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Pensacola, at Florida's extreme western tip, is known as the "City of Five Flags." Pensacola has been under the rule of the Spanish, the British, the French, the Confederacy and the United States since the first conquistadors landed in 1559. Reminders of this extensive and varied heritage can be seen in a stroll through the Historic District. Designated a National Historic Landmark, this area is lined with restored homes, museums, shops, galleries and restaurants, some more than two hundred years old.
To the west of Pensacola is the Naval Air Station, which boasts the world-renowned National Museum of Naval Aviation and hosts the Blue Angels Homecoming Show each November. Also in this area is the 16th-century Spanish Fort San Carlos de Barrancas and the Old Pensacola Lighthouse.
Beach-lovers will enjoy Pensacola Beach and nearby Perdido Key (actually located in Alabama). Pensacola Beach occupies nearly eight miles of the 40-mile-long Santa Rosa barrier island. It is surrounded by the Santa Rosa Sound and Gulf of Mexico to the north and south and on either side by the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore. The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier and Observation Post stretches 1,471 feet into the Gulf of Mexico providing breathtaking views.
Pensacola and the nearby area are loaded with things to do. Along with the beaches, you can surf, scuba dive and snorkel, take a fishing charter or visit the many water sports parks. Canoe and kayaking and riding stables compete with golfing for relaxing exercise. There’s even a zoo with over 700 animals in a botanical garden setting.
After dark it will be difficult to relax as Pensacola offers plenty of restaurants and nightlife.
Navarre Beach, just across the Three Mile Bridge from Pensacola, is the western end of what is known as the Emerald Coast. With neighboring Gulf Breeze, Navarre Beach offers four miles of beautiful white beach and dunes, much of it undeveloped. Since deep water is found close to shore here, playful dolphins and colorful angelfish can be seen from the beach. Or sightseers can join the fishermen on the famous Navarre Fishing Pier that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico.
Accommodations in the Pensacola area will be of all types – single-family homes, condominiums and villas, cottages.
Historic Pensacola Village
The Gulfbreeze Zoo
The
National Museum of Naval Aviation
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