Panama City Beach, FL

A Grand Lagoon institution since 1967 where the menu is built around the day's local catch and the dining room overlooks the working marina and shrimp boats. It's the special-occasion seafood dinner generations of visitors return to. Best for a sit-down feast with a view of the boats that caught your dinner.

An upscale waterfront seafood house on Grand Lagoon with a serious raw bar and surf-and-turf plates, plus a lively dock bar. It's the polished end of the local seafood scene without tipping into chain territory. Best for a refined dinner or oysters and cocktails on the deck.

A no-frills St. Andrews oyster bar that locals have packed since the 1970s, shucking Gulf oysters and frying fish in a cramped, cash-friendly room. There's nothing fancy here, which is the entire point. Best for fresh oysters and an honest seafood basket among regulars.

A genuine St. Andrews hole-in-the-wall where the locals eat, frying and grilling fresh Gulf fish without a hint of tourist polish. It's the kind of unmarked-looking spot you'd drive past and regret missing. Best for a casual, authentic seafood lunch off the beaten path.

A laid-back local spot doing Cajun-Creole seafood, with shrimp etouffee, gumbo, and blackened fish that punch well above the casual setting. It's a flavorful change of pace from straight fried baskets. Best for big Louisiana flavors in an unfussy, friendly room.

A beachfront bar-and-grill that bills itself as 'the last local beach club,' with toes-in-the-sand tables, burgers and Gulf bites, live music, and a nightly sunset routine that fires a cannon and a flag ceremony. It's touristy but genuinely beloved by locals too. Best for a casual beachfront meal that runs into sunset and music.

The area's dress-up dinner option, an upscale eclectic kitchen under a ceiling of twinkling lights near Pier Park, with steaks, sushi, and Gulf seafood. It's where locals mark anniversaries and special nights. Best for a celebratory dinner away from the beach-bar din.

A cozy gourmet sandwich-and-breakfast spot across from the beach, turning out creative sandwiches, soups, and weekend brunch in a cheerful, casual room. It's the locals' antidote to chain breakfast. Best for a quality lunch or a relaxed weekend brunch near the sand.

A bustling breakfast-and-brunch bakery where the pastry case and the from-scratch breakfasts draw a steady local line. It's a notch above the tourist pancake houses on quality. Best for a hearty breakfast and a baked treat for the road.

An easygoing coffee bar pouring locally roasted Amavida coffee alongside smoothies, bowls, and avocado toast, with vegan and gluten-free options that are scarce on the beach. It's the healthy morning stop in a fried-food town. Best for a good coffee and a lighter, fresher breakfast.

A specialty coffee shop with a community-minded streak, pulling careful espresso and pour-overs in a calm, design-forward space. It's the serious-coffee anchor on the Panama City side. Best for a proper flat white and a quiet work session away from the beach.

A longtime local Mexican restaurant doing the full sit-down range of enchiladas, fajitas, and strong margaritas, a reliable break from seafood. It's a steady family favorite that has outlasted trendier openings. Best for a casual group dinner with margaritas.

A beachfront doughnut institution open since the early 1970s, frying fresh doughnuts and serving a simple breakfast counter to generations of PCB regulars. The line out the door on summer mornings tells you everything. Best for a classic beach-trip doughnut run.

A surprisingly vast preserve behind the beach with miles of flat trails and boardwalks looping through pine flatwoods, titi swamp, and wetland, with loops from a short stroll up to 11 miles. It's the area's best real hiking, and almost no tourists know it's here. Best for a longer nature walk and birdwatching away from the sand.

A short loop in the northern reaches of St. Andrews State Park leading to the park's high point through prime bird habitat, with chances to spot alligators in the freshwater lake. It packs a lot of Panhandle ecosystem into a half-mile. Best for a quick, rewarding nature walk paired with a beach day.

A quiet park at the western edge of the beach where a rare coastal dune lake meets the Gulf, with sandy trails, a historic lodge, and far fewer visitors than the main beaches. The walk out to the beach past the dune lake is the draw. Best for a peaceful nature walk and a less-crowded stretch of sand.

A large community sports park with paved walking and jogging paths winding past ball fields, ponds, and woods, the easy in-town option for a stroll or run. It's where locals walk the dog and get steps in. Best for a flat, accessible walk close to the beach without driving out to a preserve.

A long-running marine park with dolphin and sea-lion shows, a tropical garden, and animal encounters that let kids get close to rays and penguins. It's compact and hands-on rather than a sprawling aquarium. Best for a family half-day with up-close animal experiences.

An upside-down 'amusement park for the mind' at Pier Park, packed with hands-on science exhibits, an indoor ropes course, and laser tag. It's the go-to rainy-day energy-burn for families. Best for a few hours of interactive fun when the weather turns.

A hands-on science museum on the Panama City side with interactive exhibits, live animals, and an outdoor nature trail. It's earnest, educational, and pitched at curious kids. Best for a family afternoon with a learning bent, away from the beach.

A quirky specialty museum devoted to the history of diving and undersea exploration, with vintage diving suits, submersibles, and the SEALAB habitat out front. It's small, offbeat, and genuinely interesting for anyone curious about the deep. Best for a short, unusual stop on a non-beach afternoon.

A small conservation-minded zoo with big cats, primates, and a petting area, plus animal encounters and keeper talks. It's modest in scale but close-up and engaging for younger kids. Best for a family morning with animals before the afternoon heat.

A 200-foot observation wheel at Pier Park with enclosed climate-controlled gondolas and long views over the Gulf and the beach. It's a quick, scenic ride best timed for sunset. Best for a short, kid-friendly height-and-view experience in the heart of the action.

An outdoor amphitheater and green space behind Pier Park that hosts the area's biggest concerts and festivals, including the major holiday and music events. It's where the community gathers for live music under the open sky. Best for an evening concert or festival when the calendar lines up.

A craft brewery set in a restored historic school building in downtown Panama City, with a rotating tap list and a community-gathering vibe. It anchors the rebuilding downtown's nightlife. Best for an evening of local beer in a building with character.

A downtown art center in a historic former federal building, with rotating galleries, regional artists, and classes. It's a quiet, cultured stop in the recovering city center. Best for a calm hour of art on a non-beach day.

A 1,200-acre park at the east end of the beach with sugar-white sand, a calm jetty-protected lagoon, and some of the best snorkeling on the coast. The 'kiddie pool' behind the rock jetties is gentle enough for toddlers while the Gulf side gets the surf. Best for a full beach day with snorkeling, plus the launch point for Shell Island.

An undeveloped seven-mile barrier island between the Gulf and St. Andrew Bay, reachable only by boat and prized for shelling, clear water, and frequent dolphin sightings. There are no facilities, which is exactly why locals love it. Best for a back-to-nature beach day away from the high-rises.

The main public fishing pier jutting nearly 1,500 feet into the Gulf beside Pier Park, open to anglers and walkers alike. Walking to the end for a small fee gets you out over deep water with long beach views both ways. Best for a sunset walk over the Gulf or watching the anglers haul in.

The old fishing-village core of Panama City across the bay, with an oak-lined marina, antique shops, and a Saturday farmers market that feels a world away from the beach strip. It's where the area's real history and slower pace survive. Best for a low-key wander, a marina lunch, and a Saturday market browse.

The bayfront downtown across the bridge, rebuilding after Hurricane Michael with murals, a marina, galleries, and a growing restaurant scene. It's a glimpse of the working city behind the resort beach. Best for an afternoon of murals, the marina, and a brewery stop.