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By airPensacola Regional Airport (PNS) Currently served by six airlines providing direct service to Houston, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago O'Hare, Memphis, Charlotte, Tampa and other towns within Florida.By carInterstate 10 from New Orleans to Jacksonville. The finger extension of Interstate 10 runs to downtown Pensacola and is called I-110.Highway 90 runs east-west from Mobile to Milton and Crestview along the same path as Interstate 10.Highway 98 also runs east-west but on a more southerly route through neighboring Gulf Breeze east to Fort Walton Beach and west to Fairhope, AL and Mobile.Highway 29 runs south from the Alabama line and is a good connector for cutting over from Interstate 65 that runs north-south through Alabama.Get around
Driving is by far the best way to get around the Pensacola area. With the exception of downtown or a few historic areas of interest, parking is plentiful and cheap. Downtown has street parking and a few parking garages. Most streets run north-south/east-west. A few of the major streets change names as they run through the city, one of the most notable ones being (from east to west) Bayou Blvd, Brent Lane, Beverly Pkwy, Michigan Ave, and Saufley Field Road. A map might come in handy in some of the areas near the Navy Base. A good rule of thumb is that you will eventually run into some sort of water whether you go east, south or west in town. There are bicycle lanes throughout town, but most people will not notice them unless they are actually using them for their intended purpose. Downtown Pensacola is great to see from a bike, especially the old Seville area. Pensacola Beach has designated walking/biking paths that are usually much safer. Ecat is Pensacola and Escambia County's transit service. It provides bus service to a county-wide area, stopping at local shopping centers and hospitals.TaxisYellox Cab of Pensacola 850-433-3333 Pensacola Taxi 850-456-3000Metro Cab of Pensacola 850-433-9999 Americab Express 850-490-0794See
Naval Air Station Pensacola Home of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and National Museum of Naval AviationAlso located on the grounds of the Naval Air Station is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Fort Barrancas, a military fort built on a location that has been occupied by various military installations since the 18th century.Historic Downtown Pensacola This group of historic buildings, called the Pensacola Historic Village includes many musems such as the T.T.Wentworth Jr. Museum, a museum of history, The Museum of Commerce and the Museum of Industry. The Old Christ Church built in 1832 is also included in this group of buildings and has been recently refurbished. Guided tours are offered of several of the homes in the quaint, shady area around Seville Square.Pensacola Museum of Art 407 S. Jefferson St. This museum is housed in the Old City Jail, a Spanish revival structure in downtown Pensacola. The collection focuses mainly on art from the 20th and 21st century and has many well known artists represented in their collection including Alexander Calder, Miriam Schapiro and Louis Comfort Tiffany. They present many special exhibitions throughout the year.St. Michael's Cemetery Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this cemetery is located on eight acres across the street from the Pensacola Civic Center, on the edge of the historic district. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Florida, officially designated by the Spanish in 1807.Veterans Memorial and Wall South A large park along the Pensacola bayfront honoring Veterans of all of America's Wars. Includes a one-half scale version of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. and other monuments dedicated to World War I and II.Do
In early fall enjoy some tasty seafood and good entertainment at the Pensacola Seafood Festival.Fiesta of Five Flags celebrates Pensacola's long and colorful history with a local treasure hunt, downtown parade, a boat parade, and a reenactment of the landing of Don Tristan DeLuna, the Spanish conquistador who first set foot in Pensacola in 1559. Usually occurs in early June.The Pensacola Civic Center , featuring many well known bands and live concerts.The Pensacola Ice Pilots . The Pilots are a minor league hockey team located out of 'The Hangar' at the Pensacola Civic Center.Net Strike Arena , the area's premier computer gaming facility and internet cafe. If you are looking to game this is the place for you.Big Lagoon State Park 10 miles southwest of Pensacola. A coastal state park that sits between Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico. It has hiking trails, boat ramps, day-use facilities and camping areas.Diving opportunites include the newly "reefed" aircraft carrier Oriskany approximately 24 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass. Another dive includes the USS Massachusetts that was used as a target for artillery fire after being decommissioned in 1919. She sits in 30 feet of water near Pensacola Pass and is known to be an unpredictable dive.Learn
Pensacola has many local public and private elementary, middle and high schools. It has four public high schools, including Pensacola High School that has been ranked by Newsweek magazine as one of the top 1000 high schools in the country. University of West Florida 11000 University Pkwy. (850) 474-2000. Located north of town on a nature preserve, UWF is a public university offeres undergraduate and graduate programs and a member ofthe Floirda state university system. It is significantly smaller than most state schools in Florida with a student population of less than 10,000 in 2007. The school offers many research opportunities and has a highly regarded program in archaeology.Pensacola Junior College 1000 College Blvd. 850.484.1000 PJC is the local public community college and offers over 100 degree programs. The campus also houses the local public television station and conducts music and theatre events open to the public throughout the year.Buy
duh 501 N. 9th Ave. 850-439-0640. This garden and design center in a unique setting provides outdoor and indoor ideas for your home. The environment of the store is a sight to see and they spend a lot of energy finding pieces from the around the world to enhance their stock. A great place to dream and make a wishlist!Cordova Mall A large indoor shopping mall located at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Bayou Boulevard. It is surrounded by many small shopping areas and provides a great place to wander around on a rainy day.University Mall Located directly off Interstate 10 on Davis Hwy it is the second mall in the Pensacola area.Downtown Pensacola offers an eclectic shopping experience, mainly on Palafox Street and the surrounding area. Shops are a variety of gift shops, jewelers, interior design and art studios.Pensacola Beach Shopping is great for all beach needs and souvenirs. Check out the large souvenir stores on the beach to get t-shirts, beach towels, hats, magnets, sunglasses. Other shops hae more special items, like snowglobes, local artwork, shells and surfboards. Check out the local favorite Innerlight Surf Shop for surfboards, boogie boards, wake boards and all sorts of great beach gear.Eat
Angus Seafood Meats Spirits 1101 Scenic Hwy, (850) 432-0539, Delivery: (850) 484-2992. American Steakhouse and Pub. The atmosphere is upscale, but not stuffy. They take their service very seriously, and are fast and friendly. China Doll Buffet 6895 N 9th Ave Ste D, (850) 484-8338. Delivery: (850) 484-2992. The decorations at this chinese restaurant are breathtaking, and the mouth-watering delectable food is cooked to perfection. The General Tso's Chicken, Crab Legs, Mongolian Chicken, Peppered Chicken, Fried Wings are recommended at this excellent eating establishment for the individual or the entire family. On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy fresh, snow crab legs along with the other all-you-can-eat items. Fazoli's 7210 N Davis Hwy, (850) 473-9585, Delivery (850) 484-2992. Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. The unlimited dine-in breadsticks are worth the stop. Kids meals and senior small portions are available, great family atmosphere. Horizen Asian Sushi, 3103 E. Strong Street, (850) 432-7899.Hunan's Chinese Restaurant 3102 East Cervantes Street, (850) 438-7641, Delivery: (850) 484-2992. Voted "Number One People's Choice Chinese Restaurant" in the area. Favorites include Steamed Fish in Ginger as well as the eggrolls. Open daily for lunch and dinner and offers a wide array of traditional Chinese and Oriental dishes on the menu, in addition to huge buffet tables. This quality Chinese food is available for delivery as well.Jerry's Cajun Cafe & Market 6205 N. 9th Avenue, (85)484-6962. A taste of Cajun country in Pensacola! Its relaxed dining environment serves up Louisiana favorites like gumbo, crawfish tails, boudin (a specialty sausage), etoufe, and jambalaya. It also has a small market that sells hot sauce, cajun mixes and seasonings and coffee. Closed for renovations due to a kitchen fire.McGuire's Pub and Restaurant 600 E. Gregory St, 800-22-IRISH. A one of a kind restaurant with great decor, delicious food and the most interesting bathrooms you'll ever see!Flounders Seafood 800 Quietwater Beach Rd, (850) 932-2003. Enjoy great seafood, wonderful service, and fun entertainment for the whole family on Pensacola beach.Los Rancheros 7250 Plantation Rd, (850) 476-1623, Delivery (850) 484-2992. Mexican restaurant with amazing food and atmosphere.O'zone Pizza Pub,1010 N. 12th Ave., (850) 433-7336, Offers home-made flavor, fresh ingredients, cold beer, and great music, all at a price even starving college students can afford!Skopelos on the Bay Scenic Hwy, (850)432-6565. A romantic, fine dining restaurant overlooking Pensacola Bay, it specializes in fresh local seafood and steaks. A Pensacola landmark for almost 50 years!eat!, 286 N. Palafox St., (850)433-6905. downtown Pensacola casual fine dining unmatched on the Gulf Coast!Drink
Try a local favorite, the Bushwacker, anywhere on Pensacola Beach, but especially at the Bushwacker Festival in late summer. A bushwacker is a perfect tropical addition to a lazy day on the beach, made with Kahlua, rum and ice cream! O'Charley's 6245 N. Davis Highway, (850) 484-8936, Delivery: (850) 484-2992. Sports Bar and Restaurant featuring Seafood dishes such as Whiskey Creek Salmon, Blackened Rainbow Trout and Caribbean Coconut Shrimp Dinner.Seville Quarter 130 E. Government St., (850)434-6211. A premier collection of entertainment and dining venues. It has seven different areas that offer music, dancing, billards, and great drinks. It is open every day and is home to the original "Rosie O'Grady's".Flora-Bama Lounge Located on the Florida-Alabama State Line, this institution is famous or infamous for the Annual Mullet Toss, where participants attempt to throw a local fish, the mullet, across the state line. After a few disastrous hurricanes and the growing number of high-rise condos surrounding it, the Flora-Bama, despite rumors, is still going strong and has a great schedule of events. From chili cook-offs to musical entertainment and an annual polar bear dip, this place is in a league of its own! Jerry's Drive-In 2815 E Cervantes St. While not technically a drive-in, this local favorite is a great place to sit and enjoy a cheap beer while watching the locals eat delicious hamburgers, fried anything and onion rings. The walls are covered in sports memorabilia and there is often a line to get a table. Usually there are seats at the bar. A Pensacola tradition! Sleep
Pensacola offers dozens of beachfront hotel from small weathered motels to full service resorts. Vacation rentals are also a popular option for large groups or extended stays. Many hotels are still recovering from Hurricanes Ivan, Rita, and Katrina. Be sure to confirm with you hotel that all their facilities, including pools and beach access, are available. The Dunes All beachfront suites. Internet access. closed for renovationBest Western Pensacola Beach Resort Standard motel on the beach. Small pool. Breakfast included. $160 queen/two doubles.Microtel Inn & Suites Pensacola 8001 Lavelle Way. Tel: (850) 941-8902 New World Inn 600 S. Palafox St.A lovely location in downotown Pensacola, each room is historically themed to reflect Pensacola's long history.Noble Manor B&B 110 W. Strong St.Bay Beach Inn 51 Gulf Breeze Parkway, (850) 932-2214.Crowne Plaza - Pensacola Grand Hotel 200 East Gregory 850-433-3336. Across the street from the Pensacola Civic Center this high-rise hotel offers newly renovated rooms (completed after various hurricanes swept through the area). The lobby and meeting rooms are housed in the historic L&N train depot attached to the glass atrium of the high-rise hotel.Get out
Mobile- about 50 miles away.Gulf Shores, AL - a touristy beach town about 40 minutes from Pensacola with more great beaches, restaurants and tourist traps.Foley, AL has a huge outlet mall. Head west on Hwy 98, across Perdido Bay until you reach Foley.Milton a small town about 9 miles east of Pensacola that annually hosts the Scratch Ankle Festival, which highlights musical talent, arts & crafts and children's festivities.Adventures Unlimited is about 12 miles north of Milton and offers canoeing, kayaking and tubing through the Blackwater River State Forest.Fort Walton Beach
Pensacola is a city in Escambia County, Florida and the county seat of Escambia County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 56,255 and as of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 54,055. However, the Pensacola metropolitan area, comprising Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, had a population of 439,877. Pensacola is a sea port on Pensacola Bay, which connects to the Gulf of Mexico. A large United States Navy airbase, the first in the United States, is located southwest of Pensacola (near the community of Warrington) and is home to the Blue Angels flight demonstration team and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The main campus of the University of West Florida is situated north of the city center. Pensacola is nicknamed "The City of Five Flags" due to the five flags that have flown over it during its history: the flags of Spain (Castile), France, Great Britain, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Other nicknames include "World's Whitest Beaches" (due to the white sand prevalent along beaches in the Florida panhandle), "Cradle of Naval Aviation" (the National Museum of Naval Aviation is located at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, home of the legendary Blue Angels), "Western Gate to the Sunshine State," "America's First Settlement," "Emerald Coast," "Redneck Riviera," and "Red Snapper Capital of the World." History
Pensacola, Florida has had a rich and colorful history over 450 years, being the first settlement in the continental United States (1559), and controlled by 5 nations. Although Pensacola is the oldest settlement, its location has caused great turmoil, with many buildings destroyed by wars, and by numerous major hurricanes. The location, south of the original British colonies, and as the dividing line between French Louisiana and Spanish Florida, along the Perdido River, has caused Pensacola to change ownership several times. Pensacola has been under the possession of the Spanish, French, British, United States and Confederate States, and has remained a part of the U.S. since the end of the American Civil War. Along with wars, numerous hurricanes have been a major factor in Pensacola history. Early exploration of Pensacola Bay (called Polonza or Ochuse) spanned decades, with Ponce de León (1513), Pánfilo de Narváez (1528), and Hernando de Soto (1539) plus others charting the area. and became the largest city in Florida, as the capital of the British colony of West Florida in 1763. Another major hurricane devastated the settlement in 1722, causing the French occupation to evacuate, and the Spanish returned. The Spanish built 3 presidios in Pensacola: Presidio Santa Maria de Galve (1698-1719): the presidio included fort San Carlos de Austria (east of present Fort Barrancas) and a village with church; The average low in July is 75 °F (23.9 °C). Evening thunderstorms are common during the summer months. Temperatures above 100 °F (37.7 °C) are rare, and last occurred in July 1999, when seven days over 100 °F were recorded. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the city was 106 °F (41.1 °C) on July 14, 1980. Temperatures below 20 °F are rare, and last occurred in January 2003, when a low of 18 °F (-7.7 °C) was seen. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the city was 5 °F (-15 °C) on January 21, 1985.
The city receives 64.28 inches (1633 mm) of precipitation per year, with a rainy season in the summer. The rainiest month is July, with 8.02 inches (204 mm), while 3.89 inches (99 mm) falls in April, the driest month.
In the 2004 presidential election, 65% of Escambia County residents voted for George W. Bush over John Kerry. The Pensacola area has not supported a Democrat for President since John Kennedy in 1960. In 1968, Pensacola and the rest of North Florida supported American Independent Party candidate George Wallace.
Regional Representatives
Pensacola is currently represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Jeff Miller (R) and in the U.S. Senate by Bill Nelson (D) and Mel Martinez (R), in the state senate by Charlie Clary (R) and Durell Peaden (R), and in the state house by Clay Ford (R), Dave Murzin (R), and Greg Evers (R).
As of January 2007, Pensacola, and the rest of the State of Florida, are served by Charlie Crist (R) as governor, who replaced term-limited Governor Jeb Bush (R).
Sister cities
According to Sister City International, Pensacola has the following sister cities: Chimbote, Peru Escazu, Costa Rica Gorlovka, Ukraine Gero, Japan Miraflores, Peru Kaohsiung, TaiwanCity, schools, libraries and hospitals
Public primary and secondary education schools in Pensacola are administered by the Escambia County School District. The University of West Florida, which resides north of the city, is the primary tertiary school in the area. UWF also has the largest library in the region, the John C. Pace Library. Universities and collegesUniversity of West FloridaPensacola Junior CollegePensacola Christian College (not accredited)High schools in the City of PensacolaEast Hill Christian SchoolPensacola School Of Liberal ArtsPensacola Catholic High SchoolPensacola High School*Ranked as the 8th best high school in America by Newsweek magazine in 2004.Washington High SchoolPensacola Christian AcademyLibrariesWest Florida Regional Library System*Pensacola Public Library — downtown Pensacola*Lucia M. Tryon Branch Library — on the Pensacola Junior College campusHospitalsBaptist Health CareSacred Heart Health SystemWest Florida HealthcareCulture
Festivals and holidaysMajor holidays in Pensacola include Memorial Day (GLBT), Mardi Gras, and the Fiesta of Five Flags. Celebrations of note in Pensacola are the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, the Seafood Festival, Gay Pride (Memorial Day Weekend), The King Mackerel and Cobia Tournament, Florida Springfest (although canceled in 2006 and 2007), Gracefest (a Christian music festival), Lobsterfest, University of West Florida Festival On The Green, the Bushwhacker Festival and the Bill Fishing Tournament. Historic Seville Square and it adjacents parks, Fountain Park and Bartram Park are the sites of most of Pensacola's festivals. In the summer on Thursdays and on the Thursday in the beginning of the Christmas season, the Pensacola Heritage Foundation presents local bands in it's famous gazebo for free and very popular concerts. In December the Pensacola Christmas Market is a popular event in Seville Square as is the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and Seafood Festival are in the fall and the Cajun Crawfish Festival is in the spring. Festivals in Seville Square is a successful tradition begun by local preservations in the early 60's led by Mary Turner Rule Reed and the Pensacola Heritage Foundaion who started the movement to save and restore this square and Pensacola's old settlement around it. City mediaThe largest daily newspaper in the area is the Pensacola News Journal. Pensacola is also home to WEAR-TV, the ABC affiliate for Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach, and Mobile, Alabama, and WSRE-TV, the local PBS member station, which is operated by Pensacola Junior College.Other television stations in the market include WALA-TV the Fox Affiliate, and, WKRG the CBS affiliate, also WPMI, the NBC affiliate. Pensacola Magazine, the city's monthly glossy magazine, and Northwest Florida's Business Climate, the only business magazine devoted to the region, are published locally. Sports teamsPensacola is home to several semiprofessional sports teams, including the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the ECHL, the Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association (of Independent Baseball) (AA), the Pensacola Aviators of the American Basketball Association, and the Pensacola Power of the National Women's Football Association (NWFA). Music scene and subculturePensacola's music scene continually shifts with one genre being dominant for a period of time. Recently over the years the Post Hardcore scene has been the predominant subculture in the Pensacola Underground, with bands such as Glory of This frequently headlining at local venues. The city also boasts an active Folk and Indie scene with bands such as This Bike is a Pipe Bomb. There is also a moderately sized gothic and Industrial scene in the greater Pensacola Area with events such as Freaky Fridaze held monthly at Bedlam, a popular nightclub in the downtown area. Popular Venues include Sluggos, the End of the Line Cafe, the Handlebar, and the Gutter Lounge; which has hosted shows by MC Chris and The Horror Pops. Because Pensacola is part of the greater Northwest Florida region, many people from Pensacola frequently attend shows and events in nearby Fort Walton Beach. Drag events are also popular in Pensacola's club scene. Emerald City, a popular nightclub, hosts drag shows on a bi-weekly basis. See also
List of people from Pensacola, FloridaExternal links
City of PensacolaPensapedia, the Pensacola encyclopediaPensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
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