Traveling Far, Traveling Near
Panama City Restaurants and Things To Do
I love traveling to Panama City Beach, Florida. The drive to the beach is approximately 6 hours from Atlanta. Since I was a small kid, I have been swimming and playing in the emerald waters in the Gulf of Mexico. What do travelers like to do on vacation besides enjoying the beach? The answer is to eat at great restaurants and shop for souvenirs. Panama City Beach is booming with many great restaurants and unique shops. The Historic St. Andrews business and residential area is located on the St. Andrews Bay.
Of course, you will want to visit the landmark restaurant Hunt’s Oyster Bar in Historical St. Andrews. On my last visit to Hunt’s Oyster Bar, a dozen oysters cost $12.00. That’s a bargain. Most restaurants charge $12.00 for a half dozen. You can get the oysters raw, steamed or baked. My favorite is the baked oysters with cheese. Another favorite is the succulent grilled shrimp. I love the homemade cocktail sauce. The added horseradish gives it a tangy taste. On any summer day during peak times, the outside waiting area is packed with tourists who are waiting to get yummy oysters and other delicious seafood dishes. Hunt’s Oyster Bar is just a quaint restaurant with a unique beach bar atmosphere. Watching the guys shuck the oysters and hearing the clanking bell when they receive tips creates a fun experience.
After you eat, take a stroll to the St. Andrews Pier. Along the way, you can shop at the unique gift shops. The harbor is home to many shrimp boats, charter boats, and sail boats. Some tourists like saltwater fishing at the Pier. The Pier Gift Shop has unique gifts for souvenirs. Uncle Earnie’s Restaurant is located adjacent to the pier. The best time to eat at the restaurant is at sunset. The restaurant is located on St. Andrews Bay which creates a vivid view of the sunset and the harbor. Uncle Earnie’s Grill is another landmark restaurant with great seafood. However, it is also known for its hamburgers, which are probably the largest in Panama City. It makes me sad, that Uncle Earnie’s Grill is closed for remodeling due to the damage from Hurricane Michael. The restaurant is projected to reopen this fall. All of the restaurants located in the historical district are great.
On the way back from Historic St. Andrews to Panama City Beach, you pass Howell’s Bait and Tackle shop which has great beachwear and fishing tackle. If you want to cook fresh seafood, Gandy’s Seafood has a huge selection of fresh seafood including shrimp, black drum fish, and red snapper. I bought the black drum fish and cooked it on the grill with spices, and it was delicious.
Pier Park, a retail shopping and restaurant complex, is a great place to visit. Pier Park is home to the Back Porch Seafood House, Red Robin, Margaritaville, Dave and Buster’s and Pier Park’s theater. Ron Jon is a popular beachwear shop. Across the street is the new city pier. For a small fee, you can walk on the pier to see the panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico or saltwater fish. If you like commercialism, Pier Park is the place to go. A vacation in Panama City can fill a variety of tourist’s needs from eating at a variety of restaurants, shopping at unique shops, and playing in the gulf of Mexico.