What's New in Pensacola for Fall 2011

Pensacola, Fla. – June 14, 2011 – In the Pensacola Bay Area, fall features fewer crowds, peaceful beaches and crisp blue skies: it’s the best kept secret season.

This fall, the area welcomes several new restaurants and attractions as well as a variety of cultural events and anniversaries to celebrate. Fall is also filled with festivals and events that the whole family can enjoy. Visitors can take a break from the back-to-school rush, relax and have fun this fall.

Fall Travel Deals

• Stay tuned for details on a $100 voucher with any hotel or rental stay in Escambia County this fall. Visitors can get up to three vouchers or $300 for just spending the night in the area.
• Book four nights in a deluxe Gulf view home for $1,299 with Paradise Beach Homes during DeLuna Fest, a three-day music festival on Pensacola Beach headlining big names.

New Dining, Attractions and Accommodations

• The former wine and tapas bar 600 South has evolved into a full-service Italian restaurant inspired by Chef Nick Farkas. 600 South Italian Eatery and Wine Bar features live jazz music with courtyard and inside dining. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday brunch. 600 S. Palafox, (850) 434-7736, www.600southpalafox.com
• Happy Harbor Bar at the Florida-Alabama line on Perdido Key opened in May. Their sixth location on the Gulf Coast, the venue holds two bars, two dining rooms and an open deck overlooking Old River. 17400 Perdido Key Dr., (850) 492-8228, www.visitperdido.com
• Chef Blake Rushing, a James Beard House nominee, is working with Lee House Bed and Breakfast putting together a series of seasonal menus and special events. The Lee House captures a balance of historic charm and modern luxury by offering eight unique, elegant suites along Pensacola Bay. 400 Bayfront Pkwy., (850) 912-8770, www.leehousepensacola.com
• Construction is underway on the Maritime Park, a 30-acre, $54 million entertainment complex on downtown Pensacola’s bayfront. The plans include a multi-use community park for concerts, minor league baseball, festivals and a public fishing pier. (850) 436-5655, www.maritimepark.us
• Pensacola welcomes the Blue Wahoos baseball team, a Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, led by team president Bruce Baldwin who worked for 30 years with the Atlanta Braves. The team bats off its first season in the spring at the Maritime Park. 41 N. Jefferson St., (850) 934-8444, www.pensacolabaseball.com
• The National Naval Aviation Museum features two new MaxFlight Simulators. With fully interactive 360-degree pitch-and-roll technology, adults and children can experience what it feels like to stunt fly, perform air-to-air combat and land in an aircraft carrier. Costs per ride range from $15-$20. 1750 Radford Blvd., (850) 452-3604, www.navalaviationmuseum.org
• Construction has begun on the 127-room Hyatt Place Hotel on 12th Avenue and Airport Boulevard, Sandspur Development’s newest project for the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport. (850) 934-3609, www.airportand12th.com
• Portofino Boardwalk’s latest boutique Envie sells a variety of classy designer fashions for “beachside living and city dwelling” with brands for the whole family, including Mudpie and Vineyard Vines. 400 Quietwater Beach Rd.
• Two docks with 24 boat slips, ideal for making a stop during a day of boating, are open at the Grand Marlin. 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., (850) 677-9153, www.thegrandmarlin.com
• Flora-Bama Lounge, a popular roadhouse on the Florida-Alabama state line, has made $250,000 in renovations, including a permanent roof over the main stage, bar and adjacent balcony facing the beach. 17401 Perdido Key Dr., (850) 492-0611, www.florabama.com
• Waterpillars, two-passenger, oversized pedal wheels with built-in water cannons, are available for rent at Pensacola Beach Water Sports. 5 Via De Luna Dr.
• Visitors can bounce 25 feet in the air on the new Euro Bungee on Portofino Boardwalk. 400 Quietwater Beach Rd.
• Paddleboarding rentals and lessons are now available on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key. Fitness Onboard is teaming with Margaritaville Beach Hotel to offer paddleboard rentals and Onboard yoga, pilates, boot camp and beginner lessons. A single class is $25 while $80 buys a four-class pass. 165 Fort Pickens Rd., www.margaritavillehotel.com. Key Sailing on Pensacola Beach has 12 new paddleboards available for rent. 500 Quietwater Beach Rd., (850) 932-5520, www.keysailing.com. Big Lagoon State Park now has paddleboards available for rent, along with canoes and kayaks. 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy., (850) 492-1595, www.floridastateparks.org/biglagoon

Civil War 150th Anniversary Events

• The Pensacola Bay Area played a significant role in the Civil War. Visitors can explore massive brick fortresses that once housed Union and Confederate troops and tour antebellum homes and Christ Church on Seville Square, a survivor of the war and the oldest church in Florida. On Oct. 8, the Battle of Santa Rosa Island Commemoration from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fort Pickens Parade Ground, includes a presentation from the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and Santa Rosa Strings Student Orchestra followed by a historic presentation. On Nov. 19 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Pensacola Bay, the national park service will offer candlelight tours of historic Fort Pickens from 5 to 7 p.m.

National Naval Aviation & Blue Angels Events

• 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation – Pensacola will host numerous special events and exhibits to commemorate 100 years of naval aviation. Don’t miss the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Nov 11-12, when the Blue Angels perform their season’s final show at Naval Air Station Pensacola. www.celebrateflight.com.

Fall Festivals and Events

• Gallery Night. Sept. 16. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open 5-9 p.m. www.downtownpensacola.com
• 4th Annual Taste of the Beach. Sept. 17-18. Get a sampling of island flavors from the area’s best chefs. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• 34th Annual Pensacola Seafood Festival. Sept. 23-25. Sample a variety of mouth-watering seafood dishes, enjoy continuous live entertainment, shop at the many arts and crafts vendors and participate in a 5K. (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
• Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival. Sept. 26-Oct. 2. Original music comes to the island. (850) 341-0889, www.pensacolabeachsongwritersfestival.com
• Thunder on the Gulf. Oct. 5-9. Watch the two-day speed boat races on Perdido Key. (866) 954-7223, www.thunderonthegulf.com
• Annual Historic Haunted House Walking Tours. October. A family favorite for Halloween, the narrated tours, led by costumed guides, visits more than 50 different sites. (850) 595-5985, www.historicpensacola.org
• Oktoberfest. Oct. TBD The Villagio hosts this German-inspired festival with lots of fun, music, food and beer. (850) 492-4660, www.visitperdido.com
• 4th Annual Art and Wine Weekend. Oct. 1-2. Enjoy wine tastings and local art while being transported by trolley around the island. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• 16th Annual Santa Rosa Island Triathlon. Oct. 1-2. A triathlon along Pensacola Beach for seasoned athletes. The Sea Turtle Triathlon is offered for kids. (850) 380-0741, www.sritri.org
• DeLuna Fest. Oct. 13-16. The second annual outdoor music festival on the beach features an impressive lineup, including Weezer, Mute Math and Big Boi. Advanced tickets are available for $149.95. (850) 433-0070, www.delunafest.com
• 77th Annual Pensacola Interstate Fair. Oct. 20-30. Enjoy big-name entertainment, games, rides and exhibits. (850) 944-4500, www.pensacolafair.com
• Gallery Night. Oct. 21. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open 5-9 p.m. www.downtownpensacola.com
• Greek Festival. Oct/Nov. Traditional Greek dances, gifts, entertainment and dishes such as baklava, gyros and spanakopeta. (850) 433-2662, www.annunciationgoc.org
• Pensacola Marathon. Nov. This 26.2-mile scenic USATF-certified course is one of the last Boston Marathon Qualifiers in the Southeast. The course begins and ends in historic downtown and winds along Pensacola Bay. (850) 434-2800, www.pensacolamarathon.com
• The Frank Brown Songwriters’ Festival. Throughout November. Musicians from across the world bring music to the Gulf Coast. (850) 492-7664, www.fbisf.com
• 5th Annual Martini Festival. Nov. TBD. Live music and martini sampling at the Jellyfish Bar on Perdido Key. (850) 332–6532, www.jellyfishbar.com
• Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. Nov. 4-6. Browse more than 200 pieces of art and hand-made crafts by artists and craftsmen from around the country in Pensacola’s historic Seville Square. www.ggaf.org
• Gallery Night. Nov. 18. Jump start the holiday season with an evening of arts and culture the art galleries of downtown Pensacola, open 5-9 p.m. www.downtownpensacola.com
• Creek Indian Tribe Indian Day Celebration. Nov. 19-20. An annual Creek pow-wow in Pace featuring Native American dances, traditional food dishes and Native American vendors with authentic crafts. (850) 994-9633

For more information about the Pensacola Bay Area, or to request a Visitor Guide, contact Visit Pensacola at (800) 874-1234, (850) 434-1234 or visit www.VisitPensacola.com. You can also stay informed of Pensacola Bay Area happenings through www.VisitPensacola.Blogspot.com.

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