Are Pensacola and Pensacola Beach the same thing?

Pensacola Beach is an unincorporated community, just south of Pensacola on Santa Rosa Island. Pensacola Beach the area contains several beaches, including Pensacola Beach, Opal Beach, and the Gulf Islands National Seashore (which is a national park that has several beaches within it). Downtown Pensacola is a thriving city where you'll find fabulous food and museums. But it's all one big happy Pensacola area, and that's how we're treating it here.

That beaches on Santa Rosa are where you probably want to find a hotel and spend your beach time, then head to downtown for cultural entertainment and more varied food options.

Fort Pickens is one of the only Civil War forts in the South to remain in Union control. Photo by Visit Florida

Best Beaches & Wildlife Activities for Kids in Pensacola

1. Fort Pickens/Gulf Island National Seashore

Fort Pickens is located at the tip of The Gulf Island National Seashore State Park. Though all the beaches in Pensacola are gorgeous, it’s worth it to pay the $25 per car entrance fee. The protected land is stunning, private-feeling, and varied with emerald seas, white beaches, marshes, trails, and wildlife. You can even camp here!

It’s also the only way you can visit Fort Pickens. This historic fort is fun for kids to explore, with tunnels and cannons sparking imaginations. It also has a fascinating history: Though the Army forced enslaved Black men to build the fort, it was one of four forts in the South to remain in Union control throughout the Civil War and became a stop along the Underground Railroad.

2. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola Beach is simply stunning. We had a full day of activities planned, which got scuppered halfway through a morning walk on the beach; we were so entranced we ended up spending the whole day lying on the sugar-white sands, swimming in the emerald-green waters, building sandcastles, and just staring at the blue sky.

Look closely under the water to the right of the dolphin to see the outline of the three-week-old baby dolphin!

3. Frisky Mermaid Boat Tours

I’ve taken a lot of dolphin and whale tours in my life with my kids, all over the country, and hands-down, The Frisky Mermaid is the best dolphin tour I’ve ever taken. Luck may have factored into us getting to see a 3-week-old baby dolphin and seeing dolphin’s mating, but the brilliant Captains were the ones that informed, entertained, chatted, pointed out things to see, and also knew how to drive to entice the dolphins to surf in the wake of the boat.

Highly recommend spending a morning on the Frisky Mermaid.

4. Gulf Breeze Zoo

If spotting animals in the wild doesn’t work out as well for you, the Gulf Breeze Zoo is a short drive away and home to over 800 animals. Here, kids can feed giraffes, ride the safari train, explore the petting zoo, and even hold the zoo’s albino alligators, Brutus and Nero.

Go Wahoos! The stadium overlooks the ocean and has one of the most beautiful ballpark views ever!

Best Outdoor Sports & Adventures for Kids in Pensacola

5. US Navy Blue Angels

The world-famous Blue Angels are based at NAS Pensacola and can be seen practicing in the sky on select days throughout the year; you can take the Pensacola Bay City Ferry or a boat tour to see it from Pensacola Bay. You can also get tickets to one of two annual airshows, the Pensacola Beach Airshow in July, and the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow in November.

6. Pensacola Blue Wahoos

The minor league team of the Florida Marlins, the Blue Wahoos have a gorgeous stadium right on Pensacola Bay. The games are great for sports-loving kids who can sit right by the action. Kids can participate in fun activities (catch the cockroach, I kid you not!) between innings, and there are loads of themed nights and fireworks displays.

As the sun sets, the lights come on, illuminating the boats and the creatures under the sea.

7. Glow Paddle

Even the youngest kids can hop in a clear kayak that is lit up with LED lights for a nighttime paddle in the bay at Glow Paddle. Watch the sunset, and as it gets darker, and the lights come up, you can see all the wildlife in the water, like stingrays and fish, beneath your clear-bottomed boat.

No wet bums tip: wear something you don’t mind getting sopping wet, as you will sit in water in the bottom of the kayak.

8. Laguna’s Adventure Park/Beach Bar

If you’ve hiked, swam, and enjoyed nature, and you want to go to one place that will entertain the kids all day, this is the place. Right on the beach, and featuring great food, music, and a tiki bar for parents, the whole family can take part in go-karts, zip rails, ropes courses (including one for tiny tykes only), a splash pad, and a unique Clip ‘N Climb structure.

9. UFOs

If your family likes mini golf, this Alien-themed mini golf course is the perfect oddity to add to your vacation. With ice cream and an arcade, it’s a fun way to end a beach day.

10. Goofy Golf

Why yes, there are two mini golf picks on our list, but that’s because we couldn’t choose between them. Goofy Golf is, we were told, a historic landmark in Pensacola that’s been here since 1958. It feels, in the best possible way, like a roadside attraction you’d stop at doing a cross-country drive.

The First Tee of Northwest Florida took over the crumbling facility, renovated it, and runs it as a nonprofit that introduces golf to kids from all walks of life.

11. Waterboyz Surf & Skate Shop

For little shredders, this indoor skate park is a great way to beat the heat. The food at Cafe Single Fin is also really good, with plenty of vegan options and great coffee. It’s not just a skate park/cafe, it’s also a surf and skate store where you can book lessons, which makes this a really great stop for families with tweens and teens.

Get your hands "dirty" doing laundry at Historic Pensacola Village.

Best Museums for Kids in Pensacola

12. Historic Pensacola Village

America’s First Settlement—yep, beating Jamestown and Plimoth Plantation by decades, having ben established in 1559—is a living history museum that is so much fun to explore. You can wander through the Historic Pensacola Village, ask questions of the reenactors, and take your turn at grinding corn, washing clothes, and other hands-on activities. There’s a storytelling house and gift shop, too.

13. National Naval Aviation Museum

The National Naval Aviation Museum is a hit with both kids and adults. With over 150 restored aircraft, flight simulators, and interactive exhibits, you’ll find yourself spending more time here than you might anticipate. Kids can get into the cockpits of some planes, and you can duck the  heat at the IMAX theater.

14. Pensacola Children's Museum

The Pensacola Children's Museum has interactive exhibits on local history and culture. Here kids can dress up in historical costumes, explore a colonial village, and play with various hands-on activities. Perfect for the youngest kids in the family, 1 to 6-year-olds could spend the whole day here and never want to leave.

$ Tip: the same ticket gets you into the museums at Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Children's Museum, the Pensacola Museum of History, the Pensacole Museum of Art, and more. These tickets are good for 7 days, so you can return to the places your kids like, which is a nice perk!

15. Pensacola MESS Hall

The Pensacola MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and Stuff) Hall is an interactive science museum filled with hands-on exhibits and activities. The idea is that kids can learn about physics, chemistry, and engineering through play, and if that sounds boring, you haven’t visited yet! Best for kids 4-10, the museum is filled with really cool experiments and friendly staff.

You can lose an entire afternoon at Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe, a gorgeously curated bookstore.

More Cool Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Pensacola

16. Bodacious Bookstore and Cafe

Dripping with sweat and looking for iced drinks, we stumbled into this little bookstore and fell in love. Not only do they make great drinks in the coffee shop (the special drinks when we visited were named after characters from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood), but the small store is so immaculately curated that you’ll find something for everyone in the family, plus great book-themed gifts to bring home.

Kids can curl up in the lighthouse, which houses children’s books, with a few new favorites.

More bodaciousness tip: Bodacious also has another shop that has a cafe, coffee roastery, olive oil shop, and shop that hosts wine tastings, kids' camps, and other events. If you have time for grownups to do a little shopping of their own, stop in here.

17. Pinspiration

While this Pinterest-inspired craft studio is a fun place to drop in and beat the heat or just relax for a while, the reason for out-of-towners on vacation to visit is for the Jackson-Pollock-inspired Splatter Room. For only $25 a person, you get a private Splatter Room, protective gear, and a canvas to throw (literally) paint at.

These are popping up all over the country, and whenever we find one, we visit! It’s a fun take-home souvenir, too.

Kids, pups, and food lovers welcome at The Dog House. Photo by the restaurant

Best Restaurants in Pensacola for Families

18. Aunt Katie's Welcome to Breakfast

Welcome is the key word here where the atmosphere is homey, whether sweet (cinnamon roll French toast) or savory (​​hoe cakes topped with fried green tomatoes, Cajun shrimp, and eggs), the food is incredible, and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. It’s the perfect way to start your day.

19. The Dog House

The Dog House is one of those restaurants that looks like a simple hot dog and burger joint, but is actually lovingly made gourmet food in disguise. Friendly staff and food that’s so tasty, it’ll trick your kids into explaining their palates. Kids might like the dogs and chicken tenders, but parents should definitely try the fried mullet and candied Brussels. Everyone should save room for dessert.

20. Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Of course, if you didn’t save room for dessert, you can walk from the Dog House down Palafox to Peterbrooke Chocolatier and get some chocolates for later. While the chocolate is amazing, the chocolate-making experiences and camps for kids are even better.

21. The Garden at Palafox + Main

This outdoor food hall has a little of something for everyone in a charming setting. Some of the food stalls are in Airstreams, there’s plenty of seating plus games and a selfie wall to entertain kids while you wait for food. Options include Tex-Mex, Peruvian, poke, and more.

22. The Oar House

This charming spot serves tasty bayou food on the marina. Play a game of anything from volleyball to ping pong, listen to live music, watch for wildlife, and relax under the Tiki roof. The kid’s menu is for under 10s and over 65s, which is a great touch, and as for what to order: anything seafood! Plus Key Lime pie and a cocktail.

You'll have to drag your kids out of the pool at the Holiday Inn Resort!

Best Hotels in Pensacola for Kids & Families

23. Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach

This hotel right on the beach has amazing balconies overlooking the ocean, a fantastic lazy river/splash pool/pool for kids, and is right on the white sands beach. I could live in this hotel.

24. Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach

With suites for families, complimentary breakfast, and a perfect location right on the beach, this is a great choice for families who are staying for more than a few days. Many of the suites even have a full kitchen with a dishwasher. You can even bring the family dog! Try to request a room with a balcony, it’s worth it.

25. Hilton Pensacola Beach

With kids activities daily and a great beachfront pool, the Hilton is another great choice for families, especially if you don’t need a kitchen. The poolside food and drinks service is great, and the location can’t be beat.

26. Pensacola Beach Resort

I recommend this hotel for families with slightly older kids. It’s a little further down the beach from the other hotels and has beautiful views on both sides of the hotel. You can walk across the street to glow paddle, and the pool has less of a kid’s club feel, and more of a tweens and teens can relax by the pool or beach feel. The balconies are a little bigger, and the whole feel is a little less chain hotel, while still being on the beach and centrally located.

Unless otherwise indicated, all photos by author.

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