Pensacola Florida Attractions
• An Amusement Park for the Kids in Pensacola, Florida
Sam’s Fun Park is a great place to take your children. Don’t think that you can pawn it off as Disney World but it is a fun, local amusement area and water park.
There are about 20 small rides at Sam’s Fun Park. The rides certainly won’t thrill adults but for young kids, it will be a fantastic time. There is also mini-golf, laser tag, go-carts and bumper boats. The water park boasts about 15 water slides which children will enjoy.
• National Museum of Naval Aviation
This is the place for anyone interested in either the military or aviation. Along with smaller artifacts pertaining to flight, there are also over 150 refurbished aircraft on site. The flight simulators are absolutely amazing and should not be missed.
The admission is free. This is an incredible museum that will occupy the family for hours and won’t cost you a penny. That is, unless you buy lunch or souvenirs or buy a ticket to the IMAX theatre. Movies show each hour.
• Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum
The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum offers daily tours of this 1859 landmark daily. This climbing tour includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Sensible shoes are required for the tour and flip flops are not allowed so dress accordingly. There are claims that the Pensacola Lighthouse is haunted and the museum offers special ghost hunting tours aside from regular tours. The rates are very reasonable and everyone will have a great time. Be sure to take your camera because the views are unbelievable.
• Fishing in Pensacola, Florida
Like Orange Beach, Alabama, Pensacola, Florida, is a contender for Red Snapper Capitol of the World. But the truth is that there are a wide variety of fish to catch in the area. Avid anglers enjoy both saltwater and freshwater fishing in Pensacola.
Charter boats for deep sea fishing are plentiful. The captains are all licensed and experienced so the odds of catching some fish are very good. There are many quality charter companies from which to choose.
For those that would rather not charter a boat, the pier at Pensacola Beach is a great place to fish. The pier is the second longest one (behind Gulf Shores, Alabama) on the Gulf of Mexico at 1471 feet long. The type of fish in the area depends upon the season, but something is always biting at all times of the year.
Another great place to fish is the new Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge. This bridge replaced the old fishing bridge that was damaged by Hurricane Ivan. You will not need a saltwater license here. It is covered by the admission ($2.00 walk-on or $5 per vehicle).
• Golfing in Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola is a golfer’s paradise. There are dozens of wonderful public, private, and military golf courses. The Emerald Coast is well-known for its quality golf courses. Most offer full service amenities which always make for a more pleasurable round of golf.
• Water Sports in Pensacola, Florida
For everything from a leisurely sail or flying across the water on a jet ski, the Gulf of Mexico is perfect for water sports. Sailing, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing and parasailing are just a few of the options. There are numerous reputable companies that will be more than happy to rent you a vessel or take you out for a good time.
• Fort Barrancas
Fort Barrancas is located on Taylor Road about a half mile east from the Museum of Naval Aviation. In 1763, the British built the Royal Navy Redoubt on the site. The Spanish built two forts here in the late 1700s. In 1814, the United States, under command of General Andrew Jackson, seized the fort from the Spanish, who had sided with the British in the War of 1812. The United States built a fort on the bluff overlooking Pensacola Bay from 1839 to 1844; its purpose was to protect the Naval Yard in Pensacola.
It's a little known fact that the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Barrancas, not Fort Sumpter, South Carolina. The Confederates took control of Fort Barrancas at the onset of the Civil War. In May 1862, the Confederate forces abandoned the fort along with the rest of Pensacola, Florida.
It was completely restored in 1980 and is open daily for tours.
• Historic Pensacola Village
The Historic Pensacola Village is a living history museum. This village is a fun way to introduce children to the importance of history. All properties are recorded in the National Historical Register.
Now for the best part, it’s free! Think about it. The kids are learning something while having fun and it doesn’t cost anything. This is the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.
• Museum of Commerce
The Museum of Commerce is a really cool place to visit with or without children. When you walk through the doors of this turn of the century building, you will be entering a re-creation of an 1890s street.
You can browse through the shops to see what your ancestor’s shopping experience would have resembled. Check out the toy store, complete with period toys and games. The leather shop shows off not only antique works but tools as well. The print shop has an incredible collection of old printing presses. Don’t miss the collection of antique buggies.
The Museum of Commerce may sound like a boring place but it is truly an interesting one. How often do you get the chance to step into the world of your great-grandparents? This is a really great place that is both fun and educational.
• Saenger Theatre - in Pensacola, Florida
For those who enjoy Broadway style theater, the Saenger Theater will be right up their alley. The Saenger is a restored theater that was originally built in the 1920s, using Spanish baroque architectural techniques. Plays are varied as the troupes travel to perform all over the United States. Recording artists, bands and comedians are often headliners at the Saenger Theater.
• Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in in Pensacola Florida
Diving on the beautiful Emerald Coast is a thrilling experience. Treasure, such as Spanish galleons and silver trinkets, are still found on the Gulf floor today. Numerous sunken ships are in the area and provide a home to the many beautiful underwater creatures. Swimming with the fish is not necessarily a bad thing!
• Spa Days
There are several day spas available to help visitors relax while on vacation in Pensacola. There are a variety of options to choose from such as slimming body wraps, hydrotherapy, massages and couples massages. A day at the spa will certainly help you leave your stress back home.
• Pensacola Beach
To get to Pensacola Beach from Pensacola, take the Pensacola Bay Bridge into Gulf Breeze and follow the signs.
Visitors enjoy making sandcastles on the pristine beach. Frisbee tossing and beach volleyball are both popular things to do at Pensacola Beach. Others just prefer long strolls in the sand, just watching the rolling waves and listening to the sounds of the water.
The boardwalk is a great place to shop for souvenirs. There are several boutiques with trendy beach items such as sundresses and straw hats. A purchase at the Tommy Bahama can transform a man into a temporary Floridian!
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