Skip to content 
FLORIDA
Spend a Playful Summer Week
in Pensacola
by Kateryna Topol
No summer road trip is complete without a visit to Pensacola, Florida—a true coastal paradise. As the ultimate Way to Beach destination, Pensacola seamlessly blends natural beauty with adventure, offering an unforgettable 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 harmony 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 features a three-kilometre sandy trail that skirts along Old River, showcasing sand dunes and coastal scrub. For a longer trek, Big Lagoon State Park is lush with scenic hiking and paddling trails weaving through saltwater marshes and pine flatwoods. For a historical hike, Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach offers winding trails through maritime forests, with the added intrigue of exploring a pre–Civil War brick fortress.
Refuel and Recharge
Pensacola’s seafood scene offers some of the freshest Gulf Coast flavours you’ll find anywhere. 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 The Fish House in Downtown Pensacola, known for its signature Grits à Ya Ya featuring fresh Gulf shrimp and a menu packed with locally sourced seafood.
Level up Your Adventure a Notch or Two
Whether you prefer a laid-back adventure or an adrenalin rush, Pensacola offers plenty of summer holiday thrills. While biking is always a good option, the most enticing activities are those on water. Grab a travel companion and catch your dinner from a fishing charter along protected waterways and shadowy bayous. Snorkel 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.
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more travel information about Pensacola, see visitpensacola.com
