Historic downtown Panama City: the marina, Harrison Avenue shops and galleries, a free history museum, the Social District rules, parking and the big events.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: Destination Panama City’s downtown neighborhood page, walking tours and events calendar, the Downtown Improvement Board’s Social District page, the City of Panama City’s public parking and farmers markets pages, and each venue’s own website.

Historic downtown Panama City runs up Harrison Avenue from the Panama City Marina on St. Andrew Bay, with Beach Drive along the water and Grace Avenue, Fourth Street and Oak Avenue off the main street. It is the city’s walkable core: galleries, a free history museum, an arts center, bars and restaurants, a Saturday farmers market and the stage for the Christmas parade and the Boat Parade of Lights.

Good to know

  • Visitors center: Destination Panama City, 101 W. Beach Drive, 850-215-1700
  • Parking: many spaces have 2- and 3-hour limits; see the downtown parking map
  • Social District: drinks to go, daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Saturday market: Panama City Farmers’ Market, Harrison Avenue, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

See and do

  • Bay County History Museum, 133 Harrison Ave. Run by the Historical Society of Bay County. Free admission and free parking; open Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Its Smithsonian FOOD exhibit, “Bayside Bounty: The Culinary Heritage of Bay County,” opened Feb. 21, 2026. Website.
  • Panama City Center for the Arts, 19 E. Fourth St. The Bay Arts Alliance’s galleries, classes and gift shop; open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 7 p.m. Fridays. Home of Fright Nights every October.
  • McKenzie Park, 17 E. Third Ct., with its main entrance on Harrison Avenue: a shaded city park with a large gazebo used for concerts and art shows.
  • Martin Theatre, 409 Harrison Ave. The historic downtown theater is listed by Destination Panama City among downtown’s arts and historic sites.
  • Galleries and studios: The Light Room, 306 Harrison Ave., a photography gallery with classes and a darkroom; Gallery of Art 850, 36 W. Beach Drive; and Out of the Box Art Studio, 27 Harrison Ave.
  • Games: Point Break Arcade, 445 Harrison Ave., and The Portal Downtown, 308 Harrison Ave.
  • Walking tour: the free downtown audio tour covers 3/4 mile and 14 stops, including the 1914 courthouse where Gideon v. Wainwright was tried. See walking and biking trails.

Eat and drink

  • Harrison’s Kitchen & Bar, 5 Harrison Ave.: on the marina; Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.
  • History Class Brewing Company, 6 E. Fourth St.: a brewery taproom with two outdoor seating areas where leashed dogs are welcome.
  • The Press: coffee and breakfast, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
  • Tarpon’s at Hotel Indigo, 7 Harrison Ave., on the marina.

More, with hours: brunch, date night and live music and nightlife.

The Social District

Downtown’s Social District lets you carry an alcoholic drink outdoors within its boundaries, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rules, from the Downtown Improvement Board:

  • Buy the drink from a licensed business in the district with a green “Beverages Sold Here” sign; shops with a blue “Beverages Welcome” sign let you bring it inside.
  • No more than two drinks sold to one person at a time, and no outside alcohol.
  • No drinks in public parks (unless a permitted special event allows it), on vacant property without the owner’s permission, or in a vehicle. Toss the cup before you leave the district.

Markets and events downtown

  • Panama City Farmers’ Market: every Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Harrison Avenue; from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 it sets up between Fourth and Sixth streets. See farmers markets.
  • Backstage Pass: free concerts at 7 p.m. on the Marina Lawn, 7 Harrison Ave., between Harrison’s and Hotel Indigo. The fall 2026 series ends with Goodbye to Sunshine on Oct. 15 and Cat Ridgeway and the Tourists on Oct. 22. Bring a chair. Details.
  • Fall ArtWalk: Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: free; local artists in downtown businesses, with a stamp map and prizes. Listing.
  • Panama City Songwriters Festival: Nov. 6-7 at venues around downtown; see fall festivals.
  • Christmas parade: Saturday, Dec. 5, and the Boat Parade of Lights: Saturday, Dec. 12; see Christmas parade and tree lighting.

Getting there and parking

Many downtown spaces have 2- and 3-hour limits, and the city fines $20 for overstaying a posted limit. The downtown parking map shows the public lots for longer visits; the Bay County History Museum has free parking, plus more behind Trustmark Bank. Details: getting around.

Related: history and landmarks and Black Friday and holiday shopping.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk around downtown Panama City with a drink?

Yes, inside the downtown Social District, daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a drink bought from a participating licensed business. You can buy no more than two at a time, and drinks are not allowed in public parks or into vehicles.

Is the Bay County History Museum free?

Yes. The museum at 133 Harrison Ave. has free admission and free parking. It is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where do I park in downtown Panama City?

Many downtown spaces have 2- and 3-hour limits. The city’s downtown parking map shows the limits and the public lots for longer visits.

Is there a walking tour of downtown Panama City?

Yes. Destination Panama City’s free self-guided audio tour covers 3/4 mile and 14 stops along Harrison Avenue and the bayside blocks, including the 1914 courthouse where Gideon v. Wainwright was tried.