Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Panama City (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Panama City Marina, Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida, and McKenzie Park. Also, be sure to include Panama City Center for the Arts in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Panama City (Florida).
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Panama City Marina
Sailing, Park, Marina
Address: 1 Harrison Ave, 32401-2724 Panama City
Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida
Museum in Panama City, Florida. The Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida is a children's museum in Panama City, Florida. The exhibits include interactive science and natural history displays, play areas for young children, live reptiles and a nature trail. The center also features an on-site preschool.[1]
Address: 308 Airport Rd, 32405-4610 Panama City
McKenzie Park
The Robert Lee McKenzie House is a historic house in Panama City, Florida, at 17 East 3rd Court. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on August 21, 1986. Robert Lee McKenzie was the first mayor of Panama City and a civic leader for fifty years. The house is a two-story clapboard frame dwelling built in the Dutch Colonial style typical of turn-of-the-20th-century houses in Northern Michigan. It was built in 1909 by Belle Booth who married R. L. McKenzie in 1912; the house was enlarged in 1925.
McKenzie acquired waterfront property and organized the Gulf Coast Development Company with the intent of making Panama City "Atlanta's outlet to the Panama Canal." McKenzie served as mayor of Panama City and two consecutive terms as state representative from Washington County in the Florida Legislature. "Most of the important events of the town's development for a period of over 50 years (1902-1956) are linked with his name and efforts," and the office/library of the McKenzie House was the center of his business activities. In 1964, the park across the street was renamed McKenzie Park in honor of his service to the community.[2]
Address: PARK Ave, Panama City
Panama City Center for the Arts
Art gallery, Shopping, Museum
Address: 19 E 4th St, 32401-3106 Panama City
Bay County Courthouse
The Bay County Courthouse is an historic yellow brick courthouse building located at 300 East 4th Street in Panama City, Florida. Built in 1915 in the Classical Revival style, it is Bay County's first and only courthouse. After a 1920 fire gutted the building, it was rebuilt in a much simpler form without its entrance pediment, gabled roof system and ornate central clock tower. The entrance columns and entablature, however, were retained. Later additions have been built on its left side.
In August 1961 the Bay County Courthouse was the scene of the trial and conviction of Clarence Earl Gideon for felony theft. The court's refusal to provide Gideon with legal representation was overturned in the famous U. S. Supreme Court case of Gideon v. Wainwright. Gideon was retried here in August 1963 and was acquitted.
In 1989, the Bay County Courthouse was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.[3]
Sherman Arcade
Historical landmark in Panama City, Florida. The Sherman Arcade is located at 228 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, Bay County, Florida.
Constructed in 1934, the two story masonry vernacular arcade has Mission Revival elements, and is of brick construction surfaced with stucco.
It was built by Panama City businessman W. C. Sherman. He used wood salvaged from the old German American Lumber Company and bricks from his dry kiln in Millville.
It was gutted and restored to its original design in 2003.
It houses retail businesses on the first floor and residential apartments on the second floor.
On September 9, 1998, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[4]
Sapp House
The Sapp House is a historic site in Panama City, Florida. It is located at 224 3rd Court. On October 4, 2003, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.[5]
A. A. Payne–John Christo Sr. House
The A. A. Payne–John Christo Sr. House is a historic house at 940 West Beach Drive in Panama City, Florida.[6]
St. Andrew School
Elementary school in Panama City, Florida. The St. Andrew School is a historic site in Panama City, Florida. It is located at 3001 West 15th Street. On August 14, 1997, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was constructed in 1926 and served as a Bay County school until Hurricane Michael left the school beyond a financially profitable state of disrepair.[7]
Schmidt-Godert Farm
Building in Bay County, Florida. The Schmidt-Godert Farm is a historic site in Panama City, Florida. It is located at 100 SR 2297. On October 4, 2002, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
On October 10, 2018, the barn was destroyed by hurricane Michael. Roughly 6 months after, the blacksmith building was removed due to damage from the hurricane. The cane mill on the property is currently structurally unsound and is in a state of active decay.[8]
Gulf Coast State College
State school in Panama City, Florida. Gulf Coast State College is a public college in Panama City, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System and offers the Associate of Arts degree, Associate of Science degrees, certificates, and, as of 2020, bachelor's degrees.[9]
Address: 5230 W Highway 98, 32401 Panama City