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Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and a popular sunny vacation destination. Not only does Pensacola have some of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast, but it’s also home to some fascinating historical and cultural sights, such as the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Pensacola Museum of Art.
If you prefer to venture off the beaten track when you travel, you might be curious about Pensacola’s lesser-known attractions. Here are 18 hidden gems to check out when you next visit Pensacola.
1. O’Zone Pizza Pub
- Website: ozonepizza.wordpress.com
- Address: 1010 N 12th Ave #111, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Wednesday to Sunday
O’Zone Pizza Pub resides in a former hospital that was built in 1915 in the late Gothic revival style. This grand building is a beautiful venue for a pizza parlor and other small businesses, and it’s also said to house a few ghosts.
O’Zone Pizza Pub is in the building’s basement, and it serves up old-school charm along with its delicious pies and craft beers. After dining, wander around other parts of the hospital to check out displays of antique medical equipment and curiosities.
2. Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
- Website: floridastateparks.org/tarkiln-bayou-preserve-state-park
- Address: 2401 Bauer Road, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 8 am – sunset daily
The Tarkiln Bayou Preserve is known as one of the best spots in Florida to see rare white-top pitcher plants. These carnivorous plants snack on insects by luring them in with their sweet nectar and bright colors, and they can only be found on the stretch of the Gulf Coast that lies between the Mississippi and Apalachicola Rivers.
When you stroll along the boardwalks and nature trails in Tarkiln Bayou Preserve, you’ll see copious pitcher plants and hundreds of other flora and fauna species. Look out for snapping turtles, alligators, raccoons, and opossums.
3. USS Oriskany Artificial Reef
In 2006, the USS Oriskany, a 44,000-ton aircraft carrier, was purposefully sunk to create an artificial reef. The carrier originally served in the Korean and Vietnam wars before being decommissioned in 1976.
Within months of its sinking, the carrier became home to plants and shellfish, and after almost two decades, it now supports a huge variety of life, including octopuses, manta rays, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and tiger sharks. Parts of the Oriskany are accessible to divers of all skill levels, but only pros should attempt to enter the labyrinthian structure itself.
4. Wreck of the USS Massachusetts
The USS Massachusetts was one of three ships commissioned in 1890 by Congress, but its poor design caused it to endure extensive accidents and repairs. It was retired and recommissioned twice before being brought to Pensacola’s naval base to serve as target practice.
The ocean has since taken it over and, much like the USS Oriskany, is teeming with marine life. Divers should visit with an experienced local boat captain who knows the area well because the shallow waters make it tricky to park safely.
5. Pensacola Graffiti Bridge
- Website: thegraffitibridge.com
- Address: N 17th Ave, Pensacola, FL
The 17th Avenue Railroad Trestle Bridge has been a Pensacola landmark since 1888, and locals have decorated it for generations. Artworks include drawings, paintings, community announcements, professions of love, messages of hope, and celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Artists understand that nothing on the bridge is permanent, and the ever-changing nature of its artwork is an important part of the bridge’s charm.
6. Wall South Vietnam Memorial
- Website: veteransmemorialparkpensacola.org
- Address: 200 S. 10th Ave, Pensacola, FL
Wall South is a half-sized replica of Washington D.C.’s Vietnam Veterans Wall. A mobile replica of this original structure traveled around America in the 80s, and after it passed through Pensacola, the local community felt so moved by it that the idea for a permanent replica was born.
You can visit Wall South in the Veterans Memorial Park along with other structures memorializing the American Revolution, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the War on Terror.
7. Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve
- Website: nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/naval-live-oaks-area
- Address: 1801 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL
- Opening Hours: 8 am – sunset daily
Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve is a part of the incredible 135,000-acre Gulf Islands National Seashore. It occupies a peninsula that lies between Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. It was initially preserved by President John Quincy Adams in 1828 as part of a wider program for protecting oak trees for shipbuilding. Today, the preserve offers some of the best hiking trails in the Pensacola Beach region.
8. Galvez Statue of Pensacola
- Website: galvezmonument.com
- Address: N Palafox St &, E Wright St, Pensacola, FL
General Bernardo de Gálvez sailed into Pensacola Bay in 1781 to aid West Floridian colonists in their fight against the British. He played a vital role in the American Revolution and Florida’s history, and he is honored by way of this impressive bronze statue. It sits at the intersection of Palafox Street and Wright Street, so be sure to drop by when you’re exploring historic Pensacola.
9. The Wharf in Orange Beach
- Website: alwharf.com
- Address: 23101 Canal Rd., Orange Beach, AL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Monday to Saturday / 12 – 6 pm Sunday
The Wharf in Orange Beach is just over 30 miles away from Pensacola, and the drive into this portion of Alabama is incredibly beautiful when you travel along the coastline and appreciate the impressive views of the Gulf of Mexico. There’s plenty to do in the Wharf, which is known as a family-friendly entertainment hub. You can shop, eat, catch a movie, see live music, play arcade games, or ride the Ferris wheel.
10. Pensacola Pedal Trolley
- Website: pensacolapedals.com
- Address: 700 North Guillemard St, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: Check the website for schedules.
Pedal trolleys are a fun and eco-friendly way to take in the sights of a new destination, and the Downtown Pensacola trolley will help you get the lay of the land of the most historic portion of the city. Tours last around 90 minutes, including many photo opportunities and stops at popular breweries, bars, and pubs.
11. Historic Pensacola Museum of Commerce
- Website: historicpensacola.org/museum-of-commerce
- Address: 201 Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday
The Historic Pensacola Museum of Commerce offers a glimpse of a bygone era by recreating stores that were typical of the 1890s. A variety of fascinating artifacts are on display, including toys, household goods, and an antique trolley car that was once in service in the local area.
12. Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center
- Website: navarrebeachseaturtles.org
- Address: 8740 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday
The sandy beaches of Florida are common nesting sites for sea turtles, and those within the Gulf Islands National Seashore are protected to help conserve these beloved, endangered creatures. Visit the Sea Turtle Conservation Center in Navarre Beach to learn about the turtles, their nesting habits, and the threats they face.
You’ll also get a chance to see Sweet Pea, a green sea turtle who was rescued with serious injuries in 2016 and has since been the center’s resident ambassador. Navarre Beach is also a popular site for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking, so you can easily spend a full day in this part of Pensacola.
13. Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
- Website: navarrebeachpier.com
- Address: 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, FL
- Opening Hours: 5 am – 11 pm daily
The fishing pier at Navarre Beach is 1,545 feet long and sits 30 feet above the water, which means that it offers awesome ocean views, particularly at sunset. It’s also an excellent spot for anglers, and rod rentals are available for those who want to take a shot at catching some fresh seafood for dinner.
14. New Orleans
The lively Louisiana city of New Orleans lies some 200 miles west of Pensacola, and it’s a fantastic destination for an epic road trip if you don’t want to spend your entire vacation in Florida. It takes around three hours to get there by car, but there are plenty of beautiful white-sand beaches to stop at along the way if you want to break up the drive.
Spend a night or two in New Orleans to enjoy its incredible Southern cuisine, vibrant music and entertainment scene, and charming historic French Quarter.
15. St. Michael’s Cemetary
- Website: stmichaelscemetery.org
- Address: 6 N Alcaniz St, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
St. Michael’s Cemetary is one of the oldest places in Pensacola, having first been used as a burial ground in the mid-1700s. It wasn’t officially labeled a cemetery until 1807, when the King of Spain formally named it. A diverse range of people have been buried here, making this an important open-air museum that serves as a reminder of Florida’s history.
16. Blue Morning Gallery
- Website: bluemorninggallery.com
- Address: 21 S Palafox Pl, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Monday & Tuesday / 10 am – 8.30 pm Wednesday to Saturday / 11 am – 6 pm Sunday
Blue Morning Gallery showcases the work of skilled Pensacola artists and nurtures the development of new talent within the city. More than 58 local artists are featured, and there are artworks in a wide variety of styles and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and photography.
17. Pensacola From Above
- Website: fergusonairport.com/hang10
- Address: Ferguson Airport, 9750 Aileron Avenue, Pensacola, FL
For a unique look at Pensacola’s key landmarks, head to Ferguson Airport for a helicopter tour. You’ll get an impressive bird’s eye view of the likes of Pensacola Lighthouse, Fort Pickens, Palafox Market, Big Lagoon State Park, and Blue Wahoos Stadium.
18. Johnson Beach
- Website: nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/perdido-key-area
- Address: Johnson Beach Rd., Perdido Key, FL
- Opening Hours: March 1 – October 31: 5 am – 8 pm daily / November 1 – February 28: 5 am – 6 pm daily
If you’re looking for a day on the beach that has true natural beauty, head to Johnson Beach in Perdido Key State Park. It takes around 40 minutes to reach it from Pensacola itself, and this distance tends to keep the beach relatively quiet and peaceful. The area is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, but the Discovery Nature Trail meanders through pretty pine trees, dunes, and salt marshes.
Which Pensacola Hidden Gems Will You Discover?
Pensacola is packed with fascinating hidden gems to take you off the beaten path. Which of these lesser-known sights will you visit on your next getaway to this popular Gulf Coast city?
