Page 68 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2025

Spend a Playful Summer Week
in PENSACOLA
BY KATERYNA TOPOL
without a visit to Pensacola,
No summer road trip is complete
Florida—a true coastal paradise. As
the ultimate Way to Beach destina-
tion, Pensacola seamlessly blends natural
beauty with adventure, offering an unforget-
table experience along the Gulf.
Pensacola and its surrounding beaches
offer an inviting mix of scenic beauty, outdoor
exploration and endless ways to soak in the
summer sun. Whether you’re drawn to serene
waterways, coastal trails or lively waterfront
dining, this historic city in Northwest Florida
has something for every traveller.
Spend a Day in the Park
At the heart of downtown, Bruce Beach Park
is the city’s newly revitalized recreational
community space. With its many outdoor
features and facilities, the park is perfect for
family breaks and afternoon picnics. Various
interpretive installations found throughout
draw attention to local history, setting a
sense of place. The park exists in perfect har-
mony with nature, fostering wildlife and
preserving native plants, while leaving many
wetlands untouched.
Go Sightseeing in Nature
With nature trails and diverse ecosystems in
every direction, Pensacola has hiking options
for all fitness levels. Perdido Key State Park
The Fish House in Downtown Pensacola,
known for its signature Grits à Ya Ya fea-
turing fresh Gulf shrimp and a menu packed
with locally sourced seafood.
features a three-kilometre sandy trail that
skirts along Old River, showcasing sand
dunes and coastal scrub. For a longer trek,
Level up Your Adventure a Notch or Two
Big Lagoon State Park is lush with scenic
Whether you prefer a laid-back adventure
hiking and paddling trails weaving through
or an adrenalin rush, Pensacola offers
saltwater marshes and pine flatwoods. For a
plenty of summer holiday thrills. While
historical hike, Fort Pickens on Pensacola
biking is always a good option, the most
Beach offers winding trails through maritime
enticing activities are those on water. Grab
forests, with the added intrigue of exploring
a travel companion and catch your dinner
a pre–Civil War brick fortress.
from a fishing charter along protected
waterways and shadowy bayous. Snorkel
Refuel and Recharge
Pensacola’s seafood scene offers some of the
freshest Gulf Coast flavours you’ll find any-
where. It’s a perfect way to refuel and
recharge. Start with a dozen oysters at the
legendary Flora-Bama on Perdido Key where
the briny, buttery bites perfectly capture the
essence of the Gulf. For an elevated dining
experience, The Grand Marlin on Pensacola
Beach serves expertly prepared seafood, from
succulent grouper piccata to melt-in-your-
mouth yellowfin tuna. Another must-visit is
off Perdido Key or paddle along the Florida
Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling
Trail, which stretches an impressive 2,438
kilometres.
No matter how you choose to spend your
time here, Pensacola invites you to discover
your perfect Way to Beach.
DS
PHOTOS: VISIT PENSACOLA
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more travel information about
Pensacola, see visitpensacola.com
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DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2025