Fiestas, Freebies and Fun

From lazy beach days to annual fiestas and fun beyond the shore, find something for the whole gang in Pensacola.

It’s not easy to find an accessible travel destination for multi-generation family getaways and reunions. I know; our four-generation family ranges in age from 8 to 86 and has very divergent ideas about what makes a great vacation. Last year, we discovered something for the whole gang in the Pensacola Bay Area, and – a plus – getting there is easy.

Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport offers around 75 daily flights, and it’s just a one-tank drive from many cities in the Southeast. We’re headed back. Come along as we ponder Pensacola possibilities for this summer.

By Land and By Sea

From lazy beach days to beyond the shore, Pensacola Bay Area attractions and activities please everyone. Gather the team and build a towering sandcastle. Hang around for a sunset picnic, stargazing and storytelling. Book a leisurely dolphin-watching cruise. Challenge family anglers to a fishing contest on the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, the longest pier in the Gulf of Mexico.

Free admission to the awesome National Naval Aviation Museum and guided tours with real-life stories from volunteer veterans appeal to all ages. Get up-close to the animals at The ZOO Northwest Florida in Gulf Breeze. Rent bikes built for two to eight and pedal the path that follows the beach along Gulf Islands National Seashore. Enjoy free summer family flicks at Palafox Pier and free concerts in downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. 

Fun While You Learn

Learning something new together creates memories that last long after the vacation ends. Hone cooking skills with culinary classes at Distinctive Kitchens. Back at home, reminisce about the family beach vacation each time you prepare the tasty new recipes.

Hoist the sails and skim the waves with a family lesson from Lanier Sailing Academy. Bring yesterday to life at Historic Pensacola Village, Fort Barrancas, Advanced Redoubt and Fort Pickens. Too bad the walls can’t talk, but tour guides share exciting tales of Civil War skirmishes.

Celebrate the founding of Pensacola at the 60th annual Fiesta of Five Flags from June 4-11, when Seville Quarter comes alive with special events.

Fiestas, Festivals and Freebies

The Pensacola Bay Area calendar is packed with fiestas and festivals, and the 450th Celebrate Pensacola anniversary adds to the buzz. Art lovers enjoy ongoing monthly Gallery Nights and won’t want to miss the prestigious Miguel Zapata exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of Art through the end of June.

Celebrate the founding of Pensacola at the 60th annual Fiesta of Five Flags from June 4-11, when Seville Quarter comes alive with special events. Kids snag loads of loot at the Fiesta and Pen Air Federal Credit Union parade. An added Fiesta attraction: The Juan Sebastián de Elcano, one of the world’s largest tall ships, sails into town. Celebrate Independence Day with spectacular fireworks at the beach. And the eye-popping July 11 Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and NAS Pensacola air show on November 13-14 are always family hits.

Favorite Family Stays

Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front and Hampton are examples of Pensacola Beach hotels favored by families. When the whole brood wants to stay together without too much togetherness, condominiums on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key also offer plenty of choices.

Join the Premier Club by booking reservations toll-free or online at Portofino Island Resort & Spa and enjoy a pile of perks and discounts. Golfers play a free round daily at a choice of greens. Anglers troll for dinner on a complimentary deep-sea fishing trip. Youngsters love the High Tide Kids Club, Adventure Cove and Adventure Beach, with surfboards, kayaks, sailboats and floating islands. And there’s nothing like a day at the spa to rejuvenate the body and soul.

Three- and four-bedroom accommodations with family-sized gourmet kitchens offer maximum space and privacy at Beach Club Resort & Spa. Expansive beachfront balconies let less mobile family members watch action on the beach and masterpiece sunsets in comfort.

Perdido Key means “lost island” in Spanish. Definitely not lost anymore, 60 percent of the island is protected parkland, and island vibes are low-key and laid-back. ResortQuest and Aquatic Realty are among the vacation rental companies that help families find the perfect home away from home for their stay.

This article is brought to you by the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Check out 30 fun, free things to do in Pensacola at www.visitpensacola.com.