Pensacola Dreamin
Neighborhoods
Downtown Pensacola has lots of restaurants to try, Seville Quarters has the beautiful original historic charm and New Orleans architecture, and you can’t miss the Palafox Market every Saturday 9-2pm with fresh produce and hand made treasures.
212 locals recommend
Downtown
Downtown Pensacola has lots of restaurants to try, Seville Quarters has the beautiful original historic charm and New Orleans architecture, and you can’t miss the Palafox Market every Saturday 9-2pm with fresh produce and hand made treasures.
Fort Pickens Beach is a nice quiet space to enjoy the pure beauty of the Gulf. The powdery white sand and teal water is all that you need to fully unwind. There is a public Fort Pickens beach on the Gulf Side that anyone can use for free or if you keep driving down you can show your National Park Pass for free entry to the Fort Pickens National Seashore Preserve (or pay $25 for the day - I believe) and enjoy a much more private version of the same beach. And even explore the actual Fort while you’re down there.
394 locals recommend
Fort Pickens
1400 Fort Pickens RdFort Pickens Beach is a nice quiet space to enjoy the pure beauty of the Gulf. The powdery white sand and teal water is all that you need to fully unwind. There is a public Fort Pickens beach on the Gulf Side that anyone can use for free or if you keep driving down you can show your National Park Pass for free entry to the Fort Pickens National Seashore Preserve (or pay $25 for the day - I believe) and enjoy a much more private version of the same beach. And even explore the actual Fort while you’re down there.
There’s so much to do on Pensacola Beach. You can walk the Boardwalk for restaurants and shopping or find a cool spot to chill for the day at the Beach. For the Beach, We love the Gulf side because there’s less seaweed, but honestly the Bay side is gorgeous too. There are pergolas on the beach that are free to use with picnic tables, a charcoal grill and you can hook up a hammock. These are right on the Bay side on the left over the bridge to the beach or down on Fort Pickens on the Gulf Side. If you want to use one, it’s recommended to get there pretty early (like 8am) to reserve it. It’s a great way to enjoy the whole day at the Beach and have serious shade when you need a break from the sun.
554 locals recommend
Pensacola Beach
7300 Plantation RoadThere’s so much to do on Pensacola Beach. You can walk the Boardwalk for restaurants and shopping or find a cool spot to chill for the day at the Beach. For the Beach, We love the Gulf side because there’s less seaweed, but honestly the Bay side is gorgeous too. There are pergolas on the beach that are free to use with picnic tables, a charcoal grill and you can hook up a hammock. These are right on the Bay side on the left over the bridge to the beach or down on Fort Pickens on the Gulf Side. If you want to use one, it’s recommended to get there pretty early (like 8am) to reserve it. It’s a great way to enjoy the whole day at the Beach and have serious shade when you need a break from the sun.
University of West Florida
11000 University Pkwy10 mins away from our house!
Food scene
Amazing food and adult beverages. The Blue Crab Dip is the best appetizer I’ve ever had!
37 locals recommend
Fin and Fork
601 East Gregory StreetAmazing food and adult beverages. The Blue Crab Dip is the best appetizer I’ve ever had!
Great atmosphere down on Pensacola Beach with indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the beach, amazing food - seriously 5 star- ( we had the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, Blackened Fish Tacos, Gator Bites, and all the kids meals were great too). Large selection of adult beverages.
33 locals recommend
Shaggy's Pensacola Beach
701 Pensacola Beach BlvdGreat atmosphere down on Pensacola Beach with indoor or outdoor seating overlooking the beach, amazing food - seriously 5 star- ( we had the Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich, Blackened Fish Tacos, Gator Bites, and all the kids meals were great too). Large selection of adult beverages.
Right around the corner from our house. Ticket Sports Bar offers a quick bite of bar food (black and blue burger is my fav) and a huge list of draft selections. I feel like any live sport is being televised at the same time at this bar (including UFC fights). You have to order at the bar and then find a table to sit indoor or outdoor. There’s also a juke box and pool tables. Overall, it’s a great little spot right off N. Davis Highway.
Ticket Sports Bar 1
7333 N Davis HwyRight around the corner from our house. Ticket Sports Bar offers a quick bite of bar food (black and blue burger is my fav) and a huge list of draft selections. I feel like any live sport is being televised at the same time at this bar (including UFC fights). You have to order at the bar and then find a table to sit indoor or outdoor. There’s also a juke box and pool tables. Overall, it’s a great little spot right off N. Davis Highway.
Amazing cafe with homemade desserts and coffee any way you like it. Their cheesecake is to die for!! About 5 mins from our house.
12 locals recommend
Coffee Guy Cafe
6700 N Davis HwyAmazing cafe with homemade desserts and coffee any way you like it. Their cheesecake is to die for!! About 5 mins from our house.
We haven’t yet tried this spot, but it has been highly recommended to us!
77 locals recommend
Another Broken Egg Cafe
721 E Gregory StWe haven’t yet tried this spot, but it has been highly recommended to us!
Best Pizza in Pensacola!!! The Lasagna Pizza or Calzone is amazing! Also the Fried Ravioli and Pesto & Feta Garlic Knots… YUM!
26 locals recommend
Sky's Pizza Pie
5559 N Davis HwyBest Pizza in Pensacola!!! The Lasagna Pizza or Calzone is amazing! Also the Fried Ravioli and Pesto & Feta Garlic Knots… YUM!
Fun Activities (with Kids or without)
Things to do around Pensacola for fun!
Laguna’s has an activity for literally everyone. It’s located right over the bridge to Pensacola Beach on the left. You can’t miss it because it’s surrounded by two huge outdoor obstacle rope courses with ziplines. There’s also a nice big splash pad for the little ones. The entire business and bar&grill is set right on the sand overlooking the Bay. The real fun is in the water… they offer parasailing (check Groupon for the best pricing), kayaking, sailing, dolphin cruises, and jet ski rentals. They have it every ounce of what you need for a memorable, exciting week at the beach!
87 locals recommend
Laguna's Beach Bar and Grill
460 Pensacola Beach BlvdLaguna’s has an activity for literally everyone. It’s located right over the bridge to Pensacola Beach on the left. You can’t miss it because it’s surrounded by two huge outdoor obstacle rope courses with ziplines. There’s also a nice big splash pad for the little ones. The entire business and bar&grill is set right on the sand overlooking the Bay. The real fun is in the water… they offer parasailing (check Groupon for the best pricing), kayaking, sailing, dolphin cruises, and jet ski rentals. They have it every ounce of what you need for a memorable, exciting week at the beach!
One of the best Aquariums I’ve ever been to. This is 1 hour from our house in Destin, FL On Fort Walton Beach… it’s worth making a day to go to Destin. The Dolphin and Sea Lion shows were amazing. The Aquarium is set right on the beach and some of it is outdoor.
87 locals recommend
Gulfarium Gift Shop
1010 Miracle Strip Pkwy SEOne of the best Aquariums I’ve ever been to. This is 1 hour from our house in Destin, FL On Fort Walton Beach… it’s worth making a day to go to Destin. The Dolphin and Sea Lion shows were amazing. The Aquarium is set right on the beach and some of it is outdoor.
Great rainy day or night activity! Who doesn’t like a good escape room???
15 locals recommend
Escape On Palafox
2 Palafox PlaceGreat rainy day or night activity! Who doesn’t like a good escape room???
Waterville USA/Escape House
906 Gulf Shores PkwyNearest water park heading West. About 1 hr away.
Nearest Water Park heading East. About 1 hr away.
314 locals recommend
Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park
1007 US-98Nearest Water Park heading East. About 1 hr away.
The Blue Angels performances are nothing short of extraordinary! If you can catch a show, you won’t regret it!!! Keep in mind: driving to and from the show there will be traffic, so give lots of lead time to get parked and where you need to be for the show.
18 locals recommend
Blue Angels
390 San Carlos RdThe Blue Angels performances are nothing short of extraordinary! If you can catch a show, you won’t regret it!!! Keep in mind: driving to and from the show there will be traffic, so give lots of lead time to get parked and where you need to be for the show.
This two hour dolphin watch cruise is worth every Penny! It’s affordable too! We saw about 20 dolphins on our cruise. Captain Mike and his crew were so great. We purchased our tickets on tripshock. We did a morning cruise but there’s also sunset cruises.
45 locals recommend
Premier Dolphin Cruise
400 Quietwater Beach RdThis two hour dolphin watch cruise is worth every Penny! It’s affordable too! We saw about 20 dolphins on our cruise. Captain Mike and his crew were so great. We purchased our tickets on tripshock. We did a morning cruise but there’s also sunset cruises.
Shopping
Full grocery store and department store in one. This is the nearest Walmart supercenter to our house (8 mins away).
Walmart Supercenter
2650 Creighton RdThey have everything you’ll need. Only 8 mins from our house.
Fun Activities - Adults
This place is super fun! Ace throwing, cornhole, pool, etc. Kids 12+ can partake in some fun too! Only 5 mins from our house! Definitely a good rainy day activity.
Grizzly Axes
6300 N Davis HwySightseeing
If you’ve never been to the Alabama shoreline, take an hour drive from our house and experience it. Orange Beach is beautiful and there’s tons of restaurants and shops on the main road along the beach.
14 locals recommend
Orange Beach Waterfront Park
26425 Canal RdIf you’ve never been to the Alabama shoreline, take an hour drive from our house and experience it. Orange Beach is beautiful and there’s tons of restaurants and shops on the main road along the beach.
Take a day trip to New Orleans! It’s a 3 hour drive.. leave early and make a day of it. If you’ve never been before, the sight seeing and exploring in and around the French Quarter is breathtaking. Some fun things to do if you’ve never been before:
- go to City Park for the Art Museum, Botanical Gardens and the famous Cafe Du Monde Beignets and coffee - without the long line at their main location
- go to Jackson Square to see all the artists work along the entire square, check out the architecture and shops
- get Beignets and Coffee at Cafe Beignet on Decatur St. ( 1/2 the line vs Cafe Du Monde and it’s just as good!)
- explore Royal St for some of the best shops
- go to Bourbon St if you want to party, there’s music for everyone’s liking there (during the day it’s not crazy unless it’s a festival or parade time)
- go to Frenchman St for music and food scene, similar to Bourbon St but smaller (our favorite is Blue Nile - Reggae spot) but there’s local amazing artists everywhere in almost every bar)
- go to the African Market on Decatur St near Frenchman St. It’s a huge market with all handmade gifts, clothing, art, and everything New Orleans.
- if at all possible - get tickets for the Hot 8 Brass Band - one of the best shows we’ve ever been to in New Orleans
790 locals recommend
French Quarter
Take a day trip to New Orleans! It’s a 3 hour drive.. leave early and make a day of it. If you’ve never been before, the sight seeing and exploring in and around the French Quarter is breathtaking. Some fun things to do if you’ve never been before:
- go to City Park for the Art Museum, Botanical Gardens and the famous Cafe Du Monde Beignets and coffee - without the long line at their main location
- go to Jackson Square to see all the artists work along the entire square, check out the architecture and shops
- get Beignets and Coffee at Cafe Beignet on Decatur St. ( 1/2 the line vs Cafe Du Monde and it’s just as good!)
- explore Royal St for some of the best shops
- go to Bourbon St if you want to party, there’s music for everyone’s liking there (during the day it’s not crazy unless it’s a festival or parade time)
- go to Frenchman St for music and food scene, similar to Bourbon St but smaller (our favorite is Blue Nile - Reggae spot) but there’s local amazing artists everywhere in almost every bar)
- go to the African Market on Decatur St near Frenchman St. It’s a huge market with all handmade gifts, clothing, art, and everything New Orleans.
- if at all possible - get tickets for the Hot 8 Brass Band - one of the best shows we’ve ever been to in New Orleans
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford BlvdVery cool museum for adults and kids!
Navarre Beach is another really cool beach community with beautiful beaches, piers, restaurants, and even free concerts on the beach in June and July. Check Navarre Chamber of Commerce for more info on the Tunes in the Dunes.
172 locals recommend
Navarre Beach
Navarre Beach is another really cool beach community with beautiful beaches, piers, restaurants, and even free concerts on the beach in June and July. Check Navarre Chamber of Commerce for more info on the Tunes in the Dunes.
Shopping - Souvenirs/Beach or Pool Stuff
Huge store with tons of souvenirs, really cute Pensacola branded clothing and accessories, and all your Beach or Pool needs.
14 locals recommend
Alvin’s Island
Huge store with tons of souvenirs, really cute Pensacola branded clothing and accessories, and all your Beach or Pool needs.