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Official News of the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau
Azaleas blooming in Pensacola

Spring is in the air in the Pensacola Bay Area and locals are enjoying longer days, perfect weather and spectacular sights of everything in bloom. If you want to catch spring fever, pack your shorts and flip flops and head to beautiful Pensacola, where the sun is shining 343 days a year.

Sounds of Spring

JazzFest Pensacola 2008 PosterWhen you think of the sounds of spring, waves gently washing ashore or birds flocking to the sun comes to mind. However, Pensacola also features another tune, exciting rhythms from jazz to soul to reggae. Now that's music to our ears.

For other events, visit our online calendar.

Art in Bloom

Curtis Brock from Surface GalleryJust as Pensacola's beautiful spring flowers and blooms inspire the artist's soul, so does the collection of Pensacola's newest art galleries and playhouse.

Surface Gallery is the city's newest art gallery, located in the East Hill neighborhood. Owners Joe Hobbs and Evan Berkowitz offer affordable options to help a younger generation start their art collection with paintings, mixed media and glass works.

Artist Evan Levin recently opened Gallery 11 as a working studio and gallery. Showcasing a diverse mix of his contemporary art, as well as works by other local artists, the gallery is open by appointment only.

Garden Street Playhouse, a 125-seat professional musical theater, has opened in Downtown Pensacola adding to the city's thriving arts scene. Upcoming productions include "The Sounds of Simon," "The Last Session" and "I Write the Songs."

To discover more hidden art gems in the Pensacola Bay Area, join Gallery Night Spring Fling on March 7 and tour downtown art galleries open late for this event. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Northwest Florida. Trolleys provide free transportation. Free admission.

Get in the Game

Family having fun at the National Naval Aviation MuseumPlay Famous Flyers -- History Hunt, a new, exciting game highlighting daring and heroic aviators at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Just grab a game card, match game clues with the correct exhibits and turn it in to receive valuable Museum coupons and a chance to win one of two grand prizes:

  • A weekend getaway at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, including $50 gift certificate to H2O restaurant
  • A child's "Aviator Package" including a flight jacket

Sail Through Spring Break

Pensacola Sailing Cruise with Lanier SailingLearn to sail, go for a guided sunset cruise or charter your own sailboat for the week of spring break -- all from one of the best sailing schools in the country.

Lanier Sailing Academy was named 2007 Outstanding Sailing School, and owner John Struchen was named 2007 Outstanding Instructor by the American Sailing Association. Pensacola's bays, bayous, Intracoastal Waterway and the Gulf of Mexico with emerald waters and abundant wildlife make Pensacola an ideal sailing destination.

Numerous marinas are accessible to sailors with shops, entertainment and award-winning restaurants.

Spring Break Travel Tips

Follow these helpful tips from the Better Business Bureau to ensure a fabulous vacation:

  • Get details in writing. Get copies of cancellation and refund policies. Get names of airlines, hotels, car BBB Messagerental companies and travel providers.
  • Pay with a credit card and avoid deals that require you to book 60 days in advance. Credit card companies may allow consumers to dispute a charge within 60 days of purchase. Be leery of companies that request a credit card or bank account number for verification.
  • Get assistance from your BBB. Don't be fooled by professional looking web sites or e-mails. Look for the BBBOnLine seal or visit bbb.org for a free reliability report. If you are a victim of fraud, contact your BBB for help.
  • Go through the local CVB. Visiting the destination's Convention and Visitors Bureau is a fool-proof way to book a vacation and look for hotels, tour guides and specials. For your Pensacola vacation, go to VisitPensacola.com.

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