Pensacola, Florida is a hidden gem that often goes overlooked by tourists. However, with its miles of white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and abundance of historical attractions, there’s much to see and do in this vibrant city! Here are some tips for visiting Pensacola to make the most of your trip and enjoy exploring this wonderful beach community. Let’s start planning your trip!
There are many things that make Pensacola unique from other parts of Florida, but one of the most defining features is its eclectic mix of cultures. From the traditional Southern vibe in the older neighborhoods to the more contemporary feel in newer areas, it feels like a beach town with a bit of New Orleans flair!
Add in a fascinating military history and rich art scene and you have one of the Florida panhandle’s best towns! So let’s talk more about the coolest things to see and do – I’m sharing Pensacola travel tips in each section below.
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Tips For Visiting Pensacola
Pensacola Tip #1: Get A Sense of the Geography
When most people hear the name Pensacola, they automatically think of the beach. But there are actually 3 different areas to explore! Pensacola refers to the main, and largest part of town. As you head south and cross the Pensacola Bay bridge, you enter the community of Gulf Breeze. And if you head further south again, across the Santa Rosa sound, you’re in Pensacola Beach. There are things to do in all 3 areas, but it’s good to know that they’re all distinct and separate from one another.
You might be wondering what the difference is. They all have beautiful white sand beaches and stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, but there are some key distinctions. For example, Pensacola is a bigger city with more to offer in terms of culture and nightlife, while Gulf Breeze is smaller and more peaceful. Pensacola Beach is known for its lively party atmosphere, while visitors to Santa Rosa Island often come for the tranquility and nature preserves.
If you’re wondering… What is the closest airport?
Pensacola has it’s own international airport! PNS is the airport code you would search for when booking flights. The next nearest option is Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS) and that’s 67 miles away. Start planning your trip on booking.com to find good deals!
Booking.comPensacola Tip #2: Discover The Military History
The city of Pensacola, Florida is known for its rich military history. Dating back to 1698 when Spanish explorers claimed the area, Pensacola has been home to a number of military installations and bases. It’s even called the “city of five flags” due to the five national governments who have controlled the area at various times.
The largest and most well-known is Naval Air Station Pensacola, which is the home of the famous Blue Angels. Other important military sites in Pensacola include Fort Barrancas and Fort Pickens. These historic forts offer a glimpse into America’s past military campaigns and battles. My second tip for visiting Pensacola is to tour the forts – they are fascinating to explore!
If you’re wondering… What is Pensacola known for?
Pensacola is home to the Blue Angels, the US Navy’s elite flight team that does phenomenal demonstrations. They are based in Pensacola, practice there, and also host air shows every July and November. The military history in Pensacola is so interesting – book your tour with Viator and get free cancellation (score!) You can also try a hop on/off tour to fully explore the city:
Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Pensacola
from: Viator, A Tripadvisor Company
Pensacola Tip #3: Be Prepared For Fantastic Views
Whether you’re looking for a place to take in the sunsets or snap a few pictures of the cityscape, here are some great spots to check out. The beaches are an obvious choice for gorgeous sunrises, sunsets and clear turquoise water. If you’re not into swimming or sunbathing, the Pensacola Pier is a great option for a stroll.
Other options include the historic district for charming streetscapes and lovely architecture, and the Pensacola Lighthouse for panoramic views into Alabama and along the coastline. Bay Bluffs Park is a hidden gem in Pensacola where you can check out scenic bluffs – I highly recommend!
If you’re wondering… Does Pensacola have a pier?”
Yes! The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and for $1.25 you can walk out and see fantastic views of the beach, coastline, and marine life. It’s well worth it. Another place to get great views? From the water! Surfing lessons are a fun way to see Pensacola from a different perspective:
Learn to Surf – Pensacola Beach
from: Viator, A Tripadvisor Company
Pensacola Tip #4: Explore The Historic District
The Seville Historic District in downtown Pensacola is a super charming and walkable place to explore, filled with cool architecture, great restaurants and shopping. It’s situated right on the Pensacola Bay and adjacent to a marina, so you always feel like you’re in a small and quaint coastal village. My 4th tip for visiting Pensacola is to make sure you check out this unique part of town!
There are some really interesting places to check out, like museums, parks, the weekly farmer’s market, and lots of nightlife as well. You can’t miss out on this part of Pensacola! It’s 100% worth a visit. I’m a huge fan of Groupon and have used them while traveling to score deals at restaurants, attractions, nail salons (my fave) – check here before you go for Pensacola getaway deals! If you want to be in the historic district, look for “Seville Quarter” or “Palafox” in the location description.
If you’re wondering… Is Pensacola a party town?
You can definitely enjoy the nightlife in downtown Pensacola around Seville Quarter and Palafox Street. It’s not as much a “party town” as Panama City Beach is, but there’s still opportunity to go out on the town.
Pensacola Tip #5: Embrace The Local Charm
There are so many unique things to do in Pensacola that you won’t find anywhere else! Did you know they have a local soda company that makes really off-the-wall and seasonal flavors? Or that you can visit the “graffiti bridge” for some cool edgy photo opps? And if you’re into sports, you’ll want to check out the Blue Wahoos baseball team which has a really awesome stadium right on the water!
If you’re wondering… Is Pensacola worth visiting?”
100% yes in my book! Considering all the towns along Florida’s gulf coast, Pensacola and the surrounding area has so much variety in things to do and is a wonderful, laid back beach community that isn’t too touristy. There are lots of good restaurants too! Below are some options from Viator, a TripAdvisor company that offers awesome tours:
- Ghosts and Graveyard Tour of Pensacola
- Price: $25.00
- Pensacola Inshore Fishing Charters
- Price: $560.69
- Pensacola Scavenger Hunt: Pensacola Adventure
- Price: $12.31
Pensacola Tip #6: Enjoy The Stunning Beaches and Waters
Much like the rest of the Gulf Coast, Pensacola is known for their outstanding (almost unbelievably) blue green water and gorgeous white sand. The beaches are absolutely stunning, they're clean, and they're 100% public. Other places in the Florida Panhandle it’s common to see private beaches with restricted access, but in Pensacola everything is wide open.
Besides the Gulf of Mexico, you can also check out Big Lagoon State Park, Perdido Key State Park, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. For a really unique experience, you can rent glow kayaks for a cool nighttime experience on the water.
If you're wondering... Is the water in Pensacola clear?
Absolutely. It's stunningly beautiful, clear blue water much like the rest of the gulf coast. Of course, changes in weather (and especially storms) can cloud the water but 90% of the time the water is clear and gorgeous. Make sure to check out my post on What To Pack For Florida before you head to Pensacola!
Pensacola Tip #7: Check Out The Art Scene
As if we needed any more reasons to love Pensacola, they also have a fantastic art scene. The Pensacola Museum of Art is located downtown in a beautiful historic building and features rotating exhibits and even wall murals.
As you're driving around Pensacola, you'll also notice the quirky and adorable pelican statues. “Pelicans in Paradise” is an art fixture created by local artists and the fiberglass, decorative and hand-painted pelicans are feature all around town!
If you're wondering... What's the best place to stay in Pensacola?”
I've stayed at a few places in each part of town - Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Pensacola Beach. Here are a few hotel recommendations in the area:
- For a pet-friendly option I like the Home2Suites in Gulf Breeze
- To be right on the beach with fantastic views in Pensacola Beach, check out the Margaritaville Beach Hotel
- To stay in charming downtown Pensacola, try Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel
Pensacola Tip #8: Get Out In Nature
We've already talked about how Pensacola has amazing beaches and state parks, but here are a few other gorgeous nature escapes to check out. The first one is the Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, which is over 4,000 acres of trails and lots of wildlife. The Pensacola Beach Eco Trail is another cool place where you can follow along with an interactive map to check out 29 different spots along Pensacola Beach and learn more about the environment!
If you're wondering... What should I bring to Pensacola?
My last tip for visiting Pensacola is to check out my list of What To Pack For Florida! I detail out everything you need, including links to all my favorite must-haves. If you're going to be enjoying nature and hiking/boating/etc. I would definitely recommend a hat, comfortable shoes, and a water bottle. I also love to bring along a backpack.
Enjoy Your Pensacola Trip!
I hope you enjoyed this list of tips for visiting Pensacola, I had fun writing it and sharing this gem along the Florida Gulf Coast. I'm a huge fan of Pensacola and am lucky enough to live nearby. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
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One cool feature is that you can search by landmark. For example, maybe in Pensacola you want to stay near the Seville Quarter. You can type that into the search to make sure you find a hotel close by. Cool, right?
