5 Reasons to Visit® Pensacola Beach, Florida
The Top 5 Reasons to Visit® Pensacola Beach, Florida Right Now
World famous for its sugary white sand beaches and sparkling emerald green waters—Pensacola Beach offers a Florida Gulf Coast experience like no other. Sunsets, beach hopping and delectable coastal cuisine are just a few reasons why Pensacola Beach is the perfect setting for your next story to come to life.
Image courtesy of Experience Pensacola
1. THE BEACH
Spanish for "lost island," Perdido Key is the lost island worth discovering. Tucked away on a narrow strip of land on the extreme western edge of Florida, this barrier island is bookmarked by rolling, white sand dunes and stunning views of the calming Gulf of Mexico waters.
The barrier island seamlessly combines natural beauty, coastal living and southern charm with abundant wetlands, estuaries and wildlife. Perdido Key is home to several world-renowned parks such as Johnson Beach at Gulf Islands National Seashore.
2. THE ART
As the only art museum in Pensacola, the Pensacola Museum of Art is housed in the former City Jail and contains both permanent exhibitions, as well as traveling exhibits.
Art is everywhere in Pensacola, Florida. “Wish You Were Here" is one of Downtown Pensacola’s most visited murals and people walking by just can’t resist the urge to snap a selfie in front of it.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Nestled just over the Pensacola Bay Bridge by the wharfs in Downtown Pensacola, Skopelos at New World is a Gulf Coast favorite where great food and people come together. Experience an idyllic setting on their outdoor terrace to indulge in carefully curated craft cocktails and delectable culinary creations. While soaking in those sunny Gulf of Mexico rays, we recommend trying the Palafox Sangria for your artisanal cocktail fix—a Skopelos signature drink, it’s concocted with Rosso Fosco Sparkling Lambrusco, Grand Marnier, club soda and fresh, muddled berries.
Skopelos at New World in Pensacola, Florida
With a diverse collection of very creative vegan and gluten free entrées, Skopelos at New World is also renowned for their extensive selection of fresh steaks and seafood. Favorite dishes include Pan Seared Coffee Crusted Venison with herbed Parisienne gnocchi, Blue Crab Moussaka (a Skopelos Signature dish) with panko encrusted eggplant and fresh lump crab meat, topped with garlic cream sauce, their savory Gulf Coast Seafood Gumbo, as well as Vegan “Scallops” with king trumpet mushrooms, spring greens, cauliflower risotto and rainbow chard.
For those craving something sweet, end your experience with their decadent Key Lime Crème Brûlée. Hungry yet? We are.
4. THE GARDENS
A tranquil favorite on the Gulf Coast, Morgan Memorial Park & Botanical Gardens was created to memorialize the life of Dr. James P. Morgan, a world-renowned beach geologist and lifelong resident. The green space is a picturesque retreat and lush oasis amongst the crowds and traffic which surround it.
This understated Morgan Memorial Park & Botanical Gardens provides beautiful views of Santa Rosa Sound and the sprawling Live Oaks provide shade to sit back, relax and contemplate the Florida Panhandle’s natural beauty.
5. THE ARCHITECTURE
In the spring of 1828, the United States government acquired land on Santa Rosa Island to build Fort Pickens. The workers used materials such as lime, water, and sand to mix mortar; granite for steps and traverse stones; copper sheeting for use in powder magazines and brick for the main. The newly built fort was a massive five-bastioned work, consisting of one tier of casemates and a barbette tier, while exhibiting the latest technologies in coastal defense design, construction and weaponry.
Image courtesy of Experience Pensacola