Itinerary: Military Trip Weekend

Looking to come to Pensacola and celebrate the rich military history we have in the area? Luckily for you, we've rounded up some hotspots where you can experience this here in Pensacola!

Day 1: NAS Pensacola & The Blue Angels

Naval Air Station Pensacola is a hub for military history in our area. With several attractions, things to do and see, AND being home to our US Navy Blue Angels, stopping in on your military trip is an absolute must do.

On your NAS Pensacola day, be sure to enter through the west gate! Click here for a map. Click here for the official rules for entry upon NAS Pensacola.

Start by checking out the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Brave enough to climb 177 steps to the top? You won't regret it after you see the scenic views of Pensacola Pass, historic forts, and the historic Navy Yard - and feel the breeze of course.

Built in 1869, the Pensacola Lighthouse was added on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Pensacola is home to the US Navy Blue Angel Flight Demonstration team. On select dates throughout March - October, the Blues will take the skies above NAS for practice sessions. Depending on when you're in town, you might be able to catch a practice session, (dates subject to change due to weather). Be sure and check out the full practice schedule to see if you might catch the Blues!

In addition to the practices, The Blue Angels do two Pensacola Airshows during the year. In July, the Pensacola Beach Airshow takes place, and in November, the Homecoming Air Show occurs above NAS. Click here for more information about these airshows.

After your morning adventure, it's time to head to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Grab some lunch at the Cubi Bar Cafe while you're there. The National Naval Aviation Museum is home to over 150 beautifully restored aircraft. Jump on the flight simulator while you're there to experience a thrill. Kick back and watch the Giant Screen Digital Theater before you go!

There are a few other attractions located on NAS Pensacola. Fort Barrancas is fun to explore and immerse yourself in hist. It was built back in 1844 and overlooks the entrance to Pensacola Pass.

Looking to spend your NAS day golfing? Check out the AC Read Golf Course. Also located at NAS Pensacola is Barrancas National Cemetery, the final resting place for more than 36,000 military veterans, including several Medal of Honor recipients.

To visit Barrancas National Cemetery or A.C. Read Golf Course, you can gain access by coming through the main access gate and filling out a background check form at the Visitor Control Center for a day pass. Call 850-452-4153 for more information.

Day 2: Downtown Pensacola

Downtown Pensacola is our next stop on our Military Weekend! Start the day off by grabbing breakfast or brunch in Downtown Pensacola. Next up, head over to Veteran's Memorial Park. This is a very nice park located right along Bayfront Parkway, with pretty views of Pensacola Bay and winding sidewalks. Here, there is a permanent monument honoring the men and women that served and died in Vietnam. It's a lovely place where visitors and locals can both come and honor those who died serving our country in a healing way. 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of Veterans Memorial Park Pensacola.

After you've gotten in some time outside in Veterans Memorial Park, it's time to head over to the Pensacola Museum of History. This museum is located right in the heart of Downtown Pensacola, along Jefferson and Zarragoza Street.

Housed in the Pensacola Museum of History is the Trader Jon's exhibit. Trader Jon's served as a refuge where young flight students, military personnel, astronauts, and movie stars mixed with local politicians, eccentric personalities, and the occasional mischief-maker.

Day 3: Gulf Islands National Seashore

Pensacola Beach is home to Fort Pickens - Gulf Islands National Seashore. This is a must do when in Pensacola! You can easily spend the day here, as there are a variety of activities for the whole family.

There are plenty of areas to walk and a good biking trail if you're looking to get active. Camping on Fort Pickens is also a very popular activity! Gulf Islands National Seashore is the 5th most popular park in the US for camping, so be sure to book well in advance if you plan on doing that.

Visiting the fort itself and exploring the tunnels is quite an adventure. All along the historic fort are signs that tell stories of the past, and exactly how certain cannons and batteries were utilized during that time. It's quite interesting to explore - Fort Pickens was one of four military forts designed to protect Pensacola back in the 1800s. Fort Pickens is accessible by foot and boat. Spend the morning enjoying the beautiful white sand beaches and then explore the fort in the afternoon!

Want to spend your time in Perdido Key? Also part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, is Johnson Beach in Perdido Key. Johnson Beach gets its name after Rosamond Johnson, a Pensacola native who was the first soldier from Escambia County, Florida, to die in the Korean War. It's the perfect place to enjoy some outdoor beauty. With several new boardwalks, a kayak launch, pavilions at the main parking lot, and even a bike/pedestrian path, it's the best spot!

There you have it - the perfect laid back military trip weekend in Pensacola. Now, if you want to shift around any of your activities and do them on different days, feel free! Do whatever works best for your own personal itinerary. Want to create a custom one for your trip? Click here and create your own list. Happy exploring!

Check out this map of all the military hotspots in the area!

1National Naval Aviation Museum

1750 Radford Blvd., Ste B NAS Pensacola, FL 32508 (850) 452-3604

The museum is open to the public and welcomes visitors to explore its rich exhibits and experiences.

Visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, offers an enriching and educational experience of paramount historical significance. Pensacola is the cradle of naval aviation and visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum is the perfect way to experience hands-on history located on board Pensacola Naval Air Station. See more than 4,000 artifacts and over 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. Experience the thrill of flight in the Flight Simulators, catch all the drama and power of the amazing Giant Screen Digital Theater and refresh with a tasty lunch in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe. Then take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from The Flight Deck Store.

One of the museum's unique attractions is its affiliation with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron. If you time your visit right, you may have the privilege of witnessing a thrilling practice by the Blue Angels right above the Navy base, as this is their home base. For more information on Blue Angel practices and schedules, please click the link here.

Whether you're a history buff, an aviation enthusiast, or simply looking for a fascinating and educational experience, a visit to this museum in Pensacola is a must, offering a deep appreciation for the remarkable world of naval aviation and the people who have shaped it.

To access the west entrance of the museum and find updated directions, please refer to this map link. Additionally, be sure to check the museum's website for any identification requirements and visitor information before your visit.

Important Visitor Information
Beginning April 1st, a clear bag policy is in effect for the Museum and the Museum Flight Line.
Learn more about the National Naval Aviation Museum and Flightline Bag and Beverage Policy.

2Pensacola Lighthouse

2081 Radford Blvd Pensacola, FL 32508 (850) 393-1561

Climb 177 steps up the historic Pensacola Lighthouse for one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. Built in 1859, the lighthouse is located on board NAS Pensacola, right across from the National Naval Aviation Museum.

The top of the tower offers stunning views of Pensacola Pass (where Pensacola Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico), three historic forts, the Pensacola skyline, and the historic Navy Yard. The fully restored Keepers' Quarters - built in 1869 - is home to the Richard C. Callaway museum, which houses numerous exhibits on local history and the lighthouse itself.

The Pensacola Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

****Beginning Oct. 1, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s areas of public interest are closed until further notice. Installation areas of public interest – including the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) and the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Parks Service’s Fort Barrancas – are closed.

Department of Defense (DoD) identification card holders will still be able to access the installation through either the Main Gate – at the south end of Navy Blvd. – or through the West Gate – at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.****

3Veterans Memorial Park and Wall South

200 S. 10th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32052 (850) 434-6119

In December of 1987 the "Moving Wall" came to Pensacola Florida and was visited by many of the local people, including some of the areas Vietnam Veterans. As time came for the Wall to move on, some of the Vietnam Vets that had stood vigil for the five days the Wall was in town decided it was time for Pensacola to have a permanent monument honoring the men and women that served and died in Vietnam. This was the start of the Dream. For five years the Vietnam Veterans of Northwest Florida (VVNF) held garage sales, 5 and 10 K runs, baseball/softball tourneys; car washes and hundreds of other fund raisers in hopes of making the Dream come true. With the help and support of family, friends and active duty service members, this Dream came true in 1992.

4Trader Jons

330 s Jefferson St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985

Trader Jon's

Martin "Trader Jon" Weissman, owner and namesake of Trader Jon's Bar, was well known for his personal eccentricities such as his famously mismatched socks and "Tradernomics" as well as his eclectic establishment. One of Pensacola's top tourist destinations for decades, Trader Jon's, decorated with photos and memorabilia, some traded for drinks, was a safe haven where young flight students, military personnel, astronauts and movie stars rubbed shoulders with local politicians, characters and the occasional ne'er-do-well. Trained as a U. S. paratrooper in WWII, Trader's lifelong love of naval aviation and his livelihood were inseparable. There was truly nothing like it on Earth! Step inside and experience the legend that was Trader Jon's.

The Trader Jon Exhibit is housed in the Pensacola Museum of History. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00-4:00 and Noon-4:00 on Sunday.

5Fort Pickens — Gulf Islands National Seashore

1400 Fort Pickens Road Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 (850) 934-2600

Fort Pickens is one of four military forts designed to protect Pensacola in the 1800s. Located on Pensacola Beach on the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens is accessible by foot and boat and is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Entrance fees are required and collected upon admittance into the park. The Fort Pickens area is anchored by the historic landmark and offers many recreational activities including fishing both from the shore and the pier, exploring trails and the fort, birdwatching, camping and so much more. A visitor information center is located at the west end of the island and includes a history museum on the area.

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are required and collected at the following areas of Gulf Islands National Seashore: Fort Pickens Area, Opal Beach at the Santa Rosa Area, Okaloosa Area, Fort Barrancas Area, and Perdido Key Area. All Interagency America the Beautiful passes are accepted for entry into these areas.

One hundred percent of the fees collected at national parks are used by the National Park Service for the improvement and maintenance of park facilities and programming. Eighty percent of the fees collected here are used to replace and improve facilities throughout this park. Free Entrance Days in your national parks.

Per person (pedestrian, cyclist, etc.)............................$15
Motorcycle....................................................................$20
Private vehicle (capacity <15).......................................$25
Private vehicle (capacity >15)......$7 per person; up to $25

Commercial Groups

Per vehicle (capacity 6 or less)....$25 plus; $10 per person
Per vehicle (capacity 7 to 25)........................................$40
Commercial Bus (capacity 26 or more).......................$100

An entrance pass is good for one to seven days at all locations. Interagency passes waive all entrance fees. Frequent visitors may be interested in the park's annual pass which provides access to the national seashore during normal operating hours for twelve months from the date of purchase. Educational groups should visit our Educational Programs page for educational fee waivers.

Park Annual Pass..........................................................$45

6Fort Barrancas (Gulf Islands National Seashore)

3182 Taylor Rd Pensacola, FL 32508 (850) 934-2600

Fort Barrancas is high on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Pensacola Bay, Fort Barrancas stands as a monument to the legacy of America’s early homeland defense. Built with 6 million bricks, walls 4 feet thick and 20 feet high, Fort Barrancas was completed in 1844 and remains an example of military engineering and a marvel of human ingenuity.

7Barrancas National Cemetery

1 Cemetery Rd Pensacola, FL 32508

Barrancas National Cemetery is located on the grounds of the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, and traces its history to three 19th century forts that once guarded the entry to one of the best natural harbors in the Gulf of Mexico--Pensacola Bay. Today, Barrancas National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 36,000 military veterans, including several Medal of Honor recipients. While most of the cemetery graves are laid out in uniform rows, a section of burials remains from the early 1800s predates the establishment of the national cemetery by more than 50 years.

8Johnson Beach — Gulf Islands National Seashore

Johnson Beach Road Pensacola, FL 32507 (850) 934-2600

Johnson Beach is a designated recreational area in Perdido Key on the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The location provides lifeguards, facilities and a parking lot and is ideal for water-based recreational activities and hiking. The park includes parking areas, seven accessible boardwalks, a pavilion, and a 1/2-mile bike/pedestrian trail.

Insider News & Events

Start exploring the Pensacola Bay Area when you sign up for the Visit Pensacola eNews list!

Insider’s Digital Guide