Pensacola, Florida makes an ideal family vacation destination. Farther removed from the Daytona/Panama City party spots, it is full of rich history and culture, and still, retains that southern coastal charm people have learned to expect from the south.
So, what does Pensacola have to offer?
Since I’m a Pensacola native and love the area, let me help you answer that.  Here’s my first tip.  Try to schedule your vacation during one of Pensacola’s awesome festivals or Art Gallery Nights.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach’s famous sugar-white sands and vibrant green waters make it a gem on the Emerald Coast. Come play in the warm water, build a sand castle or hit a local restaurant.  Some of the best seafood restaurants in the country call Pensacola Beach home. Here’s looking at you Peg Leg Pete’s and Flounders.
Are you looking for more adventure and a little less lazy? Rent a wave runner for some all out water fun – or see the beach like you’ve never seen it before.  Soar 1/4 mile above the water in a parachute tethered to a speed boat.  Watch wild dolphins jump in the emerald waters and see the crystalline sand glisten in the sun.  Parasailing isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s a great teen and adventurous adult activity.
Just because Pensacola Beach is quiet and family oriented, doesn’t mean it’s not a nighttime hot spot.  When the sun goes down, the temperature goes up, and beach goers get a great night life experience with the best live, local bands and beach bars.
Alicia’s Tip:Â Don’t forget the sunblock. Â Also, a beach umbrella is a worthwhile investment.
Fort Pickens Gulf Island National Seashore
Plan a day to visit Fort Pickens.  This massive complex is a substantial part of, not only Florida history but also American history.  Learn about the fort’s history from the Civil War forward.  The fort once housed Apache prisoners, including Geronimo (GoyaaĹ‚Ă©), and held a prominent place in American history.
Situated on the beautiful Gulf Islands National Seashore, climbing to the highest points of this massive fort affords gorgeous views of the surrounding beaches. Â You can see the emerald coast and shining white quartz beaches reaching for miles.
If you are traveling by RV, make reservations and camp at the Fort Pickens Camp Ground. Â It’s convenient to Downtown and Pensacola Beach.
Alicia’s Tip: Don’t forget the camera! Â Fort Pickens’ unusual architecture makes a great spot for memorable vacation photos.
Naval Aviation Museum
When you’ve had enough sand and surf, visit the largest aviation museum in the world. Pensacola is also home to the Blue Angels and hosts the Naval Aviation Museum.  Since it’s free to public and open daily (except Christmas and Thanksgiving), it is a natural fit with your vacation schedule.
Attractions include a Lunar Module Replica, Blue Angels aircraft, and some of the earliest planes to take to the clouds. Don’t miss the flight simulators, either. Â If after walking the 300,000+ square-foot museum, you need a break, catch a movie in the newly updated Laser Powered Giant Screen Digital Theater.
Alicia’s Tip: Since most of the museum is indoors, it makes a great mid-week visit when you’ve had enough sun. Â If you plan your visit right, you may even catch the Blues practicing – or get to see one of their shows.
Pensacola Lighthouse
Don’t venture far from the Naval Aviation Museum just yet.  After the museum closes, stop in at the Pensacola Lighthouse and enjoy the Kid Friendly Light of the Moon Tour.  Local legend holds that the lighthouse is haunted.  In addition to learning about the 1800’s Keeper’s Quarters, the staff regales visitors with ghostly encounters. The visit culminates with a trek to the top for a stunning Gulf of Mexico panorama.
Alicia’s Tip: If everyone in your party is 13+, you may enjoy the Ghost Hunt instead. Imagine exploring a legendary haunted lighthouse with real ghost hunting equipment!
Canoeing, Zip Lining, Kayaking, Camping and Tubing
If you are up for a little bit of a drive, Adventures Unlimited offers the best low-key water adventures on the Gulf Coast. Â Get lost in nature. Â Enjoy the day canoeing, kayaking, or tubing. Or, simply sun on one of the deserted river islands. Â You can also camp under the stars with the overnight river excursion.
Alicia’s Tip: This is a genuine woodland adventure.  So, be sure to bring hats, sunblock, sunglasses, and a food-filled cooler.  Also, bring a bag so you can round-up your trash.  Remember, you may encounter indigenous Florida wildlife including snakes, spiders, or alligators.
Geocaching Tour
Create an account on Geocaching.com, bring your GPS and enjoy one of four Pensacola Bay Area Geocaching tours. Each tour focuses on a different unique quality.
Learn about Escambia County’s wildlife major conservation efforts on the Escambia County Tour.
The UWF tour explores the University of West Florida’s campus. It includes the Edward Ball Nature Preserve Trail and Boardwalk.
If you complete the Explore Pensacola Geotour you earn souvenir Geocaching coins. Â This fun tour focuses on Pensacola’s long history under five flags and some of our older architecture
Alicia’s Tip: Don’t forget the GPS.
Now, the only question is when you come to Pensacola, what will you do first?
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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33 Comments
30 minute Oven Baked Shrimp Risotto with Basil and Pecans • TaylorLife
July 16, 2017 - 11:41 pm[…] up in a coastal town in the Florida panhandle, I developed a deep love for fresh seafood. Â Shrimp is a favorite. I even […]
Hollybee
March 8, 2016 - 8:12 amI would love to check out the fort and of course the beach! I am a huge history gal and love anything to do with it, so yes the fort would be a must stop for me!!
Alicia Taylor
March 8, 2016 - 12:13 pmIf history is your thing, Pensacola is the place. We are the first established settlement in the US.
Tamason Gamble
March 4, 2016 - 3:03 pmWow, this looks like a great place for an adventure. What would I do first? Probably put up a tent for camping and then jump in the kayak!
Adriana
March 4, 2016 - 2:48 pmIt looks like you had so much fun! Pensacola is gorgeous!
Alicia Taylor
March 4, 2016 - 5:38 pmI live here – we always have a blast
Janeane Davis
March 4, 2016 - 7:01 amThe first thing I would like to do is hit the beach and then I would like to see the lighthouse at night. That would bookend a great day for me!
Michele
March 4, 2016 - 3:14 amI think the first thing I would do is the geocaching. I have never done that and it sounds so interesting! Then it would be off to those white sand-sit under an umbrella and read (probably dripping wet from the swim in those gorgeous waters!
Carol Bryant
March 4, 2016 - 12:03 amI would love to explore anywhere I could take my dog with me, as I love pet-friendly vacations. It looks like a fab place to get to know!
Alicia Taylor
March 4, 2016 - 5:39 pmThere are many pet-friendly trails and areas in Pensacola. We are an animal loving place.
laura
March 3, 2016 - 10:41 pmthis looks like such a great place to go on vacation!
chastity
March 3, 2016 - 8:18 pmThis makes me want to plan a vacation now! I haven’t been to Florida in 10 years…guess its time to go back!
Keikilani
March 3, 2016 - 6:58 pmI’d totally be hitting the beach first! Been too long since I have been in the ocean.
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 6:59 pmWell, it’s not the ocean. It’s the Gulf of Mexico – so the water isn’t nearly as cold.
Pam
March 3, 2016 - 6:30 pmWe love visiting Pensacola! It’s not too far from us. The lighthouse is really cool to check out.
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 6:58 pmI really want to check out that Ghost tour. We are local, so we visit the museum quite a bit, but I haven’t been to the lighthouse in years.
Lois Alter Mark
March 3, 2016 - 5:58 pmWow, it sounds like there are so many great things to do there! I’d love to do the Light of the Moon tour. It sounds like a blast!
Nicole Escat
March 3, 2016 - 5:01 pmFirst, I’m going to our room, and then going to the beach. I’d like to have a vacation with my family.
Jessica
March 3, 2016 - 4:33 pmI’m a wicked beach bum and have a slight infatuation with lighthouses. My favorite must-see would be a visit to the Pensacola Lighthouse! I’d love to do the “haunted” night tour!
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 7:00 pmMe too!
Neely
March 3, 2016 - 3:40 pmWow this seems like a great place to vacation!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
March 3, 2016 - 3:16 pmWe like zip lining so that would be fun.
Heather Lawrence
March 3, 2016 - 2:14 pmI would love to go and dig my feet in that brilliant white sand. We never had a chance to visit Pensacola when we were in Florida (we ran out of time) so I am going to have to add this to our must visit list.
Vera Sweeney
March 3, 2016 - 11:55 amWe would do the beach first! I love the weather and everything about Florida when we have gone.
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 11:56 amHave you ever been to the beaches in the panhandle? They are completely different than other beaches in the state.
Ashley @irishred02
March 3, 2016 - 8:54 amI would love to be there right now instead of here where we are going to get more snow lol
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 11:09 amLOL so opposite of me. We just moved back home from Minneapolis. If I never see snow again, I’m happy
robin masshole mommy
March 3, 2016 - 5:53 amWe don’t camp, but if there are hotels in the area, we would love to visit that area!
Alicia Taylor
March 3, 2016 - 11:08 amYep – there are hotels – there are several on the beach and not far from Downtown
Jaime
March 2, 2016 - 8:34 pmFirst things first, I’d have to check out the beach! I have friends who have lived in and visited Pensacola, but it’s one of the cities I haven’t visited in Florida yet! I need to change that soon.
Alicia Taylor
March 2, 2016 - 8:36 pmIf you haven’t visited the Gulf Coast, you are in for a treat. The beaches are beautiful, but we offer more than just beaches!
Pat Mallette
March 2, 2016 - 3:08 pmThe City Council should pay you for this!
Alicia Taylor
March 2, 2016 - 7:50 pmI wouldn’t argue if they wanted to do that 🙂