Insider’s Digital Guide
Top 10 Group Activities in Pensacola
Planning a group trip can be a lot to coordinate, I get it. In Pensacola, a group trip is a breeze! With our stunning sugar-white sand beaches, Blue Angels flying overhead, and 465 years of history to explore, Pensacola offers the perfect blend of fun for any group.
Here are some of the best group activities to add to your Pensacola itinerary.
Hit the Beach Together
I can't think of a more relaxing activity for your group in Pensacola. Hit the beach, of course! In fact, Pensacola is home to over 40 miles of sugar-white sand coastlines with many different public access points to choose from. All you have to do is show up and enjoy! Beach days are perfect since everyone can do their own thing. Swimming, relaxing under an umbrella, reading a book, having a beach picnic, the options are endless. It's also a GREAT way to reset between your other scheduled activities. Did I mention Pensacola Beach was named the #1 beach in the US by Condé Nast Traveler Readers in 2025?
Pro tip: Plan at least one sunset beach hang. It’s the kind of fun memory your group will talk about long after the trip ends.
Get on the Water, Enjoy a Dolphin Cruise, Sail, or Fishing Charter
So you've been near the water, but now it's time to get out on it! The Pensacola Bay Area is home to water adventures. Dolphin cruises are a family favorite - seeing dolphins in the water is something all ages can enjoy. Want to relax and unwind a little? Check out a sailboat cruise. If you're looking for more of a hands-on adventure on the water, a fishing charter might just be in your future. Nothing brings a group together like reeling in a catch! (or laughing about one that got away)
Watch a Blue Angels Practice
Welcome to Pensacola, home of the Blue Angels! While here, seeing the Blue Angels should be at the top of your list. Seeing the US Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron flying is the thrill of a lifetime. The Blue Angels practice over the skies of NAS Pensacola, typically on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from March through October, weather permitting (be sure to check the schedule for official dates). You can catch a practice either onboard NAS Pensacola, from Fort Pickens, or aboard the ferry or another boat company (several do practice cruises). Be sure to plan ahead of time for this adventure; you won't regret it! Read more about how you can watch the Blue Angels practice.
Pro Tip: Don't miss out on the chance to see the Blue Angels in person! On select Wednesdays at NAS Pensacola, they visit the Museum to connect with fans, answer your burning questions, and sign autographs. These sessions are free and open to the public!
Discover History in Downtown Pensacola
There's more to Downtown Pensacola than meets the eye. It's filled with history dating back over 465 years. A great way to dive in is by visiting Historic Pensacola Village. You can step into history, tour historic homes, and hear stories of Pensacola's past from costumed interpreters. You've also got to walk the America's First Settlement Trail, which has 20 stops and over 70 points of interest. Along the trail, you will see sites from as early as 1756, when the Spanish built Fort San Miguel in what is now Downtown Pensacola.
Pro Tip: Grab a coffee from one of the nearby coffee shops along Palafox and take it with you on your walk!
Take a Tour
If you ask me, a tour is a fun thing to do with your group and is sometimes the best way to see a new destination! Pensacola offers a variety of tours, including art and history tours, foodie tours, water tours, and more. There's really a tour to suit everyone's interests. Gather your group, do some research to find the perfect tour for your interests, and book an adventure for your trip!
Plan a Group Food Experience
Who doesn't love a foodie adventure? And when the culinary scene is THIS good, you have to get involved! There are plenty of different restaurants to choose from in the Pensacola Bay Area, whatever your style. Fine dining, waterfront dining, dining in your flip flops? We got you covered. Explore Pensacola's food and drink, and get your taste buds ready!
Get in touch with Adventure
If you've got those people in your group that just can't sit still, then perhaps it's time to get adventurous. Swap out your beach chair for kayaks, paddleboards, and maybe even parasailing! This is a great place for all of the above. With plenty of businesses to get you started on your outdoor adventure, your day is made easy. Pensacola is also home to the beautiful Gulf front beaches, lagoons, lakes, and more to explore.
If you want to hit the land instead, the trails await. The Pensacola Bay Area is home to a variety of different trails you can explore and get in touch with nature. One of my favorites is the Edward Ball Nature Trail at UWF. It's got winding boardwalks through the trees and it's so peaceful and quiet. Another great trail is the Discovery Trail in Perdido Key. You can find the north and south loops of this one in the Johnson Beach area. It's a great one to spot wildlife. Check out more trails in our area, there are plenty!
Time Your Trip with a Special Event or Festival
One of my favorite things about Pensacola is that there is always something happening. If you're bored, you're not doing it right! Our calendar is packed with a variety of events, festivals, live music, and more! Some of my favorite signature events include the Pensacola Beach Air Show featuring the US Navy Blue Angels, Pensacola Seafood Festival, Winterfest, Foo Foo Festival, and Mardi Gras, just to name a few. Bringing your group to a Pensacola festival would be fun for all! Check out our signature events to learn more.
Explore a Museum
Calling all history lovers! You're in luck: visiting a museum is the perfect activity for your group and Pensacola is full of them. Pictured above is the National Naval Aviation Museum, located onboard NAS Pensacola. It's free and one of the largest aviation museums in the world. There are tons of artifacts, restored aircraft, flight simulators, a giant screen theater, and more.
Pro Tip: Hit the museum for the afternoon after catching a Blue Angels practice at NAS Pensacola.
Still want more history to incorporate into your group's itinerary? Head to Downtown Pensacola to explore the Pensacola Museum of History. You can also check out the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Pensacola Children's Museum. That's not all! Be sure and look at all the museums to make sure you aren't missing any options.
Explore State and National Parks
It's time to hit the parks with your group. State and National parks that is! Pensacola is home to three different state parks: Big Lagoon State Park, Perdido Key State Park, and Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. All three of these are unique and special in their own way. Big Lagoon is a great spot for camping, kayaking, and exploring. My favorite part is the Observation Tower where you can get 360-degree views of the intracoastal and spot birds and wildlife. At Perdido Key State Park, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy under a pavilion and take in the Gulf views; it's truly relaxing. Step into nature and seek out the carnivorous pitcher plant at Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park. The carnivorous pitcher plant is unique to the Gulf Coast and found only between the Apalachicola and Mississippi rivers. The winding boardwalk path at Tarkiln takes you through the trees and all the way to the bayou - perfect for getting some steps in.
Next up is Gulf Islands National Seashore. While not a National Park, it IS a federally protected seashore managed by the National Park Service and spans different areas of Pensacola. You've got the Fort Pickens area (one of my favorites), Johnson Beach area on Perdido Key, and Fort Barrancas as well.
At the end of the day, the best part of a trip is the people you share it with. Pensacola just happens to be a perfect setting for making memories together.
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Pensacola has a lot to offer, it's time to get inspired.
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