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Pensacola is a bustling coastal city in the Florida Panhandle that is well-known for its beautiful beaches and naval history. It’s packed full of interesting attractions, and there are fun things to do for all visitors, no matter their age or interests. Let’s take a look at 16 must-see attractions in Pensacola and the surrounding area.
1. Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is a 160-mile stretch of white sand beaches that runs from the Florida Panhandle across the coast of Alabama and into Mississippi. You can reach it in just minutes from Downtown Pensacola and soon lose yourself in blissful, uncrowded nature and beautiful sandy beaches.
There are campgrounds, hiking and biking trails on dry land, and plenty of kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing spots along the National Seashore. Plus, you have lots of opportunities to catch sight of native marine wildlife, such as bottlenose dolphins, gopher tortoises, and sea turtles.
2. Pensacola’s Beaches
Pensacola and the surrounding area are hotspots for beaches, and you can’t visit the area without making the most of them. Pensacola Beach is the most famous one, and it’s ideal for surfing and sunbathing — especially if you’re looking for a buzzing atmosphere. It’s also where you can join dolphin cruise tours for a chance to spot bottlenose pods that call the Gulf of Mexico home. Casino Beach is another popular spot because it offers parking, beach chair rentals, and restaurants within easy reach.
Other must-see beaches to check out include:
- Opal Beach
- Langdon Beach at Fort Pickens
- Navarre Beach
- Pensacola Dog Beaches
- Quietwater Beach
3. Historic Pensacola Village
- Website: historicpensacola.org
- Address: 330 South Jefferson Street, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 12 pm – 4 pm Sunday (select museums only)
The Historic Pensacola Village is a fascinating, family-friendly attraction that makes up the University of West Florida Historic Trust Museum complex along with the Pensacola Museum of History, the Pensacola Museum of Art, and the Pensacola Children’s Museum. It consists of 28 restored heritage buildings and four museums that take you on a journey through Pensacola’s history.
Tickets provide access to all these attractions provided that you visit within one week of purchase, and guided tours are available if you want to learn more from experts.
4. Palafox Street
You can’t visit Pensacola without witnessing Palafox Street, a pedestrian area considered the city’s very heart. In 2013, Palafox Street was named one of the American Planning Association’s 10 Great Streets in America. Its eclectic architecture, which is a mix of British, French, and Spanish styles, was considered an important factor in its success.
Palafox Street is now home to a huge variety of shops, boutiques, art galleries, live music venues, bars, and eateries — many of which have tables set up outside in the shade so you can dine al fresco and soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
5. Palafox Market
- Website: palafoxmarket.com
- Address: 121 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 2 pm Saturday
The award-winning Palafox Market runs every Saturday in Martin Luther Square and is the perfect place to pick up local delicacies and crafts. Onsite vendors offer fresh, locally-grown produce, specialty baked goods, cheeses, meats, and desserts, and handmade artworks and cosmetics. This is the perfect place to visit to get a feel for that classic Southern hospitality that Pensacola locals are known for.
6. Historic Fort Pickens
- Website: nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-pickens-area
- Address: 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561
- Opening Hours: Entrance Station Gate: March 1 – October 31: 5 am – 8 pm daily / November 1 – February 28: 5 am – 6 pm
Fort Pickens Gate: 8 am – sunset daily
Fort Pickens was built in 1834 and once played a vital role in defending Pensacola Bay’s shipyards. It was one of just four forts to remain in Union hands during the American Civil War despite serious Confederate threats. The fort sits on a large, beautiful site that boasts peaceful walking trails and impressive views — it’s easy to spend the best part of a day here exploring the impressive brick-and-mortar fort and its portion of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
7. Perdido Key
Perdido Key is a 30-minute drive away from Downtown Pensacola and is an idyllic area to visit if you’re looking for natural beauty. Head to the scenic Perdido Key State Park to visit Perdido Key Beach and Johnson Beach, both of which tend to be a little less crowded than Pensacola Beach.
8. The Saenger Theatre
- Website: pensacolasaenger.com
- Address: 18 South Palafox Street, 22 E Intendencia St, Pensacola, FL
When it first opened in 1925, the Saenger Theatre was considered one of the most opulent and impressive venues in this region of Florida, and it hosted some of the world’s greatest musical and theatrical stars.
Unfortunately, the Great Depression dramatically hindered the theatre’s success, and it was converted into a movie theater before closing down in 1975. Two decades later, it underwent major renovations, and since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, showcasing a wide variety of popular shows.
9. Pensacola Museum of Art
- Website: pensacolamuseum.org
- Address: 407 South Jefferson Street, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 12 pm – 4 pm Sunday
Pensacola Museum of Art is housed in a former jail that dates back to 1906, and its building is as fascinating as its collections of art. Highlights include the Nettle Family Collection of antique glass artworks and the Levandowsky Collection of African masks. The museum also boasts works from renowned artists such as Picasso, Warhol, and Dali. Look out for lectures, classes, and temporary exhibitions during your visit.
10. Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium
- Website: milb.com/pensacola
- Address: 351 W Cedar St, Pensacola, FL
The Blue Wahoos Stadium is a relatively new ballpark having opened in 2012. It has a fun, informal atmosphere, and you can expect to see crazy contests and lively singalongs if you watch a game here. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are named after the wahoo fish, which is commonly found in the waters off the Gulf Coast, and are a Double-A affiliate team of the Miami Marlins. Since their inaugural season in 2012, they have won three Southern League championships!
11. National Naval Aviation Museum
- Website: navalaviationmuseum.org
- Address: 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
More than 150 Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft are on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, in addition to fascinating information about the people who designed, built, tested, and flew them.
There are more than 4,000 items of memorabilia in the museum, as well as thrilling flight simulators and 4D rides to help you get an idea of what it’s like to pilot a plane. This is also the place to come to watch practice flights of the Blue Angels, the famed U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron.
12. Big Lagoon State Park
- Website: floridastateparks.org/BigLagoon
- Address: 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 8 am – sunset daily
Big Lagoon State Park lies on the shoreline of Big Lagoon, a body of water that separates mainland Florida from Perdido Key. There’s no shortage of fun outdoor activities to do here. You can explore the waters by paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, or swimming. You could try your hand at fishing or give crabbing a try in the shallow waters. There are plenty of nature trails to explore if you enjoy walking or hiking, or you can head to West Beach to enjoy a picnic shaded by a pretty oak and pine forest.
13. Pensacola Lighthouse
- Website: pensacolalighthouse.org
- Address: 2081 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
Pensacola Lighthouse sits within the Naval Air Station, and it offers beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico to anyone willing to climb its 177 steps. It was built in 1859, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such is its importance in American history. You can learn all about it when you visit the adjacent Maritime Museum, which has an excellent range of displays related to the history of the US Coast Guard.
14. Fort Barrancas
- Website: nps.gov/guis/planyourvisit/fort-barrancas-area
- Address: 3182 Taylor Rd, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Saturday to Wednesday
Fort Barrancas was first completed in 1844 and was designed to protect the Pensacola naval base. It’s situated high on a bluff that overlooks Pensacola Bay’s entrance, and its sturdy walls measure 20 feet high and four feet thick. The fort is a marvel of military engineering and it’s incredibly well preserved.
Visitors can explore various hiking trails which allow you to explore artillery bunkers, ammunition depots, soldiers’ quarters, and underground passageways, and you can join ranger-led tours to make the most of your visit. This is a must-visit for history enthusiasts, but it’s also an incredibly scenic site for anyone who wants to appreciate the natural beauty of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
15. Seville Quarter
- Website: sevillequarter.com
- Address: 130 E Government St, Pensacola, FL
- Opening Hours: 1 am – 11 pm Monday to Wednesday / 11 am – 2 am Thursday to Saturday / 1 pm – 11 pm Sunday
The Seville Quarter in Downtown Pensacola is considered the epicenter of the city’s nightlife. It was originally known as Rosie O’Grady’s when it first opened in a former cigar warehouse in 1967, but it has since expanded into a complex of seven rooms and courtyards, each with a unique theme.
There’s something for everyone in the Seville Quarter, including live music, a dance club, a billiard parlor, a karaoke bar, poker games, a restaurant, a cafe, and the famed Duelling Piano Show in the original Rosie O’Grady’s Good Time Emporium.
16. Gulf Breeze Zoo
- Website: gbzoo.com
- Address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Tuesday to Friday / 10 am – 4 pm Saturday to Monday
More than 800 animals call Gulf Breeze Zoo home, including lions, orangutans, kangaroos, giant anteaters, clouded leopards, rhinos, zebras, gorillas, giraffes, hippos, and alligators. The zoo is set across 50 acres and features a narrated safari train journey to help you learn about some of the zoo’s most popular residents. There are also opportunities to feed some of the animals.
This is a great attraction for families, and since the zoo is involved in important conservation work, you can rest assured your visit will help to protect wildlife all over the world.
Plan Your Sightseeing Itinerary in Sunny Pensacola
Now you’re clued up on the best attractions in Pensacola; you can get started planning your itinerary for a fun getaway in this scenic region of Florida.
