Fun Things To Do on Pensacola Naval Air Station
See Airplanes, Explore Old Forts and Climb the Pensacola Lighthouse
Nov 17, 2008
Travelers looking for fun things to do in the Pensacola, Florida area will find a full day of activities on Pensacola Naval Air Station. Home of the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron and birthplace of naval aviation, Pensacola Naval Air Station also houses two historic masonry forts, a 150-foot tall lighthouse, the National Naval Aviation Museum and the Barrancas National Cemetery.
Arriving on base, visitors must stop at the main gate for a base pass and directions to the five sites. Admission to both of the forts, the cemetery and the museum is free. Keep in mind that this is an active military base and visitors should take care not to stray away from designated tourist areas.
Pensacola Lighthouse
The 150-foot tall Pensacola Lighthouse has 177 wrought iron steps and a view from the top that extends 27 miles on a clear day. Built between 1856 and 1859, the Confederate-held lighthouse was struck by Union fire from Fort Pickens in November of 1861.
Visitors should use extreme caution when climbing the spiral staircase. There is an iron handrail on the brick walls, but no landings. The lighthouse is open on Saturdays from noon to 4 PM May through October and at other times for special events. (Note: January 3, 2009 the lighthouse will celebrate its 150th anniversary.) Admission is (cash only) $5 for adults and $3 for seniors aged 65 and over and children aged 7-12. Call the Pensacola Lighthouse Association at (850) 944-0179 or (850) 916-7864 for more information or to schedule a group tour.
National Naval Aviation Museum
Aviation history is a hands-on experience in this aircraft-filled interactive museum. From the Flying Boat, the first airship to cross the Atlantic to high speed jet fighters, the National Naval Aviation Museum lets visitors see, touch and even climb aboard over 150 vintage aircraft and flight simulators. Of course the Navy’s Blue Angels are represented, with four A-4 Skyhawks suspended from the ceiling in a diving diamond formation.
The museum’s 300,000 square-foot exhibit building also houses a research library, a restaurant and an IMAX theater. It is open daily throughout the year from 9 AM to 5 PM (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years day). Call (850) 452-3604 for more information.
Fort Barrancas
Since 1698, at least four forts have occupied the 60-foot bluff overlooking the mouth of Pensacola Bay, the latest of which is Fort Barrancas. Built between 1839 and 1844 with slave labor, Fort Barrancas (Spanish for steep banks or bluffs) incorporated the earlier Spanish Bateria De San Antonio which is accessible through a steep sloping underground tunnel. The fort’s purpose was to protect the navy yard from foreign invasion, but it was held by the Confederacy from January 1861 to May 1862, but by 1865, modern warfare had rendered it obsolete.
Operated by the National Parks service, Fort Barrancas has a small Visitors Center with interactive exhibits, an 11-minute informational video and a gift shop. Facilities also include nature trails, a picnic area, restrooms and a water fountain. Visitors may take a self-guided tour or ranger-led tours are available at 2 PM daily. Call (850) 455-5167 for more information.
Advanced Redoubt
A smaller fort called a redoubt is located about one half mile north of Fort Barrancas. Built between 1845 and 1870, the Advanced Redoubt was designed as a second line of defense for the navy yard to protect against a land attack. The design meant the fort could only be taken by siege, a long and costly endeavor. Both Fort Barrancas and the Advanced Redoubt are masonry forts similar to Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine and other forts built for centuries along the Florida coast.
A forest trail connects Fort Barrancas with the Advanced Redoubt, or visitors may drive and park in the adjacent parking lot. There are no amenities here.
Barrancas National Cemetery
Established in 1868, the Barrancas National Cemetery is the last resting place of men and women who served their county in the U. S. military. There are three Medal of Honor recipients buried here along with career personnel and those who died in combat.
A number of Native Americans are also buried here. Ga-Ah, one of Geronimo’s wives, is buried in Section 18, Grave 1496, and 55 victims of the Second Seminole War are buried in Section 3.
For more information about any of these attractions, call the numbers listed above. Rain or shine, all year round, there is much to do on Pensacola Naval Air Station.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
