Pensacola Beach Florida – Things to do Under the Sun

It has been quite cold here in Colorado lately and I am missing the warmth we had while in Miami, Florida this time last year and did the exciting Everglades Airboat Tour. Sadly, we won’t be back in Florida until maybe later this year.  However while talking to a friend about Florida it made me start thinking about a trip to Florida in May of 2011, when we spent time part of a week playing in the Pensacola area.  Unlike Miami, in Pensacola you will find miles of white sand beaches, but they stretch along the Gulf of Mexico. We enjoyed our time swimming and playing in these crystal clear waters.

Interestingly enough, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is one of the longest in the Gulf of Mexico at 1,470 feet, stretching beyond two sand bars. The pier is also a great place to sit and watch some of the most vivid sunsets. Living most of our lives in California we have seen many sunsets, but they are just different there. There is also a boardwalk that features open-air bars and restaurants, shops, and shallow water for kids along the Santa Rosa Sound.  It was fun walking around and talking to people who lived there or were snowbirds. I enjoyed finding out what they liked about the Pensacola area.

There are many things to see and do in Pensacola. Here are a few of the things we didn’t get to do, but hope to do on a future visit. They are in no particular order. Please let me know if you have done any of these, and if there is anything I missed. Thanks in advance. Happy travels.

Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum

The Pensacola Lighthouse is the third lighthouse in Pensacola Bay.  The first one was originally one that had been moved from the mouth of the Mississippi River after there was a new lighthouse completed there in 1823. In 1825 a new tower was built, however, the light was partially obscured by trees and a new light tower was built in 1858 on a different side of Pensacola Bay. This is the current lighthouse and is still used as a navigational aid today.

Address:

2081 Radford Blvd. • Pensacola, FL 32508

Phone:

850-393-1561

Hours:

Mon – Thurs 10 AM to 4 PM
Fri-Sun 10 AM to 5 PM

Price:

Adults	$8
12 & under	$4
65 & up	$4
Military Member	$4

Directions:

From Perdido Key, FL, and Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, AL:
From 292, cross Perdido Key Bridge and take the first right onto Gulf Beach Hwy. Then turn right onto Blue Angel Parkway and drive through the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. The Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

From I-10 East or West:
Take Exit 7 (Pine Forest Road, 297). Head south about 1.5 miles and make a right onto Blue Angel Parkway. Drive about 11 miles to the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

From Gulf Breeze, Pensacola Beach, Ft. Walton, and Destin:
From Highway 98 to Pensacola Bay Bridge, veer left onto Bayfront Parkway, which turns into Main Street. Take a left onto Barrancas Avenue, which will turn into Gulf Beach Highway. Continue on Gulf Beach Highway and turn left onto Blue Angel Parkway and drive through the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. Continue down Blue Angel Parkway/Radford Boulevard. The Pensacola Lighthouse will be on the right.

Parking:

The main parking lot is located on Radford Boulevard, and a second smaller lot is available off of Shell Road. Parking spaces for those with disabilities are available in our main parking lot, to the right of the fence line. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair-accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building.

Fort Barrancas

This hilltop fort is connected to a sea-level water battery and overlooks Pensacola Bay. It is a remnant from the Spanish fortification Fort San Carlos de Barrancas of the late 18th Century. Today Fort Barrancas is open to the public and houses a visitor center for the Gulf Islands National Seashore. In the said visitor center you will find exhibits that explain the history of the fort and is where you can gain access to the fort itself.

Address:

3182 Taylor Rd, Pensacola, FL 32508

Phone:

850-934-2600

Hours:

Visitor Center: 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Historic Fort Barrancas: 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Historic Advanced Redoubt: By Ranger Guided Tours Only

Prices:

Per person (pedestrian, cyclist, etc. 1-7 days)………….$15
Motorcycle (1-7 days)……………………………………………$20
Vehicle (1-7 days)………………………………………………….$25
Park Annual Pass………………………………………………….$45

Directions:

From Fort Pickens – Head east on Fort Pickens road. Turn left onto Pensacola Beach Blvd, stay in the left lanes to exit onto Gulf Breeze Pkwy (US 98 W). After crossing Pensacola Bay Bridge, stay to the left to merge onto Bayfront Pkwy. Turn left onto Barrancas Ave (FL 292 W). Turn left onto S Blue Angel Pkwy. Enter NAS Pensacola, turn left onto Taylor Rd. Fort Barrancas will be on the right.

From Naval Live Oaks – Head west on Gulf Breeze Pkwy (US 98 W). After crossing Pensacola Bay Bridge, stay to the left to merge onto Bayfront Pkwy. Turn left onto Barrancas Ave (FL 292 W). Turn left onto S Blue Angel Pkwy. Enter NAS Pensacola, turn left onto Taylor Rd. Fort Barrancas will be on the right.

From I-10E – Take Exit 7A and turn right onto Pine Forest Rd (FL 297 S). Turn right onto N Blue Angel Pkwy (FL 173 S). Enter NAS Pensacola, turn left onto Taylor Rd. Fort Barrancas will be on the right.

Blue Wahoos Stadium

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos are a Minor League Baseball team of the Double-A South and the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. I love baseball and would love to see this newer stadium.  We have actually been to a few triple-A affiliates, but never any in Florida.  I don’t even think I’ve been to a double-A stadium. I will definitely have to remember this the next time we are in the Pensacola area

Address:

Phone:

Adventures Unlimited

Adventures Unlimited is the home to many rivers and zip-lining adventures. They state that they have LOw and High Challange courses on the river, as well as zipline courses that zip nearly a mile long over Coldwater Creek as high as 65′ in the air. Sounds exciting. They also have a fleet of 250 canoes, 100 kayaks, 500 tubes, and 10 stand-up paddleboards for aquatic enjoyment. This is definitely something the whole family can enjoy for a day’s adventure.

Address:

8974 Tomahawk Landing Rd Milton, FL 32570

Phone:

850-623-6197

More Info:

Hours and prices are all different depending on the type of adventure or package you choose. Too many to list on this post. I would suggest checking out their website or calling them for prices, etc.