This post is sponsored by Visit Pensacola. All experiences and opinions are my own, and I can’t wait to share the fun and family-friendly adventures we discovered in this vibrant Gulf Coast destination.
Welcome to Pensacola: Family Fun on Florida's Gulf Coast
Pensacola is the kind of place where beach days and family adventures come together in the best way. This was a multi-generational trip—I traveled with my mom and my two children (ages 3 and 6) and it was such a fun way to create memories across three generations! Pensacola has amazing beaches, interesting history, and so many activities that are just plain fun for kids, parents, and grandparents. Over three days, we swam, explored forts, and found some really cool local spots. Let me take you through our trip! Here's a detailed guide filled with tips to help you plan your own visit.
Getting There
Flying into Pensacola is simple and family-friendly. The Pensacola International Airport is conveniently located just a 15-20 minute drive from downtown and about 25 minutes from Pensacola Beach. There are direct flights available from major cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Charlotte, with connecting flights from Toronto that make planning your trip straightforward. A rental car is essential for making the most of your time!
Where to Stay
Let’s start with the Holiday Inn Resort Pensacola Beach—this place was a hit with our family. The heated lazy river was the ultimate highlight for the kids. They spent an entire morning floating around in the tubes, hopping between hot tubs, and laughing nonstop. What makes it even cooler is that the pool connects to the neighboring hotel, giving you access to another lazy river for kids who just can't get enough! We were swimming outside in December, and the water was heated to a very warm temperature!
The hotel is also right on the beach, so you wake up to gorgeous Gulf views and can step straight onto the sand.
During the warmer months, the hotel offers even more family-friendly activities like "Dive Inn" movies on the pool deck (where you can watch a movie on a giant screen while floating in the lazy river). There are also interactive pirate and mermaid shows that keep kids entertained.
Things to Do with Kids in Pensacola
Downtown Pensacola
Take a walk along vibrant Palafox Street, often ranked as one of America’s top 10 streets. It’s packed with shops, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. The architecture downtown is also something special. I really loved all the intricate wrought iron balconies, detailed metalwork, and colorful storefronts that reflect Spanish, French, and British influences. These features add a unique charm and give the downtown area so much character.
Historic Pensacola Village
The Historic Pensacola Village is like stepping into Pensacola’s past in the most interactive and engaging way possible. This 8.5-acre area is filled with over 30 historic buildings that tell the city’s story, from its Spanish colonial days to its Victorian-era growth. It’s a great mix of history and engaging demonstrations that are perfect for families.
My kids loved the hands-on activities like making candles, watering the garden, and watching some 19th-century cooking techniques.
The Children’s Museum, also part of the village, is a huge hit with younger kids. It has a mini Publix grocery store, a doctor’s office complete with lab coats, and lots of other interactive exhibits.
Right next door is the Museum of Commerce, a re-creation of a 19th-century streetscape with shops and a printing press that kids can see in action. The Museum of Industry is another must-visit, with exhibits on Pensacola’s history with industries like fishing and timber.
Grandma’s favourite was the Pensacola Museum of Art, which has a very cool vibe as its housed in the former city jail. There’s also a cozy kids area with books, coloring, and craft supplies so adults can spend a few minutes actually enjoying the gallery.
Pensacola M.E.S.S Hall
The Pensacola MESS Hall was a big hit with our kids. This hands-on STEM museum is full of activities where they can experiment and build. They loved the "Mess Kits," where you pick a project from a menu and get all the materials to make it happen. The back room also had a light exhibit that was a favorite with my 3-year-old. It’s the kind of place where kids don’t even realize they’re learning because they’re having so much fun.
Pensacola Beach Pier
The Pensacola Beach Pier is such a cool spot. The shallow water around the pier is great for kids to splash and play, and the sandbars make it easy to explore. The kids loved going under the pier and spotting fish swimming around. We even saw stingrays and watched fishermen pull in their catches. There’s a small fee to access the pier, but it’s totally worth it for the experience.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
The Gulf Islands National Seashore is one of the prettiest spots! The drive in was my favourite because you drive on a narrow road with white sand and water on both sides. We drove all the way to the very tip of the seashore and explored Fort Pickens Beach Point, which I highly recommend doing. It also was an amazing place to watch the Blue Angels practice their flying tricks. Even if you’re not a plane enthusiast, it’s hard not to be impressed.
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens was way cooler than I expected, and the kids loved it way more than I anticipated they would. The fort was built in the 1800s to protect Pensacola Bay and even stayed in Union hands during the Civil War. It also has a cool connection to history because the Apache leader Geronimo was held here for a while. My 6-year-old son especially loved exploring all the secret tunnels, running through the brick hallways and checking out the giant cannons.
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Another cool experience is watching the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice their famous aerial maneuvers. The Blue Angels are the Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron and seeing their legendary stunts is definitely something to plan for if you're in town! We were lucky to catch them flying overhead while we were at Fort Pickens Beach Point, but you can also visit the National Naval Aviation Museum to attend a practice.
National Naval Aviation Museum
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum because it’s only open to U.S. citizens (we're Canadian), but it’s supposed to be incredible! It’s one of the largest aviation museums in the world and filled with historic planes, hands-on exhibits, and there are even flight simulators for kids. Check the museum’s website for the Blue Angels practice schedules and special events. On select days, kids can even meet the pilots during post-practice meet-and-greets!
Where to Eat with Kids
The food scene in Pensacola is seriously worth talking about! What makes it even better for families are the beachfront spots that serve up super fresh seafood alongside plenty of entertainment for kids. Think playgrounds, games, and spaces where they can run around while you enjoy your meal. Whether it’s a casual lunch or a laid-back dinner with a view, Pensacola’s restaurants make it easy for the whole family to have a great time.
Kid-Friendly Dining in Downtown Pensacola
Don’t miss Maker’s Coffee for your caffeine fix. My mom and I went here three times during our trip because their flat white was hands-down one of the best I’ve ever had! The atmosphere is a perfect mix of sleek and chill, with industrial-style light fixtures, giant windows and modern decor. If you’re looking for more great coffee spots, check out Bodacious or Bodacious Bookstore.
Graffiti Pizza was a hit with kids, decked out in vibrant local art. It’s casual, fun, and exactly what you need for a quick bite while exploring downtown. Another option is The Dog House, which is another casual favorite serving up a variety of amazing hot dogs! It’s colorful, laid-back, and totally geared toward families looking for a fun lunch spot.
Kid-Friendly Beachfront Dining in Pensacola
Beachside dining is hands down one of my favourite parts about visiting Florida with kids and Pensacola does it right. Don't miss dinner at Flounder’s Chowder House - there's a waterfront view, pirate ship playground for kids on the beach, live music and an equally unique interior with all sorts of quirky decor! Another great option is Red Fish Blue Fish, which is where we had our final dinner and loved it. There are hammocks, cornhole/ lawn games with a large turf area, fire pits, amazing seafood and a beach for kids to play on and catch crabs
Pensacola, Florida with Kids
Pensacola is the ultimate family-friendly destination. Whether you’re floating in a lazy river, exploring an old fort, or splashing on a beach, there’s something for everyone. It’s laid-back, fun, and filled with little moments that make for big memories. We can’t wait to go back!
Check out our travel toys and make traveling with kids easier and more fun! Shop here and don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more travel with kids tips & hacks!