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
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
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
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
Sports and outdoor activities in PensacolaView All
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