What to do in Pensacola?

EmberNevill · **What to do in Pensacola?**

Anyone have anything cool that tourists might not know about? Any must see places? We leave for FL Sunday! I need ideas to keep us entertained during the week!

Thanks!

Claire · 07-08-2008, 09:59 PM

Well, let's see, since I live 40 minutes from P'cola, I know a few. The Naval Air Museum is a must. I think the Blue Angels are having an air show this weekend, but I think you just miss that. They usually practice near the museum on Tuesday or Wednesday, just check.

In Navarre, the beaches have great shells. Of course, the beaches are good. You have to go to Maguires Irish Pub downtown for dinner or lunch. It is just one of those places. If you want a zoo, the Gulf Breeze Zoo is not bad, but I have heard it isn't as good as it was in the past.

Hope that gets you started. . . Christy would know more as she lived there.

aliadam · 07-08-2008, 11:41 PM

I agree on the Naval Air Museum. We went there two days while we were in Pensacola we enjoyed it so much. Plus the Blue Angels were practicing so one day while we were at the beach of Fort Pickens they were practicing over our heads. Very cool!!

Speaking of Fort Pickens....we have mixed feeling about Fort Pickens. It's a park you pay a fee and can get admission into the park all wk. We did it because it was less crowded than the public beach. We went there everyday and had fun at the beach, toured the Fort, and as already mentioned could watch the Blue Angels practice. HOWEVER....it is the same beach that Jessie Arbogast was attacked by a shark and it happened on a day we were there. Luckily we didn't actually witness it, but as we were leaving a ton of ambulances were rushing into the fort. Later that night on the news we saw why. So I would recommend the Fort Pickens and the beaches and activities, but for us personally it sort of holds the willies.

The other thing we did one day was go to a small Civil War Museum in Pensacola. We enjoyed it and took lots of pictures and bought sourvenirs.

We ate at a couple of fun restaurants, but can't remember the name of any of them now. One of them was a pirate theme I know which made for fun pictures too.

Nice place, I'm sure you'll have fun!!!

AyeOhKay · 07-08-2008, 11:48 PM

Everything I could think of has been mentioned! We loved the Naval Air Museum and Maguires Irish Pub! And, the beaches are beautiful! Have a wonderful trip!

Claire · 07-08-2008, 11:52 PM

Pam, I think Fort Pickens is still closed - or at least the road to it since Hurricane Ivan. I think that is the area that you can hike to or bike to, but you wouldn't want to do that with small children. I would check on that.

As far as a shark attack, that can happen anywhere. Pensacola, New Smyrna, South Africa, wherever. Don't let that deter you. Jesse was not only swimming at dusk, he was swimming around where his uncle was FISHING! Can we say DUMB on the adults part??? Let's throw some chum in the water for sharks AND let our child/nephew swim near it. Just don't do anything dumb and you will be fine.

blessed_with_6 · 07-09-2008, 12:44 AM

Navarre, on HWY 98, used to have a big butterfly exhibit, along with a path made of large rocks that let you literally walk partway into the sound and under the bridge. I haven't been that way in ages, but it was fun to do with the kids. Otherwise, I agree with the others on the Naval museum, etc. Are you going past P'Cola, or stopping there? I lived in Navarre for 5 years, but I am actually from Panama City. The area in between the two is what I am most familiar with!

aliadam · 07-09-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claire

Pam, I think Fort Pickens is still closed - or at least the road to it since Hurricane Ivan. I think that is the area that you can hike to or bike to, but you wouldn't want to do that with small children. I would check on that.

As far as a shark attack, that can happen anywhere. Pensacola, New Smyrna, South Africa, wherever. Don't let that deter you. Jesse was not only swimming at dusk, he was swimming around where his uncle was FISHING! Can we say DUMB on the adults part??? Let's throw some chum in the water for sharks AND let our child/nephew swim near it. Just don't do anything dumb and you will be fine.

Oh yes, sorry if I was misleading on that. I don't blame Fort Pickens and actually up until then we had really enjoyed it and the low key less crowded beaches. But I was just saying for US personally that's what Fort Pickens will always remind us of. But if others can go (sounds like maybe they can't) we really enjoyed it.

Christy · 07-09-2008, 08:41 AM

DEFINITELY the Naval Air Museum!!! It's free and you may catch a sailor in uniform (that is NEVER a bad thing)

The Blue Angels typically practise on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, however I am not sure of their schedule right now as I don't live there anymore. But when they do practise, it's between 8:30 and 10am. You can meet the pilots at the Naval Museum on base post practise and get autographs. Super cool!

sweetiemama · 08-05-2008, 05:47 PM

Check to see if the Fish House is there. It is great! Also, the sister to Mcguire's (which is so much fun) is Flounder's out on Pensacola Beach which is really nice and relaxing as well. Haven't been in a long time but there is a sand area where the kids could probably run around if they have tons of energy.