterfront dining, local shopping, and bay access all within a few blocks of each other. It’s a full half-day or full-day destination on its own and a great base for exploring Panama City.

What is the difference between Historic St. Andrews and St. Andrews State Park?

Historic St. Andrews is a waterfront neighborhood in Panama City, Florida, with walkable streets, local restaurants, shops, museums, marinas, and bay access. It’s a lived-in community with deep cultural and historical roots. St. Andrews State Park is a separate, protected natural area located at the tip of a peninsula about two miles away, known for its Gulf beaches, nature trails, rock jetties, snorkeling, and access to Shell Island. Both are worth visiting, and many travelers enjoy spending time in the neighborhood and the park on the same trip.

Where is St. Andrews in Panama City, Florida?

Historic St. Andrews is a waterfront neighborhood located in Panama City, Florida, along the shores of St. Andrews Bay. It sits just west of Downtown Panama City and is centered around the St. Andrews Marina and Bayview Avenue, with easy access to Shell Island and the Gulf.

What restaurants are in St. Andrews, Panama City, FL?

St. Andrews and the surrounding area are home to some of Panama City’s best dining. Top spots include Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill for waterfront dining and sunsets, Alice’s on Bayview for elevated Southern seafood, Hunt’s Oyster Bar for fresh Gulf oysters, Captain’s Table for classic coastal fare with live music on the patio, Finn’s Island Style Grub for fish tacos and island vibes at Little Village, The Copper Tap for craft beer and pub fare, Slice House for pizza, Grocery Kitchen and Taproom for a casual neighborhood feel, Enzo’s for Italian, and Luna Muna for fresh breakfast and brunch fare. Many restaurants offer dock and dine access for boaters arriving by water.

What are the best shops in St. Andrews, Panama City, FL?

St. Andrews has a strong locally owned shopping scene worth exploring on foot. Top stops include Gypsy Willow and The Trendy Side for clothing and accessories, Sunjammers for outdoor and water gear, Little Village for artisan goods and handcrafted finds, and St. Andrews Sound Collective for records and independent music. On Saturday mornings, the Market at St. Andrews at Oaks by the Bay Park brings local vendors, fresh produce, and handmade goods together with bay views in the background.

Where can I get coffee in St. Andrews, Panama City, FL?

Mason’s Coffee House and Bakery is a local favorite known for great coffee and fresh-baked cookies that sell out early, so get there before the morning rush. Amavida is another Panama City staple with a focus on quality, ethically sourced coffee in a welcoming setting. Both are worth a stop before heading out to explore the neighborhood.