A week to kill - in Pensacola? (Holiday, Destin: appointed, rent)

[austin-steve]

Hi,

My wife and I are thinking about spending a week in Pensacola later this month. Mainly just to chill and meander through each day with no set itinerary.

This would be a little get-away to someplace not totally overrun with tourists, etc., where we can just blend in and be like a "local". We're also fresh empty-nesters and this would be sort of a practice run for some extended travel and adventuring. Some "out and backs" within a day's drive of Austin.

We like walking on beaches, day hiking, exploring nature, seeing interesting places things (both urban and natural), and learning about places. We like to hang out in coffee shops and read, see local attractions, museums, try different restaurants, etc. We're not "beach bums" but we like being near the smell and sounds of a beach even if we're not "on" the beach the entire time. But we also like being in downtowns that are vibrant and bustling.

Pensacola keeps hitting my radar as someplace we've never been and ought to check out. Am I barking up the right tree for what I've described, and would you recommend "base camp" on the mainland downtown or out on the island areas?

Thanks!

[moondoggy51]

If it were me and you were staying a week I would rent a condo right on Pensacola Beach. I checked online and Gulf Blue vacations has a 1 bedroom condo in the Santa Rosa Dunes for $630 for a week which is much better than the rates on a hotel room and you have all the comforts of home. If you want to stay in a hotel instead the Margarettaville Hotel is nice and I've stayed in the Holiday Inn Express.

Pensacola Beach right now is very laid back as the tourist season ended on Labor day. That being said, you can still walk the beach, eat some great seafood, you can go over to the navy base and see the National Naval Aviation museum, you can climb the 177 steps to the top of the Pensacola lighthouse, visit Fort Barrancas and Ft Pickens. If the Blue Angles are home they put on a show right next to the air museum which is pretty exciting but you'd have to check to see when they will be here. From Pensacola Beach you can drive down Santa Rosa Island and see the National Seashore on your way to Navarre and it you go a bit farther on 98 you can visit Ft Walton Beach and Destin. Note that on the way to Pensacola from Austin you can also stop in Biloxi, MS and gamble at one of the casinos.

Here's a link to Trip Advisor that will show you more. The Top 10 Things to Do in Pensacola - TripAdvisor - Pensacola, FL Attractions - Find What to Do Today, This Weekend, or in October

As a retiree and an empty nester myself we enjoyed coming to Pensacola so often over the years that we moved here from Illinois to be free of the snow and cold. If you come, I'm sure you'll have a good time.

[AustinTraveler]

Hey austin-steve! I'm very familiar with the area since I lived there for many, many years. Not a big fan of Pensacola for living but it's fine for a vacation.

I agree that you should definitely stay on Pensacola Beach, and a condo is the way to go. I would look on VRBO and pick a condo that is directly on the Gulf. My favorite part of the island is the western edge, so those condos would be located on Fort Pickens Road. Fort Pickens is a national park so you have to pay to enter, but it's an awesome area. I love to go there at sunset. Just park at the very end and walk out to the point. Or, if you have a condo near the entrance, you can just walk there. I could literally walk for hours on the beach.

You will have to pay $1 each time you cross the bridge from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach. This time of year traffic should be okay, but keep in mind that during the summer traffic on the weekends and holidays is awful.

Pensacola is not a particularly scenic city but it does have a lot of history. Downtown has finally been revitalized and is actually very nice. I was pleasantly surprised the last time I visited. Lots of restaurants and cute shops and it's all very walkable. They are attempting to get food trucks but the City is fighting it tooth and nail. Pensacola is very good old boy and anything new has to be dragged into the 21st century.

There is a restaurant on the wharf called Jacko's that I really like. There is a baseball stadium where the Wahoo's play. I've never been and have no idea when baseball season is, but it's there if you're into baseball. Definitely do not miss going out to Pensacola NAS. The Naval Air Museum out there is first class. The Blue Angels practice out there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning around 11:30. They spend winters in San Diego but will be in Pensacola until November.

If you want to take a drive to the beaches around Destin, I would drive from Pensacola Beach to Navarre. You will be driving in a National Seashore area, which means no condos, etc. From Navarre Beach you will cross over the bridge to the mainland. From there you take Hwy 98 toward Destin. Nothing spectacular to see along here...just the usual Florida sprawl. Once you get to Destin I would keep going east until you get to Grayton Beach. The whole area east of Destin is just beautiful and less densely populated. The town of Seaside is just east of Grayton and it's where they filmed The Truman Show. You'll see why if you go there.

The drive from Austin to Pensacola is not fun so I would just get in the car and go. Biloxi is fine but gambling is not my thing. You'll pass by the USS Alabama in Mobile if you want to tour an aircraft carrier. As you can see, there is a military theme in this area!

Can't think of anything else right now. Let me know if you have any questions!

[AustinTraveler]

Update: The City Council just passed an ordinance allowing food trucks. Wonders never cease!!

[austin-steve]

Thanks for all the good info. My wife and I look forward to a laid back, lazy "chill time" visit to see the area. A condo on the beach definitely sounds good, as well as those long walks.

I've checked into the downtown more and it seems like a good revamp, but probably not enough action to make it an "urban" vacation home base like we would in San Francisco or NYC where there is a ton to do and explore.

Steve

[grampaTom]

I live in Pensacola.
Go to Bagleheads for breakfast at least once.
Go to Pegleg Pete's for lunch at least once (the grouper nugget basket is awesome).
For a 'nicer' evening out definitely go do the Grand Marlin -- best dining experience at Pensacola Beach IMO. Go do Palafox street one night and eat at Global Grill -- tapas bar.
Go out to the beach and sit on the sand. A good hotel to stay at is Margaritaville -- right on the beach.
There is a nice art gallery on Palafox and some really nice gift stores on Government street.
If you like Mexican food Cactus Flower is the best in the area (at least 2 locations)
You'll read about Jackson's for steaks but you'll be disappointed (I am from Oklahoma and they just don't do beef in this town, sad to say)
Drive Scenic Avenue around dusk just for the view

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

I've checked into the downtown more and it seems like a good revamp, but probably not enough action to make it an "urban" vacation home base like we would in San Francisco or NYC where there is a ton to do and explore.

No, certainly nothing like that.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by AustinTraveler

No, certainly nothing like that.

I remember when I first spent two weeks in NYC, then flew back into Pensacola Regional, driving down Airport Blvd I was like "where's everybody at?", it seemed so dark and deserted.

[PcolaFLGuy]

Some good things have already been suggested to you. But, here's a couple of blogs I've written for clients that you might be interested in.

History and Natural Beauty Highlight Fort Pickens | A Door Properties

Enjoy the Beauty of the National Seashore | A Door Properties

Don't you just love our Blue Angels? - Sherry Ivey Jones - Criminal Defense Attorney

I enjoy walking on the Pensacola Beach pier (minimal charge) a quarter mile out into the gulf and looking back on the beach. You can also fish off the pier. Also, a newer restaurant is there at the pier and it's great.

[moondoggy51]

I agree that Peg Legs is a must for lunch or dinner. I would also recommend the recently reopened Jubilee Restaurant on the Boardwalk on Friday evening from 6 to 9 to catch Clark & Co when they perform. Food is good and the entertainment is great.