Things to do in Pensacola Florida other than the Beach
Looking for things to do in Pensacola Florida other than just going to the beach? I’ve got you! This post goes into detail about the many things Pensacola has to offer!
Pensacola Beach
You can’t go to Pensacola without going to the beach, so yes I am going to talk about it! More non-beach recommendations are later in this post!
With its beautiful white sandy beaches, it’s a must do! What I loved about Pensacola Beach is that you are surrounded by water. On one side you have the ocean and ocean waves and on the other side you have the cove where there is also a beach but no waves and people park their boats. All along Pensacola beach there are many beach and souvenir shops as well as beach bars and eateries.
The beach does get BUSY especially on weekends and the Summer so plan accordingly! Unfortunately I visited on a weekend in the summer so we didn’t lay out or swim since it was sooo crowded. We did however walked around the beach shops and enjoyed the cove side of the beach.
Parking
There’s a lot of free parking, you just have to get lucky and find a parking spot. The most promising free parking is at 3 Casino Beach Boardwalk which has a large free parking lot right next to the beach. You can easily spot this because it is where the famous Pensacola Beach Ball sign is located.
Drinks
Daiquiris at Bamboo Willie’s Beach side Bar
While in Pensacola, you must have Bushwacker which is best described as a creamy and chocolatey daiquiri. If chocolate is not your thing, treat yourself to another flavor of daiquiri. These are reasonably priced and you can take these with you down to the beach right outside of the bar.
Toes in the Sand with a Drink in your hand at Sneaky Tiki Bar
If you want to have a cocktail on the beach, head to this spot that is hidden behind an RV Park. There is a tiki bar, lounge chairs, benches, and even stairs to access the water and wade around. A lot of people park their boats here and just hang out in the shallow water. There was even live music when I went.
Food Near the Beach
This is where I stopped for some beach side appetizers and it did not disappoint. The prices are fair for the large portions you get (but it can get pricey for families). Between the 4 of us we split 2 appetizers and still had a little left over. They also have a large drink menu including daiquiris. I highly recommend their Seafood Spinach Dip, it was delicious! Their other food items looked good too!
Sidelines Sports Bar and Restaurant
This place was highly recommended from locals, but does not have the “beach vibes” since it’s not right on the beach. This is a great down to earth spot with reasonable prices and highly rated on Yelp! Many of the beachside eateries are overpriced, and this is a great option for good food at good prices.
Shops/Souvenirs
There are so many shops near the beach, choose any one of them and you can’t go wrong! I bought a shirt and some magnets at Alvin’s Island Shop and the prices were great! If you want something fancier there is even a Ron Jon Surf Shop.
What else is there to do besides the beach? Keep reading!
Downtown
Pensacola has a great downtown area with so many shops, restaurants, bars, breweries, and galleries. It’s a perfect way to spend an evening.
I was lucky to be there during Gallery Night which happens every 3rd Friday of the month! Gallery Night is essentially a Pensacola block party downtown where galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars open up to the public while they walk the streets and enjoy food, art and live music. There were many booths to visit outside, music, karaoke on the street, small promotions and competitions, and a fundraiser where you pay to spray paint a tarp as street art. It was definitely a fun time, and can get crowded!
Click HERE to see when the next Gallery Night is!
I also visited downtown during the day and it was a more relaxing vibe, perfect for exploring local shops, galleries, and boutiques.
Downtown also has a night-life scene with their many bars including a dance hall and mechanical bull bar, arcade bar, cigar bar, sports bars and more. So whatever type of trip you are wanting, Pensacola has it all!
Eat
This was my favorite meal in Pensacola over my short weekend I was there. Jaco’s serves great seafood and American food and it was honestly affordable! The location is right on the bay so there are gorgeous views to take in. This place is always packed so expect a wait!
McGuire’s has been around since 1977 serving up Irish and American food. They are famous for their atmosphere with live music most nights and their walls and ceiling covered in dollar bills! Their portions are HUGE so come hungry or share with a friend. My husband and I split the Fish & Shrimp & Chips which comes with cole slaw, bean soup or a salad, and another side. All meals start off with Irish Honey Black Bread as well. Even sharing we didn’t finish the whole meal. Definitely a must stop, and bring a couple bucks to staple onto the wall!
Graffiti Pizza is a locally owned and operated pizza shop that specializes in New York Style Pizza. Its a must eat downtown! It is counter service but you can always eat there, take it to go, eat in the courtyard or even in World of Beer right next door. Their pizzas are massive and delicious!
This outdoor food hall is a perfect place to go if you have a group who can’t decide what to eat. This place features 4 food trucks, 5 kiosks and a bar. Food choices include Tex-Mex, Latin, Thai, and American (grilled cheese and mac n’ cheese). With this place you can’t go wrong!
Coffee
There are so many coffee shops in Pensacola! The only one I went to was Fosko Coffee Barre and it did not disappoint! I got a Mocha (#basic) and it was great. They also make crepe The aesthetics in the shop is really nice and they also have a really cute patio area filled with greenery in the back.
For a full list of local Coffee Shops in Pensacola click HERE.
Breweries
Pensacola has many micro breweries! It would be a great place to do a brewery tour if you love beer. The full list of local breweries are HERE but I thought I would highlight some below!
Coastal County Brewing is a little off the beaten path and looks like an old mom and pop restaurant from the outside, but is truly surprising and was my favorite because of their outdoor area! They have so many options to choose from and try including beer (obvi), cider, and seltzers. My absoulte favorite was their Fanta Seltzer that really just tasted like Orange Soda! I will say, their brunch was disappointing, so don’t go for breakfast food. The inside is nice and their back outside area is amazing with tons of outdoor seating, cornhole, a firepit, darts and beach volleyball. A great place to hang out and spend the afternoon and even bring kids!
Very nice inside with hipster vibes. It felt like more of a coffee shop than a brewery, but I didn’t mind that. They specialize in IPAs, had one light beer on draft and one porter (which was creamy and chocolatey). If you’re wanting a brew in a coffee shop like setting, this is your place!
This one is right downtown and easy to get to. They had a good selection of beer and different types to choose from. I was most impressed with their food though, we had the loaded tots which were really good and all the food that came out looked good too!
Sports
This is for my sports lovers! I always like to catch a game where I can while traveling. Unfortunately, this trip I didn’t get to but here are some sports to check out if you’re ever in Pensacola.
Pensacola Blue Wahoos – Minor League Baseball
Pensacola Ice Flyers – Hockey (Southern Professional Hockey League)
Special Events
Blue Angels Weekend
Pensacola is all about the Blue Angels since they are home to the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. Every year there is a huge event the locals call Blue Angel Weekend that is hosted on Pensacola Beach every July. This is a must see, and I hope I can attend one day! Since it is a huge yearly event, it gets packed and hotels get expensive so be sure to book early!
If you can’t make it during July, Pensacola also hosts an air show in November. For more information on how to see the Blue Angels Air Shows in Pensacola click HERE.
Well that’s my city guide to Pensacola, FL and what I got to see and do in just a weekend! If you’re ever needing a beach vacation keep Pensacola in mind and let me know if you use this guide!
Like travel guides? Read my latest post about Savannah, Georgia HERE
