Pensacola

Big Lagoon State Park

A 733-acre (~3 km²) Florida State Park on the northwestern Florida coast. It encompasses the northern boundary of Big Lagoon as it snakes toward Pensacola Bay to the east. Wild Grande Lagoon and its minor tributaries lay within the boundaries of the park, as does the alligator-inhabited Long Pond that covers a coastal slough. The park is a "gateway site" for the Great Florida Birding Trail. It features four distinct natural communities including estuarine tidal marsh, mesic flatwoods, wet flatwoods, and is dominated by coastal scrub. The park features a number of threatened and endangered species such as the Eastern Indigo Snake, Gopher Tortoise, migratory shorebirds such as Snowy Plover, Least Tern among some twenty other listed species. The park has such amenities as beaches along the shoreline of Big Lagoon, bicycling down the 2.6-mile (4.2 km) park drive, boating from a 40-slip boat ramp, canoeing along Big Lagoon, fishing, hiking along 4 miles (6.4 km) of trails, kayaking in Grande Lagoon, wildlife viewing from a four story observation tower and footbridge overlooks at Long Pond and Grande Lagoon, picnicking at 21 shelters, swimming in Big Lagoon and 75 electrified camping sites and a group camp.

Pensacola Bay Center

Large enough to seat 10,000, the civic center in Pensacola attracts bands, live concerts, and conventions. Past performers have included Celtic Woman, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Sheryl Crow, and Kiss. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, but you can save money by picking them up in person, at the box office.

Splash City Adventures

Pensacola’s only amusement and water park with more than 20 rides and attractions.

Say passes $24-49

Birdwatchers

Should check out Big Lagoon State Park, just west of the city, where birds of prey are easily spotted in the dead trees overlooking the water. At Big Lagoon, keep an eye out in early spring after particularly heavy showers, when migrating birds are often forced to land and many unusual birds can be spotted. The University of West Florida's Edward Ball nature trail meanders through swampland, allowing a rare glimpse at wetland birds, such as brilliant yellow tanagers and red-winged blackbirds. And of course, shore birds and seabirds are easily spotted near the coast.

Fiesta of Five Flags

The Fiesta of Five Flags celebrates the history of Pensacola and its founding by Spanish governor Don Tristan de Luna. Many separate events are included under the Fiesta of Five Flags banner, and include float parades, boat parades, balls, golf tournaments, scavenger hunts and sand castle contests, among other events. The fiesta's most popular event is a stylized re-enactment of the landing of Don Tristan de Luna. Free.

Gallery Nights

Downtown Pensacola is home to a large number of art galleries and unique stores, and on Gallery Night, they stay open late, bring in food and wine, invite some musicians, and have a party! The event is a great way to meet Pensacola artists, view some great art, and shop while noshing on free food. Dress up nice, because shorts and tee shirts look out of place in this crowd. Free.

Krewe of Lafitte Parade

The Krewe of Lafitte parade is the only night parade in Pensacola, and conveniently passes by most of the bars downtown, giving it a much more adult atmosphere than the other two Pensacola Parades.

Fri prior to Fat Tue 8PM·Free

Les Petits Enfants Cordova Mall Ball

Pensacola's most popular Mardi Gras ball is limited to the first 2500 ticket buyers. Features a silent auction and catered food from some of Pensacola's best restaurants. All proceeds go the Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. Black-tie formal.

One Sat in Jan·$50

Palafox Market

Fresh produce, live plants, baked goods and antiques are just a few of the items offered by vendors at Palafox Market in Downtown Pensacola. The market is open every Saturday, rain or shine. Many items originate directly from vendors who grow, make, or create the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and art for sale.

May-Sep: Sat 8AM-2PM

Pensacola Crawfish Festival

The main event at the crawfish festival is, of course, mind-blowing amounts of ruby-red mudbugs. Most of the crawfish here is served boiled, and very spicy, with red potatoes and corn, but 'fancy' foods are available too, like crawfish po'boys and gumbo. In addition to the food, there's a crawfish eating contest, crawfish races, bayou bands and Southern music, and a kids crafts festival.

End of Apr/early May: Fri noon-11PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·$5 daily, $10 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 free. Food $5-15

Pensacola Seafood Festival

For seafood lovers and fans of Southern cuisine, this is one of two important events in Pensacola to attend. Free live music, hundreds of artist booths. For foodies looking for a taste of Pensacola cuisine, try the grits-a-ya-ya; grits served with shrimp, cheese, bacon, and fried onions. Fried grouper is popular too, but avoid the crawfish, which are out of season in September.

Last weekend in Sep: Fri noon-11PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·Admission free, food $5-15

Sunsets at de Luna

Watch the sun set at Pensacola's new waterfront park, while listening to musicians play. Free.

Thu 5:30PM

The Grand Parade

With more than two hundred floats and over a hundred thousand spectators attending, the Grand Parade is Pensacola's largest parade. Since Pensacola is so small, plan to arrive early if you want a good spot along the parade route, and expect to either walk a long way or pay for parking. This parade is very popular for families, but adults can go to the raucous after party, which is held at a different bar each year at sundown following the parade.

Sat prior to Fat Tue 2PM·Free

Dive Pros

7203 W Hwy 98

Summer Mon-Fri 9AM-7PM, Sat 7AM-7PM, Sun 9AM-5PM; winter Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM, Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 9AM-5PM

MBT Divers

3920 Barrancas Ave

Mon-Sat 8AM-6PM, Sun 8AM-3PM

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park

2401 Bauer Rd

8AM-sunset·$3/vehicle. $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers