Museums
Explore Pensacola’s rich history through local museums that showcase centuries of culture, military milestones, and maritime heritage. Discover exhibits, artifacts, and stories that bring the area’s past to life.
History & Heritage
Welcome to America's First Settlement
Explore America's first European settlement.
Five flags have flown over the bayside city, creating a melting pot of culture, food, and history. Explore museums, historic neighborhoods, and more to uncover the city's heritage.
Forts & Historic Sites
Step into Pensacola’s past at historic forts and sites that reveal stories of colonial settlements, military defense, and coastal life. Explore preserved structures, scenic grounds, and interpretive exhibits across the Pensacola Bay Area.
Archaeology
Pensacola has a lot going on beneath the surface. With more than 450 years of recorded history, not to mention thousands of years of Native American habitation, visitors can really dig into the past and discover its treasures.
Multicultural Pensacola
Pensacola is called the “City of Five Flags” because five governments have ruled here, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Our culture is a jambalaya of flavors – Native American, African, Latin, European and Asian – each adding to the richness of our shared heritage.
African American History
Step into Pensacola’s past at historic forts and sites that reveal stories of colonial settlements, military defense, and coastal life. Pensacola boasts more than 460 years of history with heavy African American influences from its very beginning in 1559. Learn how diverse cultures shaped the region across the Pensacola Bay Area.
From the 1500s with Love: Pensacola & St. Augustine
Pensacola, founded in 1559 as America’s First Settlement, invites you to explore centuries of heritage leading into America’s 250th. Walk historic streets, discover diverse stories, and experience the rich cultural legacy that shaped our nation.
Chimney Park
5500 Scenic Highway Pensacola, FL 32503 (850) 436-5670
Florida Square
602 North Palafox Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 436-5670
Fort George
501 N Palafox St Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 436-5670
Historic Pensacola
330 South Jefferson St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985
Museum of Commerce
201 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 595-5985
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford Blvd., Ste B NAS Pensacola, FL 32508 (850) 452-3604
Old Christ Church
405 S Adams St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985
The Pensacola Children’s Museum
115 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-1559
Pensacola Maritime Heritage Trail
499 Bayfront Pkwy Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985
Plaza de Luna
900 S Palafox St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 436-5670
Veterans Memorial Park and Wall South
200 S. 10th Ave. Pensacola, FL 32052 (850) 434-6119
The 52 Living Art Museum
8511 Myslak Way Pensacola, FL 32526 (844) 954-3505
Self-Guided History Tours
For visitors seeking flexibility, these tours allow you to explore Pensacola's history at your own pace. You can visit local landmarks, check out points of interest, and follow any route that suits your schedule.
Pensacola Maritime Heritage Trail
499 Bayfront Pkwy Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985
History Tours
Pensacola Pedal Trolley
120 S Baylen St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 483-1405
Pensacola History and Haunting Tours and Events
221 East Government Street Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 941-4321
Go Retro
1800 N. E Street Pensacola, FL 32501 (850) 466-5220
Emerald Coast Tours
225 Zaragoza St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 417-9292
Historic Pensacola
330 South Jefferson St Pensacola, FL 32502 (850) 595-5985
National Naval Aviation Museum
1750 Radford Blvd., Ste B NAS Pensacola, FL 32508 (850) 452-3604
Fort Pickens — Gulf Islands National Seashore
1400 Fort Pickens Road Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 (850) 934-2600
More to Inspire Your History Adventure
Discover the people, places, and stories that continue to shape the America's First Settlement.
Itinerary: Downtown Pensacola — Walking Tour
Downtown Pensacola is a lovely place to walk around. With Palafox Street being the main road, there are sidewalks in the area, several parks, museums,…
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…
Itinerary: Historical Adventures in Pensacola
Are you a history buff? Pensacola is full of stories and history waiting for you to discover. Plan your trip now with the perfect history related sites and…
Explore a Melting Pot of Multicultural Experiences
Pensacola is called the “City of Five Flags” because five governments have ruled here, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Our culture is a jambalaya of…
Escape into a Pensacola Museum
Visitors come to Pensacola every year for a getaway. And who can blame them? Our beaches are breathtaking. Downtown is one of the most vibrant and fastest…
Historic Pensacola Hotspots
With over 460 years of history, Pensacola has countless tales to tell. Visitors seeking stories of 16th Century Spanish explorers, a prosperous English colony…
Step Back in Time: Explore Pensacola’s History Along the America’s First Settlement Trail
Are you ready to take a stroll through history? Literally. When you walk around Downtown Pensacola, not only are you surrounded by some of the best…
Pensacola Forts Stand Witness to History
I am a sucker for history. Last summer, I checked off a serious item on my bucket list when I visited the Mayan pyramids in Belize. I climbed to the top of a…
Pirates in the Pensacola Bay Area: Fact or Fiction?
Ahoy, matey! Pensacola has a pirate history that may seem surprising... read on to learn more about our city's hidden treasure.
10 Places in Pensacola to Honor and Celebrate Black History
Read along to find all the places to honor and celebrate black history in the Pensacola Bay Area.
Step Back in Time at Historic Pensacola Village & Explore Hands-On History
You're driving east on Zarragoza Street in Downtown Pensacola, you notice that as soon as you cross Tarragona Street, it's like you are driving back in time.…
Itinerary: Historical Adventures in Pensacola
Are you a history buff? Pensacola is full of stories and history waiting for you to discover. Plan your trip now with the perfect history related sites and…
