Pensacola is a favorite beach vacation destination for many families for good reason. I have never had a vacation strictly to Pensacola, but rather use it as a stop over point for trips father down into Florida. We usually wind up spending a day there on the way down and then stop again on the way back home. I find it to be more of a peaceful laid-back beach town than a busy party place. It gets a little crowded in the middle of Pensacola beach area, but go out a mile or so in either direction and you get to enjoy solitude. Check out some of our favorite adventures below! The Beaches Pensacola Beach is popular for its sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green waters. In fact, the beaches in the Pensacola area rank as some of the top beaches in the United States. Navarre Beach is my favorite and is usually lively without being crowded. Fort Picken is the place to go if you want miles of beach all to yourself. Fort Pickens This 1834 pentagonal historic United States military fort is located at the west end of Santa Rosa Island. It is named after American Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens. After visiting the fort, enjoy some of the 10 miles of gulf and bay beaches leading to the fort. It's also one of the few places in the Pensacola area to find seashells. Address: 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 Hours: 8:30 am - 6 pm daily Admission: $20 per vehicle Big Lagoon State Park This Park is a 705-acre located on the northern shore of Big Lagoon, which separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. Activities such as bird watching, swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking are available. Strolling the long boardwalk and crabbing in the shallow waters of Big Lagoon are some favorite activities. Be sure to walk up the observation tower for a view of this amazing park! Hours: 8am to 6pm daily Admission: $5.00 - $10.00 per vehicle, depends on number of occupants Address: 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32507 Pensacola Lighthouse This 1859 lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A climb (177 steps) to the top will reward you with one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. It is located on an active military base (Naval Air Station Pensacola), so you will need to show proper identification for yourself as well as any other passengers who are 18 or older at the check point. Admission: Adults $7.00 Children 12 and under $4.00 Seniors 65+ $4.00 Military $4.00 Hours: 9:00am–5:00pm Daily Address: 2081 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508 Snorkeling Pensacola Bay Snorkel Reef (Escambia County Bay Snorkel Reef) Located approximately 50 ft. off shore in Park West, just before the entrance of Fort Pickens. Great for beginner snorkeler. Pensacola Beach Reef The reef is located 500 ft. off shore in Park East and attracts a wide variety of marine life. Gulf Breeze Zoo The zoo is small, but has a nice variety of animals and it is a fun way to spend a few hours. Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily Admission: Adult (13-64) $20.95 Senior (65+) $19.95 Children (2-12) $16.95 Under 2 FREE Address: 5701 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563 Historic Downtown Village Located close to the Pensacola Bay, the Historic Pensacola Village consist of 27 properties in the National Register Historic District. Eleven of these properties are open for tours. Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission: Adults $8 Seniors 65+, Active Military & Dependents $7 Children (3-14) $4 Address: 120 Church Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 Happy Travels!