Naval Aviation Museum

From downtown Pensacola, it’s only a short drive to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, home of the world-famous Blue Angels, a high-performance team of naval aviators who set the standard for precision flying. Also located on NAS Pensacola is the National Museum of Naval Aviation. There are more than 130 of the finest Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft on display. You can also experience the thrill of flight in the 15-passenger full-motion flight simulator. Or how about the museum’s IMAX theater, featuring films on flight and other daring adventures on a seven-story-high screen?

Naval Live Oaks

For nature buffs and everyone else who enjoys the wholesome outdoors, visit the Naval Live Oaks Center in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. In this 1,378 acres of virtually untouched woodland, you may see a mockingbird, red-bellied woodpecker, flicker, great-crested flycatcher, blue jay, brown-headed nuthatch, brown thrasher, or even cardinal. Walk the sanctioned trails in the area and observe native plants and wildlife that provided food, medicine, tools and shelter for early American natives. Call (850) 934-2600.

The Zoo

A little further east of Gulf Breeze on Hwy. 98 is The ZOO, where you can feed the giraffes head-to-head or even ride a train across the 50 acres of botanical gardens to observe nearly 700 animals in this natural habitat. Call (850) 932-2229, http://www.the-zoo.com/. Email information@the-zoo.com.

The City of Pensacola

Veteran’s Memorial Park has a scaled replica of the Wall South Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on Bayfront Parkway in downtown Pensacola. In Historic Pensacola Village, be sure to see the restored historic homes and the T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum. There’s even a colonial archaeological trail which leads you through different eras of Pensacola history and highlights an ongoing program of excavation by local archaeologists.

Festivals

Pensacola is well-known as a city of festivals, including the Greek Festival, Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival, Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Fiesta of Five Flags, Springfest Music Festival, Pensacola Seafood Festival, Jazz Fest, and Crawfish Festival. Call the Pensacola Convention & Visitor Information Center at (800) 874-1234 or (850) 434-1234 for dates and more information.

Entertainment

No matter when you come, we’ve always got something going on? Red, White and Blues week with the Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the Blue Angels, fireworks, free entertainment, an evening air show, the Blue Angels Classic Senior PGA Tournament, Mardi Gras Festival, Fiesta of Five Flags celebration, Symphony by the Sea, LobsterFest, Bushwacker F estival, Pro Am Volleyball Tournament, SRI-TRI Triathlon, Double Bridge Run and many sailing regattas, art shows, and Christmas events, just to name a few. In addition to the major events, a variety of entertainment is provided every weekend, from the "Shell" on the Boardwalk to the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, to many restaurants and lounges up and down the beach.

Rest and Relaxation

Dine in our outstanding restaurants lining the beach road. Most specialize in fresh local seafood and regional recipes from the area’s French and Spanish heritage. You can relax on the decks of our casual restaurants, listen to music while enjoying a meal, or visit one of our fine-dining restaurants, boasting renowned chefs and elegant dishes. Adding to the charm of the Island are our free trolleys, complete with reggae tunes, which make your travel on Pensacola Beach worry-free and fun.

Family fun

Fishing enthusiasts, both big and small, abound on Pensacola Beach. There are several charter boats for avid fishermen, as well as spots along the beach for children to fish. Sun seekers have an array of entertainment to choose from, including sailing, jet skiing, sailboarding, parasailing, swimming,diving, snorkeling, or just relaxing on the beach building sand castles. Kids can enjoy riding the go-carts and jet skis, too. Children of all ages enjoy playing the many games in the arcade, as well as testing their skills on our miniature golf courses.

Off the Island

Ready to head over to the mainland? Be sure to stop at the Pensacola Beach Information Center first. It’s the aqua-colored building at the traffic light on the island. They will cheerfully answer your questions and brief you about the sights over on the mainland. Call (850) 932-1500 or 1-800-635-4803.

And More

When you leave the Naval Aviation Museum, you might want to check out the dog racing at Pensacola Greyhound Track, or maybe the racing at Five Flags Speedway. If river travel is your interest, whether by canoe, inner tube, raft, kayak, or paddle boat, you have many to choose from: Coldwater Creek, Blackwater River, Sweetwater-Juniper Creek, or Perdido River. Whatever floats your boat.