Remarkable beaches you might expect on a Pensacola vacation, it’s Northwest Florida after all. What might come as more of a surprise are the outdoor adventures that go well beyond the beaches and make the best type of family memories.
First time surf lessons, Pensacola
Tucked up in Northwest Florida, Pensacola is kind of famous for its seemingly endless acres of white sand. It’s also the first European settlement in America, so it comes with more than 460 years of history as well. If you keep your eyes on the skies you’ll often spot the legendary Blue Angels: the US Navy elite flight demonstration squadron, which makes its home here. And just for fun, Pensacola is also known as Festival City of the South, thanks to having dozens of celebrations and events each year, including the oldest Mardi Gras in the country.
But when you want to take a breath, wind down and simply spend some time doing outdoorsy stuff, Pensacola also delivers on that type of family adventure from beach trails and ranger-led activities to snorkelling and stargazing. Getting out and about in nature couldn’t be easier, the friendly locals make sure of that. And something for everyone is a bit of a theme, so a Pensacola vacation is just right for kids of all ages, stages and abilities.
Paddling, Big Lagoon State Park, Pensacola
1. Explore the remarkable Gulf Islands National Seashore
Here’s a thing you might not know: Pensacola and Perdido Key are home to the longest, federally protected seashore in the United States. Amazed? Well that interesting fact is nothing compared to the remarkable reality of Gulf Islands National Seashore which manages to be beautiful, protected and great fun too. Of course, you’ll want plenty of sand and sea time here, but in between there are quite a few iconic experiences you shouldn’t miss.
- Fort Pickens on Pensacola Beach gives kids the easiest of history lessons. All they have to do is walk around and they’re learning about everything from the American Civil War to the Fort’s spell as a prison to legendary Apache warrior, Geronimo, and its more recent role in WWII.
- Head to Perdido Key and spend the day at Johnson Beach. It’s a perfect spot for watersports, blessed with dazzling sands, and a bit of a hiking superstar. Try the Discovery Nature Trail. At a half-mile long it’s easily doable with kids, plus its raised boardwalk takes in dunes, pine forest and salt marshes, then ends with a big reveal of majestic Grand Lagoon.
- If you want to see the spectacular US Navy Blue Angels practicing, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is the place from March to November. Pick your spot at Fort Pickens on most Tuesdays or Wednesdays, then just dig your toes in the sand and train your eyes on the skies.
- See Gulf Islands National Seashore from the sea aboard the Pensacola Bay City Ferry. Kids love the ride, and hop-on-hop-off tickets let you see what you want, at your own pace. Plus, the ferries are called ‘Turtle Runner’ and ‘Pelican Perch’: too cute to resist.
Pensacola Lighthouse: a top stargazing spot
2. Discover true nature on Pensacola vacation beach tours
Pensacola is big on sharing so family friendly guided tours are very much a thing here. In fact the National Park Service at Gulf Islands National Seashore offers weekly and seasonal ranger-led tours which take you everywhere from Pensacola’s historic brick and iron forts to fascinating salt marshes.
You can even spend the night stargazing or go snorkeling and kayaking in sea grass beds. And if you want to meet some of the area’s flightier types, then just join one of the fun birding walks around the local barrier islands.
3. Learn about local wildlife on family-friendly nature trails
When you ask kids what wild creatures they want to see on vacation, chances are dolphins will top the list. Happily, Pensacola delivers on Bottlenose dolphins, as well as loggerhead turtles, cownose rays and hermit crabs, and those are just a few of the amazing sights you can promise children a glimpse of here.
To find out more about the sea, plant, bird and insect life round these parts, follow the Pensacola Beach Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail which features about 30 signposts around the barrier island beach. Each one covers an ecological topic and they’re all educational, in a fun way. So families can expect to learn about anything from why Pensacola Beach’s sand is so white to the secrets of the perilous journeys that sea turtles face.
Not far from Perdido Key, Big Lagoon State Park is the place for birding trails and estuary trails. The park’s a natural playground for fishing, swimming, kayaking and canoeing too. And if you haven’t tried Pensacola crabbing yet, you should, and Big Lagoon is also one of the top spots for that adventure.
Even a walk is an adventure in Pensacola
4. Tick rare carnivorous plants off your must-see list
Pensacola is not short on rare nature either, so when you want extraordinary, set off on a hike.
Carnivorous Pitcher Plants aren’t at all common, yet you’ll find four of them in Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park on Perdido Bay. Viewed from an elevated boardwalk, it’s an understatement to say they’re an amazing sight, and one kids won’t forget in a hurry.
While you’re in the park, make time to follow the 6.5-mile Perdido Bay trail or take the shorter Tarkiln Bayou Trail, which is also wheelchair accessible.
