Pensacola is a medium city located in Northwest Florida – 59 miles east of Mobile, Alabama and just under 200 miles west of Tallahassee, Florida – and serves as the county seat for Escambia County.  Known as “The City of Five Flags” for the five different nations to have ruled its over 400-year history – the city is one of the most populous and growing areas found along the Gulf Coast.  The area is perhaps best defined by its connection to the sea – originally developed around a seaport insulated from rough gulf waters by the Santa Rosa barrier island by the Spanish between the mid 1500s and late 1600s – with many of the numerous recreations, vocations, and enterprises found in the city reflective of its nautical past.  Also connected to the shifting ownership over the centuries, Pensacola life is best described as multicultural – with food, shopping, art, music, and other recreations from across the globe easily found within city-limits. 

Neighborhood Make-up

Although Pensacola is mostly a sea-town, real estate in the city – and the greater metropolitan area to boot – is a healthy mix of residential, vacation, and urban properties.  Even counting the area’s proximity to more expensive tourist areas along the beach, Pensacola maintains housing expenses 27% lower than the national average, and a generally upward-mobile workforce.  Most architecture within the city is low-rise – with a few exceptions, such as The Crowne Plaza Grand Hotel, SunTrust Tower, and Seville Tower, among others.  Pensacola is also home to many military service-members and their families, due to its proximity to Naval Air Station Pensacola, and other nearby bases – and is known as “The Cradle of Naval Aviation.” 

Dining

While options are often lacking in nearby areas, enough can never be said about the first-class dining found in Pensacola!  While other areas are often more indicative of geography – and a more limited demographic of peoples – Pensacola is a true melting pot when it comes to culinary delights.  From local favorites such as McGuire’s Irish Pub – a Pensacola-staple since the late 70s – to the modern-rustic creations of The Union Public House, no taste goes unaddressed for long.  Whether its breakfast or lunch creations at Bagleheads, tiki-roofed American fare at The Oar House overlooking the gorgeous Bayou Chico, or craft brews and a comfort food at The Magnolia, Pensacola is the top destination in Northwest Florida for unforgettable fare, and excellent service!

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Entertainment

In addition to great cuisine, Pensacola is also a regional icon of good music, theater, and a wide selection of bars, taprooms, and breweries – such as the Pensacola Bay Brewery – making it the perfect place for date nights, getaways, and nights out on the town.  For music, Vinyl Music Hall – a ballroom that hosts many regional and nationally touring acts – sits on South Palafox, the center of downtown nightlife.  The Saenger Theater and Seville Quarter – a sprawling entertainment square complex made up of seven themed rooms – are also downtown, alongside top-tier bars such as the Old Hickory Whiskey Bar, and World of Beer.

Shopping

Whether looking for charming home décor at Rusted Arrow Mercantile, or looking to follow the latest fashion trends at Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique, Downtown Pensacola offers many unique retailers – each with their own individual charms.  Bodacious Shops – a collection of several businesses, including a salad shop, cafe, coffee roastery, olive store, and kitchenware emporium – even hosts public events, such as various cooking classes, and wine dinners.  Outside of the high-end, Pensacola is home to many shopping complexes, such as Cordova Mall and University Town Plaza – certain to cover any and all shopping needs.

Attractions

The First City Arts Center

The First City Arts Center is a wonderful community resource, offering a wide range of arts programs to more than 10,000 residents of all ages and skill levels each year.  The center hosts diverse lineups of workshops, classes, and events in all manner of subjects – such as ceramics, drawing, glassblowing, and even 3D graphic design software.  Some of the most popular programs have been after-school art classes, and a variety of morning and evening classes for adults.

Big Lagoon State Park

Staying true to the area’s natural roots, Big Lagoon State Park is the perfect place to experience all the Florida outdoors has to offer.  Made-up of 704 upland acres, the park not only offers many water activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, camping, but also a wide range of inland activities such as camping, hiking, and wildlife-viewing.  The park is also the start of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail, and is a stop for over 23 species of wood-warblers, ducks, sandpipers, and other avian varieties. 

Fork Pickens – Gulf Islands National Seashore

The Fort Pickens area of the Gulf Islands National Seashore – named for the pentagonal US military fort located on Santa Rosa island – is the perfect blend of education and relaxation.  Originally completed in 1834, Fort Pickens remained in Union control during the Civil War, and remained in US military usage until 1947.  The site allows for ranger-guided tours of the grounds, a wildlife discovery center, and many restored historic structure to explore.  Camping is allowed in designated areas, and the site also features a fishing pier, and beach access. 

Sam’s Fun City

While many attractions in Pensacola are connected to the area’s natural beauty, Sam’s Fun City is dedicated solely to its namesake.  Located such south of I-10 on Highway 29 in the heart of Pensacola, Sam’s Fun City is the perfect place for a family trip, or to just unwind.  Attractions at Sam’s include go-karts, arcade games, laser tag, bumper boats, miniature golf, and inflatable play zone.  Sam’s is also home to Bullwinkle’s Family Food – offering pizza, hotdogs, and other eats made for a fun day out.

Schools

Pensacola is served by the Escambia Public School District.

·         Pensacola High School – Public, 9-12

·         Brown Barge Middle School – Public, 6-8

·         N.B. Cook Elementary School – Public, PK-5

·         A.K. Suter Elementary School – Public, PK-5

·         Cordova Park Elementary School – Public, PK-5

·         Byrneville Elementary School – Public, K-5