What's New in Pensacola for Winter 2011

Pensacola, Fla.– Oct. 13, 2011 – As the winter months begin, enjoy Pensacola’s vibrant holiday spirit, cooler temperatures, amazing festivals and activities and our version of a winter wonderland: the snow-white beach.

Along with the change in season, Pensacola has seen the addition of a variety of new businesses and attractions. Visitors and locals alike can spread their holiday cheer while experiencing “what’s new” in the Pensacola Bay Area. And unlike South Florida’s peak season, Northwest Florida’s winter features fewer crowds and lower rates, so it’s the perfect time to plan a trip.

Winter Travel Deals

• Snowbirds staying in the Pensacola Bay Area this winter can stop by any visitors information center from Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key to pick up a snowbird savings card featuring dozens of discounts on restaurants and attractions.
• Visitors will be able to register for Pensacola’s “You Play, We Pay,” which offers guests a $100 American Express Gift Card for each night (up to three nights) they stay in a hotel or rental property in Pensacola or on Pensacola Beach from Nov. 15-Jan. 31.

New Dining, Attractions and Accommodations

• Helen Back recently opened in downtown Pensacola and is a perfect spot to enjoy handmade pizza, a cold beer and your favorite sporting event. 22 S. Palafox Place, (850) 912-8644, www.helenbackcafe.com
• With a variety of 500 bottled beers and 40 on tap, World of Beer will not only offer one of the largest selections of beer around, it will regularly play host to a variety of live musical acts. 200 N. Palafox Place, www.wobusa.com
• Stop by the family-owned and operated Tailspinz Bar & Grille for a hand-pressed burger made from scratch, and watch the sunset on their open-air deck. 47 Gulf Breeze Parkway, (850) 932-0770
• For genuine, old-world Italian food, visit Paisano’s Restaurant and Pizzeria. They pride themselves on fresh ingredients, living by the motto, “made by hand, not by the can!” 3910 W. Navy Blvd., (850) 912-8714, www.thepaisanospizzeria.com
• Perdido Key’s Island Time Deli offers delicious homemade smoothies, tea, coffee, sandwiches and wraps in a quaint coffee shop atmosphere. 13700 Perdido Key Drive, (850) 497-9501
• For a sweet treat, visit 32 °, A Yogurt Bar, offering 14 flavors of frozen yogurt and a build-your-own topping bar perfect for kids of all ages. 5046 Bayou Blvd., www.32yogurt.com
• Keep your eyes peeled for Another Broken Egg Café, a popular breakfast restaurant chain opening downtown on East Gregory Street this winter. www.anotherbrokenegg.com
• Enjoy a day observing the natural beauty of the salt marshes and a variety of wildlife on a stand-up paddleboard now available to rent at Big Lagoon State Park. 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, (850) 492-1595, www.floridastateparks.org/biglagoon
• The excitement in Pensacola continues to escalate as the Maritime Park begins to take shape on downtown Pensacola’s bayfront. The multi-use community park will be the official home of the Blue Wahoos baseball team, the Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, and will be used for concerts, festivals and enjoying Pensacola Bay. 449 West Main St., (850) 466-2276, www.maritimepark.us
• Escambia County’s Marine Resource department recently added a 500-foot artificial reef off the coast of Park East on Pensacola Beach for snorkelers and fishermen to enjoy the Gulf’s abundant marine life. (850) 595-4902, www.myescambia.com
• The National Naval Aviation Museum recently acquired the renowned “Marine One” Presidential Helicopter to their remarkable collection. 1750 Radford Blvd., (850) 452-3604, www.navalaviationmuseum.org
• Under new ownership, JME Vacations is changing its name to Gulf Blue Vacations. The vacation rental company will continue to offer more than 400 properties along the Gulf Coast. 22-A Via DeLuna Drive, (800) 554-3695, gulfbluevacations.com
• Head over to the Visitors Information Center to check out several new brochures, Birding in the Pensacola Bay Area, Pensacola’s Historic Forts, Pets Visit Pensacola, Cycling in Pensacola and Pensacola’s Multi-cultural Heritage, which were recently added to their extensive brochure and guide collection. 1401 E. Gregory St., (850) 434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com

Fall Festivals and Events

• Gallery Night. Nov. 18. Jump start the holiday season with an evening of arts and culture. Art galleries, shops and museums stay open late in a street-party atmosphere with live music, drink specials and visiting artists. (850) 434-5371, www.downtownpensacola.com
• Seville Quarter Turkey Trot. Nov. 19. Join the Seville Quarter Miler’s Club for a 5K run/walk to trim the waistline before Thanksgiving. (850) 434-6211, www.sevillequarter.com
• Elf Parade. Nov. 25. Kids dress up and, led by Santa, parade five blocks from the T.T. Wentworth, Jr., Florida State Museum to the Saenger Theatre, caroling along the way. (850) 434-5371, www.downtownpensacola.com
• Season the Holidays with Island Spirit. Nov. 25-Dec. 31. Santa Rosa Island brings holiday cheer by hosting numerous holiday events throughout the season such as the lighted boat parade, the kowabunga breakfast with Santa and ornament decorating. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• Winterfest Trolley Tours. Nov. 25, Dec. 3, 9, 16-18. With three different tour options, passengers will be transported to a winter wonderland in historic downtown Pensacola. (850) 435-0914, www.pensacolawinterfest.org
• Holiday Evening in Olde Seville Square. Dec. 8. Curl up on your blanket with a hot cup of coffee, and enjoy an evening of live music and caroling under the oaks at this popular annual event. (850) 438-6505, www.pensacolaheritage.org
• Big Lagoon’s Christmas in the Park. Dec. 16-17. Sip hot chocolate and enjoy the magical display of Christmas lights against the natural, waterfront landscape. 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, (850) 492-1595, www.visitperdido.com
• Lighted Boat Parade. Dec. 9. This exhibit of illuminated boats on Santa Rosa Sound begins at Pensacola Beach Marina and ends at the boardwalk and Quietwater Amphitheatre. The beautiful nautical parade officially delivers Santa Claus to the island. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
• Downtown Christmas Parade. Dec. 10.Downtown Pensacola comes alive when more than 50,000 people flock downtown to enjoy the annual Christmas parade. This family-friendly parade showcases local bands, the famous Blue Angels flight team and area revelers. Stuff your stockings as floats toss down beads and other goodies. www.coxpensacolachristmasparade.org
• Surfing Santa Parade. Dec. 11. Holiday floats wind their way down Santa Rosa Island’s main street. Santa rides atop his a red fire engine and visits with children. (850) 932-1500, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
• 5th Annual Pelican Drop. Dec. 31. Families can enjoy a street-party atmosphere downtown with live music, a children’s area and countdown at 8 p.m., and fireworks, along with a 10-foot, half-ton illuminated pelican that will be dropped 100 feet at midnight. Palafox Place, (850) 435-1603, www.pensacolapelicandrop.com
• New Year’s Eve Fireworks. Dec. 31. End the year with a bang on Pensacola Beach as a magical display of fireworks illuminates the Gulf of Mexico. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• Polar Bear Dip. Jan. 1. The Flora-Bama Lounge hosts this popular, annual splash-around in the Gulf of Mexico. (850) 492-0611, www.florabama.com
• Polar Bear Plunge. Jan. 1. Wade, swim and scurry in Santa Rosa Sound at Paradise Bar & Grill to the finish line where black-eyed peas await. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
• Pensacola Beach Run. Jan. 14. Compete in your choice of a 5K, 10K or half-marathon race which takes you along the waterfront on beautiful Pensacola Beach. www.pensacolarunners.com
• Pensacola Double Bridge Run. Feb. 4. A 15K course takes runners over two bridges crossing Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound, from downtown to Pensacola Beach. Runners and walkers are also welcome at the 5K course and Kids Fun Run. (850) 434-2800, www.pensacolasports.com
• Mardi Gras. Feb 17-19. One of the country’s original celebration sites, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach host family-oriented fun at numerous parades with lots of beads and moon pies. Perdido Key also hosts its version with a street party. (850) 434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com
• Mardi Gras Kid and Kritter Krawl. Feb. 26. This walking parade on Pensacola Beach is open to children and pets. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com

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.Facebook.com/VisitPensacola.