Itinerary: Family Fun Filled Day in Pensacola

Breakfast at Native Café (8:00 – 9:00 AM): Kickstart your day in Pensacola with a delicious breakfast. Native Café offers a taste of local flavor with its fresh, homemade breakfast and brunch. Known as one of the best breakfast spots around, Native has a variety of menu options for the whole family to enjoy.

Explore Fort Pickens (optional; 10:30 AM – 12 PM): If you need a mid-morning beach break, Fort Pickens is a can’t-miss historical experience. Located on Pensacola Beach, Fort Pickens has a rich history waiting to be explored by your family. If you’re visiting between March – October, you may be lucky enough to spot the Blue Angels practicing in the skies above NAS Pensacola. Their practice days are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays and subject to change due to weather. Be sure to check out the practice schedule to know the best times to visit.

Lunch at Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grille or The Dog House (12:00 – 1:30 PM): Pensacola boasts numerous delicious, family-friendly restaurants. If you’re looking for a waterfront dining experience, check out Jaco's Bayfront Bar & Grille. Jaco’s is a local favorite with a variety of tasty menu options, stunning views, and both indoor and covered outdoor seating options. For a more casual but equally delectable option, head over to The Dog House and try a hot dog, smashburger, or other specialty hot dog, located in the heart of Downtown Pensacola. Take an immersive tour and stroll down Palafox Street.

NAS Pensacola (12:00 - 4:00 PM): If you'd rather spend your afternoon aboard NAS Pensacola, option 2 is for you! Pensacola is known as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation". If you’re ready for some lunch, Cubi Bar Café located inside the National Naval Aviation Museum offers a variety of refreshments, soups, salads, and more. Don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum. Because the museum is located on an active military base, make sure that you check out the special directions and requirements for gaining access. Please access the base at the west gate. See map for details. This free, public museum boasts a hands-on history experience with over 4,000 artifacts and more than 150 restored aircraft representing multiple branches of military aviation. Aviation thrill continues with flight simulators and a Giant Screen Digital Theater. Don’t forget to stop by the Flight Deck Store on the way out to grab a special souvenir. If you want to continue the adventure, you can climb the 177 steps of the historic Pensacola Lighthouse. You can enjoy a beautiful view of Pensacola Pass from the top of the lighthouse which is open daily from 9 AM – 4 PM.

Relax at Big Lagoon State Park (Optional; 4:30 – 6:00 PM): Big Lagoon State Park is a perfect destination for a relaxing interaction with nature. Home to a variety of birds and plants, you can search for wildlife as you walk along the many trails and boardwalks. If you’re looking for an adventure on the water, this park is a popular kayaking and canoeing location. For a scenic view, check out Big Lagoon State Park’s observation tower. Take an immersive tour of Big Lagoon State Park.

Dinner at Flora-Bama Ole River Grill (6:00 PM): For a laid-back feel with high-quality food, check out Flora-Bama Ole River Grill for a delicious family dinner. This family-friendly dining option offers waterfront views, good vibes, and a wide variety of menu choices to please the whole family. With fresh seafood, live music, and a unique menu, visiting the Flora-Bama Ole River Grill is a must when you’re in Perdido Key.

Beach Sunset Stroll (Optional; 7:30 PM): A beach sunset stroll provides the perfect ending to a fun-filled day. Thanks to Pensacola’s 40+ miles of sugar-white sand beaches, there are plenty of locations for a relaxing stroll. Perdido Key State Park and Johnson Beach on Gulf Islands National Seashore both offer beautiful sunset-watching locations. At Perdido Key, there are numerous public beach access points that will allow you to enjoy the sunset with an ocean breeze in your hair and sugar-white sand at your feet.

And that's a wrap on your family fun day in Pensacola! Check out more family-friendly activities and vacation tips below to keep the adventure going.