5 Reasons to Vacation in Pensacola

Whether you are planning a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family adventure, Pensacola, Florida should be your next vacation!

Family & Friends, you’ll know I love history, so here is a “pearl” of history for you! 😉

Pensacola is traditionally nicknamed “The City of Five Flags” because five different flags have flown over Pensacola; Spain, France, Great Britain, the USA, and the Confederacy. Pensacola has many more prized nicknames including, “World’s Whitest Beaches,” “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” “America’s First Settlement,” and “The Western Gate to the Sunshine State.”  

This wonderful city truly has something for everyone! 

1. The Festivals

Pensacola has a festival for everyone! Literally EVERYONE! Word on the street is that Pensacola has the most festivals of any town in the country! (I can’t actually verify that, but a Pirate on a float told me, so I’ll take his word)

Truly, Alex and I are continually floored at how many different activities and festivals fill the streets each and every weekend! We love it!

Here are just a few of the festivals I am most excited for! 

1. The Fiesta of the Five Flags Parade! (May 31, 2019) 
2. Fiesta Boat Parade in the Bay! (June 1, 2019)
3. Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival (September 27 – September 29, 2019)
4. Gallery Night (every third Friday on Palafox Street!)
5. Blues on the Bay Concert! (July 28, 2019)
6. The Mullet Toss (You throw a fish across the Florida Alabama line! next year in early May) 

Check out the great Visit Pensacola page to plan your next vacation! Seriously, we can’t wait to see you! 😉

2. The Blue Angels

Every American should feel the roar of freedom booming from an F-18!

The pristine execution of synchronized flight paired with their thundering engines makes for the perfect summer show! 

NAS Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels, so you’ll be able to watch their practices for free most weeks from late March until November! What other’s only see once a year, Pensacola sees every week! Search their practice schedule online for more information.

After the practices, the angels host meet-and-greets at the National Naval Aviation Museum. The Blue Angels are real-life superheroes in their flight suits! (yes, they are a little tighter than your typical flight suit.)

The Naval Aviation Museum is another hidden gem! The Museum is one of the world’s largest air and space museums! Inside, you can spend hours upon hours looking at aviation history, including a replica of President George Bush’s Avenger. 

The Blue Angels are truly THE American fireworks!  I highly recommend seeing them!

3. Cost

Pensacola is relatively inexpensive. {Disclaimer, some weekends fill up years in advance, so beware.} But truly, Pensacola has so much to offer!!

Lodging: In addition, Airbnb offers great accommodations for couples and families. Whether you stay right on the beach or over the bridges and in the city, there are great lodging options available. If you stay near downtown it’s only a 20-minute drive to the beach.

Rental Cars: Rental cars can also be expensive. Luckily, Uber and Lyft are always great options for getting around town! Alex and I also love using Turo for renting cars. This is an awesome rental company similar to Airbnb. Owners allow you to drive their cars for prices often significantly less than typical car rental agencies. Be sure to book your car, and sign into Turo prior to your visit.  For those on a tighter budget, consider using a  U-Haul truck. It may be unconventional, but it still gets you from A to B. Renting a U-Haul truck for a couple of days will also be worth it if you are staying close to the beach!  

4. The Food

 Alex and I love food! Meals spent together laughing and chatting for hours on hand are truly the best. We can spend hours enjoying the atmosphere, the wine, the food, and the company (of course)! Here are some of our MUSTS! 

1. McGuire’s *The MUST SEE Pensacola Restaurant*
2. Flounder’s Chowder House (on the beach!)
3. Lucy’s In The Square (BEST dessert!)
4. Jaco’s Bayfront Bar and Grill (views of the Bay!)
5. The District: Seville Steak and Seafood (my mouth is watering!)

Remember to make reservations! Alex and I always use the “no wait app” on Yelp!!

5. The Beaches

Last, but definitely not least, the beaches should make you book your ticket today!

With world-renowned white beaches and the breath-taking emerald waters, Pensacola Beach is heavenly. 

For the Family: The breathtaking beaches are also great for all ages. Bring the kiddos and feel at ease! The beaches provide gentle rolling waves perfect for little ones playing around in the water. Remember to respect the ocean! My mom always said, “Respect the water!” Please put life vests on your tiny ones, it is still the ocean. Nevertheless, be at ease knowing the waves are small and enjoyable. 

For Him and Her: Desiring a little privacy, hop in your car and drive east or west along Santa Rosa Island! There are countless little stops beyond the tourist areas for you to jump out and enjoy hundreds of yards of beach ALL to yourself! 

For your Tummy!: Be sure to bring along your fishing pole! Wade out into the water to cast or anchor it on the beach and enjoy some great fishing! Be sure to pack a small net. Also, enjoy a quiet walk as the sun sets on the shoreline, but keep your eyes open. Blue crabs crawl all over the shoreline and at dusk, they especially come out to play! Any child will love to go crab hunting at night! Scoop up enough crabs for dinner and enjoy a local favorite! Boil them and add spicy cajun seasoning or some melted butter! Enjoy!

Conclusion

So there you have it! 5 reasons why your next vacation should be Pensacola!

I hope you enjoyed, and please leave a comment below or shoot me an email if you have any questions! I would love to hear from you! Have a great day!