A- Overview:
This is the place to hear the roar and view the amazing feats of the famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying overhead. Visitors to Pensacola, Florida will experience this and a host of other things to do and see from history and shopping to sports, natural beauty, and attractions.
Conveniently located and easily accessible at the western end of the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola lies only five miles inland from the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
With a moderate climate year round due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its western Florida location, any time of year is suitable for a visit. Even in January the temperature averages a comfortable 52, with highs in the mid 60’s. It’s the time of year the Polar Bear Club holds its annual Polar Bear Dip. If you are lucky enough to be visiting in November, the famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who are based in Pensacola, return home for their annual homecoming air show. Regardless of the time of year, there is something worth seeing and doing.
For a taste of the city, be sure to visit Flounder’s Restaurant. Known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a jungle-gym boat outside in the sand area, surrounded by dining tables along Santa Rosa sound and filled with antiques from around the globe, this is no ordinary restaurant.
A must see attraction in the area is the National Museum of Aviation with its IMAX Theater.
The Museum displays over 170 vintage aircraft and spans 300,000 square feet. Combine this with a movie at the IMAX and it makes for a perfect day of recreation with a historical flare.
No visit to the area is complete without spending some time at an amusement park. Sam’s Fun City is conveniently located and features over 20 rides, go-karts, bumper boats, and mini golf, as well as an arcade and water park.
Pensacola also is home to many beautiful parks with fountains, play areas and water access. Feed the ducks at Bayview Park or watch an osprey return to its nest with a freshly caught fish at Big Lagoon State Park. And speaking of fishing, the old Pensacola Bay Bridge is one of the longest fishing piers in the US and for just a small charge; you can fish right in the middle of the bay.
Downtown is a place for a leisurely walk and for terrific shopping. Stop at one of the coffee shops, cafes or eateries for lunch, or for an afternoon latte. The downtown area showcases art galleries featuring both local and regional art, as well as the traveling exhibits found in the Pensacola Museum of Art. If antique shopping entices you, antique stores and flea markets pepper the area from the elegant to the eclectic.
The city has been given many nicknames over the years; The Cradle of Naval Aviation, The Western Gate to the Sunshine State, America’s First Settlement, and the City of Five Flags. All such monikers are fitting in their descriptions of this vibrant and beautiful place.
Spend some time in Pensacola – you’ll see why they say it’s where thousands live the way millions wish they could.
B- City Information:
Population: 56,255
Elevation: 32 feet above sea level
Land Area: 22.7 square miles
Location: Located at the western end of the Florida Panhandle, on the northern bank of Pensacola Bay and five miles inland from the beach.
Time Zone: Located in the Central Time Zone. When it’s noon in Pensacola, it’s 1:00pm in New York City and 10:00am in Los Angeles
Weather:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average temp. (°F)
52.0
54.9
61.0
66.9
74.6
80.6
82.6
82.2
78.7
69.5
60.7
54.1
High temperature (°F)
61.2
64.4
70.2
76.2
83.4
89.0
90.7
90.1
87.0
79.3
70.3
63.4
Low temperature (°F)
42.6
45.3
51.6
57.5
65.7
72.0
74.4
74.1
70.3
59.5
51.0
44.6
Precipitation (in)
5.4
4.7
6.4
3.9
4.4
6.4
8.0
6.8
5.8
4.1
4.5
4.0
Climate:
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Days with precip.
10
9
9
6
7
10
14
13
9
5
8
9
Wind speed (mph)
9.0
9.3
9.8
9.5
8.6
7.6
6.9
6.7
7.6
7.9
8.2
8.8
Morning humidity (%)
82
82
84
86
87
84
86
87
85
82
82
81
Afternoon humidity (%)
65
61
62
60
62
61
65
66
63
57
61
65
Sunshine (%)
48
53
61
63
67
67
57
58
60
71
64
49
Days clear of clouds
8
9
9
10
9
7
4
6
10
13
11
9
Partly cloudy days
7
7
8
9
11
15
17
15
11
9
8
7
Cloudy days
16
13
14
11
11
8
10
10
9
9
11
16
Snowfall (in)
0.1
0.1
0.0
0.0
Local Seasons:
Pensacola has a very moderate climate year round due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its western Florida location. Winter and summer are the two busiest times of year. In the winter, people from the north enjoy coming south for the warmer temperatures and numerous activities the city has to offer. Even in January the temperature averages a comfortable 52 F, with highs in the mid 60’s F. It’s the time for the Polar Bear Club to hold its annual Polar Bear Dip. Summer is busy as many people visit the area for its relaxing atmosphere, entertainment, and proximity to the beach, not to mention temperatures averaging in the low 80’s F. It’s ideal for watching the annual boat races held during this time while sipping a cool drink at the beach and working on that perfect tan. The Spring and Fall are less crowded and offer a great opportunity to enjoy a little more serenity. Spring is also time for the annual “Mullet Toss”, a must see local event. Fall is still warm enough for a nice day at the beach with a good book or a run in the sand. November is when the Blue Angels, who are based in Pensacola, return home for their annual homecoming air show. No matter what time of year you are visiting, this warm Florida city is alive with a multitude of things to do and see.
How to get there:
By Air:
Pensacola Regional Airport
2430 Airport Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-436-5000
Served by many of the national airlines as well as regional carriers, the airport is located just three miles northeast of the central business district of the City of Pensacola.
By Car:
Pensacola is easily reached via I-10 from the west (New Orleans, Mobile), as well as from the east (Tallahassee). From the north take I-65 to state highway 29.
By Train:
Amtrak
80 East Heinberg Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
800-USA-RAIL
Offers wonderful vistas as you travel on the Sunset Limited.
By Bus:
Greyhound
505 West Burgess Road
Pensacola, Florida 32503
850-476-4800
Getting Around:
With so many things to see and do, the best way to get around Pensacola is by personal or rental car. Rental cars are available at both the airport and downtown.
Additional Transportation:
Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT)
1515 West Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-395-3228
Included in the mass transportation system is fixed-route bus service, ADA paratransit service, seasonal Pensacola Beach trolley service for the Santa Rosa Island Authority, and University of West Florida (UWF) on-campus trolley service. All vehicles are ADA lift-equipped and all buses and trolleys are equipped with bicycle racks.
Yellow Cab Company
850-433-3333
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day: Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr., Day: 3rd Mon. in Jan.
President’s Day: 3rd Mon. in Feb.
Memorial Day: last Mon. in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: 1st Mon. in Sept.
Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thurs. in Nov.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Dec. 24 and 25
New Year’s Eve: Dec. 31
C- Attractions/Things To Do:
National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater
1750 Radford Blvd # 3465
Pensacola, FL 32508
850-453-2389
Open daily 9am-5pm. The IMAX Theater features two films daily, call for additional information.
Admission Free for museum, charge for IMAX Theater
The National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater displays over 170 vintage aircraft and spans 300,000 square feet.
The ZOO
5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32508
850-932-2229
Open daily 9am-5pm in the summer and 9am-4pm in the winter
Admission Charged
Catch a ride on the Safari Line train for an up-close, fun-filled excursion through 30 acres of free-roaming animals in their natural habitat.
T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum
830 S. Jefferson St. Plaza
Pensacola, FL 32502
904-444-8905
Hours: 10am – 4pm, Monday through Saturday and Sundays Easter through Labor Day.
Admission Charged
Offers a Discovery Gallery, which recreates old-time Pensacola, complete with a child-sized schoolhouse, hospital and jail, and even some oddities like a shrunken head.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 South Jefferson Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-432-6247
Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday, Noon – 5pm, Closed Mondays and major holidays.
Admission Charged
The focus of the permanent collection of the Museum is 19th, 20th and 21st century works on paper including works by noted artist, John Marin, Salvador Dali, Miriam Scharpiro, Fairfield Porter, Thomas Hart Benton, Alex Katz, Lynda Benglis, Milton Avery and Alexander Calder. Additionally, the Museum has superb decorative art collections of European and American glass as well as African tribal art.
Wayside Park
At the foot of Three-Mile Bridge across Pensacola Bay.
Save some bread to feed the birds at Wayside Park.
Pensacola Junior College Planetarium
1000 College Boulevard
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-484-1956
Hours: Box office opens 6:30pm one Saturday each month, year round
Admission Charged
Pensacola Junior College Planetarium and Theater has a three-dimensional DIGISTAR computer graphic system that projects the heavens onto a 40 foot full dome.
Fast Eddie’s Fun Center
505 W. Michigan Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32505
850-433-7735
Admission Charged
Whether you’re young or old, short or tall, Fast Eddie’s is the place for fun! If you are looking for a fast, wild and fun spot, Fast Eddies is the place to be! Dedicated to providing affordable, safe, family fun in an atmosphere everyone is sure to enjoy. With four exciting tracks, there’s excitement at every turn.
Sam’s Fun City
6709 Pensacola Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32505
Just south of I-10 on Hwy. 29
850-505-0800
Open daily, call for hours of operation
Admission Charged
Sam’s Fun City features over 20 rides, go-karts, bumper boats, and mini golf, with an arcade and water park in the works.
Nearby attraction
Flounder’s Restaurant
800 Quietwater Beach Rd
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
850-932-2003
Located on Pensacola Beach
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a jungle-gym boat outside in the sand area, surrounded by dining tables along Santa Rosa sound and filled with antiques from around the globe, this is no ordinary restaurant. Fun for the whole family.
Museums
Pensacola Junior College Art Museum
Anna Lamar Switzer for Visual Arts
Pensacola Junior College
1000 College Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-484-2550
Hours: 8am-9pm Monday through Thursday; 8am-3:30pm Fridays; closed weekends and holidays.
Admission Free
The Visual Arts Gallery has a national reputation for quality exhibitions, a strong contemporary collection, plus noteworthy publications and events such as workshops and visiting artists.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 South Jefferson Street
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-432-6247
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
The mission of the Pensacola Museum of Art is to be a bridge to the visual arts for the diverse populations of Pensacola and the surrounding communities.
D- Family Fun Attractions:
Wayside Park
At the foot of Three-Mile Bridge across Pensacola Bay.
Save some bread to feed the birds at Wayside Park.
Fast Eddie’s Fun Center
505 W. Michigan Avenue
Pensacola, FL 32505
850-433-7735
Admission Charged
Whether you’re young or old, short or tall, Fast Eddie’s is the place for fun! If you are looking for a fast, wild and fun spot, Fast Eddie’s is the place to be! Dedicated to providing affordable, safe, family fun in an atmosphere everyone is sure to enjoy. With four exciting tracks, there’s excitement at every turn.
Sam’s Fun City
6709 Pensacola Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32505
Just south of I-10 on Hwy. 29
850-505-0800
Open daily, call for hours of operation
Admission Charged
Sam’s Fun City features over 20 rides, go-karts, bumper boats, and mini golf, with an arcade and water park in the works.
Flounder’s Restaurant
800 Quietwater Beach Rd,
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
850-932-2003
Located on Pensacola Beach
Hours: Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Known for its kid-friendly atmosphere, complete with a jungle-gym boat outside in the sand area, surrounded by dining tables along Santa Rosa sound and filled with antiques from around the globe, this is no ordinary restaurant. Fun for the whole family.
The ZOO
5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Pensacola, FL 32508
850-932-2229
Open daily 9 am-5 pm in the summer and 9 am-4 pm in the winter
Admission Charge
Catch a ride on the Safari Line train for an up-close, fun-filled excursion through 30 acres of free-roaming animals in their natural habitat.
T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum
830 S. Jefferson St. Plaza
Pensacola, FL 32502
904-444-8905
Hours: 10am – 4pm, Monday through Saturday and Sundays Easter through Labor Day.
Admission Charged
Offers a Discovery Gallery, which recreates old-time Pensacola, complete with a child-sized schoolhouse, hospital and jail, and even some oddities like a shrunken head.
National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater
1750 Radford Blvd # 3465
Pensacola, FL 32508
850-453-2389
Open daily 9am-5pm. The IMAX Theater features two films daily, call for additional information.
Admission Free for museum, charge for IMAX Theater
The National Museum of Naval Aviation and IMAX Theater displays over 170 vintage aircraft and spans 300,000 square feet.
E- Events & Entertainment:
Events
January
Polar Bear Dip
Held New Year’s Day
850-492-6838
The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line on Perdido Key hosts this popular, annual splash-around in the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, everyone joins in a Southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day and warms up with good music and beverages.
Mardi Gras
Held early January until Fat Tuesday
850-434-6211 or 800-874-1299
Call for a complete schedule of events
One of the country’s original celebration sites, Pensacola hosts family-oriented Mardi Gras fun at numerous parades, where crowds catch beads and moon pies tossed from floats, as well as various contests and culinary festivals.
February
Black History Month
Held throughout February
850-474-2405
Celebrate the evolution of African-American history at several area events including a black history recital and concert at the University of West Florida with music performed by the UWF Gospel Choir.
March
Pensacola Bay International Film & Television Festival
Usually held mid-March
850-435-6851
Call for exact dates and schedule
Four days of great films, symposiums, parties, awards, and plenty of glitz and glamour.
Gallery Night
Usually held in mid-March
850-432-9906
Admission Free
Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
April
Pensacola JazzFest
Usually held in early April
850-433-8382
Admission Free
Pensacola’s historic Seville Square hosts this event filled with great jazz music performed by local and national talents.
Blue Angels Classic Senior PGA Tournament
Usually held in mid-April
850-995-3300
The best players on the senior tour congregate at The Moors, a par-70 Scottish links-style course in Milton, Fla., five minutes east of Pensacola on Interstate 10.
Interstate Mullet Toss
Usually held the third week of April
850-492-6838
Call for additional information
The Flora-Bama Lounge on the Florida-Alabama state line hosts this wacky annual tournament that has participants compete in an actual mullet toss. Live music, food, and drinks accompany this weekend.
June
The Florida Springfest
Usually held mid-June
800-874-1234
Call for additional information
This two-day musical celebration draws national headliner musical groups and thousands of people to downtown Pensacola.
Fiesta Days Celebration and Boat Parade
Usually held early June
850-433-6512
Admission Free
The Fiesta of Five Flags is an annual celebration of the founding of Pensacola, the first European settlement in the United States in 1559 by Spanish Conquistador, Don Tristan de Luna.
Bud Light King Mackeral/Cobia Tournament
Usually held the later part of June
850-932-5726
Catch some of the largest King Mackerel and Cobia in the gulf. With over 1,200 anglers, this is a very large two-day boat event taking place in the Gulf of Mexico. Prize money and gifts are awarded.
July
Red, White, and Blues Week
Held around the 4th of July for one full week
850-932-1500
Admission Free
A big event held during Pensacola’s summer festivities; Red, White, and Blues week starts with a fireworks display on the Fourth of July. There is live music on the boardwalk each day and most nights. Festivities conclude with the world-famous Blue Angels flight show. Supported by civilian and military performers, the show is a must-see event.
Gallery Night
Usually held in mid-July
850-432-9906
Admission Free
Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
August
Thunder On the Gulf Power Boat Races
Usually held in mid-August
Annual Super Boat Grand Prix on the Gulf Coast is held in the Perdido Key area. See over 40 boats compete at speeds up to 170 mph.
September
Pensacola Seafood Festival
Usually held around the third week of September
850-434-6211
Held in the Seville Square area of historic downtown Pensacola, the festival features delicious fare and live entertainment.
October
Pensacola Interstate Fair
Pensacola Fairgrounds
U.S. Highway 90 West
Held each October
850-944-4500
Admission Charged
Pensacola Interstate Fair offers entertainment, rides, food and exhibits for 11 days every October. Fun for the family. The Pensacola Interstate Fair is a star-spangled parade of exhibits and features arranged and planned for everyone’s supreme satisfaction!
Haunted House Walking Tours and Trolley Tours
Usually held in late October
850-433-1559
Admission Charged
Narrated tours led by costumed guides visit 39 sites around the Seville and North Hill historic districts where ghostly sightings are researched and documented by the Pensacola Historical Society.
November
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
Pensacola Naval Air Station
Usually held the second week of November
850-452-BLUE
Admission Free
With Pensacola as its home base, the Navy’s precision flight-demonstration team, the Blue Angels, performs two air shows in the area each year.
Gallery Night
Usually held in mid-November
850-432-9906
Admission Free
Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open late for this quarterly event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolley stops along the way provide free transportation.
Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival
Usually held in early November
850-432-9906
Admission Free
The Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival hosts more than 200 fine art and craft exhibitors from around the country and attracts 150,000 art fans to Pensacola’s historic Seville Square. Also features activity-packed children’s arts area and live entertainment on several stages.
The Frank Brown International Songwriter’s Festival
Usually held in mid-November
850-492-7664
This annual event held at several Perdido Key and Pensacola venues, features songwriters from throughout the country who showcase their talent in a competition atmosphere.
December
St. Anne’s Christmas Lights
Held Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day
850-456-5966
Admission Free, Donation for Parking
Over a million lights illuminate the church grounds in a spectacular display that also features free refreshments.
ZOOLights
Held Thanksgiving throughout New Year’s Day
850-932-2229
Admission Charged
The ZOO in Gulf Breeze hosts this event with holiday and animal scenes decorated with more than a million lights. Nightly entertainment rounds out the fun.
Christmas on the Island
Usually held early December
800-635-4803
Celebrate Pensacola Beach’s holiday spirit with a land parade followed by a boat parade along Santa Rosa Sound.
Arts and Entertainment
The Pensacola Opera
75 South Tarragona Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
850-433-6737
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 AM – 5 PM
The Pensacola Symphony
205 E. Zaragoza Street
Pensacola, FL 32502
850-435-2533
Season runs October – May, call for additional information
Theater
Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
University of West Florida
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
850-474-2000
Season runs October – April, call for additional information
Pensacola Little Theatre
400 South Jefferson Street
Pensacola, Florida 32502
850-432-2042
Season begins in September, call for additional information
Saenger Theatre
118 South Palafox Place
Pensacola, Florida 32501
850-444-7699
Call for additional information
Since 1925, the theatre has had a major presence in Pensacola. From Vaudeville to Broadway, it has hosted it all. Whether its music, a Broadway play or an individual performance, this “grand dame” has it all.
Sports
Five Flags Speedway
7451 Pine Forest Road
Pensacola, FL 32526
850-944-8400
Pensacola Greyhound Track offers live racing excitement and simulcast horse racing events.
Catch the thrill of high-speed action-packed greyhound racing. Join the fun in the fully-enclosed, climate-controlled Kennel Club, Lounge, or Grandstand– or enjoy rail side seating outdoors for a close-up look at the excitement!
The Pensacola Ice Pilots (East Coast Hockey League)
Play in the Pensacola Civic Center
Season is fall and winter
201 East Gregory Street – Rear
Pensacola, FL 32502-4956
850-432-PUCK (7825)
The Pensacola Pelicans
Play at the University of West Florida
Season is from June through August
850-934-8444
The Pensacola Power is part of the National Women’s Football Association. The Power have won multiple championships.