Ultimate Guide to Pensacola
- MainStreetBackRoads
- Sep 1
- 7 min read
Easy Beach Getaway Within Driving Distance of Atlanta
This was my first visit to Pensacola, and I was blown away. I'd seen pictures of the Emerald Coast, but seeing the crystal-clear waters and sugar-white beaches in person was something else entirely.
After 14 years of living in Georgia and defaulting to East Coast beaches, I couldn’t believe how easy the drive to the Gulf is—or how much history and culture Pensacola offers. I wish I’d visited sooner.
Don't make the same mistake. If you haven't been, add Pensacola to your list! Fall is one of the best times to visit, with quieter beaches, easier parking, and a slower pace with kids back in school.
To create this Pensacola travel guide, we talked with locals and Pensacola experts and barely scratched the surface of all there is to do. We spent three nights (we could easily have done four), splitting our stay between two nights on a houseboat downtown and one on the beach. Splitting a trip like this isn't for everyone, but I loved experiencing both sides -- it's hard to pick a favorite.
This guide is organized by neighborhood so you can easily find the best restaurants, places to stay, and things to do in both downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.
Disclaimer: This trip was provided in partnership with Visit Pensacola. All opinions and experiences shared are my own.
CITY SIDE
Unique Place to Stay in Downtown Pensacola
Since I’m on a mission to stay in every type of accommodation imaginable, we stayed on The Houseboats of Seville Harbor, and it turned out to be one of the most unique experiences of our trip. I surprised my husband, who assumed a “houseboat” meant some kind of party barge. Instead, it was a fully equipped home on the water. Gated marina access made us feel like locals, and the views of the sailboats and yachts from all the windows and deck were magical. We could even see the bridge leading to Pensacola Beach!
The best part? We could walk everywhere. We parked the car once and didn't need it again. Museums, shops, restaurants—it was all within walking distance. And if you don’t feel like venturing far, there are restaurants right on the marina.
Best Restaurants in Downtown Pensacola
The Fish House (600 S Barracks St) is my favorite kind of restaurant -- the kind that feels like it’s been part of the community forever. And it has, since 1998! You can feel the history as soon as you walk in the door. It has the perfect blend of marina-side casual with an old-school steakhouse feel, but without any pretension. Service was impeccable, the salmon sushi roll was some of the freshest I’ve had, and my husband’s “steak and cake” (yes, steak paired with crab cake) was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Pro-tip: Their $5 drafts and $6 house wines are a rare find these days.
📍Other City Side Favorites:
Jaco's Bayfront (997 S Palafox St) - Local favorite right on the marina
Maker's Cafe (422 S Palafox St) - Great coffee with a cute, cozy atmosphere
Bistrology Restaurant (21 W Romana St) - A brand-new spot with delicious brunch
Peterbrooke Chocolatier (112 Palafox St) - The best chocolate in town
Bubba's Sweet Shop (405 S Palafox St) - A local favorite for ice cream, with giant $4 scoops
💡PARKING TIP: If you’re staying on the houseboat, you can walk everywhere. But, if you need to drive, download the ParkMobile app and look for green signs downtown. Red premium parking signs are private lots and typically more expensive.
Best Things to Do in Downtown Pensacola
Explore Historic Pensacola Village & Museums
For just $12, you can purchase an admission ticket that covers multiple attractions in the downtown area. Highlights include:
Trader Jon’s – Legendary local bar recreated inside the Pensacola Museum of History
Pensacola Museum of Art – Housed in a former jail (yes, really!)
Historic Pensacola Village – A collection of preserved homes and buildings that showcase the city’s early history
Museum of Industry and Museum of Commerce – Right next door, offering a deeper dive into Pensacola’s past
Trader Jon's in the Pensacola History Museum, Historic Pensacola Village, and Pensacola Museum of Art in a former jail
Stroll Along Palafox Street
Take time to wander Palafox Street, one of the most charming areas in downtown Pensacola, lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes. Don’t miss the colorful “Wish You Were Here” mural on the corner of Palafox and Romana—it’s perfect for a quick photo op.
A couple of our favorite stops:
Easy Going Records + Hifi (11 Palafox Pl) – A must for music lovers
Bodacious Shops (407 S Palafox St) – Be sure to check out the upstairs balcony for great views
Walk America’s First Settlement Trail
Follow the red line painted through downtown to walk America's First Settlement Trail. This self-guided route highlights important historic spots that tell Pensacola’s story as the first European settlement in the U.S. (And keep your eye out for cheeky gift shop t-shirts poking fun at St. Augustine’s “oldest city” claim!)
Extra Time: Take a Ferry Ride
⏳Have a little extra time? Hop aboard the all-day hop-on/hop-off ferry with Pensacola Bay Cruises. It’s a fun way to see the city from the water.
Best Nightlife in Downtown Pensacola
You won’t run out of things to do at night in downtown Pensacola—bars, lounges, and live music venues are everywhere. From tucked-away garden bars to lively lounges, there’s something for every vibe. We wish we’d had more time to explore them all, but here were a few favorites:
Bavaria (10 S Palafox St) - A relaxed spot with friendly service and a laid-back vibe
Garden & Grain (50 E Garden St) - A tucked-away garden bar
The District (upstairs lounge at 123 E Government St) - Don't miss their $5 happy hour + live music
The Well (42 E Garden St) - A cozy lounge with classic Florida vibes
Seville Quarter (130 E Government St) - One of the most unique nightlife venues in Pensacola, with seven themed spaces to explore under one roof
BEACH SIDE
Best Place to Stay in Pensacola Beach
We booked an oceanfront room with a balcony at Fairfield Inn & Suites (16 Via De Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach), and loved waking up to views of both the beach and the pool (complete with the longest lazy river on the Gulf coast that lights up red at night). Of course, with both ocean and bay views, you can't go wrong with either side of this new hotel.
A full breakfast is included, and the location is excellent—close to restaurants and right across the street from a hidden tiki bar tucked inside an RV park. A boardwalk leads straight from the hotel to the beach, where you’ll find easy chair and umbrella rentals.
Best Restaurants on Pensacola Beach
During our visit, we kept saying the same thing: the waterfront locations alone would have made these restaurants worth it, but the food and service were both consistently excellent. Everywhere we went, the seafood was fresh, and the friendly service exceeded our expectations.
📍Some of Our Beachside Favorites:
Flounder's Chowder House (800 Quietwater Beach Rd) - Fun vibes, great service, and some of the freshest grouper you'll find
Shaggy's (701 Pensacola Beach Blvd) - A go-to for fresh Gulf shrimp in a laid-back marina setting
Bounce Beach (400 Quietwater Beach) - A lively beachfront spot with a little Miami flair
Island Culture Sneaky Tiki (17 Via De Luna Dr) - A hidden gem you can only walk, boat, or even swim to. If you're staying at the Fairfield Inn, you're in luck -- it's right across the street.
Best Things to Do on Pensacola Beach
Obviously, you're here for the beach -- and it's everywhere! Drive straight across the bridge, land on Pensacola Beach, and you could happily stay put for days.
Or...you could spend $25 per vehicle for a 7-day pass into the Gulf Islands National Seashore, home to Fort Pickens and some of the quietest and most serene beaches you'll find anywhere. It's absolutely worth it.
👽 TIP: On your way to Opal Beach, keep an eye out for the famous UFO House (private property, visible from the main road and Panferio Dr).
You'll find stretches of the protected seashore on both sides of Pensacola Beach.
Eastern Side – Opal Beach: This was our favorite on the east side. It has bathrooms and pavilions, but the real gem here is how untouched it feels. You won’t find whiter sand or more turquoise water anywhere, and you might just have a stretch of the beach to yourself. We even saw dolphins playing here!
Western Side – Langdon Beach & Fort Pickens: Langdon Beach offers similar amenities, so you really can’t go wrong. But the standout here is Fort Pickens, one of the highlights of our trip. It’s a photographer’s dream with endless arches, hidden caverns, and lots of history. If you visit Pensacola, this is an absolute must.
Fort Pickens
⏳Extra Time: More Things to Do in Pensacola Beach
If you have more than a few days, here are some bonus ideas:
Dolphin Cruises with Condor Sailing or Frisky Mermaid
Pensacola Fishing Pier ($2.35 entry) - don't miss the view above and below
National Naval Aviation Museum - plan ahead to catch the Blue Angels practice
Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum - climb 177 steps for beautiful views of the Gulf
Pensacola exceeded every expectation. The combination of history, stunning beaches, delicious food, great service, and unique accommodations makes it the perfect getaway from Atlanta. Whether you're drawn to the city side with its historic charm and marina views, or the beach side with its crystal-clear waters and sugar-white sand, Pensacola has something for you.
The drive from Georgia is surprisingly easy. We left at 8 AM (took a 10-minute rest stop ) and were on the beach by 12:20 PM (the 1-hour time difference works in your favor!). If you haven't been yet, you'll wonder why you haven't made this trip sooner. Trust me – add Pensacola to your travel list. You won't regret it.
A big thank-you to Visit Pensacola for hosting me!
Until our next adventure!
xo Kerry
Disclaimer: This trip was provided in partnership with Visit Pensacola. All opinions and experiences shared are my own.
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