History, nature and adventure combine to make Pensacola one of Florida’s most enjoyable coastal destinations.

Sugary sand beaches stretch from the state parks and Gulf Islands National Seashore on Perdido Key to Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island, offering visitors a vast, sunny wonderland of water sports.

Located on the clear Gulf of Mexico in the westernmost corner of Northwest Florida, Pensacola was discovered in 1559 by Spanish explorer Don Tristán de Luna. Visitors have been discovering its virtues ever since.

A Potpourri of Options

The city boasts its own symphony, ballet and opera plus art centres and heritage museums, providing a delightful potpourri of cultural venues.

Downtown Pensacola is divided into seven vibrant districts. French Creole, Spanish and British-style architecture frame the Historic District’s intriguing collection of homes and buildings where costumed re-enactors bring the city’s past to life. The Museum/Arts District bursts with art and entertainment venues, while the Waterfront District’s cafés and seafood houses serve succulent, fresh-caught local fare.

A winter calendar of festivals and concerts keeps Pensacola pulsating with excitement. It all begins with December’s Surfing Santa Parade on Santa Rosa Island and a New Year’s Eve fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico.

Take a dolphin cruise. Watch the exhilarating Blue Angels air shows. Tour Fort Pickens, a pre-Civil War fortress. Thrill to the 150 aircraft, IMAX Theatre and Top Gun air combat simulators at the National Naval Aviation Museum.  

With its mild winter climate, family-friendly activities, beautiful historic neighbourhoods and spectacular quartz beaches, Pensacola positively percolates!