40 great things to do in Pensacola, FL
If you enjoy travelling and touring new places, Pensacola should be your next destination. This little haven in Florida is one of the best tourist destinations in the States. In case you are wondering why, here are the 40 fun things to do in Pensacola:
Visiting the Pensacola Museum of Art
Pensacola has several family fun attractions. One of these is the Pensacola Museum of Art, located in The University of West Florida. Here, you will get a view of the city’s old jailhouse and several art pieces from local and regional artists.
Attending Bands on the beach
From April to October, The Gulfside Pavilion beach offers some of the best live music performances every Tuesday night from 7 pm. You can, therefore, bring your chair to the beach during such nights and get treated to live bands from regional artists.
Visiting Casino beach Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
One of the best family fun attractions in Pensacola is the Casino Beach. Located on Santa Rosa Island, this little gem has alcohol free zones making it an excellent place for hanging out with family and kids. This beach was named after the famous Casino that brought Pensacola to the limelight.
Attending the Gallery Night
Just like New Orleans, Pensacola never runs dry of music. Every third Friday of each month from 5-9 pm, the streets of Pensacola are brought to a shut down by different bands. You can, therefore, enjoy music, art and cuisine while having the pleasure of experiencing Pensacola’s art scene.
Visiting the Quietwater Beach
The Quietwater beach offers families with small children a chance to experience Pensacola’s beach life. It is found on the southern side of Pensacola Beach and has calm shallow waters.
Visiting the Pensacola Village
While in Pensacola, ensure that you visit this historic village. The Pensacola village will offer you a glimpse into the past of this fantastic tourist destination. It covers around eight acres of land and has several property that is open to the public.
Visiting the Pensacola Beach
There is absolutely no way that you will visit Pensacola without having a glimpse of the amazing Pensacola Beach. This beach is famous for its white sands, incredible views and several recreational and entertainment options. You also get several eateries at your disposal.
Visiting the Gulf Island National Seashore
If you are looking for family fun attractions in Pensacola, this is one of the places to be. The Gulf National Island Seashore offers stunning sceneries and several fun outdoor activities that will guarantee you quality for your money. It is also a rural destination and therefore perfect for blowing off some steam.
Visiting Fort Barrancas
While still in The Gulf Island Seashore, you can choose to visit Fort Barrancas, which is one of the famous historic sites in Pensacola. It is located in Taylor Road and was built in the 1840s. It has a hiking ground, picnic area and an onsite bookstore which is loaded with antique items.
Riding the Ferris wheels at the Warf
A trip to Pensacola without stopping by The Warf wouldn’t be as satisfying. The Ferris Wheel at the Warf is something to look up to while in Pensacola. It can hold up to 150 people and offers the best view of the surrounding wetlands and the bay.
Ziplining at the Warf
The zip line facility at the Warf is also something that you should try out while in Pensacola. Just like the Ferris Wheels, the zip line offers the best view of the bay and surrounding wetlands that cannot be hacked from the ground.
Riding the Pensacola Pedal Trolleys
If you want a better way of seeing lots of fantastic sites while in Pensacola, you need a pedal trolley. The trolleys offer you a chance to experience this beautiful town first hand while burning calories at the same time. They can accommodate nineteen people with each tour taking around ninety minutes.
The 5 Flags Speedway
If you want to experience some racing and step up your adrenaline levels while in Pensacola, then the five flags speedway is the place to be. It is one of Florida’s best short tracks with highly banked curves fast for some fast action.
Visiting the Pensacola Museum of Commerce
The Pensacola Commerce Museum is an excellent avenue for looking into the past of Pensacola’s economic evolution. It has a variety of realistic shops that graced the past. It is located in Zaragoza street and opens daily for history lovers.
The National Naval Aviation Museum
The Pensacola Naval Museum has more than 100 aircrafts that were used way back but have been restored to good conditions. It has an onsite IMAX, and if you are lucky enough, you can catch the Angels practising.
Visiting the Pensacola Light House and Museum
The Pensacola Lighthouse is one of the best destinations for mariners going through the Gulf of Mexico. If you are also looking for a bit of maritime history, these two places will serve you right. You could also lose some weight going up these two structures.
Going on a Pensacola Architecture Tour
While in Pensacola, you can go on a tour to see the development of Pensacola in terms of architecture. You will see the houses designs over time and the outstanding patterns that have emerged with time.
Strolling through Palafox Market
Who doesn’t love an early morning stroll? You can go on a Saturday stroll in the beautiful Palafox market to get some local products, experience some art and dance to the ever-playing music.
Visiting Quayside Art
If you are an art lover, The Quayside Art is the place to be. From here, you will be able to browse works from over two hundred local artists and experience the art first hand.
Attending a Blue Angels Practice
You can choose to attend a Blue Angels practice air show at the National Naval Aviation Museum complete with an autograph signing session. This is a bonus since you will also get to experience the museum.
Going on a free historical tour
You can go on a free historical walking tour in Downtown Pensacola with Emerald Coast Tours. You will get to learn about this fantastic town and experience its amazing history first hand.
Hiking at the Edward Ball Nature Trail
You can also enjoy nature by taking a hike at the Edward Ball Nature Trail located on the campus of the University of West Florida. This is one of the best ways of passing your evenings or afternoons.
Visiting Plaza DeLuna
One of the family fun attractions in Pensacola is Plaza DeLuna. You can blow off some steam in the splash pad at the Plaza DeLuna or spend a sunny afternoon relaxing and having some fun. The splash pads operate from March to October from11am -5 pm
Attending street parties
Pensacola is a place filled with art and music. You can, therefore, choose to attend several street parties in downtown Pensacola which is known for exquisite art and music display. You will also experience several bands playing.
Visiting the African-American Heritage Trail
While in Pensacola, you can choose to explore the area’s rich heritage by taking a hike in the African-American Heritage Trail. This is also a better way of exercising and stretching some muscles while having fun at the same time.
Visiting the Pensacola Photo Trail
For some selfies and photographs, the Pensacola photo trail is the best setting. You can, therefore, create amazing memories of you and your family. It has a different colorful background and artistic touch.
Visiting the Veteran’s Memorial
Another fun place to visit in Pensacola is the Veteran’s Memorial which is the country’s only full-name permanent replacement of Washington’s DC Veteran’s Memorial. You will get to learn and experience some history.
Visiting the Pensacola Beach Eco-Traill
Beach life is fun. The good news is, Pensacola is loaded with several beaches. You can, therefore, learn all about sea life and the diverse coastal ecology while taking a walk along the footprints of the Pensacola Beach.
Attending the Blues on the Bay show
This outdoor concert normally happens from 6 pm every Saturday during summer whenever the Blue Wahoos are not playing at home. You can, therefore, tag along with your chair or blankets at the Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheatre.
Visiting the community maritime park
In case you are looking for family fun activities in Pensacola, the Community Maritime Park is an excellent place to relax with your kids. It is situated behind the Blue Wahoo Stadium and has a complete playground and a picnic area.
Attending the Mardi Gras Parade
if you are visiting Pensacola in the Carnival season, then you are lucky. You will have a chance to attend the Madi Grass Parades in Downtown Pensacola and the Pensacola Beach. This is alongside other events that grace this season.
Visiting the Navarre Beach
Pensacola is a place of several beaches. You can, therefore, visit Navarre Beach, which is a 12-mile beach with several access points. You can, therefore, choose to swim, go out for a picnic or cycle along the scenic paths.
Attending the Pensacola Beach Air Show
The annual Pensacola Beach air show takes place every fourth of July. You can also catch the Blue Angels alongside other civilian and military aircraft perform several other stunts over the Gulf of Mexico.
Pensacola ciclovia
This annual occurrence happens on March 23rd is a sight to behold. On this occasion, the Downtown Pensacola streets close down to heavy traffic, meaning everybody will have to walk, bike, skate or run on the roads.
Visiting the Santa Rosa County Library
If you miss some story sessions and would like to catch up, the Santa Rosa County Library is the place to be. This library offers several Storytime all through the week at different locations spanning from Milton, Jay, Gulf Breeze and Navarre.
Stargazing
Pensacola Beach offers the perfect environment for stargazing. You can, therefore, go to the beach at night and look at the stars, the moon or the other planets. However, on particular Friday and Saturday nights, you might be lucky to get volunteers setting up telescopes at the Gulfside Pavilion.
Going for walks at the Pedido River Walk
You can choose to visit the Pedido River Walk, which is a two-third mile radius nature tr5ail next to the Pedido landfill for a walk. You will get to experience the oak pine uplands and the amazing bottomland hardwoods for a satisfying evening or afternoon.
Pedido Kids Park
If you are in Pensacola with your family, you probably want your kids to have fun too. The Pedido Kids Park, located off the Gulf Beach Highway, has some of the best play structures for your kids. This park also serves kids of all ages. There is also a nature trail at the park.
Visiting Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Along the Santa Rosa Island is the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk which is loaded with several open-air bars, restaurants and shopping regions, which makes it an excellent place to catch a cold beer as you look at the beautiful beach.
The boardwalk also has shallow water beach areas where you can bring your kids.
Cycling at the ED Ball Nature Trail at the UWF
The ED ball nature trail is located on the UWF campus. It has a half a mile boardwalk that traverses the legendary Thompson’s Bayou. For cyclists, there is a twenty-mile bike trail where you can ride your mountain bike. These trails are always open from dawn to h12 am.
Conclusion
Pensacola is a quality vacation destination. In this town where the music never stops, there are several activities and places of interest that offer you value for your money and time. We have looked at some of these, and I hope that this article has been helpful.
Is Pensacola worth the hype and time? Absolutely yes. If you haven’t been here, this should be your next travel destination. If you are here, then well and good, enjoy your stay.
Links
https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/pensacola/11-things-to-do-in-pensacola.html
https://www.pintsizedcities.com/40-free-things-to-do-in-pensacola-with-kids/\
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-pensacola-fl/
https://www.tripshock.com/attractions/Pensacola-Beach-Navarre/