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.
Family fun is plentiful in Pensacola.
Get out of your comfort zone and enjoy the area’s stunning emerald surf with a myriad of water sports rentals. Paddle boarding and kayaking is a favorite local way to see the area and interact with marine life. Parasailing and boat rentals are another great way to get a view of the area and relax.
Nothing says vacation to me more than arcades, go-carts, mini-golf, and more (bonus if it helps tire the kids out). Pensacola is home to a wide variety of attractions that offer fun for the whole family. Most options also include a dining or snack option that allows for a full afternoon of fun.
The National Naval Aviation Museum, located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, is one of the area’s most popular attractions. The museum showcases more than 150 restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Admission is free. Kids also love the 3D flight simulators and the Naval Aviation Memorial Giant Screen Theater, both of which require a purchased ticket for admission. If you visit the museum between March and November, you might catch sight of the world-famous Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron. The Blues, as many locals call them, practice in the skies over the museum most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings during the performance season. It is recommended that you check the museum website before you visit to review the requirements for entering NAS Pensacola. While you are on the base, be sure to check out historic Fort Barrancas and the Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum, as well.
Saltwater marshes, lush fine forests, sand dunes and more await you on the trails in Pensacola. Hike or bike, launch a canoe or paddleboard or observe the local wildlife amidst these natural treasures. Big Lagoon State Park is the start of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail as well as the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, The GINS is the longest federally protected seashore in the United States
Sometimes too much fun in the sun can be a bad thing. When you get tired of the rays, head indoors to cool off. Pensacola is home to skate parks, bowling alleys and more for those looking to have fun indoors. Pensacola has plenty of indoor fun activities for everyone to enjoy.
They’re not picky, they just know exactly what they want, right? Just like we adults know that we want a steak or sushi, the kiddos in the room have all the right to request pizza, popcorn shrimp, and an array of Shirley Temples. As parents too, it’s always a nice treat to include entertainment for a little piece of mind so playgrounds and life-sized lawn games are sometimes exactly what you’re looking for. Lucky for you, there are plenty of family-friendly dining options. Don’t forget the cherry on top of that “Dirty Shirley” to fully enter vacation mode.
Something to remember wherever you travel within the Pensacola area is to ask about military and senior discounts if you believe a member of your party may qualify. Many businesses have options to make your vacation more affordable and fun for the whole family. Be sure to explore our deals.
With so many options in the Pensacola Bay Area, you could easily fill your vacation days with activities for the whole family, but don’t be afraid to slow down and just enjoy the beautiful Northwest Florida sunsets. Proceed at your own pace!
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