PANAMA CITY — The new Panama City restaurant is the first of 10 Slim Chickens locations planned for the Florida Panhandle. A custom guitar mural is featured in every restaurant to represent the local area.
PANAMA CITY — The handcrafted directional sign was a pleasant surprise Sunday morning when Jennifer Vigil arrived at work.
One glimpse at the sign, any visitor — or staycationer — will know that Destin is 42 miles one way, Mexico Beach is 26 miles another way, and, of course, Panama Canal (the pass that runs from the bay to the gulf) is 4 miles across the bay.
“We were so happy for this little gift,” said Vigil, president and CEO at Destination Panama City, 101 W. Beach Drive. “I still would love to know who did it.”
White sand beaches, calm Gulf waters and a laid-back lifestyle draw visitors to Florida’s Panhandle, and travelers arriving at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport find themselves between two very different but complementary cities with almost the same name: Panama City and Panama City Beach. Panama City, an area in the midst of rebuilding following a devastating 2018 hurricane, was given its name in the early 1900s in the hopes of spurring real estate development and international trade given its proximity to the Panama Canal, which was being constructed then. Nods to the city’s past are still felt through preserved historic buildings, an active port area and a small-town feel with local boutiques and enduring eateries.
Forbes talks with Lynda Self from Southern Kissed to discuss why she recommends Panama City, Florida as a great place to vacation in 2018. She thinks the food, sun and art make Panama City shine on a budget.
This year’s Burning of the Socks made an appearance in Budget Travel as a “trip-inspiring” piece of travel news. In addition to a sock burn, locals and visitors celebrated spring with the 21st annual Blessing of the Fleet, a Fish Fry and with an array of German-made cars at the Porsche Armada.
Vinny & Bay’s Coffee and Eatery was featured in USA Today’s list of eggnog variations from across the country. With whipped cream, caramel and nutmeg, this drink is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
USA Today describes Amavida Coffee and Tea’s festive Candy Cane Crush Latte with its minty combination of matcha, peppermint, cardamom and crushed candy cane.
Southern Kissed’s Lynda Self wrote about her weekend Panama City as well as the city’s overall dining scene including local restaurants Bayou Joe’s, Just the Cook and g. Foley’s. Self also interviews Honor Allen, the region’s local celebrity and country’s faster oyster shucker.
National Oyster Day in August marked the opening of the Panama City Oyster Trail, featuring 12 different restaurants and ways to enjoy oysters every which way.
USA Today features three local Panama City restaurants in their roundup of watermelon dishes across the country. Wine Knot Tapas’ seared agave and paprika salmon with minty watermelon salsa is listed alongside John Holly Dining Room’s rustically refined charred watermelon gazpacho with shrimp and g. Foley’s panzanella salad with cornbread, local watermelon, heirloom tomatoes and charred tomato vinegar.
La Michoacana Latin Market in Panama City is described as authentic, and locals keep coming back for its handmade corn tortillas and straightforward tacos.
WJHG discusses two grants awarded to Destination Panama City to promote the One Harrison Food + Wine Festival and the Panama City Oyster Trail.
With live music twice a week during the Panama City Summer Sunset Series, patrons can watch the sunset alongside food trucks and tunes. Conexion features a list of performers each week for the rest of the summer.
Southern Living features Panama City’s abundance of AirBnb boat rentals available in the city. At the St. Andrews Marina you can rent anything from a small sailboat for around $75 a night to a 56-foot motor yacht for $150 a night. Some even feature an excursion with one of their captains.
Sport Fishing Magazine details a guided fishing trip throughout the St. Andrews Bay and the nearby Gulf of Mexico. With clear blue water, abundant fishing tournaments and seafood restaurants, Panama City is a fisherman’s paradise. Writer Doug Olander says, “there is no shortage of activities and events going on in a destination that is succeeding as a Gulf tourist mecca.”