Interesting Facts

Some of the Pensacola area beaches are included in the Gulf Islands National Seashore. This magnificent preserve includes miles of undeveloped white sand beaches. Covering the beaches are sea grass and sea oats, an environment perfect for the more than 280 species of birds that seek refuge here.
You always had a "fort" growing up ... why not visit a real one? Fort Pickens, built in the 1830's to help guard Pensacola's harbor entrance, saw combat during the Civil War but remains famous today for one of its inmates � the Apache Medicine Man, Geronimo.
Want a little taste of the wild life? Then visit the Zoo. Fifteen miles east of Pensacola, it is home to more than 700 exotic animals. Complete with a giraffe feeding tower and a petting farm, this attraction is a fun stop for kids of all ages. While you're there, hop on the Safari Line Train for a ride through a 30 acre wildlife preserve.
Being up the creek is a good thing in Pensacola and its surrounding areas! Less than 20 miles from Pensacola is the "Canoe Capital of Florida." Milton, Florida, is home to one of the world's purest sand-bottom rivers, The Blackwater River. Three other rivers in the area allow for plenty of water space for canoeing, kayaking, tubing, rafting and paddleboating.
Gone Fishing! Red Snapper, grouper, mackerel, tuna, and billfish are plentiful in the waters surrounding Pensacola. But if you want to play, you'll have to pay. Fees for charter boats run the gamut from $300 to $800 for one to four passengers depending on the length of the trip!
Surprise! While other sports in Pensacola can be a little pricey, an unexpected treat is that golf doesn't have to be! Marcus Pointe has hosted the Nike Tour, the American Amateur Classic and the Pensacola Open, and has been described in Golf Digest as a great value! Green fees with a cart are less than $50.00 during the week.
Diver Down! Visibility in the waters around Pensacola can range from 30 to 50 feet and dive sites can be found from 100 feet to 28 miles offshore. One attraction is the USS Massachusetts. Submerged in 30 feet of water and only 3 miles offshore, the battleship is one of the 35 artificial reefs where you can catch a glimpse of a loggerhead turtle!
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is a must see while in Pensacola. Home to the training grounds for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, this unbelievable museum houses more than 100 aircraft dating from the 1920's to the present. The IMAX film, The Magic of Flight is shown on a screen six times the size of one at an average theatre.
You'll like the nightlife, right on the Florida/Alabama line. The Flora-Bama Lounge is home to the Interstate Mullet Toss during the last weekend in April! Country music, a raw oyster bar and great gulf views add to its appeal!
History Buffs will be especially fascinated by the Julee Cottage Black History Museum. This small house was built in 1790 and was owned by Julee Panton, a freed slave. Panton, who owned her own business and invested in real estate, loaned money to slaves so that they could buy their freedom.