Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Pensacola?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Pensacola?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Pensacola, Florida? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Pensacola during their visit. After all, the entertaining beach town will let you swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, tour the famous sights and museums, and enjoy an evening out.
Pensacola is a popular beach destination on the western side of the Florida Panhandle. It has white sand beaches, blue water, and plenty of activities that everyone of every age can enjoy. Seafood restaurants and fun beachside resorts make this a great beach vacation spot.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Pensacola? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Pensacola?
One week is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Pensacola. Many visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the cuisine, the museums and landmarks, and the nightlife at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week in Pensacola
The beautiful beaches await you in Pensacola, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour ($39)
- Frisky Mermaid Public Dolphin + Sightseeing Cruise Up to 49 Pax ($37)
- Glow Biking on Pensacola Beach ($16)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this beach town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Seville Stroll Food Tour ($72)
Don't miss Gulf Islands National Seashore during your trip to Pensacola, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This beach town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.
This beach town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Pensacola.
Shopping in Pensacola is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Pensacola.
After you've explored most of Pensacola, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Pensacola.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Pensacola. Plenty of amazing options are available.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Pensacola.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Pensacola.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Pensacola?
Two weeks is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Pensacola. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Pensacola as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
Pensacola, Florida
How to spend 2 weeks in Pensacola
With 2 weeks in Pensacola, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the beach town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this beach town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour ($39)
- Frisky Mermaid Public Dolphin + Sightseeing Cruise Up to 49 Pax ($37)
- Sunset Cruise Tour ($65)
- 3 hours cruise with swimming ($81)
- 3 Hour Sandbar Adventure on Motorized Floats ($69)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Pensacola, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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