Location: Pensacola Beach
Top Things to do in Pensacola Beach
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Top 10 Things to do in Pensacola Beach, United States
“Life’s a Beach” all right on Pensacola Beach where building sandcastles, body surfing and beachcombing are popular pastimes. Away from the sands, there are several don’t miss sights for the entire family, including the National Aviation Museum, which features 150 vintage aircraft, flight simulators and an IMAX Theatre, Fort Pickens, an historic military fort built in 1829, and the Pensacola Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Gulf Coast and also the tallest, standing 151 feet tall on a 40 foot bluff. To immerse yourself in the history of Pensacola, stroll the historic village, a pedestrian-friendly area with furnished historic homes, unique museums and the Colonial Archeological Trail. For the white dimpled ball set, try teeing up at Lost Key Golf Club, a target golf set up designed by Arnold Palmer and Marcus Pointe Golf club, an Earl Stone design. Don’t forget, there’s also great deep-sea fishing and other water activities like sailing, kayaking, diving and snorkeling to be actively pursued on Pensacola Beach.
Restaurants in Pensacola Beach
1. Pensacola Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Located on Santa Rosa Island, Pensacola Beach is a popular spot for family vacations.
Reviewed By Kristle E - Houston, Texas
Its everything you want in a beach location and more! March was still a little too cold to get into the water but the kids still made the most of it. I would love to visit in summer. The beaches are clean. The life guards were super sweet and helpful.
2. Gulf Islands National Seashore
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
This 150-mile stretch of seashore, which runs from Cat Island in Mississippi to Santa Rosa Island in Florida, offers sparkling blue water and many beautiful beaches along the way.
Reviewed By Brenda R - Kaukauna, Wisconsin
We went through the park to get to Fort Pickens. It was a speed limit of 25 miles an hour for several miles. The dunes got pretty boring pretty fast, and you couldn't see the water much of the time.
3. Blue Wahoos Ballpark
Overall Ratings
5 based on 686 reviews
Reviewed By just8keylimepie1969 - Pensacola Beach, Florida
The best minor league stadium! Looking over the water, with awesome seats all over. The food concessions have evolved over the years and getting better. Its not the best food it could be, but we try to eat before. The lines are very long at the beginning of the games.We would like to see more outside vendors for healthier food choices like fresh fish or chicken tacos.
4. Fort Pickens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of this authentic fort active during the Civil War and later used as a jail to hold the infamous American Indian chief Geronimo.
Reviewed By Aurora09 - New Jersey
This is part of the Gulf Island National Seashore. It’s at the western end of Pensacola Beach. There is a $20 fee to enter this part of the National Seashore, which covers other fee areas at the national seashore as well. The beaches leading to the fort is beautiful, with snow white sand, and turquoise ocean. There is pavilion at the Langdon beach with amenities.
The fort itself tells some history. Many forts have never seen any battle, but this one has. Walking around the fort also gives a nice view of both the gulf and the bay. This is a good place to spend an hour or so as a change of scenery from sun tanning at the beach.
5. Gulf Islands
Overall Ratings
5 based on 118 reviews
A historical area with beautiful beaches.
Reviewed By Ramblingman163 - Daphne, Alabama
Pick a day. Any day. The water will be gorgeous and the sand will be white. The breeze coming off the water will be just enough to cool you down in the warm sunshine. If it gets too hot, dip in the water. If it gets too windy, pick a bar or restaurant to relax in for a bit.
We head to the beach on a regular basis. Just to walk along the waterfront, or to people watch, or to have a quick lunch with a great view. It's one of the best reasons to live in this area.
6. Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 452 reviews
Reviewed By Chef2017 - Florida
Overall: Highly Recommended.
What can you stay except pay the $1.25 for some amazing views. If you are a fisher men than pay to fish, you will have a great time.
The views of the Emerald Green Water and the beach are amazing. Bring your camera for great photos.
If you haven't been you are missing out.
7. Veterans Memorial Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
The home of Wall South, the first permanent replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial. Founded in 1992 the Park has since grown and prospered. It now includes a WWI Memorial, a WWII Memorial, a Korean War Memorial, and a running series of plaques to honor local warriors who have fallen in the Global War on Terror. There is also a Purple Heart Memorial and a monument to the submarine lifeguards who rescued so many Navy pilots in WWII (including President George Herbert Walker Bash). Most recently, it is home to the Marine Corps Aviation Bell Tower, which has become a popular venue for local veteran's events and ceremonies. Our Park continues to grow. A Revolutionary War Memorial has been approved and will shortly join our other memorials. It will fill a gap of omission at the Park, honoring those whose sacrifice gave Americans a Nation worth defending. The next gap to be filled will be a memorial to honor the current generation of Americans who are fighting the Global War on Terror. Our community is steeped in military tradition and enriched with a strong military presence. The full range of service, sacrifice, duty and honor that comes with military service is amply illustrated in the example of our own citizens. This park is dedicated to the memories of those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of this nation.
Reviewed By BlueHighwayTraveler - Columbia, Tennessee
Having the only 'other' permanent memorial of the Wall (Viet Nam Memorial) this place has a special feel.
There are memorials to all soldiers to all wars of the US. Each has their own space. It is a quiet spot- and emotionally charged as well. A nice setting overall, with water and flora and fountains, a very good place for reflection and remembrance.
8. Park West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By bsaltima - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Of all the parks in Pensacola Beach, this one is the one to go! Parking available, picnic tables underneath pavilions, individual pavilions available, and a grill for each pavilion. Trash cans provided as well as coal disposal. There are water faucets available for rinsing and bathroom facilities. I love that this is FREE but hate getting stuck in traffic. Go early or go later in the day. Claim a pavilion, pitch a tent at the beach, and have fun in the very close by clear water.
9. Pensacola Beach East Dog Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By gldnpupper27 - Knoxville, TN
I used to live in the Pensacola area years ago, so I was so proud that Pensacola Beach created two Dog Beach areas for dogs, so we can enjoy the beach TOGETHER. Since on this trip we were staying in an RV park in Navarre, we found that the East Side Dog Beach was closer to us and more out of the fray of the houses, crowds and hotels of the other end. Our boy, Monte, had never been to the beach before, so we had no idea how he would do. Our first visit, he was hesitant and only stood at the waters edge..actually running away from incoming waves. Our second trip, he decided that this was pretty nice and we could hardly get him out of the water. He loved it!!!! He also loved being around all the other dogs, but mostly just wanted to play in the water with us. The day we were there, we did not see any owners not picking up after their pups, which was nice. Everyone was behaving. :) Now that we know this place is here...we will go back again when we are vacationing down there with Monte. I would have given a five start review for this dog park, BUT, I feel more beach should be given to the dogs, especially on this end of the beach...where there is plenty of beach to give. IT is much too small of an area on busy days. When they decide to widen the dog beach area....I will come back and give five starts....until then..it is four.
10. Naval Live Oaks Reservation
Overall Ratings
4 based on 78 reviews
Visitors can view wildlife and fabulous flora and fauna from one of the many nature trails in this 1,000 acres of woods.
Reviewed By Giggy - East Coast
We had a close encounter with Osprey. They were nesting and very active in a tree right by the Visitors Center. That was a thrill to see them up close and personal. Visitors Center is not open 7 days a week, be sure to check their hours before scheduling a trip.
They offer free Kayaking lessons as well.
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