Escambia County is known for its rich cultural, historical and natural offerings. A temperate climate adds to the area’s appeal with year-round access for the avid outdoor enthusiast. It’s easy to find world-class golf and tennis facilities, as well as a well-developed park system offering miles of trails for hiking and biking. With calm seas and an active commitment to its marine ecosystems, Escambia County is a mecca for water sports with unsurpassed access to snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and deep sea fishing. We’re home to the largest artificial reef in the world – the Oriskany, an 888-foot retired aircraft carrier that now provides a stage for viewing whale sharks, amberjacks and reef fish.
Over the course of its history, Pensacola has been ruled by the British, the Spanish, the French, the Confederacy, and the United States; hence, its nickname of “The City of Five Flags.” Historic Pensacola Village exhibits the city’s story through guided walking tours. Meanwhile, the downtown area offers art galleries, restaurants and cultural venues. There are a number of annual festivals, events, historic tours, and landmarks. The Pensacola Seafood Festival and The Pensacola Crawfish Festival held in the heart of historic Downtown has been held for nearly 30 years with live music acts. Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola is the home to Vietnam Veterans of Northwest Florida’s “Wall South”, a one half scale model of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Pensacola, Florida has been referred to as “The Cradle of Naval Aviation”. Naval Air Station Pensacola was the first Naval Air Station commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1914. Not only is this the place where all naval pilots train; it also is home to the impressive National Naval Aviation Museum, the world’s largest Naval Aviation museum and one of the most-visited museums in the state of Florida. Share th excitement of Naval Aviation’s rich history and see more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum’s nearly 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds. Every Tuesday and Wednesday from March through November, residents and visitors can enjoy the thrills of watching the Blue Angels (officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron) perform aerial stunts at 700 mph as they practice from their home base, Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Pensacola Beach is world famous for its sugar-white sand beaches and emerald-green waters. On Pensacola Beach, we’re proud to offer endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Enjoy our fresh gulf seafood or a Bushwacker at our many restaurants and hangouts, take a walk or catch a fish on the Pensacola Beach Pier, or simply relax in the sun and watch your worries float away. Be sure to check out our Footprints in the Sand Eco-Trail where you can learn the secrets of our beautiful white sand, the dangerous journey of sea turtles, be able to identify mysterious sea shells and so much more. Click the tab above for more information. Whether your wish is for solitude – a solitary, sunset scroll down a swath of nearly deserted beach – or for being part of the ongoing celebration that defines the season on Pensacola Beach, we have something for every mood and feeling.
Escambia County exudes a sunny, relaxed charm that is never short on excitement. Restaurants are excellent and numerous. Shopping options are varied and eclectic. You can start your day dining al fresco, spend the morning splashing in the Gulf of Mexico and the afternoon exploring historic sites or cap off the night with a performance at the Saenger, an extensively renovated Spanish baroque-rococo theater founded in 1925. For a more modern twist, the 10,000-seat Pensacola Bay Center hosts a variety of entertainment options ranging from sporting events to internationally renowned musical acts.
The Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida Theatre Department and Pensacola Christian College also present musical and dramatic productions. And, Escambia County Public Schools sponsors the 140-member Escambia County Youth Orchestra.
While we’re the only city in Florida’s Gulf Coast to boast the cultural “big five:” a ballet, opera, symphony, theater and accredited museum of arts, we’re far from buttoned up. In fact, Escambians love a good party. From Mardi Gras to festivals reflecting our diverse heritage, we celebrate the arts, regional culinary delights, homegrown songwriters and even an annual competitive fish toss across the state line with neighboring Alabama.
Are you a sports fan? Then come on out and root for one of the town’s two home teams. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, play ball in the waterfront $40 million, 5,000-seat Community Maritime Park and entertainment complex, while the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Pensacola Ice Flyers skate at the County-owned Pensacola Bay Center.