Location: Pensacola
Top Things to do in Pensacola
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What to do and see in Pensacola, Florida (FL): The Best Things to do
If you're looking for some great Florida beaches but aren't necessarily interested in a mega-resort or theme park atmosphere, Pensacola might just be the place for your perfect weekend. Home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, the city offers some of the best fishing and boating in the area. Inland, canoeing enthusiasts won't want to miss the beauty of the Blackwater River. Closer to town, the city has a proud military heritage, which can be seen at attractions like the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Restaurants in Pensacola
1. National Naval Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,454 reviews
Experience the magic of flight at the National Naval Aviation Museum! See over 4,000 artifacts and 150 aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. Ride the flight simulators or catch all the drama and power of amazing IMAX films. Dine in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe and take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from the Flight Deck Store. Spend a cool day inside the Museum and experience Hands-on-History! New Naval Air Station Entrance: All visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Pensacola Lighthouse who do not possess a Department of Defense identification card or are unescorted by the holder of a Department of Defense identification card, will be required to enter the installation via the West Gate located off Blue Angel Parkway.
Reviewed By 763cathrynd
State of the art aviation museum for all ages! Has it all! 2 story quality museum along with a gift shop, iMax theater, restaurant in the beautiful setting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL! Easy to spend anywhere from 2-5 hours there! It’s awesome! Cost? FREE!
2. Pensacola Naval Air Station
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,091 reviews
Homebase for the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, Pensacola NAS is also home to the Pensacola Lighthouse, the National Museum of Naval Aviation and Fort Barrancas, an early 19th-century garrison.
Reviewed By richardsR7890HZ
Visiting parents graves,barranco national cemetery is very well maintained and the personnel are very helpful,also the naval aviation museum has so much history and is a phenomenal, a great place to enjoy your day.
3. Blue Wahoos Ballpark
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 784 reviews
Reviewed By 873ra - Pensacola, United States
We finally made it to a Blue Wahoos game after talking about it for the first few years we lived here... sorry it took us so long! This is a really nice ballpark... beautiful setting, right on Pensacola bay! They have a wide selection of food and drinks... wine, beer and cocktails. It was very hot, but hey, it’s Florida in July so no surprise there. We had a blast in spite of the heat. We will be regular visitors next season! It’s very family friendly, things other than watching the game for the kids if they’re not interested in the game. Can’t say enough good things about this minor league ballpark.. it’s great!
4. Pensacola Bay Cruises
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
MARCH 6th-NOVEMBER 1st, 2020: -Pensacola Bay Cruises is a passenger ferry service that moves people between three destinations: Downtown Pensacola (750 Commendencia St in Pensacola), Pensacola Beach aka Quietwater Boardwalk (400 Quietwater Beach Rd in Pensacola Beach) and Fort Pickens at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Pensacola Bay Cruises offers a single fare for multiple destinations throughout the day, as well as Group Rates. Pensacola Bay Cruises use two 145-passenger ferries which feature concessions, restrooms, an indoor climate-controlled seating area and an upper level for beautiful panoramic views. Our Mine Storeroom is located near the Ft. Pickens ferry dock and offers drinks for purchase! MARCH-SEPTEMBER: -Blue Angel Practice Cruises. Catch our hometown heroes perform their practice shows over NAS Pensacola. -Sunset Cruises; watch the sun go down over Pensacola Bay.
Reviewed By DawnaBrown - Gulf Breeze, United States
Had a great time on the three hour cruise we took. Met some fun people, both locals and tourists. The air show practice was really cool and it didn't matter if they only used the grey/white smoke, still awesome to watch them fly. I'm sad to hear they'll be stopping service. Sure hope the park service can figure out another provider.
5. Fort Barrancas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Located in the Pensacola Naval Station, this is the site of the first U.S. Naval yard that was built in 1821.
Reviewed By James42558 - Ortonville, United States
We are glad that we had the chance to visit and learn more about this part of our American history! Huge complex, so allow time to go through it! If you have difficulty walking and climbing, you may not be able to see all of it though, but you can see the lower levels of it and certain buildings.
6. Historic Pensacola Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 343 reviews
Historic village consists of twenty properties belonging to the Pensacola National Register Historic District, including several museums and the Colonial Archaeological Trail.
Reviewed By hennybogan2017 - Toronto, Canada
When your tour guide dresses in appropriate costume, has a wealth of stories and is actually a university grad in maritime studies, then you’re in for a real treat. I loved to visit the many old houses on the tour, supplemented by guide Robbie’s subtle remarks and even subtler innuendos. Lots of intriguing contrasts between early Victorian houses and houses later in that era, plus those of wealthy families and working class people. The tour includes artifacts and such materials as a rope bed tightener and a real live chamber pot. A four block section of buildings is preserved through the joint efforts of the city and the University of West Florida. Tickets are good for one week, a helpful feature since covering everything could take all day. The tour finishes at Old Christ Church built in 1832 and the pews and stained glass windows are fascinating. And if you appear in costume, you just might merit a free one at nearby Pensacola Bay Brewery.
7. Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,531 reviews
NOTICE TO GUESTS: We are located on Naval Air Station Pensacola. NAS Pensacola is currently open only to current DoD ID card holders and certain Veterans Health Identification Card holders. Unless sponsored through the Trusted Traveler program, no civilians will be granted access onto the base until further notice, and thus will not be able to access the Lighthouse. The Best View in Town! Climb 177 steps up the historic Pensacola Lighthouse for one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. Built in 1859, the lighthouse is located on board NAS Pensacola. The tower offers stunning views of Pensacola Bay, the Pensacola skyline, and the historic Navy Yard.
Reviewed By loring556 - Saint Louis, United States
This is a must see and do in Pensacola. The lighthouse, keeper's house, and gift shop are well worth the effort to visit. And if one has the courage, a climb to the top of the lighthouse is offered. Beware, it is 19 stories tall. The museum is quite extensive and is house in the keeper's house. This is the tallest lighthouse on Florida's Gulf Coast. It is located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, so visitors must present two forms of ID to enter.
8. Johnson Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Reviewed By CraigW882 - Crossville, United States
We were pleased to find this nice beach near Big Lagoon State Park, where there is lots of residual damage from Hurricane Sally in September 2020. It was free entry for us because we are OLD and have a lifetime National Parks pass. Otherwise you have to pay at the gate. We rode our bikes past the pavilion where the road is open only to foot and bike travel. You can have your own section of beach out there! If you time it right, the Blue Angels might fly overhead.
9. Uncle Sandy's Macaw Bird Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Open by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Masks required. We are non-profit Bird Sanctuary for exotic birds that for one reason or another can not be cared for by their previous companions. These wonderful creatures sometimes live a long as 80 to 100 years and outlive their favorite person. Since we are solely staffed by volunteers and are funded by the $5 admission fee.
Reviewed By LisaAnneOhara - Arlington, United States
We can't get enough of this adorable bird park. The volunteers are so friendly and informative, and they give us a little bucket full of food to hand feed all the birds. I stop by as frequently as I can to just say "hi" to all the feather~babies whom I've grown to love. The park is run 100% by volunteers and donations, so I try to bring some unsalted peanuts, apples or oranges with me as a donation, or slip a few extra dollars into the donation box. The money goes to such a great cause, and these birds are so well cared for...you can tell they are all loved.
10. Big Lagoon State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 223 reviews
The park offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts.
Reviewed By kerryd0710 - Jackson, United States
We came here to camp because of social distancing during the pandemic. I’m so glad we did! What a treasure! The park has several neat hikes best done around sunrise or sunset during the summer. There is a 4-story observation tower that we took advantage of two nights for glorious sunsets. On our last night I saw several other trails from the observation area so we plan to return. The campground is quiet, with mostly private sites. We enjoyed taking advantage of staying over night to take the trails. There is a small resident alligator which my 4 year old loved. They rent kayaks, but I saw some campers bring their own & do a lovely sunset kayak trip in the lagoon. There is a private beach along the intercoastal waterway, which we spent time at one day while my son collected snails & hermit crabs. If you don’t mind the 5 minute car ride, you can visit beautiful Johnson’s Beach in the National Seashore on the Gulf of Mexico. We have an America the Beautiful pass, so our visit to Johnson’s Beach was free. It is normally $25 per car. However, there are several free Gulf beaches all around. We fell in love with this park on our last visit & have already scheduled another!
