Today's guest is Jennifer Close, a dual blogger who writes about her family's travels in Two Kids and a Map and the fun they have right in their own backyard in Pensacola with Kids. Here, she shares five of her favorite free things to do with kids in her hometown.
Blue Angels Practice Sessions: Pensacola is home to the famous Blue Angels. During show season, which runs from March through early November, the flying squadron practices over the Naval Aviation Museum every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8:30am. You can watch these practice
sessions from the viewing area behind the museum. After the Wednesday sessions, you can meet the pilots and get an autograph. Admission to the museum and many of its exhibits is free. Your little ones can play on
the kiddie flight deck, an indoor play area, and everyone in the family can sit
in the cockpits of the airplanes and helicopters. There is, however, a fee to watch an IMAX movie or ride the flight
simulator.
Plaza de Luna at Palafox Pier: This lovely, two-acre park is right on the waterfront. It features a splash pad where kids can cool off on a hot day and a large, grassy area for playing. Plaza de Luna affords a beautiful view of the water, and there are always lots of birds and fishermen to watch. During the summertime, you can catch live music at the Sunsets at the Plaza series or catch an outdoor movie at Friday Family Flicks.
Edward Ball Nature Trail: While there are nature trails all over Pensacola, this trail on the gorgeous campus of the University of West Florida is a stand-out for kids. For convenient access to the trail, park in Lot G. As you stroll along the boardwalk, your children will love keeping an eye out for turtles, birds, butterflies, rabbits, snakes, and even alligators—but don’t worry, we haven’t seen one yet!
Bands on the Beach: You can't say you've visited Pensacola if you don't spend some quality time on the
sandy, white beaches of the Gulf Coast. From early May through late September, this free outdoor concert series offers a different musical guest every Tuesday evening from 7pm-9pm. Head to the Gulfside Pavilion with a blanket or beach chairs and enjoy the atmosphere and the sunset.
T.T. Wentworth Museum: This excellent free museum is dedicated to West Florida’s heritage, but young children will likely find the main exhibits a bit dry. No worries. Take them straight to the third-floor Discovery Gallery, an interactive exhibit that teaches kids ages 4 to 8 about Pensacola’s history through hands-on, imaginary play. Kids can explore and pretend in a ship, grocery store, Indian village, trading post, and fort. The Discovery Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 3:30pm.
