Visitors come to Pensacola every year for a getaway. And who can blame them? Our beaches are breathtaking. Downtown is one of the most vibrant and fastest growing hubs along the Gulf Coast region. People may not realize, however, that the museums in Pensacola are a great escape too – an escape into inspiring history filled with unique people.
Visiting local museums is your ticket to being in the shoes of the explorers who once inhabited this area. I dare you to explore and learn more!
Step back in time with colonial settlers and meander through Historic Pensacola Village. Take an in-depth, guided tour Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to see the Old Christ Church, Lavalle House and Lear-Rocheblave House. Historians will take you to hidden spaces and share fun facts that you may miss otherwise.
Hear distant whispers in Old Christ Church as it was once occupied by federal troops during the Civil War. The Lavalle House is a cottage style home and the only one of French Creole kind depicting life in Pensacola from the early 1800s. The Lear/Rocheblave House is a Victorian beauty that sits in picturesque Seville Square and contains objects used in the 1920s.
But if the timing doesn’t work out to take a tour, you can self-guide through other treasure-filled places like the John Appleyard Storytelling Cottage, Pensacola Museum of History, Museum of Commerce, and Museum of Industry. Seize the “One Ticket, Seven Days to Explore,” deal that allows you to mark your territory through the museums. Pick the places that interest you most and revisit your favorite spots twice.
Then walk in the shoes of Trader Jon inside the Pensacola Museum of History. See his wild U.S. Navy memorabilia collected over the decades and often traded for drinks in his former bar business. Learn what Pensacola life was like while under five different rulers - why it’s known as The City of Five Flags. From lumber to railroads and fishing, the Museum of Industry reveals past trades. In the Museum of Commerce, you can stroll down a 1890s era street and hop aboard an antique trolley car.
Meet Pensacola’s pride, the Blue Angels, and sit alongside aviators at the National Naval Aviation Museum. This attraction is free, nestled on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola and open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fly away, if only in your mind, with Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard pilots. Be astonished by over 150 aircraft spread among 350,000 square feet of exhibit space. Purchase a ticket and join a flight simulator or take in a state-of-the-art motion picture in the giant theater. You can easily spend a whole day here before walking out with pride after meeting some of our country’s greatest heroes.
You have so much to discover among the Pensacola museums…
Visit a museum in any order you please.
Where history meets fun and life on the seas.
Walk from top to bottom, or side to side.
Each will fill you with wonder and pride.
Come escape into one today.
You’ll be glad and amazed, I say.
Things to Explore and Tips to get you Aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola is often called the cradle of naval aviation, as close to 60,000 students – most of the members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard – begin their careers in flight training at the Pensacola-area base each year.
Pensacola’s Great Indoors
As we all know, the Pensacola Bay Area has a lot to offer in the way of outdoor activity. But, since this is Florida and we are prone to afternoon showers, it's always a good idea to have a few backup activities planned. Lucky for you, we have just as many fun things to do inside as we do outside!
Top 10 Activities in Pensacola for Families
Ready to get away and take a break? An escape to Pensacola can be just the antidote your family needs. The Pensacola Bay area encompasses Greater Pensacola, as well as Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. The variety of activities that await sets Pensacola apart as a destination for families looking to spend their vacation on the Gulf Coast.
The Pensacola Lighthouse – Shining a Light on Pensacola’s History
Since 1859, the Pensacola Lighthouse has been guiding ships safely through Pensacola Pass. It has survived multiple hurricanes, endured shots from a cannon during the Civil War and has even sustained an earthquake, making it almost legendary. Over the years, the lighthouse has held many keepers who made their living walking up and down the 177 steps, day in and day out, lugging heavy oil cans all the way.
Historic Pensacola Hotspots
Your fast track to 460 years of history.
Five Historic Hikes in Pensacola
History, beaches and a hike in the Florida sunshine, is that too much to ask? Absolutely not! Experience these 5 historic hikes in the Pensacola Bay Area.
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