The Best Free Things to Do in Pensacola
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Having called Pensacola, Florida, home for several years with my family, I've come to appreciate the hidden gems and free treasures that this coastal city has to offer. From the Emerald Coast waters of the Gulf of Mexico to historic landmarks steeped in culture and charm, Pensacola is a playground for those seeking budget-friendly adventures.
As a seasoned local, I've explored every nook and cranny of this vibrant city, uncovering a plethora of activities that won't break the bank. Whether you're a visitor passing through or a fellow Pensacolian looking for some frugal fun, join me as I share my insider tips on the best free things to do in Pensacola.
Table of Contents
Map of Free Things to Do in Pensacola
I have put everything in this guide here on the map for you to easily find. Search this map of Pensacola for all the free things to do.
Visit the Beach
The most obvious free thing to do in Pensacola is visit the beach!
Known for it’s sugar-white sand and emerald green waters, the beaches of Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key have lots of free things to entertain people of all ages. Some favorite pastimes for us include searching for the perfect seashells, building sandcastles, or looking under the clear water for little fish!
Pensacola is known as part of florida’s emerald coast for good reason. THe beaches are incredible. clear water and white powdery sand.
And finally, to complete your time on the Emerald coast, be sure to see a sunset or sunrise on Pensacola Beach!
READ NEXT: The Best Day Trips from Pensacola, Florida
Pensacola Postcard Mural
The Pensacola Postcard Mural is a fantastic spot to get a photo souvenir for free! You absolutely must have one of these photos. The mural is located in the East Hill neighborhood, so grab a photo and a Devil Dog brownie from J’s Bakery and sit in one of the many parks to relax!
If you’re in the downtown Pensacola area, search for the Wish You Were Here mural and grab a photo for free!
Go for a Hike
Grab your sunscreen and a bottle of water and check out one of the many hiking spots around Pensacola and Escambia County, Florida.
The University of West Florida campus has over 600 acres of trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking. If you visit on a weekday, stop and get a parking pass.
the edward ball nature trail on the campus of the university of northwest florida
If local flora and fauna are your thing, but you want to stay near the beach, you should check out the Pensacola Beach Eco Trail.
Another handicap-accessible and stroller-friendly trail is the Bayou Marcus Birding Trail. This trail consists of 3 miles of boardwalk over wetlands.
Watch the Blue Angels Practice
A trip to northwest Florida just isn’t complete without seeing the US Navy Blue Angels practice!
Photo: Amanda owens
Practice times and dates vary, so be sure to check this link to see if they’ll be flying when you’re in town. If rather not go on to the Pensacola Naval Air Station to watch the Blue Angels fly, many locals enjoy watching practices from the Blue Angel Pkwy Wal-Mart or Target parking lots.
The Aviation Museum also hosts the Blue Angels FREE autograph sessions, so check the websites for places and times.
national aviation museum
Visit the Naval Aviation Museum
If you’re already on base to watch a Blue Angels practice, make sure to check out the the history of naval aviation. The museum is open daily from 9 am - 3 pm, and free access is available to the public by entering NAS Pensacola through the west gate. Discover historic aircraft, cockpits, interactive exhibits, and a vast collection of artifacts.
The national aviation museum is free and incredible!
Visit Historic Pensacola Village
Step back in time at Pensacola’s Historic District. This is a culmination of 450 years of America’s first multi-year settlement. It’s free to walk around this area, but if you’d like to go inside it’s $12 per adult and your ticket is good for 7 days!
the historic district in pensacola has every time covered from the first settlers to present day!
If history is your jam, then you’ve come to the right place. The historical era of Pensacola, Florida began with the arrival of Spanish explorers including Tristan de Luna who established a short-lived settlement at Pensacola Bay in 1559. This was the first multi-year European settlement in what is now the continental United States, but it was abandoned after two years.
Go back through pensacola’s entire history at the historic pensacola!
Visit Veterans Memorial Park
Visit the Veterans Park in Downtown Pensacola. This park has been a part of Pensacola’s downtown area for more than 3o years. These hallowed grounds are where people from all over come to honor America’s Fallen warfighters.
I used to make this park a part of my daily run route to spend some quiet moments remembering those who gave it all for our freedoms.
Wall South was designed in 1988 and isntalled in 1992. It is the nation's first permanent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. the wall south is Made of black granite and lists the names of all 58,281 men and women listed as KIA or MIA from the Vietnam War.
Visit a Local Park or Playground
The Vince J. Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park is a multi-use, public-private park development on Pensacola’s waterfront located in down town pensacola
The city of Pensacola, FL alone boasts a whopping 93 parks; if you add in all of the parks throughout the rest of Escambia County Florida, that number jumps well into triple digits! There are parks with epic playgrounds like Bayview, Hitzman-Optimist, Innerarity Point, Sanders Beach, and Corrine-Jones parks in Pensacola, and the cute little Pirate Ship playground on the sound side at Pensacola Beach.
One of the 93 parks located throughout Pensacola - this one is in the neighborhood of east hill
Visit a Local Splash Pad
Cool off at one of the FREE splash pads in Pensacola.
This is the splash pad located on palafox pier — during a festival they had inflatables for the kids to play
There are also two free splash pads in Pensacola, at Plaza de Luna and Legion Field, and one in Gulf Breeze, FL at Sunset Children’s park. We have spent many afternoons running through the water at Plaza de Luna!
The Plaza de Luna splashpad is located at the end of Palafox Pier and located right next to one of the best restaurants in Pensacola - Jaco’s Bayfront Bar. Plan to cool off in the splashpad after a great lunch!
*Note that none of these parks are shaded, so be prepared with sunscreen & sun hats!
Plaza de luna is such a great splashpad. with jacos right next door you have have lunch, drinks, and cool off!
I used to spend every single free hour I had walking the shores of gulf islands national seashore and pensacola beach.
Gulf Islands National Seashore FREE days
Another fun option is to take advantage of one of the several fee-free days offered by the National Park Service each year and visit the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Gulf Islands National Seashore reaches from the Mississippi coast through Okaloosa Island, Florida. In Escambia County alone, you can enjoy multiple beach access points as well as take a trip back in history while exploring Fort Pickens or Fort Barrancas.
Gulf islands national seashore is home to some of the most expansive and beautiful beaches in the united states. imagine spending an entire morning walking the shore and not seeing another person?? We love this place.
If you are the parent of a 4th grader, a U.S. Military Veteran or Retiree, Active Duty Family, Gold Star Family, or US citizens and permanent U.S. resident with a permanent disability — you get free entry into the U.S. National Parks!
Fort pickens is a great spot to spend an afternoon.
Visit Graffiti Bridge
Among the vibrant streets of Pensacola, Florida, there is a hidden gem that captures the essence of the city's artistic spirit—the Graffiti Bridge. The entire city has come to admire this ever-changing mural that spans the length of the bridge, transforming it into a kaleidoscope of colors and creativity.
It is compeltely free to grab a lawn chair and cold water and watch the artists work. Every day there are new writings from politcal stances to marriage proposals to birth announcements. With each passing day, new layers of paint and fresh designs adorn its surface, creating an ever-evolving masterpiece that never fails to inspire awe and wonder.
The Graffiti Bridge is a Pensacola icon and testament to the boundless creativity and vibrant spirit that defines the city.
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly beach vacation with lots of options for FREE fun including great shopping, tons of history, and miles upon miles of free to access stunning white sand beaches that’s also pet-friendly, Pensacola, Florida should be at the top of your list!
Fly Brave, Travel Often, See Everything,
This article was co-written by Amanda Owens and Tavia Carlson. Both women have lived in Pensacola for many years and both admin the group Solo Mom Travel on Facebook.
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