Words by Sarah Deloach
Located on the Gulf of Mexico is a little slice of paradise known as Pensacola, Florida. With over 460 years of rich history, what makes Pensacola so special is not only the breathtaking beauty, but also the culture and hospitality that is fostered there.
With an average of 343 days of sunshine each year there is no surprise why Pensacola has long been celebrated for its sugar-white sand beaches and clear blue-green water. Either of the beaches, Pensacola Beach or Perdido Key, are both great options and are filled with sunshine and beauty. However, if you step beyond the beaches, rolling hills, natural lagoons and bayous, you will find so much more.
Being such an eclectic location, they would not have earned the nickname “Festival City of the South” if there were not endless fun to be had. From dining on Palafox Street to catching a baseball game at the Blue Wahoos Stadium, the opportunities are endless. The food and drink scene in the area serves up some serious flavor so do not miss the incredible restaurants. For the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fans, there are often shows in the area so be sure to check out their performance schedule for your next trip to Pensacola. For an adrenaline rush also check out Five Flags Speedway to race against your family and friends. The Museum of Art or Historic Village is an excellent opportunity to take a second to learn about the incredible place you are visiting in an educational and engaging way.
With all Pensacola has to offer, this is not just any regular beach– this is “The Way to Beach”. What separates Pensacola from the rest of the panhandle is the ability to accommodate tourists without it feeling “touristy”, and the vibrant downtown scene with restaurants with local relationships is not something you will find at any beachy city.
A sweet perk to being a southerner is that this can be the perfect weekend getaway with it being only a couple hour drive and not having to hop on a plane. Some seaside towns are quaint and you can sometimes run out of things to do if you were there for a whole vacation, but Pensacola has endless possibilities that everyone in the family is guaranteed to love.
When thinking about it, Pensacola exceeds expectations in delivering a beach experience. When daydreaming about the beach, you dream of peaceful, relaxing, comfortable things– no hassles, traffic, noise. Bottom line: Pensacola is the way you want to beach.