Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola offers everything you desire in a vacation; outstanding food, colorful history, perfect weather, diverse recreation opportunities, art, and culture par excellence.
About The Community
America’s first European settlement, Pensacola was colonized by Spanish explorer Don Tristan de Luna in 1559. It got its name from the Panzacola Indians who were there when the Spanish explorers landed. Flags of five nations have fluttered over this historic city over four centuries, and these contributed to the cultural and historic heritage of this lovely city. Fifty-two miles of Gulf waters and protected, pristine shores await the beach lovers at Pensacola.
Pensacola was named a hotspot for biodiversity by the Nature Conservancy. The Big Lagoon State Park is on the northern shoreline of Big Lagoon, which separates the mainland from Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. One can study habitats from saltwater marshes to pine flatwoods and a wide variety of birds. The park comprises of beaches, shallow bays, nature trails, and open woodlands and offers camping, swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, and hiking.
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The colorful history of the area has left a multicultural heritage of food, crafts, and cultural exhibits for all to savor. Wander through the Seville Square Historic District and discover the two hundred year old Julee Cottage that belonged to Julee Panton, “a free woman of color,” that is now a Black History Museum. Pensacola’s African-American Heritage Society features exhibits and performing arts presentations. The Perdido Bay Tribal Cultural Center also has a Creek Indian Museum in the District.
Vicinity of Pensacola
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Festivals of the various groups take place all through the year. Mardi Gras includes parades, cook-offs, and pageantry. Watch the reenactment of the surrender of the city to Spanish explorers at the Fiesta of Five Flags that highlights the Spanish and Creole heritage. You will never forget the Crawfish Creole Festival with Zydeco music and dance and Creole food. Pensacola’s Greek community holds its Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church every October with fun, food and dance.
Pensacola is known as the Cradle of Naval Aviation and has long military history. Do not miss the many exhibits about this. Historic Pensacola Village consists of twenty remarkable early nineteenth century structures, including the Christ Church, listed in the Pensacola National Register of Historic Districts. Jr. Florida State Museum, originally the 1908 City Hall building, is a veritable treasure trove of historic artifacts, Americana, and West Florida history.
Pelicans in Paradise is a public art project displaying the talents of local artists. The town has a thriving visual and performing arts community and an evening at the theater could mean a traveling Broadway show, community theater production, or Pensacola’s symphony orchestra. Pensacola offers golf courses galore of differing degrees of challenge.
