Page 36 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2022-2023

PENSACOLA
The Artful Way to Beach
PHOTOS: VISIT PENSACOLA
BY BRYEN DUNN
Known for its snow-white sandy
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola
other popular storybook characters like beaches that Canadians love, the
Opera, Ballet Pensacola and Pensacola
Grinch and Scrooge who conduct their own Pensacola Bay Area also boasts a
Museum of Art)—all conveniently situated
special tours around the historic district. thriving arts and cultural scene, historical
within walking distance.
sites, and award-winning restaurants. Hands
NOT TO BE MISSED
down, it’s the way to beach this winter.
DOWNTOWN
Pensacola’s historic Palafox Street is all abuzz during Gallery Night, an event held on the third Friday of each month. Food trucks, performers, artists and merchants
OUTDOOR ART
Your splashy arts go-to is Graffiti Bridge. The ever-evolving colourful façade of this historic bridge changes daily as people have been painting the railroad overpass for gen- erations. For more street art, take a self-guided tour of POP Murals, a commu-
For adventurous beach-goers, take the plunge and dive into the fresh saltwater at a Polar Bear Dip on New Year’s Day—one takes place on Perdido Key and the other at Pen- sacola Beach. Groups and families gather in costumes, swim suits and even wetsuits to take a cold dip and feel the brisk saltwater
all converge together when the streets here
nity initiative, to learn about the area’s rich
on their faces. It’s a thrilling way to start the transform into busy pedestrian walkways
fascinating history depicted on the walls of
new year off fresh.
showcasing art, music and food.
prominent buildings.
After all, the way to beach is to visit In late November, First City Lights Fes-
Pensacola this winter. DS
tival begins on Black Friday and lasts three
WINTER WANDERINGS
months with festivities that include street
On December 3rd, before dusk falls, head to performances and trolley tours that choo-
the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk to watch choo past historic buildings adorned in a
the Lighted Boat Parade float by with ves- canopy of 400,000 white lights.
sels all aglitter. The big night ends, of Voted “Florida’s Greatest Place” by the
course, in a big bang, with technicolor American Planning Association of Florida,
fireworks illuminating the Gulf Coast beach- Pensacola’s downtown district is the only
front. Downtown Pensacola’s Winterfest city in the region to offer the arts version of
celebration is another crowd pleaser with the “Big Five” (Pensacola Saenger Theatre,
special visits made by Santa Claus, and by
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more information on Pensacola’s events, surf on over to VisitPensacola.com
36 DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2022/2023