Itinerary: Historical Adventures in Pensacola

Day 1:

Morning - Our weekend history adventure starts in Downtown Pensacola, by hitting the Historic Pensacola Village. Spanning over eight and a half acres, you can be a part of history by taking self-guided tours and interacting with period-dressed living history interpreters.

Afternoon - Continue your journey Downtown with the Pensacola Museum of History. Home to both rotating and permanent exhibits, the museum is in the building that was once Pensacola City Hall, built in 1907. The museum is also home to the Trader Jon's exhibit which was established in 1953 and was once a bar where young flight students gathered. While Trader Jon's is no longer open, the exhibit features memorabilia for all to enjoy.

Evening - Enjoy dinner at Jackson's Steakhouse. This fine-dining restaurant is located right next to Plaza Ferdinand in Downtown Pensacola. Plaza Ferdinand was named after King Ferdinand VII of Spain, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Day 2:

Morning - Start your day aboard NAS Pensacola, a treasure trove of history and excitement. First up, hit Fort Barrancas! This historic fort is located right along Pensacola Pass and is fun to explore. The fort was completed in 1844 and is a great way to get outdoors and immerse yourself in history.

Afternoon - Next up, pop over to the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum! Are you ready to climb 177 steps to the top? The Pensacola Lighthouse was built in 1859 and still stands today with a beautiful view of Pensacola Pass. After the Lighthouse, enjoy the rest of the afternoon at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Learn about the history of the Blue Angels, the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron, hop on a flight simulator, and discover over 4,000 artifacts and 150 restored aircraft.

Evening - End the day with a sunset on Johnson Beach. Johnson Beach is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and is a great spot to explore the beautiful beaches, launch a kayak, ride a bike, or sit and enjoy a pavilion. Johnson Beach gets its name after Rosamond Johnson, a Pensacola native who was the first soldier from Escambia County, Florida, to die in the Korean War.

Day 3:

Morning - Fort Pickens is a great way to immerse yourself in history. Designed in the 1800s to protect Pensacola, Fort Pickens is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. There are a plethora of activities you can do here - camping, biking, walking, exploring history, and more - there's something fun for everyone. Walk along the beautiful coastline or explore the historic forts.

Afternoon - Located in Downtown Pensacola, the Pensacola Museum of Art is another excellent stop on our history adventure. Showcasing art from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, you'll want to stop in this museum to see for yourself! After that, grab some walking shoes and get outside. America's First Settlement Trail awaits - with over seventy points of interest, you'll be able to tour over 260 years of history with sites from as early as 1756 when the Spanish built Fort San Miguel in Downtown Pensacola.

Evening - Fresh seafood cuisine never sounded so good. Round off your history adventures with a delicious meal! Fish House in Downtown Pensacola overlooks Seville Harbor and Pensacola Bay. Try out the world-famous Grits a Ya Ya and grab a cocktail while you're there too!