HPV offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits. Visitors are whisked back to the time of Spanish settlers and travel through Pensacola history to the “Roaring Twenties.” Come visit their newest addition, the McMillan House, showcasing home-life in Pensacola during World War II. A collection of letters, artifacts and images compliment a bedroom display that is seemingly caught in a moment, bringing alive this great generation. Entertaining and knowledgeable guides offer tours of the 1805 Lavalle House, the 1871 Dorr House, the 1890 Lear Rocheblave House and the 1832 Old Christ Church.

The T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum and the Pensacola Historical Museum house a virtual treasure trove of artifacts.Children ages eight and under will especially love the Discovery Gallery on the 3rd floor of the Wentworth Museum, a hands-on exhibit representing a colonial Pensacola.

Where Florida history begins!

Bring the family out to visit our June 4th Open House! This annual event is free to the public. We will celebrate the 230th anniversary of the Battle of Pensacola , commemorating our role in the American Revolution and the battle fought between British Pensacola, Spain and French allies. Come interact with the Spanish and British military, watch drills,  maneuvers, and a scrimmage as the two opposing armies meet! Who will win and what flag will fly over Pensacola?

For those in Santa Rosa County, be sure not to miss our site in Milton, Florida, the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site. Arcadia Mill represents the largest 19th century water-powered industrial complex in Northwest Florida. This site offers visitors an historical experience as well as the opportunity to visit a unique wetland ecosystem. Call Arcadia Mill at 850-626-3084 for further information. Open Tue. through Sat., 10 a.m.- 4p.m. Tours offered at 11 a.m., 1p.m. and 2:30 p.m. HPV is a ticketed venue; prices are $6 for Adults, $5 for Special Admission (AAA members, Active Military, and Senior 65+) and $3 for children (ages 4-16). The T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, the Pensacola Historical Museum, and the Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site are open for free to the public. Closed on state holidays. The HPV ticket office is located in the Tivoli High House at 205 E. Zaragoza St. Call 850-595-5985 or visit www.historicpensacola.org.

Visit local, state and national history just by breezing around the streets, parks and plazas.

Pensacola is a survivor; it has been since its founding. The City of Five Flags is the oldest European settlement in the United States, and it hasn’t earned that distinction without bouncing back from its share of setbacks.

The recent oil spill disaster is only the most recent in the list of challenges faced by the folks here in the Panhandle. In fact, a massive hurricane destroyed the first settlement merely weeks after Spanish explorer Tristan de Luna landed his ships here in 1559.

But it wasn’t too long before the Spanish were drawn back to the area and returned to reestablish the city. People who live here or have visited understand why.

Since then, Pensacola has been inhabited and governed by four other  governments – England, France, The Confederate States of America, and the United states – thus earning the distinction as The City of Five Flags.

This mixture of culture is one of the pillars that have kept this city standing and ready to rebuild time after time. Another source of support comes from the visitors who also love Pensacola for what it has to offer.

Pensacola and its residents need visitors like you now more than ever. Especially after two devastating hurricanes  (Ivan in 2004 and Dennis in 2005), the worst recession in recent memory that followed, and now an environmental disaster in the Gulf. In short, Pensacola is not a “beach town.” The City has a long history of rich culture and exciting entertainment options; it just happens to be located a very short distance from the Gulf of Mexico.

So, despite the conditions at the beach – which is actually relatively oil free and open for sunbathing, swimming and fishing – guests of Pensacola will have no shortage of interesting and exciting options for a fun-filled stay. Let’s take a look at what Pensacola and it’s surrounding areas have to offer.

This remarkable facility is a true representation of the Naval Aviation heritage of Pensacola. For more info about the museum, visit www.navalaviationmuseum.org. Also located aboard the Naval Air Station is the Historic Pensacola Lighthouse. Rumored to be inhabited by supernatural forces/entities, the lighthouse and museum offers climbing tours of the landmark 1859 lighthouse. The Lighthouse, situated on Pensacola Bay across from the Naval Aviation

Museum, offers indoor and outdoor history exhibits, gift shop, Light of the Moon Tours, Ghost Hunts, weddings and special events.

OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

Northwest Florida also offers some great outdoor destinations for those that want to escape the city. Bike/walking trails, kayaking and tubing adventures, historic forts and a forest zipline course are all within a very short drive of Pensacola.

Both the Blackwater River and Coldwater Creek are located approximately 20 miles from Pensacola, and off er some fun outdoor adventures.

For exciting outdoor fun visit Adventures Unlimited and experience zip lines and a sky bridge. Visit www.adventuresunlimited.com

ADVENTURES UNLIMITED

Adventures Unlimited has always offered people an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Northwest Florida. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, tubing, cabins and camping along the Coldwater Creek, which meanders through Blackwater River State Forest, one of the areas natural gems.

Adventures unlimited has amped up the outdoor fun even more with its recently opened Canopy Zip Tour! Zip Adventures combines the adrenaline rush of a zip line with the beauty of Northwest Florida’s forest and Coldwater Creek. Forest Flight, a series of nine zip lines and one sky bridge, is a 3-hour experience that ends up on the back porch of the Adventures Unlimited Store. Soaring Stream is a series of five zip lines – some of which run over Coldwater Creek!

If you’re looking for even more outdoor fun, you can enjoy the Ultimate Zip Adventure, zipping a total of 14 zip lines, two sky bridges and two towers – definitely the best experience offered! “The adrenaline rush of the zip line adventure is truly fantastic,” explains Adventures Unlimited owner Jack Sanborn. “But it doesn’t stop there. We also voyage through history, and learn the geology of the river.”

Did you know that Northwest Florida is also the nation’s premiere canoe destination? If it’s too difficult to choose between canoeing and zipping, make a weekend of it, and spend a leisurely weekend in a cabin or cottage or at the Adventures Unlimited campground.

STATE/NATIONAL PARKS

The State of Florida has some of the most spectacular natural parks, and Pensacola (and the surrounding area) is home to several of these stunning destinations.

Pensacola visitors have easy access to Big Lagoon, Yellow River marsh, Tarklin Bayou and Blackwater River State parks. These sites off er endless opportunities for camping, boating, fishing, hiking/nature trails, wildlife viewing, picnicking and swimming.

GULF ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE

Pensacola Beach is also home to one of the premiere National Parks – Gulf Island National Seashore, which spans the coasts of three states including Alabama and Mississippi. The beauty of the park was recently the feature of a breathtaking documentary, narrated by famous documentarian Ken Burns.

DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA

The charming colonial village is Pensacola’s cultural heart – pumping the blood of arts and fine dining through the veins of residents and visitors alike. The mixture of European, Native American and Caribbean influences has created a  unique environment of entertainment. Downtown hosts a plethora of festivals, parades, free concert series and outdoor gallery exhibitions throughout the year.

Visitors can also learn quite a bit about local, state and national history just by breezing around the streets, parks and plazas.

SEVILLE QUARTER

Seville Quarter is a landmark establishment of the Downtown area. Located on Government Street, near Historic Seville Square, Seville has been a Gulf Coast entertainment destination since 1967.

It was in that year that Bob Snow took a dilapidated 19th century warehouse and transformed it into “Rosie O’Grady’s Warehouse,” a beer-and-peanuts saloon offering up heaping portions of Dixieland jazz and good times. Since then, Seville Quarter has grown to include seven rooms — the original Rosie O’Grady’s, Phineas Phogg’s, Lili Marlene’s, Apple Annie’s, Fast Eddie’s, End o’ the Alley and Palace Café — each with its own theme and atmosphere.

Rosie O’ Grady’s Warehouse, transformed by Bob Snow, located in Seville Square. Come in and enjoy Dixieland Jazz, good times, and a great menu.

Also a part of the complex is the Seville Party Plaza, an outdoor concert venue, and Heritage Hall, a spacious banquet and event facility. Weekly and nightly entertainment at Seville includes a Dueling Piano show, cookouts, karaoke, live  entertainment and poker.

If you’re visiting in the fall, Seville hosts one of Pensacola’s most exciting events – the Emerald Coast Beer Festival, September 9 and 10. Seville Quarter offers some of the best entertainment, fine dining with a unique ambience, and a gift shop featuring the best wines at the best prices. All this combines to create place where you can experience “Historic Pensacola with a bourbon chaser,” as it says on their website: www.sevillequarter.com.

SAENGER THEATRE

The Saenger Theatre has been called the Grand Dame of the Downtown area. Opened in 1925, its Spanish Baroque architecture, in opulent Rococo style took nearly thirteen months to complete. The awe-inspiring venue is now host to a  plethora of performing arts: symphony, stand up comedy, music concerts, Broadway, ballet and plays.

Recent renovations include doubling the size of the lobby, providing better accommodations for persons with disabilities and restoring the lobby to the grand scale of its historic past. The theatre reopened in 2009 and today is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites.

The lights of the “grand ole lady” have been beckoning patrons of downtown for 85 years. Calling on them to forget their troubles and suspend their imaginations, if only for a few hours. For a schedule of performances, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com.

Some of the finest dining in Northwest Florida can also be found Downtown. Establishments such as Jackson’s Steakhouse, Landry’s and The Fish House off er diners an exquisite menu influenced by the rich mix of culture in the area and traditional American cuisine with a twist of coastal flavor.

Downtown is home to and endless list of art galleries, displaying the beautiful artwork of the area’s most talented artists. For a list of these and other downtown establishments and events, visit www.visitpensacola.com.

NATIONAL NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM

Pensacola is dubbed the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” and it has the museum to prove it. If you’re looking for an exciting history lesson, fly high with a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum – the largest aviation museum in America.

Located aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, this historic treasure boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft, hands-on exhibits more than 4,000 artifacts representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation, and an IMAX theatre. And guess what, entry is absolutely free!

Take a ride in a motion based or Top Gun Air Combat simulator, have fun with the ultimate seven story giant screen movie experience in the IMAX Theatre and dine in the Cubi Bar Café, an exhibit itself. The museum is also the spot to catch the awe-inspiring Blue Angels flight demonstration team practice air shows from March through November.

Fort Pickens, located off of Pensacola Beach, has a wealth of history completed in 1834 built to defend Pensacola Bay and it’s navy yard. Campers welcome. Open from 7am until 10pm to visitors.

Whether you visit the area for a day or a week, the National Seashore is home to many activities and places to explore. Choose from swimming, bicycling, snorkeling, fishing, hiking, beach combing, bird watching, boating, and camping. Or,  you can just sit back and watch a magnificent Gulf Coast sunset!

FORT PICKENS

Historic Fort Pickens and the Visitors Center is one of the main attractions of the National Seashore. Located at the western tip of Santa Rosa Island, Fort Pickens is the largest of four forts built to defend Pensacola Bay. The fort was begun in 1829, completed in 1834, and used until the 1940s. The historic structure has since been designated a national landmark, and now hosts a variety of activities, including free Rander-led tours of the fort. In addition to the main fort structure, the grounds are home to ten concrete gun batteries, including one in the middle of the historic fort, that were built from the 1890s through the 1940s.

Did You Know that in the 1880s, Geronimo and other members of the Chiricahua-Apache tribe were prisoners at Fort Pickens? Take a trip out there to see what else you can learn about this amazing place. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/guis.

Pensacola offers some of the most breathtaking Golf Courses, such as The Lost Key Golf Club, TIger Point Golf Club, and The Club at Hidden Creek with excitement for golfers of all skill levels.

GOLF

There are also several breathtaking golf courses located near Pensacola, that offer traveling golfers the opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while enjoying a favorite pastime.

The Lost Key Golf Club, just west of Pensacola, is framed by the natural beauty of Perdido Key,  which is situated right on the Gulf. Redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Design Group in 2006, the par 71 signature designed championship course features the new Sea Dwarf Paspalum grass from the tee through the green for the optimum in quality playing surfaces and green speeds. For more information, visit www.lostkey.com.

Tiger Point Golf Club is located in Gulf Breeze, just across Pensacola Bay. The course, which is situated along the shores of Santa Rosa Sound one of four  sites on the Emerald Coast Golf Trail. The club, a stop on the 1988 PGA Tour, also has a newly renovated clubhouse – home of the Sunset Grille. For more information, visit www.tigerpointclub.com.

Just down the road from Tiger Point lies The Club at Hidden Creek in Navarre. Also a site on the Emerald Coast Golf Trail, Hidden Creek is well known for its excellent conditions, fast greens, lush landscaping, rolling terrain, and scenic layout. The 18-hole championship golf course plays 7,012 yards from the back tees and provides excitement for golfers of all skill levels. For more information, visit www.hiddengolf.com.

Pensacola has been around longer than any other city in the United States. Just a brief overview of the broad spectrum of its enriching qualities makes it easy to understand why locals stay here, why visitors come here, and why the people who leave the area always seem to return. Simply put, Pensacola is not a “beach town,” it’s so much more!

Lower North Hill. Sponsored by the Jared Sparks Historical Society of PJC. Admission is free. Tour will be from 10 a.m.-noon. For information, call 850-484-1099.

Downtown Pensacola. Enjoy this event in a setting offering history and culture while you enjoy wine, music and art. For information and to purchase tickets, call 850-434-5371 or visit www.pensacolawinefestival.com.

North Hill area.  This tour is presented for free by the Jared Sparks Historical Society of Pensacola Junior College from 10 a.m.-noon at DeSoto and Reus Streets. Call 850-484-1099.

Pensacola Fairgrounds. This two-day festival will feature medieval jousting knights, falconry, the King & Queen, swashbuckling swordsmen, storytellers, dancers, wizards, medieval fighters, musicians, food & drink, renaissance wares and crafts and much more. Call: 1-877-429-8462 or visit www.gcrf.net.

Tour-iffic Summer Ghost Tours:  Pensacola Historical Museum at 115 E. Zaragosa St. in downtown Pensacola. Tickets by prepaid reservations. Adults $10, Children 12 and under $5.50. Tours start at 7 p.m., and are held every half hour until 8:30 p.m. Ph: 850-433-1559. Web site: www.pensacolahistory.org.

At the Pensacola Civic Center.  Commemorate Don Tristan De Luna’s historical landing in Pensacola with a day of food, celebration and fun. Enjoy the loosely historic reenactments. Web site:  www.celebratepensacola.com.

     Welcome to one of the most pristine and beautiful coasts in the nation. Year-round mild temperatures and 52 miles of sugar white beaches, laced with the emerald water of the northern Gulf of Mexico, draw millions of visitors worldwide each year just as it attracted the first European in 1559.

     Don Tristan de Luna knew he found the crown jewel of the Gulf of Mexico when he scanned the breathtaking coast. No question, beaches are the area's main attraction. Just like de Luna realized, Pensacola has much more to offer than sun, surf and sand. Modern-day visitors are discovering this, too.

Take in a Broadway musical, symphony or outdoor concert. Explore Civil War-era forts. Experience soaring with the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels at the IMAX theater in the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Or, discover why Pensacola is nicknamed the "City of Five Flags.''

     These are just a few attractions found in Pensacola that is just a few minutes drive from area beaches.

     It's a microcosm of a big city without the big city rush.Vibrant and eclectic, the city is brimming with cultural events and restaurants, museums, shops, and nightclubs to make anyone's vacation more than a day at the beach. There's no place better to start sampling the city's offerings than downtown, which is easily walkable or horse-drawn carriage for a fascinating tour of the port city shaped by a 400-year history. Architecture and street names reveal the influence of the five countries of Spain, France, England, the Confederacy and the United States that laid claim to the city through the centuries.

     Get a closer look of the types of people who settled here at the Historic Pensacola Village where visitors are transported back to the time of the "Spanish explorers, Victorian ladies, and Creole women." A few steps away are more historic offerings including the T.T. Wentworth Museum, Jr. Florida State Museum, Colonial Archaeological Trail, and Museum of Commerce and Museum of Industry. A tour of the historic homes of Seville Square completes the package.

    The people of Pensacola love to celebrate its history and the arts, music, seafood…well just about anything that they create a festival around. No matter the time of the year, visitors will likely be able to catch one, like the Crawfish Festival in the spring, Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival in the fall, or Mardi Gras festivities in the winter, to name a few.

     Even without a festival there's plenty of excitement in Pensacola. With downtown experiencing unprecedented revitalization, many new eateries and businesses are springing up frequently. Return visitors will be delighted to discover new places, like Rag Tyme Grill on South Jefferson street. They'll be thrilled to revisit some of their favorite spots, such as Dharma Blue overlooking Seville Square. Pensacola is best known for its Coastal Southern cuisine from a Fish House original, "Grits a Ya Ya,'' to sumptuous shrimp prepared every way imaginable and found in nearly every restaurant in town.

    The area's diverse population is reflected in the ethnic food eateries that abound around town: Greek, Mexican, Tex-Mex, Mediterranean, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and Japanese. Some of the best fare is found in homegrown eateries that are Pensacola institutions.

     Want to play? Disney World theme parks are eight hours away, but just a short drive northwest of downtown is the Rocky and Bullwinkle theme park, Sam's Fun City. The amusement park features an arcade, laser tag, water bumper boats, miniature golf, go-carts a ferris wheel and many other rides to entertain a family for a day.

     The area's largest multi-screen, stadium-seating theater is located right next door to Sam's. Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge, that parallels the three-mile bridge, offers great bay fishing and a fun day outdoors.

    Just across the highway on Pensacola Bay, birding enthusiasts can spot rare and common birds of the region along the shore on Bayfront Parkway. Among them, Osprey. The eagle of the sea nearly vanished from the area but is rebounding after efforts to restore its habitat and provide nesting sites.