Things to Do in Pensacola, Florida

The Pensacola area offers a variety of exciting activities. From the National Museum of Naval Aviation to the annual Fiesta of Five Flags, there is always something fun and interesting to do in this beautiful city.

Historic Pensacola

For those history buffs, Pensacola houses some of the best sites and museums to be found in the entire state of Florida. Topping the list is the National Museum Sailboats at Pensacola Beach

of Naval Aviation, where more than 100 aircraft are on exhibit. Some of this facility's highlights are on loan from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. These include replicas of wooden planes, early 1900 hydroplanes, and the actual Skylab module and space station used by the United States in the early 1970's. Admission is free and many of the informal tours at the Museum are led by the actual combat veterans who flew the planes of which they describe. Other historic sites in Pensacola include the Veterans Memorial Park, with the nation's first full-replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Historic Pensacola Village, highlighting the area's black history, and the Civil War Soldiers Pensacola Beach House

Museum, concentrating on the medical care used in the war.

Pensacola's Natural Habitats

Two of Pensacola's answers to the nature lover can be found at the Pensacola Zoo and the nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Zoo houses over 700 animals amid a background of botanical gardens. Among the animals available for observation are tigers, bears, zebras, rhinos, and western lowland gorillas. Built in 1996, the Serengeti Room is the newest addition to the Zoo. This facility is available for private parties or corporate meetings. Equipped with microphones, podiums, projectors, and a full catering service, this spot makes the perfect meeting place for any occasion. For a wildlife Volleyball on Pensacola Beach

in their natural habitat, outdoor zealots can visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Two spectacular islands, Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key, help make up both the 150-mile-long strip of this beautiful Seashore. Careful attention by those living in the area have ensured that this area remain one of the most pristine and well-preserved natural habitats in the entire United States. Besides exploring the outstanding collection of flora and fauna found here, visitors can visit historic Fort Pickens. Among other things, Fort Pickens was used as a prison house for two years to contain Native Americans, including Geronimo.

Pensacola's DeLuna's Treasure

If celebration is more to your liking, Pensacola's annual Fiesta of Five Sailboating on Pensacola Beach

Flags ought to suffice. This festival, which honors the area's colorful and rich history, celebrates its 48th season in 1997. The Fiesta lasts for ten days and includes over twenty events, culminating in the final awarding of DeLuna's Treasure.

Outdoor Activities in Pensacola

Not to exclude the sports enthusiast, Pensacola offers some of the finest golf and fishing to be found anywhere. One of the more famous of golf courses in Pensacola is the Moors Golf and Lodging. This 6,900-yard course was designed by John B. Lafoy and made to replicate the famous courses found in Scotland. Also not to be missed is the Rod and Reel Marina. Providing stocked-lagoons of sportfish and shellfish, this marina has been a favorite for anglers since 1957.