Itinerary: A Historic Day in Pensacola: Celebrating America’s 250th

With the 250th birthday of America, exploring Pensacola and its rich history is the perfect way to celebrate. Our destination has so much to experience and explore. Fun fact: Pensacola is America’s First Settlement! Pensacola was founded in 1559, making it the earliest multi-year European settlement site in the United States. Read below to find out how to spend the perfect day in Pensacola exploring history and celebrating America’s 250th.

8:00 AM: Grab a Coffee

Head Downtown and grab a coffee to fuel up for your adventure. There are several coffee shops in Downtown to enjoy. Bodacious, Maker’s Coffee, Rex Cafe, and Buzzed Brew Coffee are all delightful coffee stops right on Palafox Street.

9:00 AM – Explore Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

After getting fueled up, head over to NAS Pensacola and stop in at the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. The lighthouse is located at NAS Pensacola and has been standing tall since 1859. Climb 177 steps to the top to get those beautiful views of Pensacola Pass. Be sure and check their schedule, you might be interested in participating in one of their ghost tours!

10:30 AM: National Naval Aviation Museum

While onboard NAS Pensacola, you've got to go see the National Naval Aviation Museum. Pensacola is known as the Cradle of Naval Aviation and Home of the Blue Angels - so this makes our adventure at NAS all the more fun and exciting!

1:00 PM: Lunch

O'Riley's

It’s time to take a break from diving into all the history and snag a late lunch in Downtown Pensacola. There are several different delicious spots to enjoy. A few of our favorite spots include The Dog House, O’Riley’s Irish Pub, 200 South, Seville Quarter, The Fish House, Jaco’s, Carmen’s, Lucy’s, and more. Be sure and explore all the dining options Downtown Pensacola has to offer.

2:00 PM: Historic Pensacola Tour

Our day continues on, and the next stop is Historic Pensacola. Spanning eight and a half acres and 28 properties, it’s located within the footprints of the original Spanish and British forts in downtown Pensacola.

Historic Pensacola has several properties to explore. Be sure and check out the living history interpreters fully dressed at the Historic Pensacola Village to give you the experience of what life was like in Pensacola hundreds of years ago. In addition to the Historic Pensacola Village, explore the Pensacola Museum of History as well. This museum explores more than 450 years of Pensacola heritage through interactive exhibits, collections, and various seasonal showcases. Historic Pensacola has even more to explore, so be sure to check it out.

3:30 PM: Self-Guided America’s First Settlement Trail Walking Tour

After a good lunch, we can continue our day in Downtown Pensacola, home to the America's First Settlement Trail. Exploring the trail is the perfect way to get some steps in and learn about Pensacola history, which begins even before the establishment of the United States. With 20 stops and more than 70 points of interest, this trail will take you all throughout Downtown, giving you the perfect walking tour to celebrate both Pensacola and America’s 250th.

Now, you might be wondering where exactly you can find the trail. The red-painted line throughout Downtown marks the A1S Trail! It starts at Plaza Ferdinand. There are medallions with QR codes along the actual trail that you can scan to add to your adventure and learn more about each stop.

While you’re walking along, looking back at Pensacola and America’s history, it’s also a chance to reflect and look forward.

4:30 PM: Explore Fort Pickens:

It’s time to head to Fort Pickens out on Gulf Islands National Seashore. There are several areas of the Fort and they are filled with stories of the past just waiting to be told. Fort Pickens dates back to the 1800s and was built to protect Pensacola. Some historic sites you can explore include several battery structures – Battery Cooper, Battery Langdon, and Battery Worth are fun ones to explore. The purpose of these strategically placed batteries was to protect Pensacola Bay. You’ll find historic markers at each one to learn more.

While you’re at the Fort, you’ve got to take a stroll on the seawall as well for 360 Gulf views and fresh air. Keep your eyes peeled, Fort Pickens is also known for spotting wildlife. Great Blue Herons love to hang out here.

6:00 PM: Beach Sunset + Dinner

Check out public beach access points on Pensacola Beach to watch the sunset. Then head to a restaurant on the beach to cap off your day.

As America marks 250 years, there’s no better place to reflect on the past than America's First Settlement. Pensacola invites you to explore, discover, and become part of the story.