7 Unique Things to Do in Pensacola Today
Table of Contents
- Visit the Beach
- Dolphin Cruises
- Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
- Fishing
- Fort Pickens
- Jet Ski Rentals
- Downtown Pensacola
Visit the Beach
Picture-perfect day at the beach in Pensacola, Florida
When searching for the best things to do in Pensacola today, you can’t go wrong with spending a family fun day at the beach! The beaches here consistently rank among the best in the country, and are known for their soft white sand, rolling dunes, and sparkling emerald waters. Plus, any trip to the Emerald Coast is simply incomplete without exploring one of the area’s amazing beaches, which include the following:
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
- Fort Pickens
- Pensacola Beach
- Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post
- Opal Beach
Visiting any of the above beaches is sure to be a blast, and yield magical memories you won’t soon forget! Aside from swimming and soaking up the sun, other popular activities and unique things to do in Pensacola today include snorkeling, shelling, wildlife viewing, fishing, and more. This means that no matter what you’re into, there’s something for everyone in pristine Pensacola Beach!
Dolphin Cruises
Dolphins spotted on a Pensacola Beach dolphin cruise with Premier Dolphin Cruise
Everyone loves dolphins. These clever creatures are commonly spotted along Florida’s Emerald Coast, and are constantly creating smiles for those who spot one. The species of dolphins you will encounter in Pensacola Beach is the happy and playful bottlenose dolphin! Check out these fun facts about bottlenose dolphins, and be sure to keep an eye out for these marvelous marine mammals:
- Bottlenose dolphins can grow up to 13 feet long, and weigh 1,300 pounds
- They live for 40 to 60 years
- These dolphins can swim as fast as 12 miles per hour
- Adult bottlenose dolphins eat about 5% of their body weight daily
- On average, a bottlenose dolphin can hold its breath for 5-7 minutes
- This species of dolphin can jump as high as 20 feet out of the water
Bottlenose dolphins will also either travel alone, or in groups of about 12. However, herds of hundreds of dolphins have been spotted in this area, which is why setting out to sea on a dolphin cruise is one of the top unique things to do in Pensacola today! Pensacola dolphin cruises are an unique and unparalleled experience, as guests will enjoy spectacular scenic views, dazzling dolphins and other marine life, entertaining narration, and the opportunity to see this beautiful beach town from a whole new perspective.
{Read Reviews & Book Pensacola Beach Dolphin Cruises and Tours Online}
Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Group dining on delicious eats at the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is an iconic local landmark, and should definitely be a part of your vacation itinerary. One of the best things to do in Pensacola Beach today, the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is located on the Santa Rosa Sound, and is the premier destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and more! From enjoying savory seafood with a view, to shopping at local boutiques for unique gifts and treasures, this area offers something for everyone.
The beach here provides ample opportunities for families to soak up the sun! Its position along the serene waters of the Santa Rosa Sound means calmer waters for the little ones to play in, so parents can truly relax. Dolphin cruises are another popular activity departing from this area, as well as jet ski rentals, parasailing, and more! These are all just a few of the many reasons why you need to visit the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk!
Fishing
Sizable redfish caught while inshore fishing in Pensacola Beach
Fishing in Pensacola Beach is truly off the hook, with ample areas for anglers to drop a line, and waters teeming with a wide variety of fish species. This is, by far, one of the most fun and exciting things to do in Pensacola Beach today, and one of the top places for fishing here is at the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier! This massive pier stretches 1,471 feet out into the glimmering Gulf of Mexico, and is a great place to reel in the following:
- Bluefish
- Pompano
- Redfish
- Spanish Mackerel
- Cobia
- Sheepshead
- And MORE!
Another great way to go fishing in Pensacola is aboard a fishing charter! Customizable charters allow anglers to choose between offshore and inshore fishing, as well as the duration of the trip. Fishing charters take the stress out of planning, with a knowledgeable and local guide at the helm. They also include everything you could possibly need for a day of fishing like the fishing license, bait, tackle, and more!
{Read Reviews & Book Pensacola Beach Fishing Charters Online}
Fort Pickens
Interior view of Fort Pickens in Pensacola Beach, FL
Fort Pickens National Park is home to the remains of Fort Pickens, a military fort built in the 1800s to protect Pensacola Bay, and visiting this historic time capsule is one of the top things to do in Pensacola Beach today! Visitors love walking through the fort itself, and checking out the multiple gun batteries that exist throughout the park. Aside from being a major historical landmark along the Emerald Coast, it also offers many recreational activities to its visitors like tours, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, and swimming at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Discover even more fun facts about Fort Pickens below, and uncover the rich history of this bustling beach town:
Jet Ski Rentals
According to a recent TripShock Traveler Story, Pensacola Beach jet ski rentals, pictured above, are an absolute blast
Jet ski rentals and tours are one of the top unique things to do today in Pensacola for those in search of excitement and adventure. This is a great way to zip and zoom through the waves, and feel exhilarated as you maneuver through the water and make a splash! Jet ski rentals allow participants to see this amazing area from a whole new perspective, and allow for possible wildlife sightings, as well. Amazing animals you may see when on a Pensacola Beach jet ski rental include the following:
- Pelicans
- Herons
- Stingrays
- Dolphins
- And MORE!
What makes Pensacola Beach jet ski rentals stand out from the rest, however, is that most jet ski rentals and tours will allow participants to visit a secluded beach on the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This area is known far and wide for its sparkling waters, soft, white sand, wonderful wildlife, and scenic views galore!
{Read Reviews & Book Pensacola Beach Jet Ski Rentals and Tours Online}
Downtown Pensacola
The popular Seville Quarter located in downtown Pensacola, FL
Last, but certainly not least, one of the best things to do in Pensacola Beach today, is to visit bustling downtown Pensacola. This diverse area is known for its rich history and culture, a myriad of marvelous museums and historic landmarks, events, shopping, dining, live music, nightlife, amazing attractions and things to do, and so much more! From taking a fun and informative city bus tour, to pleasing your palate at a delicious local eatery, downtown Pensacola offers something for all ages and interests.
Adults will especially enjoy the entertainment this area has to offer, like ear-pleasing live music daily, and excellent events like Gallery Night. Downtown Pensacola’s nightlife is thriving, as well, with a multitude of venues for visitors to dance the night away! Little ones will appreciate a trip to the Pensacola Children’s Museum, and exploring the Historic Village. However you decide to spend your time in downtown Pensacola, you’re in for a treat!
Pensacola is truly a gem located along Florida’s Emerald Coast, and is a must-visit family-friendly vacation destination. From soaking up the sun at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, to catching keepers on a fantastic fishing charter, the opportunities for fun in this picture-perfect place are practically endless. If you’re looking for even more Unique Things to Do in Pensacola today, be sure to visit TripShock’s Pensacola Beach Visitors Guide for everything you need to know about this spectacular seaside city!