Enjoy finding extra treasures within a perfectly pleasant vacation? St. Andrews is one of those.
This is a neighborhood within Panama City, quite comfortable seeing itself as a stand-alone destination. I agree with the local people who say St. Andrews is special, and here are some of the reasons why:
- Fresh seafood restaurants right on the water
- Shops with a big array of personalities
- Patio seating for creative food and live music
- Big art on outside walls
- Sunset viewing in multiple places
- Lodging with a view, and playful designs
Read more about Panama City:
- Panama City, Florida: Abundant With Pleasures
- The Beach and Beyond: 20 Fun Things to Do in Panama City Beach
Waterfront Dining
Uncle Ernie’s Bayfront Bar and Grill
Sunsets can be spectacular from the top floor decks and so can watching sailboats any time of day. Muse a little about the people with their own boats docking at Uncle Ernie’s for lunch, and then going back out into the Bay.
The menu is expansive, with seafood abundant, but meat lovers will be satisfied too.
FINNS Island Style Grub in Little Village
If a lunch table by the water feels like a special treat, FINNS Island Style Grub should be a plan. Can’t tell ‘til you pass through the courtyard and order fish tacos, a burrito bowl or cheese nachos at the window what a pleasant view there will be.
That window ordering launches the cooking: fresh is the motto here and several more Finns around Bay County. Sometimes they spell with all caps.
Shops of St. Andrews
Maybe I missed something special on a side street, but my morning strolling the shops along Beck Avenue was robust and diverse. Think Main Street, St. Andrews style.
Bayview Avenue parallels Beck, one block over, so water was always in my peripheral vision.
Native Spirit Museum and Gallery
Lots of layers to this filled-in-every-inch place. That means art to buy and indigenous art to admire. If you’re in a learning mood, ask for the owner/historian/artist himself Ben W. Liggin, Sr.
He’s eager to share research about Florida’s First People and point out artifact collections in the little – but robust – Native Spirit Museum and Gallery.
He knows interesting things, like 32 purpose-built truncated mounds with flat tops and four sides that prove little-known information about early, early inhabitants. And ancient spring-fed, dune lake systems that influence the waters today.
Little Indigo Spa, Hippie & The Moon
Plan ahead for treatments at Little Indigo, especially if amethyst infrared sauna wrap sounds intriguing. Several dozen spa options are available.
Just walk in if herbal apothecary soaps, essential oils, loose herbs and interesting textiles please you.
Floriopolis
Families or groups of friends are likely to be experimenting with paints and colors and the tools of artists in Floriopolis—-and original art is available to buy too.
$10 can get you a studio day at Floriopolis, and that means all day if you like. With the interesting Luna Muna Cafebar steps away for breakfast, coffees or lunch, that’s even practical.
Floriopolis has led the way for years for St. Andrews Art Break Day in September when art opportunities literally “break” out all over the neighborhood.
Publishing Museum
Since St. Andrews residents exude pride in their place, this history museum helps understand why. Plus, its 1920s original publishing equipment balances out the Instagram photos visitors take at all the outdoor murals!
Luna Muna Cafebar
Perch inside Luna Muna Cafebar if you must but eating on the patio in sight of a glorious mural knowing the water is just a short stroll away is a better plan. Consider the raspberry French toast on challah bread with coconut cream.
Straight-up coffee’s available but my latte with turmeric, ginger, honey and cinnamon was more memorable. So was the garden hash of potatoes, sauteed greens, wild carrots and a citrus avocado drizzle.
Oaks By The Bay
Oaks By The Bay is a five-acre park with a shady boardwalk to the water, trees carved into shapes to make you muse about coastal sea life, and a 250-year-old live oak tree called “The Old Sentry,” framed at foot level with a circular mural.
Places to Sleep
The Hotel Indigo in Panama City is a definite top-of-list choice for overnighting.
Within the St. Andrews neighborhood another choice could be The Pearl on West Beach Drive, an eight-minute walk to Oaks By The Bay Park.
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