College kids might know a thing or two about where to go for spring break, but in Pensacola, they are not the only ones having fun. In Florida's westernmost city, where there are more than 52 miles of Gulf beachfront, the decision for beach bums of all ages is hardly "what to do" but "how to fit it all in." The following activities are but a few to consider when you are planning fun in the sun.


First Stop: The Beach

But this is not just any beach. This is the Gulf Islands National Seashore, one of the most-visited national parks and part of a larger protected tract of coastline that includes portions of islands and keys from Mississippi to Okaloosa Island near Destin. Though the Seashore sustained major damage in recent hurricanes, there are several areas open to the public. Twenty-somethings with more on their mind than partying can get away from it all in Perdido Key, which has miles of unspoiled beaches to stroll. The Naval Live Oaks Area in Gulf Breeze has a sandy fringe of coastline complemented by the historic Andrew Jackson Trail and a 40-mile loop multi-use trail inland. Fort Barrancas on the Pensacola Naval Air Station also has hiking trails.


Bird Is the Word

Even if you can't tell an ibis from an egret, you'll be amazed at the number and diversity of birds that migrate through Pensacola Bay. That's because Northwest Florida sits between the Mississippi Flyway and the Atlantic Flyway, busy migratory routes for eastern birds during spring and fall migration. Fort Pickens, located at the tip of a fragile barrier island in the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is one of the best places to spot migrant birds such as warblers, tanagers and orioles, and it is also home to year-round shore birds like osprey and great blue herons. Make it an afternoon outing, especially if you are a Mom and Dad in need of time alone. Though roads into the park are still closed and in recovery phase due to hurricane damage, the island is still accessible through Key Sailing kayak tours that take you to secluded coves and shoreline.


Museum Musings

Pack up your clan for time away from the beach at  Historic Pensacola Village, the kind of place that makes history fun. Not only are there costumed interpreters that bring stories about the restored 19 th-century homes and buildings to life, but exhibits located throughout feature common objects that people used daily hundreds of years ago.

Oohing and aahing from the top of a Ferris Wheel, shrieking with excitement at full speed in a go-kart, laughing so hard your cheeks hurt... Oh, the joys of being young - and young at heart - at an amusement park.

Thrills and Chills

Oohing and aahing from the top of a Ferris Wheel, shrieking with excitement at full speed in a go-kart, laughing so hard your cheeks hurt... Oh, the joys of being young - and young at heart - at an amusement park. Sam's Fun City, one of the country's newest, is a 20-acre park with a 1,600-square-foot extreme laser tag arena and more than 20 rides, including a merry-go-round, miniature train, go-karts and Ferris Wheel. And that doesn't include the excitement waiting at Sam's Surf City, the newest addition with four slides, a castle-building area and kiddie park. Sam's Fun City is open year 'round, while the water park is open seasonally.


It's a Bird, It's a Plane

No, its four A-4 Skyhawks flying in formation against Pensacola's placid blue sky. Each Tuesday, the Navy's elite Blue Angels air squadron performs over the glassy waters of the Gulf. It's a toss-up as to who enjoys this attraction more: seniors with a penchant for history or kids who dream of soaring through the air. If you miss a live performance, a tour of the National Museum of Naval Aviation is the next best thing. Besides being the home base of the Blue Angels, the museum is chock full of airplanes and flying contraptions from all periods in the history of aviation. There is also a variety of interactive exhibits: fly an F/A-18 mission in the motion-based flight simulator or stand on the flight deck of the USS Cabot.




  "World's Largest Artificial Reef"
Scuba divers visiting Northwest Florida can experience what CNN has called "the Great Carrier Reef."

The 911-foot-long retired aircraft carrier USS Oriskany was successfully sunk, or "reefed," on May 17, 2006 about 24 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass.

Divers can swim above the massive flight deck in search of Goliath grouper, ocean sunfish and eagle rays. Anglers can reel in popular game fish such as grouper, snapper and amberjack.