Panama City, Florida is the Gulf Coast girls trip that delivers more than you ever expected. Positioned on the shores of St. Andrews Bay and protected by Shell Island, an uninhabited barrier island, this city is a unique blend of salty air, vibrant arts, fresh seafood, and uninterrupted natural beauty. With historic neighborhoods full of character, waterfront dining, eclectic nightlife, and more hands-on experiences than you can fit into one trip, a girls trip in Panama City delivers something for every kind of traveler in your crew.

Here is everything you need to plan it.

Where is Panama City, Florida and How to Get There?

Panama City sits on Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, distinct from the bustle of the nearby beaches. Downtown Panama City and Historic St. Andrews anchor the city with beautiful parks, a thriving arts scene, locally driven dining, and year-round water activities.

It’s an easy road trip destination from anywhere in the Southeast. By air, Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport serves the region with multiple nonstop and direct domestic flights from cities across the country.

Where to Stay on your Girls Trip in Panama City, Florida

Panama City offers accommodations for every style and budget. If waterfront views are a priority, Hotel Indigo on the Panama City Marina is hard to beat. The hotel sits directly on the water with stunning views of St. Andrews Bay, a rooftop bar with panoramic scenery, and the kind of atmosphere that sets the tone for the whole trip from the moment you check in.

For a full list of hotels, vacation rentals, and lodging options, browse all accommodations here.

Where to Eat in Panama City, Florida

Start Your Day Right: Breakfast and Brunch in Panama City

Kick off your mornings right. Dan-D-Donuts is a local legend for a reason — melt-in-your-mouth donuts, savory breakfast sandwiches, and fresh coffee. Grab your order and head to Asbell Park on Beach Drive for a picnic-style breakfast with views of St. Andrews Bay and the occasional dolphin passing through.

For a more laid-back start, The Bagel Maker and Luna Muna both deliver fresh fare, smoothies, and breakfast sandwiches worth the stop. And if your group has a thing for a great cup of coffee and a fresh-baked cookie, Mason’s Coffee House and Bakery is a must. Their cookies are known to sell out early, so get there before the rest of Panama City beats you to it. Looking for bottomless mimosas and coastal cuisine? Check out the top brunch spots in Panama City for more options.

Waterfront Dining: Views and Gulf Seafood

A girls trip in Panama City calls for at least one waterfront dinner. Bayou Joe’s Marina and Grill and Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill are both prime spots to catch a Panama City signature sunset over the water. Boaters can take advantage of the dock and dine option and pull straight up to the table.

Harrison’s Kitchen and Bar on the Panama City Marina and Alice’s at Bayview overlooking St. Andrews Marina are two more waterfront favorites worth adding to your itinerary. Fresh Gulf seafood, good drinks, and water views — it’s a combination Panama City does better than almost anywhere.

What to Do in Nature

Hammock Bliss and Bay Views

Panama City’s bayside parks are made for slowing down and soaking it all in. Oaks by the Bay Park is the perfect place to string up a hammock under centuries-old moss-draped oak trees, stroll along the dune walkovers, and breathe in the salt air. It’s one of those spots that makes you forget there’s anywhere else to be.

Carl Gray Park offers quiet waterfront walking paths along the bay with some of the best views in the city. Pack a blanket, take a slow walk along the shoreline, and let the water do the rest.

For one of the most peaceful evenings of your trip, head to Millville Waterfront Park and watch the sailboats drift across the bay as the sun goes down. The sunsets here are unhurried and gorgeous, and the setting feels a world away from the busier parts of the coast. For more bayside spots worth exploring on your girls trip, check out our guide to Panama City’s bayside beaches.

Sun, Sand, and Sails: Explore Panama City’s Waters

The crystal-clear waters surrounding Panama City are filled with exciting options for sun, sand, snorkeling, and sailing! Your girls trip in Panama City, Florida is guaranteed to be an adventure with various excursions, offering unforgettable memories for every member of your group.

Sail to Shell Island aboard La Bella Vita with Emerald Coast Sailing Excursions. This charming sailboat glides around St. Andrews Bay while you and your crew take in the coastal views, spot dolphins, and feel the Gulf breeze. It’s one of the most beautiful ways to spend an afternoon in Panama City.

For dolphin tours and snorkeling adventures, Heritage Excursions and Anchor Charters provide all the gear and get you up close to the diverse marine life in the bay.

Want to captain your own adventure? Rent a pontoon or center console from Beachy Boat Rentals and explore the bay at your own pace.

For something a little different, try a glow in the dark kayaking experience with Glow Float. Clear bottom kayaks are lit up with glowing LED lights as you glide through the bay at night — it’s one of those only-in-Panama-City experiences your group will talk about long after the trip ends.

What to Do on the Town

Get Your Photo Op: Explore the Panama City Mural Trail

A girls trip in Panama City is only complete after a walk through the Mural Trail. The city’s walls have been transformed into a living outdoor gallery, with vibrant large-scale murals covering the sides of local businesses and micro-murals tucked around every corner waiting to be discovered. Bring your camera and plan to spend some time wandering — every block has something worth stopping for.

Unleash Your Inner Artist: Arts & Culture Experiences for Your Girls Trip in Panama City

Panama City’s creative community is one of its best-kept secrets, and a girls trip is the perfect excuse to tap into it. From glassblowing and pottery to hat making and candle pouring, there is a hands-on experience here for every personality in your group. For the full breakdown of every creative and skillcation experience Panama City has to offer, check out our complete guide to hands-on activities in Panama City.

Panama City Hot Glass is a must. Work with molten glass alongside skilled instructors and walk away with a one-of-a-kind handblown piece you made yourself. Book ahead as spots fill quickly.

For pottery, the Panama City Center for the Arts, L&C Artistry, and Out of the Box Studios all offer wheel-throwing sessions and studio experiences for every skill level.

At Hoyden Hat Co, design and make your own custom hat. Choose your style, then personalize it from rhinestones to hand-burning custom designs directly onto the brim. Their Hat Burning Workshops walk you through the basics of pyrography and leave you with a wearable, one-of-a-kind souvenir no gift shop can replicate.

Cap off your creative afternoon at Atelier, a French-inspired candle making studio, cocktail bar, and lounge all in one. Blend your own fragrance, pour your candle, and settle in with a craft cocktail and appetizers while live music sets the mood. It’s the perfect girls trip evening.

Bookish Boutique is exactly what it sounds like and so much more. This trendy pink bookstore and wine bar in Downtown Panama City is a girls trip stop in its own right. Browse a carefully curated selection of titles, pick up a glass of wine, and get cozy. It’s charming, it’s photogenic, and it’s the kind of place your group will want to linger longer than planned.

Explore the city’s history at the Panama City Publishing Company Museum and the Bay County Historical Museum, both offering a fascinating look at the heritage and culture that shaped this city.

Hit the Streets (or the Pedals!): Explore Panama City on a Fun Guided Tour

Tiki Taxi Cabs and Cruisers puts a fun, tiki-themed spin on exploring Downtown Panama City. Hop aboard a pedal-powered tiki tour through the streets of Historic Downtown with your crew and take in the murals, the neighborhoods, and the local scene in the most Panama City way possible.

For a more in-depth look at the city’s history and architecture, a guided walking tour is a great way to discover the stories and hidden gems tucked throughout the historic neighborhoods.

Relax and Recharge on Your Girls Trip in Panama City

A great girls trip has downtime built in. Treat the group to a massage or rejuvenating facial at Serenity South at The Spa on Harrison in Downtown Panama City. Or take a class at Palm Pilates Studio and stretch it out together before a big night out.

Afterward, stroll Harrison Avenue for boutique shopping and people-watching. Stop into The Press for a coffee and a crepe — sweet or savory — before continuing down the block.

Nightlife on Your Girls Trip in Panama City

Little Village in Historic St. Andrews sets the tone for a great night out. Live music, fish tacos from FINNS Island Style Grub, and a casual island atmosphere make it the perfect first stop of the evening.

Millie’s in Downtown Panama City brings the group together in a charming string-lit courtyard anchored by the iconic “Honeybee” mural, with live music from talented local musicians setting the vibe.

Thistle and Thorne is a cozy cocktail bar with an eclectic mix of live music, spoken-word performances, and special events. It’s the spot for a girls trip night that goes a little deeper than the usual.

El Weirdo delivers floor-to-ceiling murals and a cocktail menu full of colorful, creative drinks plus an in-house brewed beer menu. If your group lives for a good photo moment, this is your spot.

Wind down on the rooftop at Steam on 5 inside Hotel Indigo, where the waterfront panorama makes every drink taste better. For something more low-key, No Name Lounge is a local favorite with live music, food trucks, and bayside access.

ABOUT PANAMA CITY

Panama City, Florida, is located on shores of beautiful St. Andrew Bay on Florida’s Emerald Coast and sits just about in the center of Florida’s northern Gulf Coast. With an atmosphere distinct from the bustle of nearby beaches, this destination boasts historic downtowns of Panama City and St. Andrews with their beautiful parks and an exciting arts scene. There is a collection of dining options that feature local flare and fresh seafood, along with diverse shopping opportunities. Outdoor recreation includes myriad water activities with fishing and paddling leading the way year-round.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Panama City, FL a good destination for a girls trip?

Yes, Panama City, Florida is a great destination for a girls trip thanks to its mix of relaxing coastal experiences, outdoor adventures, shopping, and nightlife. The area’s warm weather for much of the year makes it easy to spend time on the water, whether that means boating to Shell Island, paddleboarding on the bay, relaxing at the beach, or booking a dolphin excursion. Historic neighborhoods like Downtown Panama City and St. Andrews are filled with local boutiques, coffee shops, waterfront dining, and creative experiences like candle making and glassblowing. Whether your group wants a laid back beach getaway or a trip packed with activities, Panama City offers something for every type of girls getaway.

What are the best things to do on a girls trip in Panama City?

Some of the best things to do on a girls trip in Panama City include boat days to Shell Island, dolphin cruises on St. Andrews Bay, waterfront dining, shopping local boutiques, and relaxing by the water. Groups can explore Historic Downtown Panama City and St. Andrews for art, coffee shops, and creative experiences like candle making and glassblowing. With a mix of outdoor adventures, coastal relaxation, nightlife, and local charm, Panama City offers plenty of ways to plan a memorable girls getaway.

Where should we stay on a girls trip in Panama City, Florida?

Hotel Indigo on the Panama City Marina is a top pick for a girls trip, offering waterfront views, a rooftop bar, and a central location close to dining and nightlife. Panama City also has a wide range of vacation rentals and brand name accommodations. Browse all options at destinationpanamacity.com/accommodations.

Is Panama City Florida good for a bachelorette trip?

Yes, Panama City, Florida is a great destination for a bachelorette trip thanks to its mix of beach days, nightlife, waterfront dining, and unique group experiences. Bach parties can spend the day boating to Shell Island, booking dolphin cruises, paddleboarding on the bay, or relaxing at bayside beaches before heading out for fresh seafood, cocktails, and live music in Historic St. Andrews or Downtown Panama City. The area also offers creative experiences like candle making,

When is the best time to plan a girls trip in Panama City, Florida?

Panama City is a year-round destination. Spring and fall offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and excellent conditions for water activities and exploring the city on foot. Summer brings the most energy with peak water activity season. Winter is quieter and great for a relaxed, low-key trip focused on dining, shopping, and the arts scene.