Location: Pensacola
Top Things to do in Pensacola
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Pensacola, Florida (FL)
If you're looking for some great Florida beaches but aren't necessarily interested in a mega-resort or theme park atmosphere, Pensacola might just be the place for your perfect weekend. Home to Gulf Islands National Seashore, the city offers some of the best fishing and boating in the area. Inland, canoeing enthusiasts won't want to miss the beauty of the Blackwater River. Closer to town, the city has a proud military heritage, which can be seen at attractions like the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Restaurants in Pensacola
1. Wall South
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on a smaller scale.
Reviewed By 215JimM - Pensacola, United States
The wall reminds me of the wall in D.C. Very sobering experience. To walk along is see all who gave there lives is sobering.
2. Gulf Islands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 163 reviews
A historical area with beautiful beaches.
Reviewed By sskroll - Orlando, United States
The BEST beaches in the state as far as I am concerned. Plenty of parking, clear water and miles of gulf to walk or swim. There was plenty of room to social distance. If you come in from downtown Pensacola you will be charged $1 to get across the bridge.
3. National Naval Aviation Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6,454 reviews
Experience the magic of flight at the National Naval Aviation Museum! See over 4,000 artifacts and 150 aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. Ride the flight simulators or catch all the drama and power of amazing IMAX films. Dine in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe and take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from the Flight Deck Store. Spend a cool day inside the Museum and experience Hands-on-History! New Naval Air Station Entrance: All visitors to the National Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas and Pensacola Lighthouse who do not possess a Department of Defense identification card or are unescorted by the holder of a Department of Defense identification card, will be required to enter the installation via the West Gate located off Blue Angel Parkway.
Reviewed By 763cathrynd
State of the art aviation museum for all ages! Has it all! 2 story quality museum along with a gift shop, iMax theater, restaurant in the beautiful setting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL! Easy to spend anywhere from 2-5 hours there! It’s awesome! Cost? FREE!
4. Pensacola Naval Air Station
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,091 reviews
Homebase for the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron, Pensacola NAS is also home to the Pensacola Lighthouse, the National Museum of Naval Aviation and Fort Barrancas, an early 19th-century garrison.
Reviewed By richardsR7890HZ
Visiting parents graves,barranco national cemetery is very well maintained and the personnel are very helpful,also the naval aviation museum has so much history and is a phenomenal, a great place to enjoy your day.
5. Blue Wahoos Ballpark
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 784 reviews
Reviewed By 873ra - Pensacola, United States
We finally made it to a Blue Wahoos game after talking about it for the first few years we lived here... sorry it took us so long! This is a really nice ballpark... beautiful setting, right on Pensacola bay! They have a wide selection of food and drinks... wine, beer and cocktails. It was very hot, but hey, it’s Florida in July so no surprise there. We had a blast in spite of the heat. We will be regular visitors next season! It’s very family friendly, things other than watching the game for the kids if they’re not interested in the game. Can’t say enough good things about this minor league ballpark.. it’s great!
6. Pensacola Bay Cruises
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 145 reviews
MARCH 6th-NOVEMBER 1st, 2020: -Pensacola Bay Cruises is a passenger ferry service that moves people between three destinations: Downtown Pensacola (750 Commendencia St in Pensacola), Pensacola Beach aka Quietwater Boardwalk (400 Quietwater Beach Rd in Pensacola Beach) and Fort Pickens at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Pensacola Bay Cruises offers a single fare for multiple destinations throughout the day, as well as Group Rates. Pensacola Bay Cruises use two 145-passenger ferries which feature concessions, restrooms, an indoor climate-controlled seating area and an upper level for beautiful panoramic views. Our Mine Storeroom is located near the Ft. Pickens ferry dock and offers drinks for purchase! MARCH-SEPTEMBER: -Blue Angel Practice Cruises. Catch our hometown heroes perform their practice shows over NAS Pensacola. -Sunset Cruises; watch the sun go down over Pensacola Bay.
Reviewed By DawnaBrown - Gulf Breeze, United States
Had a great time on the three hour cruise we took. Met some fun people, both locals and tourists. The air show practice was really cool and it didn't matter if they only used the grey/white smoke, still awesome to watch them fly. I'm sad to hear they'll be stopping service. Sure hope the park service can figure out another provider.
7. Blackwater River State Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Home to one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the world, this 200,000-acre park offers canoeing, camping and nature trails.
Reviewed By SarahMiller73 - Georgiana, United States
We parked in a lot for $4 and used a nearby company to take us up the river. We floated back down on tubes. The river and it’s beaches are beautiful. Back at the parking area the restrooms are clean and useful. It’s a great place to spend the day!
8. Naval Live Oaks Reservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Visitors can view wildlife and fabulous flora and fauna from one of the many nature trails in this 1,000 acres of woods.
Reviewed By MEA801 - Gettysburg, United States
My husband and I went there this week. Has a cute visitors center and it was a nice easy hike which was well maintained wooden path. There were two nice lookouts as well.
9. Fort Barrancas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Located in the Pensacola Naval Station, this is the site of the first U.S. Naval yard that was built in 1821.
Reviewed By James42558 - Ortonville, United States
We are glad that we had the chance to visit and learn more about this part of our American history! Huge complex, so allow time to go through it! If you have difficulty walking and climbing, you may not be able to see all of it though, but you can see the lower levels of it and certain buildings.
10. Historic Pensacola Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 343 reviews
Historic village consists of twenty properties belonging to the Pensacola National Register Historic District, including several museums and the Colonial Archaeological Trail.
Reviewed By hennybogan2017 - Toronto, Canada
When your tour guide dresses in appropriate costume, has a wealth of stories and is actually a university grad in maritime studies, then you’re in for a real treat. I loved to visit the many old houses on the tour, supplemented by guide Robbie’s subtle remarks and even subtler innuendos. Lots of intriguing contrasts between early Victorian houses and houses later in that era, plus those of wealthy families and working class people. The tour includes artifacts and such materials as a rope bed tightener and a real live chamber pot. A four block section of buildings is preserved through the joint efforts of the city and the University of West Florida. Tickets are good for one week, a helpful feature since covering everything could take all day. The tour finishes at Old Christ Church built in 1832 and the pews and stained glass windows are fascinating. And if you appear in costume, you just might merit a free one at nearby Pensacola Bay Brewery.
