City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Pensacola
Nicknamed the “Western Gate to the Sunshine State,” Pensacola is famous for Naval aviation and the emerald waters and white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, its other nickname is the Emerald Coast. If your boat dock rental is anywhere in the area, you can certainly attest to the natural beauty found throughout the region (as well as the thrill of seeing the Blue Angels soaring by overhead).
Whether you and your family are history buffs, nature enthusiasts or just looking for a fun day of laser tag, arcade games and water slides, we’ve collected some ideas to add to your to-do list.
National Naval Aviation Museum
Photo: Wikimedia
1750 Radford Blvd. / NAS Pensacola, Florida 32508
The National Naval Aviation Museum, located at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NAS), is the largest military and Naval aviation museum in the world. There are more than 150 restored and one-of-a-kind aircraft that represent the Navy, Marine Corps and the Coast Guard.
You’ll find exhibits on scientific discoveries, technology, combat history, sunken treasures and women in aviation as well as recreated scenes from a WW II Pacific island airfield and a 1943 Main Street USA setting. Aircraft include an F-14D Tomcat, a K2S Kaydet, a PB2Y Coronado and the Que Sera Sera, the first aircraft to land at the South Pole. Bump up the action on flight simulators, the Apollo II VR experience or the interactive seats of the multi-sensory Blue Angels 4D experience. Speaking of the Blue Angels, they can sometimes be seen (and heard) practicing their aerial maneuvers.
Perdido Key State Park
Photo: Wikimedia
15301 Perdido Key Drive / Pensacola, Florida 32507
Perdido Key State Park, located southwest of Pensacola, offers 290 acres for swimming, surf fishing, picnicking and kayaking. There are restroom facilities and interpretive exhibits as well as a boardwalk over the dunes for hiking and birdwatching. Part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, the park is home to seabirds and nesting loggerhead sea turtles, as well as endangered and threatened animals such as the Perdido Key beach mouse. It’s within easy access to Pensacola marinas, moorings and boat lifts.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 S. Jefferson Street / Pensacola, Florida 32502
Founded in 1954, the Pensacola Museum of Art was originally a city jail. Today, it holds a collection of contemporary art, portraits and landscape photography from local and national artists. It’s part of the University of West Florida Historic Trust and promotes artistic growth through educational programs and exhibits.
Sam’s Fun City
Photo: Sam's Fun City Facebook
6709 Pensacola Blvd. / Pensacola, Florida 32505
When the kids are bouncing off the walls, or the deck of the boat at your private boat lift rental, Sam’s Fun City is the place to go. There’s everything from laser tag, go karts and bumper boats to a Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl and kid-sized coasters. Check out the arcade and the indoor play zone. Rocky and Bullwinkle characters provide a bit of fun and nostalgia. The adjoining Sam’s Surf City water park has 12 water slides, a 750-foot lazy river, several pools and two kiddie pools with slides.
Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve
Photo: National Park System
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway / Gulf Breeze, Florida 32563
Named after the region’s majestic live oak trees, Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve is part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, which winds lazily along 160 miles between the borders of Mississippi and Florida. Visitors can go swimming, fishing, nature viewing and hiking along 7.5 miles of trails, including the 2.4-mile Andrew Jackson Trail. There are picnic pavilions, restrooms and a youth campground on Pensacola Bay.
Hopefully you’ve found some new things to do while boating in Pensacola. If your private boat slip is on Pensacola Bay or along the Gulf ICW, you’ll find it’s a great location to get to know the area.
