Pensacola , Florida
This is the place to hear the roar and view the amazing feats of the famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying overhead. Visitors to Pensacola, Florida will experience this and a host of other things to do and see from history and shopping to sports, natural beauty, and attractions.
Conveniently located and easily accessible at the western end of the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola lies only five miles inland from the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
With a moderate climate year round due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its western Florida location, any time of year is suitable for a visit. Even in January the temperature averages a comfortable 52, with highs in the mid 60's. It's the time of year the Polar Bear Club holds its annual Polar Bear Dip. If you are lucky enough to be visiting in November, the famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who are based in Pensacola, return home for their annual homecoming air show. Regardless of the time of year, there is something worth seeing and doing.
For a taste of the city, be sure to visit Flounder's Restaurant. Known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a jungle-gym boat outside in the sand area, surrounded by dining tables along Santa Rosa sound and filled with antiques from around the globe, this is no ordinary restaurant.
A must see attraction in the area is the National Museum of Aviation with its IMAX Theater.
The Museum displays over 170 vintage aircraft and spans 300,000 square feet. Combine this with a movie at the IMAX and it makes for a perfect day of recreation with a historical flare.
No visit to the area is complete without spending some time at an amusement park. Sam's Fun City is conveniently located and features over 20 rides, go-karts, bumper boats, and mini golf, as well as an arcade and water park.
Pensacola also is home to many beautiful parks with fountains, play areas and water access. Feed the ducks at Bayview Park or watch an osprey return to its nest with a freshly caught fish at Big Lagoon State Park. And speaking of fishing, the old Pensacola Bay Bridge is one of the longest fishing piers in the US and for just a small charge; you can fish right in the middle of the bay.
Downtown is a place for a leisurely walk and for terrific shopping. Stop at one of the coffee shops, cafes or eateries for lunch, or for an afternoon latte. The downtown area showcases art galleries featuring both local and regional art, as well as the traveling exhibits found in the Pensacola Museum of Art. If antique shopping entices you, antique stores and flea markets pepper the area from the elegant to the eclectic.
The city has been given many nicknames over the years; The Cradle of Naval Aviation, The Western Gate to the Sunshine State, America's First Settlement, and the City of Five Flags. All such monikers are fitting in their descriptions of this vibrant and beautiful place.
Spend some time in Pensacola - you'll see why they say it's where thousands live the way millions wish they could.
Things To See and Do in Pensacola
National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater
1750 Radford Blvd # 3465, Pensacola, FL 32508
850-453-2389
Open daily 9am-5pm. The IMAX Theater features two films daily, call for additional information.
Admission Free for museum, charge for IMAX Theater
The National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater displays over 170 vintage aircraft and spans 300,000 square feet.
The ZOO
5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32508
850-932-2229
Open daily 9am-5pm in the summer and 9am-4pm in the winter
Admission Charged
Catch a ride on the Safari Line train for an up-close, fun-filled excursion through 30 acres of free-roaming animals in their natural habitat.
T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum
830 S. Jefferson St. Plaza
Pensacola, FL 32502
904-444-8905
Hours: 10am - 4pm, Monday through Saturday and Sundays Easter through Labor Day.
Admission Charged
Offers a Discovery Gallery, which recreates old-time Pensacola, complete with a child-sized schoolhouse, hospital and jail, and even some oddities like a shrunken head.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 South Jefferson Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-432-6247
Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday - Sunday, Noon - 5pm, Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Admission Charged
The focus of the permanent collection of the Museum is 19th, 20th and 21st century works on paper including works by noted artist, John Marin, Salvador Dali, Miriam Scharpiro, Fairfield Porter, Thomas Hart Benton, Alex Katz, Lynda Benglis, Milton Avery and Alexander Calder. Additionally, the Museum has superb decorative art collections of European and American glass as well as African tribal art.
Wayside Park
At the foot of Three-Mile Bridge across Pensacola Bay.
Save some bread to feed the birds at Wayside Park.
Pensacola Junior College Planetarium
1000 College Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-484-1956
Hours: Box office opens 6:30pm one Saturday each month, year round
Admission Charged
Pensacola Junior College Planetarium and Theater has a three-dimensional DIGISTAR computer graphic system that projects the heavens onto a 40 foot full dome.
Fast Eddie's Fun Center
505 W. Michigan Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32505
850-433-7735
Admission Charged
Whether you're young or old, short or tall, Fast Eddie's is the place for fun! If you are looking for a fast, wild and fun spot, Fast Eddies is the place to be! Dedicated to providing affordable, safe, family fun in an atmosphere everyone is sure to enjoy. With four exciting tracks, there's excitement at every turn.
6709 Pensacola Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32505
Just south of I-10 on Hwy. 29
850-505-0800
Open daily, call for hours of operation
Admission Charged
Sam's Fun City features over 20 rides, go-karts, bumper boats, and mini golf, with an arcade and water park in the works.
Nearby attraction
Flounder's Restaurant
800 Quietwater Beach Rd
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
850-932-2003
Located on Pensacola Beach
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a jungle-gym boat outside in the sand area, surrounded by dining tables along Santa Rosa sound and filled with antiques from around the globe, this is no ordinary restaurant. Fun for the whole family.
Museums
Pensacola Junior College Art Museum
Anna Lamar Switzer for Visual Arts
Pensacola Junior College
1000 College Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-484-2550
Hours: 8am-9pm Monday through Thursday; 8am-3:30pm Fridays; closed weekends and holidays.
Admission Free
The Visual Arts Gallery has a national reputation for quality exhibitions, a strong contemporary collection, plus noteworthy publications and events such as workshops and visiting artists.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 South Jefferson Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-432-6247
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
The mission of the Pensacola Museum of Art is to be a bridge to the visual arts for the diverse populations of Pensacola and the surrounding communities.