Pensacola…There’s a Lot to Love!
Pensacola, FL -Long, white, empty stretches of gleaming beaches and dunes along the Gulf of Mexico…this is perhaps how the Pensacola Bay area is best known by those who vacation here. The Pensacola metro area is by far the largest in Northwest Florida, with more than 400,000 residents, many of whom were once vacationers and just couldn’t get enough.
And there is a lot to love about Pensacola and her beaches. Pointing the way is the flashy, trashy 40-foot neon billfish, a sign that you have arrived! Pensacola Beach, the hub of Santa Rosa Island, is populated by trendy boutiques, luxury condos, fantastic eateries, the longest pier on the Gulf of Mexico, and the neighborhood portion of the island. Here, the sun and the nightlife are scorching hot—it’s the place to see and be seen.
You
haven’t seen Pensacola until you’ve seen it from the
water! Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle gently down tea-colored
rivers in neighboring Santa Rosa County. Rent a pontoon or sailboat
to explore bays and bayous.
Flanking this busy central core are portions of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, a 150-mile stretch of islands and keys from Destin, Florida clear over to coastal Mississippi. On Santa Rosa Island, 22 miles of gulf and soundfront are forever preserved. Visit Fort Pickens, a pre-Civil War fortress where Apache medicine man Geronimo was once incarcerated. Other nearby Gulf Islands treasures are the Naval Live Oaks Preserve in Gulf Breeze, Johnson Beach on Perdido Key and Fort Barrancas on Pensacola Naval Air Station.
For a city that’s been on the map for more than 450 years, you’d expect some pretty fascinating history. In its earliest days, Pensacola was tossed around like a volleyball between France, Spain, Britain, the Confederacy and finally the U.S. Her abundant natural resources and deep-water harbor were a prime catch for any country to claim. Historic architecture, street layouts, old cannon, and especially food have all been influenced by Pensacola’s rich heritage. The city is especially proud of its three historic districts and active marine and land archaeology programs.
Spend a day touring Pensacola Naval Air Station, with its world-class naval aviation museum, famed Blue Angels stunt-flying team and state-of-the-art IMAX Theatre. The base itself, originally the old Navy Yard, began back in 1825. A self-guided tour of the base will take you around to some of its oldest structures, as well as the site of the first Pensacola.
You haven’t seen Pensacola until you’ve seen it from the water! Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle gently down tea-colored rivers in neighboring Santa Rosa County. Rent a pontoon or sailboat to explore bays and bayous. Sailing charters let someone else do the driving while you enjoy the great weather and gorgeous scenery. If you’re especially adventurous, try parasailing or scuba diving.
Crabbing, scalloping or fishing are fun activities for almost any age. Try your luck for both fresh and saltwater varieties of fish, and if you don’t catch anything, a trip to one of the local seafood houses ensures you’ll still have fresh fish for dinner!
Ooh, and did someone say “dinner?” Being a resort town, Pensacola has an abundance of spots with local atmosphere, from elegant white linen and crystal to sauce-up-to-your-elbows barbeque. Take in views of the gulf, sound, bay or bayou as you dine, or savor the sights in historic downtown. And the best way to find just the right spot? Ask the locals. They’re a friendly lot and love to share their favorite finds with visitors.
After dinner, if you find yourself downtown or on the beach and aren’t quite ready to call it a night, step out to Seville Quarter, a huge entertainment complex in downtown Pensacola. Try Trader Jon’s, a historic tavern featuring live music on the weekends and aviation memorabilia, or The Dock at Casino Beach where you can dance the night away!
Because locals have moved here from all over the world, the arts and cultural scene is diverse, representing dozens of nationalities, endless festivals, and year-round cultural offerings. Pensacola has its own symphony, ballet troupe, Choral Society, Children’s Chorus, theater groups, and a community band! Two favorite events are Gallery Nights, which are held three times a year, where all of the downtown art galleries open their doors to the public. Trolleys shuttle people to various venues to enjoy food, live entertainment and art demonstrations as well. The other popular event is Evenings in Olde Seville, free concerts every Thursday night throughout the summer at the historic Seville Square gazebo. The Pensacola Civic Band, barbershoppers, a Broadway troupe, jazz and big bands are all a part of the summer series. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler, and sit back and enjoy a free evening’s worth of great music!
Outdoors is where most of the Pensacola
activity takes place. The weather’s great nearly all year, so
anytime is a great time to go hiking and camping in one of the beautiful
state parks or biking along miles of wooded and beachfront pathways.
Outdoor festivals celebrating Pensacola’s heritage, seafood, crawfish,
crabs, lobsters, art and music provide visitors with plenty to see and
do. Lucky you! You’re vacationing on the Emerald Coast…in
Pensacola! 
