If pristine white-sand beaches and a laid-back, small-town atmosphere appeal to you, pack your bags for Pensacola. Apart from its oceanfront, the city celebrates its history of having been claimed by no less than five different countries at different points in time, providing visitors a rich glimpse into the colonial era. The nicest hotels are located downtown or near the airport, while cheaper options are further north near where I-10 intersects with I-110.

Activities For All Ages

• Condor Sailing Adventures takes customers on a leisurely cruise aboard a Condor trimaran, built to skim the water’s surface without the rolling that commonly leads to seasickness. Tip: For a more romantic ride, book one of the sunset cruises for mesmerizing views of the sun going down.
• Tour company Go Retro offers 10 different packages for travelers looking to learn about Pensacola’s past, from its Civil War history to the town’s former red light district, where brothels were actually legal in the early 1900s.

Where To Eat The Ocean’s Treasures

• Fisherman’s Corner serves up “casual dining with a Creole flair,” and here diners can find delicious fare like fried oysters, shrimp and grits as well as blackened fish, all fresh with generous portions. Finish off your meal with the ever-popular New Orleans style bread pudding, topped with a mouthwatering bourbon sauce.
• Joe Patti’s Seafood Company is a perpetually teeming seafood market where you can also order sushi sushi and get your just-bought shrimp seasoned and steamed on the spot. Seafood in hand, pick up a hot loaf of bread and you have yourself a perfect picnic for the beach.