Top Things To Do In Pensacola

Known for a rich history dating back almost 500 years, the coastal city of Pensacola is filled with fun and interesting things to do no matter your interests. Tourists here can see over 150 retired warplanes at the National Naval Aviation Museum or take a short drive to Pensacola Beach for a relaxing day in the surf. Downtown Pensacola offers a variety of popular shops and restaurants among 500 years of history for a one of a kind experience. Use the following list of things to do to make the most of your time on the Emerald Coast.

Whether you like fine arts or lively bars, Pensacola is sure to have a fun for you to do. Some of the best attractions here include walking the Historic Pensacola Village or experiencing a taste of Pensacola at Palafox Market.

 

The best activities to do near Pensacola include:

  • Historic Pensacola Village: several museums and historic properties to see
  • National Naval Aviation Museum: witness over 150 different veteran airplanes
  • Palafox Market: fine art, fresh produce, antiques, and much more
  • Downtown Pensacola: lively bars and restaurants among 500 years of history
  • Pensacola Beach: 11 square miles of white sand beaches, natural areas, and historic landmarks

Events in PensacolaView All

SeaWorld Orlando Admission with Dining Option, or 2, 3 or Unlimited SeaWorld Park Visits (Up to 50% Off)
Up to 50% Off Admission to SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
1,505 ratings
$132.99 $67.99
49% discount_off
SeaWorld Orlando Single Weekday Admission Ticket: Valid 365 days from purchase
Daily Admission Ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Daily Admission Ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
245 ratings
$65
Daily Admission Ticket
Experience the World from a New Perspective at One World Observatory - Your Iconic Landmark Destination!
The City from Above: One World Observatory's Spectacular Skyline Views
285 Fulton Street, New York
4.7
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
7,429 ratings
$48 $33
31% discount_off
Standard Admission Experience for One Adult (Ages 13–64)
Busch Gardens Tampa Admission with All-Day Dining Option, 2- or 3-Park, or Unlimited Visits (Up to 52% Off)
Up to 52% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa
4.5
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
405 ratings
$134.99 $67.99
50% discount_off
Busch Gardens Tampa Single Week Day Admission: Valid 365 days from purchase
Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours in Pensacola Beach
Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours in Pensacola Beach
online_deal
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
160 ratings
$29.99
Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Tours in Pensacola Beach
Limited Time Offer: Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE! Valid for Select Promo Tickets. Save Up to $166 on Select Dates.
Limited Time Deal- Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE with Select Tickets*
6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
$164
PROMO: Buy 2-Day Ticket, Get 3 Days Free
10,000+ bought
Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion
Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion
online_deal
4.8
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
81 ratings
$82.50
Orange Beach Islands 3-Hour Excursion
Crab Island Charter
Crab Island Charter
online_deal
3.9
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-half icon
icon-blank icon
7 ratings
$60
Crab Island Charter
Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour
Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour
online_deal
5.0
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
icon-full icon
99 ratings
$39
Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour

With a history dating back to before the Revolutionary War, Pensacola offers a number of historic landmarks and other unique things to do. Some of the most frequented include the Pensacola Light, The Graffiti Bridge, and Fort Barrancas.

Popular attractions near Pensacola include:

  • Pensacola Bay: explore beaches, preserved lands, and historic sites
  • Fort Barrancas: a wonderfully preserved brick fort overlooking Pensacola Bay
  • Pensacola Light: climb to the top for amazing views of the bay and city
  • The Graffiti Bridge: an informal local art expose
  • Seville Quarter: a large venue with seven themed rooms and multiple bars

Visitors looking for fun things to do in Pensacola today are in luck. The city offers many different activities that can be done at a moment’s notice.

Exciting activities happening near Pensacola today include:

  • Pensacola Museum of Art: the only art museum in Pensacola opened in 1954
  • Bay Bluffs Park: 42 acres of walking paths, trees, and wildlife
  • Johnson Beach: a quiet beach perfect for swimming
  • Bayview Park: tennis courts, picnic areas, and a dog park on the bay
  • Hangar Bay One: a museum inside a large hangar with restored aircraft and a flight simulator

When the Florida sun sets, there’s still much fun to be had in Pensacola. Nighttime excursions consist of whiskey tastings, live music, and so much more.

Nighttime attractions near Pensacola include:

  • Gulf Coast Brewery: a brewery with a wine and cigar lounge as well as ping pong and darts
  • Old Hickory Whiskey Bar: craft cocktails with high quality whiskey’s and other spirits
  • Jellyfish Restaurant: a full-service restaurant open late with a lively bar
  • Flora-Bama Lounge: a gulf front oyster and beach bar where Florida meets Alabama
  • Rosie O' Gradys Dueling Piano Show: cheap drinks and entertaining live music

Pensacola is a very family-friendly city. It is home to a couple amusement and recreation parks as well as museums with interactive exhibits.

Family-Friendly things to do near Pensacola include:

  • Sam’s Fun City: an amusement park near the water with go-karts, laser tag, and more
  • Pensacola Children’s Museum: a kid-friendly museum devoted to Pensacola history with interactive exhibits
  • Pensacola MESS Hall: a hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits
  • Sky Zone Trampoline Park: take your whole family to jump, spin, and flip through this indoor trampoline park
  • Fast Eddie’s Fun Center: four go-kart tracks, arcade games, and mini golf

Home to many museums, historic buildings, and interesting shops, there is plenty of fun to be had indoors in Pensacola. The T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum is the place to go for artifacts and exhibits related to Pensacola’s history

Things to do indoors near Pensacola include:

  • Museum of Industry: showcasing the history of lumber, transportation, brick making & fishing in Pensacola
  • Blue Morning Gallery: showcases local talent and encourages the growth of the arts community
  • Tivoli High House: a reproduction of a historic house that is now a museum
  • Historic Pensacola's Museum of Commerce: reconstruction of a Pensacola streetscene based on businesses that operated here in the early 1900s
  • T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum: dedicated to displaying artifacts from Pensacola’s colorful history

Pensacola offers many different things to do outdoors. You can visit the sight where Florida was given to the US from Spain or explore acres of wetlands, to name a couple.

Outdoor activities near Pensacola include:

  • Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park: explore natural area home to nearly 20 endangered species of wildlife
  • Plaza Ferdinand VII: the site of the transfer of Florida from Spain to the US in 1821
  • Admiral Mason Park: the site of a former baseball stadium with green space on the water
  • Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve and Nature Trail: hike through wetlands while viewing a variety of wildlife
  • Shoreline Park: fishing, kayaking, swimming, and a playground