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- There's So Much More To Experience In Sunny Pensacola, Florida!
Pensacola doesn’t elicit as much excitement as its larger Floridian counterparts like Miami, Orlando, or even Jacksonville. Still, this destination is home to some of the most scenic beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast. This is why Pensacola is a popular spring break and summer vacation destination.
However, for those who love fewer crowds than those in the Miamis of this world, Pensacola is the place to be. This destination offers numerous hidden gems that visitors get to experience. For instance, Pensacola Beach is an underrated but beautiful Gulf Coast beach in Florida that visitors ought to experience.
UPDATE: 2023/08/24 17:51 EST BY NOAH STAATS
There's So Much More To Experience In Sunny Pensacola, Florida!
This article has been updated with new information regarding a vacation to Pensacola, as well as what to do in town. From a rich naval history, white sand beaches, food and drink for days, and beautiful hotels, Pensacola is the place to be!
Things To Do
This city is an exciting destination with plenty of things to keep visitors busy. Here are some of the things to do in Pensacola during your next vacation.
1 The National Naval Aviation Museum
Pensacola is a nerve center of naval aviation as it’s home to the Naval Air Station. This role makes it a great place to learn about Naval aviation history, and the best place to do this is at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Visitors get to see vintage aircraft and even have fun in the flight simulators. Entrance to the museum is free!
2 Explore Pensacola Beach
- Popular beach in Pensacola, Florida
This is one of Pensacola’s most popular destinations, boasting pristine beaches and lovely views. This location is actually a resort community, so there are multiple beaches, several restaurants, and shopping outlets throughout the island strip.
Tourists can explore the Pensacola Beach Pier or the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk for spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico.
3 Hop Aboard The Pensacola Bay City Ferry
- Address: 750 Commendencia St, Pensacola, FL 32502
- Hours: Monday - Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM, 10:30 AM to 6 PM Saturday, and 12-6 PM Sunday
Something to do while in Pensacola, Florida, is to hop aboard the top-rated Pensacola Bay City Ferry. Here is where tourists and Florida residents can enjoy a ferry between Downtown Pensacola to Fort Pickens to Pensacola Beach.
According to the company's website, this ferry ride offers some of the best views of the city and is best done at sunset. This could be the perfect way to end the evening while in town.
4 Tour Fort Pickens
- Address: 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
- Hours: Open 24 hours
One thing to do while in Pensacola is to tour Fort Pickens, a pentagonal historic United States military fort on Santa Rosa Island in the Pensacola, Florida, area.
Notably, this fort is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens and continues to be a top-visited sight in the area. Most people spend about an hour here.
5 Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
Pensacola Beach, United States
- Address: 2401 Bauer Rd, Pensacola, FL 32506
- Hours: Dependent on season/wildlife
The next thing to do in Pensacola, FL, is to head over to the beautiful Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. Here lies a 4,290-acre preserve, a unit of Florida State Park located 10 miles southwest of Pensacola.
The State Park boasts four species of endangered pitcher plants, as well as other rare and endangered plant species.
6 Pensacola Aviation Discovery Park
- Address: 4200 Jerry L Maygarden Rd, Pensacola, FL 32504
- Hours: Open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM
Something else to do in Pensacola is the Aviation Discovery Park, located next to the Pensacola International Airport. This is a nice spot to soak up the sun and bring pets and children, as it offers plenty of wide open space to run and enjoy. There are also benches and a picnic area!
7 Historic Pensacola Village
- Address: 205 E Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
- Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM
This historic part of Pensacola is made up of colonial buildings that have been preserved to retain its old-world charm. Among the sites in this area are the Museum of Industry, the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and the Old Christ Church, among many others.
Visitors can buy one ticket that allows them access to all the village’s sites within seven days.
8 Pensacola Lighthouse And Maritime Museum
- Address: 2081 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508
- Hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM
The Pensacola Lighthouse is over 160 years old, and it’s a part of the city’s naval history. Found within the Pensacola Naval Air Station, its iconic feature is the 177 steps that lead to the lighthouse’s summit, from where visitors are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Gulf Coast.
9 Hike The Boardwalk In Bay Bluffs Park
- Address: 3400 Scenic Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503
Bay Bluffs Park offers scenic landscapes that can be enjoyed from the trails that cut through its vast woodland. There’s a boardwalk to make the hike easier, especially in sections where the trail gets steeper. Even kids can hike the trail, which stretches for just under a mile.
10 Perdido Key Beach
- Beach in Perdido Key, Florida
This is a charming beach found about a half-hour drive from Pensacola’s downtown area. This beach is a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a scenic area made up of maritime forests and hiking trails.
Because of this, those who visit Perdido Key are also likely to see some wildlife, like the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse.
11 Opal Beach
- Beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida
Found right next to Pensacola Beach, Opal Beach is a gem that enjoys pristine white sands and a serenity that is lacking at busier beaches. This is a perfect spot for visitors who want to escape the crowds and enjoy some seclusion and tranquility.
There are shaded pavilions with picnic benches available, as well as washing facilities.
12 Best Time To Visit Pensacola
- Best Time To Visit: Spring (ideally in May)
The best time to visit Pensacola is in May, right after the spring breakers have left and just before the summer crowds check in. The weather at this time is warm, but it doesn’t get as hot as it does in summer. The chances of rain are lower, and the hurricane season, which starts in June, is still a month away.
Granted, May is still considered peak season in Pensacola, so prices are still on the higher side. For lower prices and decent weather, visitors can head to the Panhandle from September to October.
At this time, the summer crowds have left, but attractions are still open, and prices are significantly lower.
September to October is still hurricane season, so those visiting during this time should keep an eye out for hurricane warnings.
13 Best Ways To Get Around Pensacola
Wondering how to get around Pensacola? There are tons of options for navigating no matter your itinerary.
Public Transport
This is the most affordable way to get around Pensacola. There are buses that operate on routes throughout Pensacola. This service is run by ECAT (Escambia County Area Transit), with fares costing as low as $1.75 for a single ride.
Tourists can opt to buy multi-day passes for unlimited bus rides within the period. For instance, a 7-day pass costs $14.50, allowing the user to take as many rides for 7 days. Unfortunately, the bus only operates on weekdays on most routes, but there are some routes that operate on weekends.
Beach Trolley
Those visiting Santa Rosa Island may take advantage of the free beach trolley that operates during peak seasons. However, the trolley only makes one round trip, making it an unreliable means for those who wish to get around the island outside the trolley’s operating hours.
By Car
There's a lot to see in Florida's Panhandle, and having a car helps tourists see most of this region. This is the best way of getting around Pensacola for those who want to explore every corner of the city.
Visitors can plan their own schedules and enjoy the convenience of reaching nooks that aren’t covered by public transport.
Taxis
Ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, Lucky Cab, and zTrip are available in Pensacola. Tourists arriving at the Pensacola International Airport can take advantage of these services to get to their accommodations. However, taxis are costly and ought to be used in conjunction with the bus.
14 Where To Eat In Pensacola, Florida
Luckily, there are endless food and drink options in the Pensacola area. Here are some top picks for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks.
Breakfast: Waffle House
This iconic American breakfast eatery is in thousands of locations across the US, with dozens found in Pensacola. The breakfast favorites include hash browns, omelets, and, their specialty, waffles.
In fact, there are four waffle options: chocolate chip, peanut butter, pecan, and the classic waffle. The best part is that the Waffle House is open 24 hours a day.
- Address: Multiple locations across Pensacola
- Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
- Average price: $10
Lunch: Carmen's Lunch Bar & Tapas
Carmen’s Lunch Bar & Tapas is a highly-rated restaurant with a delightful setup that consists of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s right there in the name; this restaurant specializes in lunch meals.
Their tapas include Spanish crab pepper poppers, cheese plates, green salad, and spiced organic pepitas. The restaurant also serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, and desserts.
- Address: 407 S Palafox St B, Pensacola, FL 32502
- Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 10 am - 4 pm (closed on Sun)
- Average price: $12
Dinner & Drinks: George Bistro + Bar
George Bistro + Bar enjoys rave reviews from past customers, with some touting it as the best restaurant in Pensacola. This may be debatable, but there’s no doubt that this restaurant’s dishes are delectable, and the service is excellent.
They serve brunch, lunch, and dinner, with popular meals being their Alfredo Pappardelle and Short Ribs with Mushroom Ravioli. Patrons can also enjoy a variety of cocktails and wines at the bar.
- Address: 6205 N 9th Ave, Pensacola, FL 32504
- Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11 am - 9 pm; Fri: 11 am - 9:30 pm; Sat & Sun: 9 am - 2 pm, 4:30 pm: 9/9:30 pm
- Average price: $25
15 Popular Neighborhoods In Pensacola
East Hill
Victorian homes characterize East Hill, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Pensacola. It’s found within walking distance of Pensacola Bay, with most homes offering spectacular views of the water. East Hill is also just four miles from Bay Bluffs Park, making this a convenient place to stay for visitors and residents alike.
East Pensacola Heights
This neighborhood is found along Bayou Texar, and it’s right next door to East Hill. East Pensacola Heights is only three miles from the downtown area, about an 8-minute car ride.
It’s also just five minutes from Bay Bluffs Bark, and Pensacola Bay is adjacent to the neighborhood. This area also has several restaurants within its borders.
Woodland Heights
Woodland Heights is a small suburb found just 2.5 miles from the Pensacola International Airport. It’s also about four miles from the downtown area, placing those who stay here within striking distance of the city’s action. This is a perfect neighborhood for families, with facilities like parks found in the area.
Cordova Park
This neighborhood boasts a number of parks like Dunwody Park and Pintado Park. This makes it a wonderful place for families. It’s also quite close to the Pensacola International Airport, with a distance of just two miles between the two. Other nearby places of interest are the Pensacola Golf Center and Bay Bluffs Park.
Sanders Beach
Those who love staying near the water can book a place in Sanders Beach. There are a number of vacation rentals in this area, including beachfront rentals. This neighborhood also boasts proximity to the downtown area, which is just 1.7 miles away.
Those staying here also enjoy easy access to Vince J. Whibbs Sr. Community Park as well as Bruce Beach.
16 Where To Stay In Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola has a range of accommodations for every budget.
Luxury: Hyatt Place Pensacola Airport
- Address: 2468 Skye Way, Pensacola, FL 32504
- Amenities: Indoor pool, Fitness center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee machine, Coffee shop, Free parking
- Price: $$$
Luxury: Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Airport/Medical Center
- Address: 1144 Airport Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32504, United States
- Amenities: Swimming pool, fitness center, free parking, free Wi-Fi
- Price: From $$
Mid-Tier: Home2 Suites by Hilton Pensacola I-10 Pine Forest Road
- Address:
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Room service, Free Wi-Fi, Business center, Flat-screen TV
- Price: $$$
Mid-Tier: Holiday Inn Pensacola - University Area, an IHG Hotel
- Address: 7813 North Davis Highway, Pensacola, FL 32514, United States
- Amenities: Fitness center, bar, pool, lift, free parking, Wi-Fi
- Price: From $$
Budget: Budget-Friendly Bungalow
- Address: Gulf Breeze, Florida, United States
- Amenities: Smart TV, fridge, private bathroom, courtyard
- Price: From $$
Budget: Rest and Relax Inn
- Address: 7200 Plantation Road, Pensacola, FL 32504
- Amenities: Outdoor pool, Fitness center, Free Wi-Fi, Coffee machine, Free Parking, Business center
- Price: $
17 Tips For Visiting Pensacola
- Visitors using public transport should get the multi-day pass, which is an inexpensive way of getting around Pensacola.
- The Pensacola Beach Pier and Pensacola Pass are good places to view dolphins.
- Visitors who love surfing should head to Pensacola Beach for the best waves in the area.
- The summer month of July also receives the highest amount of rainfall in the year. Visitors who visit during this time should prepare for some wet days.
18 How To Spend The Perfect Day In Pensacola
Pensacola’s beaches are alluring and should be the first places to start the day, right after breakfast. A stroll along Pensacola Beach would put any tourist in the mood for a thrilling day in this city.
Next, it’s worth delving into the local history, and the perfect place to visit is the National Naval Aviation Museum.
In the afternoon, a trip to the nearby Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum would be ideal before heading to the Historic Pensacola Village for a tour of the area.
Finally, visitors can enjoy the Downtown Sunset Cruise, operated by the Pensacola Bay City Ferry. Afterward, tourists can have dinner at a seafood restaurant.
FAQ
Q: Are there dolphins in Pensacola Bay?
Yes, there are dolphins in Pensacola Bay, and those who want to view them can book a dolphin cruise.
Q: What is Pensacola best known for?
Pensacola is best known for its rich naval history as well as its beautiful white-sand beaches.
Q: Is Pensacola warm in the winter?
Although Pensacola isn’t warm in winter, the cold isn’t extreme. The average highs are usually 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) and the average lows are 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), similar to Miami's temperate winters.