Travel Pensacola for Beaches History Adventure
Florida's Panhandle Offers Vacations Filled with Variety and Fun
Jan 29, 2009
A daytrip to Pensacola, FL on the U.S. Gulf Coast, can easily stretch out, as most people tend to do on the gorgeous beaches. Pensacola is an area of eye-catching diversity. There are more activities than one can shake a lobster at, and some outstanding seafood. Those who have visited Miami, Key West or Tampa and think they know Florida are in for a pleasant surprise on Florida's Panhandle where fishing and swimming are not the only attractions.
Where to Go in Pensacola, FL
When travelling to Pensacola, visitors and the local Convention Bureau report that these are some must-do adventures:
- A visit to the National Seashore. A Park Ranger can tell visitors about clam milkshakes. The rangers are also thrilled to show interested travellers a hurricane knot.
- The Spanish colonized Pensacola, America's first settlement, in 1559. The history of the place was developed under five nations’ flags: Spain, France, Britain, the U.S. and the Confederated States of America. Being the only city that can make that claim in the U.S., it is known as the city of five flags. The best places to explore this interesting background are Historic Pensacola Village and Pensacola Historic District. At the vintage Seville Quarter, downtown, history is the backdrop for eight entertainment venues.
- The Naval Air Station Pensacola is home to Fort Barrancas, the National Museum of Naval Aviation, IMAX theater and Pensacola Lighthouse. Each is worth a visit for unusual photo ops.
- Out of the ordinary, Pensacola has a White House-proclaimed National Treasure, St. Michael's Cemetery. It’s an open-air museum and burying ground. Dating as early as mid 18th century, there are 3200 marked burials, tombstones, monuments and numerous unmarked burials.
- Evenings can be reserved for Pensacola Beach! Fabulous food. Marvelous music. Soft ocean breezes with the tang of salt air. Activities and events can be as quiet or as lively as the visitor desires.
Details About Those Pensacola Attractions
At the seashore, a camera, swimwear, sunscreen and a love of the ocean are necessities. The Information Center, north end of Pensacola Bay Bridge, is the place to find informaiton and answers about fishing, swimming, sailing, or exploring with scuba or snorkels. There are 400 underwater shipwrecks. Old Fort Pickens, where captured Native Americans including Geronimo were imprisoned at one time, is open to the public, too.
Historic Pensacola Village is open Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are reasonable. People either choose to explore solo or join a tour. Those who don't fancy being active can admire a collection of 42 historic dollhouses. No one leaves here without a better appreciation for Florida's and the United States's history.
Pensacola proudly hosts a major U.S. Navy teaching facility, Pensacola Naval Air Station. Young sailors attend "A. School" on this base. Visitors may request a tour or visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, home of 150 beautifully restored aircraft and 4,000 artifacts. It's a "touch and see" venue. Flight simulators provide vicarious thrills and the IMAX is a great place to chill out.
Pensacola Beach locals call fall to winter the "Secret Season." Temperatures moderate. Crowds are smaller. Deals abound. Once a traveler crosses the three mile bridge to the island, she can quell her apetite with something native like Flounder’s Chowder House or Hemingway’s Island Grill. The drive along miles of white sand beaches has stopping spots for a swim along the way. Pensacola Beach has live entertainment, every night, at a variety of venues including free beach concerts. There are world class spas and island shopping, too.
Pensacola's tourist offices are the perfect stop for specific details about local events and venues. There is no right season to visit this lovely area. It's a terrific place to rest and relax, swim and fish, eat and dance or shop for amazing antiques.
Here's another article from Suite101 about unusual vacations - RVing-Seniors Take to the Road
