Winter in Pensacola is Fabulous!
Pensacola, FL -Although the calendar says summer is over, warm weather still lingers into fall and winter in Pensacola. This historic city, comfortably nestled in the westernmost corner of Florida's Panhandle, is well worth a visit... or two - especially in the winter months! The good news for visitors is that higher summer prices left with the summer crowds. In many ways, it's the best time of the year to visit... the crowds are gone, lodging prices are low, festivals occur almost every weekend and the world class, white-sand beaches are wide open... all yours for the taking!
Pensacola offers the best of all worlds to visitors. From history and shopping to sports, nature and attractions, there's something for everyone. The Seville Historic District is one of the oldest and most intact in all of Florida, its architecture reflecting modest structures perfectly suited to the climate. Within this small neighborhood is Old Christ Church, Florida's oldest church (1832), and St. Michael's Cemetery, deeded to Pensacola by the King of Spain in 1822.
There's racing excitement at
Five Flags Speedway and the Civic Center hosts their own
professional hockey league, the Pensacola Ice Pilots.
You won't want to miss the Pensacola Historical Museum with its overviews of the nations whose flags flew over Pensacola, and the Civil War Soldiers Museum, which focuses on life in Pensacola during those years. Popular with military reunions, however, is the Wall South at Veterans Memorial Park on Bayfront Parkway. It's a one-half scale exact replica of the design in Washington, D.C. The world-class National Museum of Naval Aviation showcases the history of aviation through indoor and outdoor exhibits and the museum admission is free. There's racing excitement at Pensacola Greyhound Track and Five Flags Speedway and the Civic Center hosts their own professional hockey league, the Pensacola Ice Pilots. Still looking for something to do?
Pensacola also boasts many beautiful parks with fountains, play areas and often water access. You can feed the ducks at Bayview Park or watch an osprey return to its nest with a freshly caught fish at Big Lagoon State Park. Public boat ramps allow for fun on the water...just pick up a copy of the Florida Boater's Guide from the Marine Patrol across from the Visitors Information Center at the foot of the Bay Bridge. And speaking of the bridge, the old Pensacola Bay Bridge is one of the longest fishing piers in the US - for small change, you can fish right in the middle of the bay!
Shopping is terrific, too! Downtown Pensacola is filled with specialty shops, wonderful coffee shops, cafes or eateries for lunch, or just an afternoon latte. The downtown area showcases wonderful art galleries featuring both local and regional art, as well as traveling exhibits in the Pensacola Musuem of Art. If antique shopping entices you, antique stores and flea markets pepper the area from the elegant to the eclectic. Why not spend some time in Pensacola - you'll see why they say it's where thousands live the way millions wish they could!
