Separated by the St. Andrews Bay along Florida's Gulf coast is a pair of cities, both with nearly identical names save for one word. (But don't be mistaken—both do have beaches.) It's cause for confusion in many a conversation, but Panama City and Panama City Beach are actually two completely different places with markedly different histories. Read on to learn what makes these two special destinations in the Florida Panhandle unique.
Meet the Two Cities
So which came first?
While the resort town of Panama City Beach may be more well-known, Panama City is the larger and more historic of the two. The port town was founded in the early 1900s as a fishing and shipping hub and named because a straight line drawn on a map from Chicago to the Central American Panama City ran directly through the town. (This was back when the buzz around the newly built Panama Canal was huge.)
Decades later, after the St. Andrews Bay Bridge was built connecting the mainland to the barrier islands, Panama City Beach was incorporated. With 27 miles of pristine white sand beaches, Panama City Beach became an instant resort town—though it maintained a quieter existence until its rep as a Spring Break hot spot spread throughout the South in the '90s.
Things to Do in Panama City Beach
Today, Panama City Beach is a globally renowned tourist destination, consistently appearing in rankings for its stellar beaches and family-friendly amenities like amusement parks and mini-golf courses. It's also bracketed by state parks, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to swim, fish, hike, and sightsee in nature.
Despite its popularity during Spring Break, it's a quiet vacation spot the rest of the year with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Watch the sunset or look for sea turtles at Russell-Fields City Pier, one of the longest in the Gulf of Mexico.
Things to Do in Panama City
Ten miles across the bay, Panama City strikes the perfect balance between a small-sized city and a small-town fishing village. As the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee, the town boasts a proper downtown with an arts and theater district, entertainment hub, shopping district, and a small handful of college campuses. Four marinas and miles of coastline along the St. Andrews Bay also make the area a big draw for visitors interested in boating, fishing, and watersports.
The bay is a popular spot for sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Visitors can book a charter excursion for fishing, snorkeling, or scuba diving, or take a guided dolphin-watching or shelling trip.
More to Do
Both cities are convenient to museums, state parks, beaches, tours, water parks, walking trails, and other fun attractions, so whichever one you visit, you'll have plenty to do.
While both Panama cities are distinct with their own tourist draws, they're also both often referred to simply as Panama City. So, should you plan a trip to either, it's smart to remember that one little word can make all the difference.
Separated by the St. Andrews Bay along Florida’s Gulf coast is a pair of cities, both with nearly identical names save for one word. (But don’t be mistaken—both do have beaches.) It’s cause for confusion in many a conversation, but Panama City and Panama City Beach are actually two completely different places with markedly different histories.
So which came first?
While the resort town of Panama City Beach may be more well-known, Panama City is the larger and more historic of the two. The port town was founded in the early 1900s as a fishing and shipping hub and named because a straight line drawn from Chicago to the Central American Panama City on a map ran directly through the town. (This was back when the buzz around the newly built Panama Canal was huge.)
Decades later, after the St. Andrews Bay Bridge was built connecting the mainland to the barrier islands, Panama City Beach was incorporated. With 27 miles of pristine white sand beaches, Panama City Beach became an instant resort town—though it maintained a quieter existence until its rep as a Spring Break hot spot spread throughout the South in the ‘90s.
Today, Panama City Beach is a globally renowned tourist destination, consistently appearing in rankings for its stellar beaches and family-friendly amenities like amusement parks and mini-golf courses. It’s also bracketed by state parks, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to swim, fish, hike, and sightsee in nature.
Ten miles across the bay, Panama City strikes the perfect balance between small-sized city and small-town fishing village. As the largest city between Pensacola and Tallahassee, the town boasts a proper downtown with an arts and theater district, entertainment hub, shopping district, and a small handful of college campuses. Four marinas and miles of coastline along the St. Andrews Bay also make the area a big draw for visitors interested in boating, fishing, and watersports.
While both Panama cities are distinct with their own tourist draws, they’re also both often referred to simply as Panama City. So, should you plan a trip to either, it’s smart to remember that one little word can make all the difference.