If you’re looking for a fun, family beach vacation destination, Pensacola, Florida is the perfect spot to visit! Located in Florida’s panhandle, it has old southern charm, stunning blue-green waters with perfectly soft white sand, and so many fun things to do for the entire family. On average, there are about 300 sunny days a year with moderate temperatures, making it a great sunny getway year round. Here are 8 family-friendly things to do in Pensacola, Florida:
8 Family-Friendly Things to do in pensacola, florida:
1. Frisky Boat Tours:
We took the the Public Dolphin & Scenic Bay Sightseeing boat tour with Frisky Boat Tours and it was incredible! We hopped on their 52-foot boat and saw incredible views of Pensacola and so many dolphins! At first they were all spread out, with just one or two dolphins swimming around our boat, but by the end of our tour, a huge pod of them got together and it was so magical to see! We even saw a couple babies swimming alongside their mamas, and they were so cute! This is such a fun activity for everyone in the family and it’s pretty affordable (starting at $27 per person). They have life jackets, a restroom, and a good amount of seating on board. Be sure to bring sunscreen and wear something you don’t mind getting a little wet. Also, a great reason to book with Frisky Boat Tours is that they have the biggest boat that goes in this Bay, which means it makes the biggest wake that dolphins love to jump and play in (increasing your chances of getting an even better dolphin experience)!
2. Blue Wahoos Baseball Game:
The Blue Wahoos are Pensacola’s local Minor League Baseball team and an affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The stadium is located right on the waterfront in downtown Pensacola, and an outing to a baseball game is the perfect spring/summer activity for the whole family! The play April through September and there are lots of delicious food options in the stadium. And the views cannot be beat. Watching baseball while boats sail in the background is truly a unique experience!
3. Stroll the Boardwalk:
The boardwalk goes right along the beach and is such a fun spot with the best beach town vibes. There are a bunch of different shops, restaurants, and special events on the boardwalk. Be sure to grab pizza from Papa’s Pizza and top it off with ice cream from Kilwins. It’s a great spot to go for an afternoon stroll, pick up a souvenir, or watch the sunset. When we were there, there was even live music that we got to enjoy while we ate lunch. There’s also a playground right on the beach for littles!
4. Palafox Farmer’s Market:
Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola is so charming and wandering the street feels like stepping back in time in the best kind of way. It has that traditional southern charm to it with exposed brick buildings and crepe myrtle trees lining the street. On Saturdays, from 9 am – 2 pm, there’s a farmer’s market with so many different shops from local vendors. You can shop farm-fresh fruit and vegetables, local honey, homemade bread, and so much more. There are actually two different parts to the farmer’s market and there’s a free trolley that will take you between the two, but you can easily walk it too. There was even a little train ride that our daughter went on and absolutely loved! There are always a lot of different activities and things going on on Palafox Street, like live music nights, a crawfish festival, and more, so be sure to look up the local events happening during your stay.
5. Play on the Beach:
6. Eat Hot Dogs from The Dog House:
7. Explore Fort Pickens:
Fort Pickens National Park is absolutely stunning! Whether you want to just come for a drive, hang at the beach, or explore the fort built in the early 1800’s, it’s absolutely worth a visit and a great family-friendly activity. The Fort is a great spot to learn about the history of Pensacola and let your littles run around and explore the tunnels and see the cannons. You can easily spend the whole day here, camping, fishing, or playing at any of the beaches. The park is open from 7 am – sunset. Since it’s a National Park, there is an entrance fee, but an entrance pass is good for up to 7 days, so you can come back and continue to enjoy it during your stay in Pensacola.
8. National Naval Aviation Museum
If your littles love airplanes like ours does, the National Naval Aviation Museum is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon, especially if it’s raining or you’re just looking for a family-friendly activity that will give you a little break from the sun. Entrance is free and it’s one of the largest aviation museums in the world. There are Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation aircrafts to explore. There are flight simulators and you can even sit inside a few of the planes.
where to stay:
Fairfield Inn Pensacola Beach:
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Pensacola Beach and it’s so nice and such a perfect family-friendly spot. It’s right on the beach and has an awesome pool, hot tub, and a lazy river, which is so fun for both parents and kids. There are a lot of different room options to accommodate families of all sizes and the rooms have great views too. There’s complimentary breakfast and an outdoor restaurant with incredible ocean views, perfect for lunch and dinner after playing in the pool. There’s also free wifi, a fitness center, and a little store in case you forgot anything or need to grab some quick snacks!
shop the post:
Pin It:
