About Pensacola
With its eternal sunshine, warm, turquoise waters and long stretches of soft, white sand, Pensacola appears at first glance to be a typical Florida beach town.
While swimming, water sports and fishing are certainly among your options, the city's 450-year history, rich naval heritage and intriguing museums rival beach-going as choice attractions. Find time to embrace every side of Pensacola and please every member of the family while doing so.
Sunshine and Thunderstorms
If you're in Pensacola during its long, May-to-September summer season, expect average high temperatures from the low 80s to 90 degrees, and lows from the mid-60s to mid-70s. You should also prepare for rain, since thunderstorms are common throughout summer. The cooler season, with highs in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s, is relatively short, lasting only from December through February. This is the South after all, so expect high humidity—from 50 to 95 percent—year-round, reaching its peak in August.
Beaches, Aviation and History
Pensacola boasts the largest naval aviation museum in the world, the National Museum of Naval Aviation. It's free to the public and a great place for the kids, who can play with control panels and periscopes, try flight simulators and cockpit trainers and see more than 150 restored aircrafts. From March through November, you might see the Blue Angels practice their incredible aerial stunts. The city's also famous for having the whitest of white-sand beaches on Santa Rosa Island, one of the longest barrier islands in the world. Ascend 177 steps to take in views over the Gulf Coast from the top of the Pensacola Lighthouse. Built in 1859, the lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more about its history at the on-site museum. Experience more of Pensacola's interesting history with a guided tour of Historic Pensacola Village or the early 19th-century Fort Pickens.
Military and Tourism
The military and tourism bring top dollars to this Florida city. The United States Naval Air Station was established in 1914 and has played a major role in Pensacola's community and economy ever since. The city amply provides goods and services to the flocks of tourists who come to Pensacola for its beaches, sunshine, history and diverse attractions. Professional services, information and technology companies, aviation manufacturing and cyber security represent smaller sectors of the local economy.
Planes, Cars and Trolleys
Pensacola is connected by the I-110 spur to the I-10, which takes you east to Jacksonville or west to Mobile, New Orleans and beyond. The section of U.S. 98 to the east and west of Pensacola hugs the Gulf Coast, connecting numerous beach towns. You can fly in and out of Pensacola International Airport via several airlines, including Delta, Southwest and United. For local transportation, drive, walk, rent a bicycle or use county buses, which run throughout the downtown area. From Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day, a Beach Trolley operates on Santa Rosa Island.
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