Page 66 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Fall/Winter 2024

5 Reasons Why Pensacola Is The Way To Beach
BY MADELAINE LAFRAMBOISE
66 DREAMSCAPES FALL/WINTER 2024
Nestled in Northwest Florida, Pensacola is known for its award-winning beaches, sea- side charm and delectable coastal cuisine.
For culture and sporting enthusiasts, discover more than 460 years of history, festivals galore, the arts and year-round sporting events. Here are five ways to beach in Pensacola, Florida this winter:
Sugar-white Beaches and Clear, Emerald Waters
You haven’t truly experienced Pensacola until you sink your toes into the sugar-white sand of its world-famous beaches. Feel the daily stresses melt away as you watch the waves roll in along more than 40 miles of pristine shoreline, from Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key. The beach vibe is laid-back and inviting. Come as you are and relax with the locals at beachside bars and restaurants. Take a scenic ride aboard Pensacola Bay Cruises, connecting Downtown Pensacola to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk and Fort Pickens.
460+ Years of Colonial History
Pensacola is unique among beach destinations because it is a city with an old soul. Its roots date back to 1559, when Spanish conquistador Don Tristan de Luna established Pensacola as the first European settlement in North America. Today, you can explore its rich history through sites like Historic Pensacola Village, which brings the past to life with preserved buildings
and interactive exhibits and the America’s First Settlement Trail, which highlights the city’s colonial and military heritage. From museums to walking tours, Pensacola offers countless ways to step back in time.
Outdoor Adventures
Escape the everyday on plenty of multipurpose trails, or dive the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail! Fishing is part of the local lifestyle, with options ranging from deep-sea charters to casual shore fishing. Try surfing, scuba, sailing, or take a dolphin tour for a close-up encounter with some of the area’s most popular residents.
Delicious Coastal Cuisine
Pensacola’s unique coastal cuisine draws on the city’s colonial roots and proximity to the teeming fisheries of the Gulf. Whether your dining style is toes-in-the-sand with a grouper sandwich, an elegant waterfront restaurant with chef-crafted cuisine, trendy downtown dining, or something in-between, Pensacola is the place to satisfy those seafood cravings. Find everything from Spanish and French flavours to southern Cajun cooking, with dining that’s upscale yet unpretentious and welcoming.
Arts & Culture
Pensacola is revered as a must-see destination for cultural happenings. There’s the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola, the historic Saenger Theatre and the accredited Pensacola Museum of Art. Pensacola’s thriving visual arts scene includes the First City Art Center, downtown galleries, and an eclectic local theatre scene highlighted by the Pensacola Little Theatre. Fall festivals, including the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival and Foo Foo Festival, celebrate everything from the arts and music to seafood and aviation. As the home of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Pensacola’s aviation heritage plays a prominent role in the city’s festivities. Quite possibly the best aspect: it’s sophisticated but not intimidating, meaning anyone and everyone can easily attend. DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For Pensacola trip planning VisitPensacola.com
PHOTO: VISIT PENSACOLA