The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Pensacola, Florida Now
BY TRIPVEEL EDITORIAL STAFF | February 2020
Situated in Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola, Florida is surrounded by the emerald green Gulf of Mexico and is “America’s First Settlement,” having been established in 1559 by Don Tristan de Luna and Spanish settlers.
Image courtesy of Experience Pensacola
1. THE HIKING
Hidden within an urban core along Jones Creek, the Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve is a 12-mile greenway trail connecting Bayou Chico and Perdido Bay that provides two very different outdoor experiences.
Image courtesy of Experience Pensacola
The eastern trail features accessible boardwalks and wide stable surface trails along Jones Creek, and through Bottomland Forest and Wet Pine Flatwoods, while the western trail provides a much more rustic outdoor nature experience with a mosaic of rare Florida natural bogs and grass land forest communities. For a trail map, click here.
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.
Image courtesy of Experience Pensacola
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.
In the heart of East Hill on 12th Avenue, the “Greetings from Pensacola” postcard mural is another must-stop location. Pensacola, Florida is focused on bringing new energy and engagement to their eclectic community, by making it more vibrant and alive.
3. THE COCKTAILS & CUISINE
Located just minutes from Pensacola International Airport, George Bistro + Bar welcomes each guest as family, serving a “South-meets-South” fusion—the South of France meets The South—through a masterfully crafted menu, exceptional service and a relatable modern space that exudes Southern charm. For your artisanal cocktail fix, we recommend trying the Burnt Fashioned—concocted with Old Forester bourbon, burnt sugar, muddled orange, Angostura bitters and a rosemary smoke rinse.
George Bistro + Bar in Pensacola, Florida
Respect for ingredients is paramount and allows Chef George Lazi to tell the story of each dish in a very personal way. Favorite dishes at George Bistro + Bar include Seasonal Seared Local Grouper with brown butter roasted spaghetti squash, honey lavender glazed tricolor carrots, parsley oil, and a corn and leak emulsion, as well as popular weekend brunch dishes like Savory Bread Pudding Benedict and Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict.
The aroma of a perfectly prepared espresso, the tempting effervescence of champagne during a leisurely weekend brunch, the locally purveyed ingredients for lunch or the sinfully decadent dessert that finishes an exquisite dinner. No matter what brings you into George Bistro + Bar the downright delicious food, cocktails and coffee will be a unique experience. Hungry yet?
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 botanical garden 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
Built in 1871 for Clara Barkley and her family, The Dorr House stands on its original location, facing historic Seville Square. The Victorian era home is a prime example of Greek Revival architecture in West Florida.
The Dorr House in Pensacola, Florida
