Top Rated Attractions in Pensacola

The arterial Palafox Street is the hub of all activity in the Pensacola. With a history dating back to the 19th Century, the landmark is one of the city's oldest thoroughfares. In the summer months, it floods with farmers selling fresh local produce and vendors peddling their wares at the Palafox Market. The market is a local staple where you'll also find flowers, baked goods, jewelry, and more. If you aren't visiting in the summer, have no fear, the local scene revolves around Palafox Street year round. There's no better place to get to know Pensacola.

The National Naval Aviation Museum is recognized as one of the largest aviation museums in the world with over 150 aircrafts and 4000 artifacts on display. Watch swooping fighter planes, biplanes that have survived aerial battles, helicopters, aircraft carriers, and more. You can also find old documents, vintage uniforms, personal letters written during the war, relics, and other memorabilia. Visit the thriving library, which has photographs, books, technical manuals, CDs, and DVDs dedicated to aviation. As if that wasn't enough, you can also shop for clothes, books, and posters at the museum store or catch some entertainment at the IMAX located within the premises. The National Naval Aviation Museum is truly a place that gives you a sky-high experience!

Managed by the National Park Services, the Gulf Islands National Seashore is spread out across state lines, with the Pensacola region housing a good portion of it. This beautiful beach and park provides ample swimming and other water related activities for a decent price. The park is open all throughout the year and provides basic amenities on site.

Pay a visit to the Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola to learn about the martyrs who served the country. Strewn with several sculptures, the park pays tribute to the brave American soldiers who served their country in the wars. The memorial plaques and machines used in the wars are also on display here for the benefit of the people.

If being around water is your idea of having fun, then a visit to Perdido Key State Park is a must. Located near the Gulf of Mexico, this beautiful park is home to pristine white-sand beaches and a variety of coastal animals. A great spot for summer recreation, the park is frequented by visitors who want to take a cool dip in the water, go fishing, or simply watch wild animals in their natural habitat. Head to the coast on your next trip to Pensacola and you'll adore Perdido Key State Park.

The brainchild of Dr. Megan Pratt and Jerry Pratt, Pensacola MESS Hall is unlike other science museums that you might have encountered. Drawing from the principles of the Science Saturdays held by the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, this interactive museum takes math, engineering and science to a more inventive level. Whether a child or an adult, let your curiosity get the best out of you. Engage, reason and solve like real scientists as you experiment with mess kits and other activities. There are also permanent displays explaining scientific ideas in a creative way. Check out their interactive zones to learn about energy, physics, air, water and kinetics. Intriguing, mesmerizing and educative, it is one place where you can go every time and never get bored.