Family fun in Pensacola doesn’t have to break the bank! Discover 40+ exciting and free activities to enjoy with your kids in this beautiful Northwest Florida city. From stunning beaches and parks to fascinating museums and historical sites, Pensacola offers endless opportunities for adventure and entertainment without spending a dime. Get ready to make lasting memories with your little ones while exploring all that Pensacola has to offer!
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Free Things To Do At Pensacola Parks
Aviation Discovery Park
Not your typical park or playground, Aviation Discovery Park is located next to the Pensacola International Airport and has a mini control tower where you can watch the planes take off and land and listen to the real control tower talk to the pilots. It is located at 4200 Jerry L. Maygarden Rd, between Pensacola Aviation Center and the commercial hangar facilities, and is accessible from either Spanish Trail Rd. or Summit Blvd.
Blues on the Bay
Outdoor concert series on Sunday nights from April to June when the Blue Wahoos aren’t playing at home. The concerts start at 6 pm at Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater. Bring your chairs, blankets, and coolers, but please leave pets and glass containers at home.
Community Maritime Park
Located behind Blue Wahoo Stadium, this multi-use waterfront park includes an inclusive playground with unique play structures, shade trees, and a covered picnic area.
Perdido Kids Park
Located off Gulf Beach Hwy, Perdido Kids Park has one of the most unique play structures of all the local parks. Pretend you’re a princess or prince in the castle play structure, or a Blue Angel pilot in the Blue Angel Flyers, or climb the rock wall. There is something for kids of all ages, and they will never want to leave. There is also a nature trail at the park. The park is open from 7 am – sunset.
Free Things to Do on Pensacola Beach
Baby Sea Turtle Baby Shower
This family-friendly event at Landshark Landing educates and celebrates Sea Turtles. The afternoon will be filled with games, activities, entertainment, a meet-and-greet with Meg the Mermaid, and more. The 2024 date was June 1st.
Bands on the Beach
Bring your lawn chair and listen to live music from regional artists every Tuesday night at 7 pm from April through October at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach during Bands On The Beach.
Beach Playground on Ft. Pickens Road
A few years ago, I stumbled upon a charming pirate ship playground on Ft. Pickens Road that instantly captured my heart. It’s the perfect spot for kids to unleash their imaginations and embark on swashbuckling adventures. Nestled on the calmer Sound Side, it’s an ideal haven for younger children to safely explore and play.
Casino Beach
Named for the casino that put Pensacola Beach on the map, this public beach is located on Santa Rosa Island on Ft. Picken’s Rd across from the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. A portion of the beach to the right of the pier is an alcohol-free zone, making this a great place for families.
Footprints in the Santa Eco Trail
Learn the secrets of Pensacola’s white sand beaches, the journey of the sea turtles, and how to identify shells and local plant and animal life on this trail through Pensacola Beach via education signs posted across the beach.
Fourth of July Fireworks on Pensacola Beach
Enjoy fireworks over the Santa Rosa Sound behind the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk at 8:30 pm.
Gulf Islands National Seashore Santa Rosa Area
One of the most popular areas along Gulf Islands Seashore is located on Hwy 399 between Pensacola and Navarre. It is open 24 hours a day; however, the parking lots are closed from sunset to sunrise. There is no entrance fee for this area of the seashore except for the Opal Beach facilities.
Pensacola Beach Air Show
The annual air show takes place on Pensacola Beach the week after the 4th of July. The Blue Angels, along with other civilian and military aircraft, perform stunts over the Gulf Of Mexico.
Pensacola Beach Boardwalk
Features open-air bars, restaurants, and shopping on Santa Rosa Island. As well as a shallow water beach area perfect for kids along the Santa Rosa Sound.
Pensacola Beach Trolly
Explore Santa Rosa Island by trolley. The trolley runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and seven days a week from 4 pm to midnight.
Pensacola Beach Lighted Boat Parade
Lighted boat parade with Santa from Sabine Marina to the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. View the parade from Little Sabine at 6:30 pm and from Quietwater Beach at 7:30 pm. Stay after the parade to enjoy Fireworks with Santa at 8 pm in the Santa Rosa Sound behind the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk. The 2024 date is December 6, 2024.
Quietwater Beach, aka Mommy Beach
Located on the sound side of Pensacola Beach, it is a great area for families of small children to enjoy the beach due to the shallow, calm waters of the Santa Rosa Sound.
Stargazing on Pensacola Beach
Take in the beauty of Pensacola Beach at night and look at the stars, the moon, and the planets. Volunteers will set up telescopes on select Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer at the Gulfside Pavilion or Ft. Picken Battery Park.
Surfing Santa Parade
Annual Christmas Parade on Santa Rosa Island. The parade starts at 2 pm at Avenida 10 down Via De Luna toward Casino Beach and ends at the Gulfside Pavilion. Don’t miss Santa riding atop a Pensacola Beach Firetruck. The 2024 parade will be on December 8, 2024.
Free Things to Do Outdoors In Pensacola
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
The last Blue Angel air show of the year is at home in Pensacola at the National Naval Aviation Museum on NAS Pensacola on November 1 and 2, 2024. See the website for times and details. You can also watch the show from Ft. Pickens, and we were able to view some of it from Big Lagoon State Park.
Blue Angels Practices
When the Blue Angels are in town from March – to November, Pensacola gets its own mini-air show on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:30 am. On select Wednesdays, visitors can meet the pilots and get pictures and autographs at the National Naval Aviation Museum. My kids love sitting in the backyard watching the Blues fly overhead, it’s one reason we love our house. Can’t watch them from your house, you can watch them from the Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Ft. Pickens. I’ve also heard you can see them from Big Lagoon St. Park and I’ve seen them while driving down Navy Blvd.
Colonial Archaeological Trail
The Colonial Archaeological Trail, located in Downtown Pensacola, is a captivating outdoor exhibit that delves into the city’s rich colonial past. Visitors can explore remnants of Spanish, British, and American settlements, uncovering the diverse cultural influences that shaped Pensacola throughout history.
Ed Ball Nature Trail at UWF
Located on the UWF campus, the Ed Ball Nature Trail at UWF offers a 1/2 milk boardwalk through Thompson’s Bayou and a 20-mile bike trail for novice to experienced mountain bikers. The trails are open daily from dawn to midnight.
Gallery Night
Once a month, Downtown Pensacola shuts down the streets and comes alive. Enjoy music, art, and cuisine at this perfect chance to explore Pensacola’s downtown and art scene on the third Friday of each month from 5-9 pm.
Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve Greenway Trail
The Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve Greenway Trail is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a diverse 12-mile trail system that winds through bottomland forests and wet pine flatwoods. The eastern trails, accessible from five convenient trailheads, feature elevated boardwalks that provide breathtaking views of the surrounding wetlands. Highlights include the Glenn Key Boardwalk, with its impressive bridge crossing over Jones Creek, the scenic Canopy Creek Boardwalk, and the Decatur Boardwalk, which offers a serene walk through pristine wetlands and old-growth forests. For a more rustic experience, explore the western trails, which immerse visitors in the natural beauty of the preserve. Open sunrise to sunset and free to the public, the Jones Swamp Wetland Preserve Greenway Trail is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.
Perdido River Walk
Adjacent to the Perdido landfill is a 2/3 mile nature trail along the Perdido River through oak-pine uplands and bottomland hardwoods.
Plaza De Luna Splash Pad
Located at the south end of Palafox, at the end of the Palafox Pier, the splash pad is open from March to October from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pier also has Wi-Fi, concessions, a restroom, and fishing.
Free Things to Do Indoors in Pensacola
First City Art
First City Art Center’s artist gallery is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and offers free gallery tours for those interested in exploring the local art scene.
Naval Aviation Museum
Step back in time and learn all about naval aviation through the years. Located on the Pensacola Naval Air Station, the museum has an IMAX theater, simulators, and hands-on exhibits that explore aviation history. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also, on select Tuesdays and Wednesdays from March to November, you can watch the Blue Angels practice and, on Wednesdays, get their autographs at the museum.
West Florida Public Library
Various storytimes throughout the week at different library locations around Pensacola. Check the library calendar for more information.
Free Special Events In Pensacola
Elf Parade
Part of Pensacola Winterfest, this six-block parade features costumed kids, tumbling snowflakes, an alligator second-line brass band, and, of course, Santa himself. The parade ends at the Escambia County Courthouse with the Downtown Pensacola tree lighting ceremony and SNOW! The fun happens the day after Thanksgiving. Costume judging starts at 4 p.m., and the parade starts at 4:45 p.m., with lights and snow at 5 p.m.
Fiesta Pensacola Children’s Treasure Hunt
One Saturday in the spring in Downtown Pensacola, the Fiesta Pensacola Children’s Treasure Hunt offers children and families a day of fun activities, including a treasure hunt that lets children explore and learn about Pensacola’s history.
Fourth of July in Pensacola
Day-long family-friendly festival on the Fourth of July in Seville Square. The festival hosts a FREE children’s area with inflatables, pony rides, face painting, and more. There are also food vendors, craft vendors, live entertainment, and a hot dog eating contest. The day ends with fireworks over Pensacola Bay at 9 pm.
Martin Luther King, Jr Day Parade
Annual Parade in Downtown Pensacola that celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The parade starts on the corner of Spring and Garden Streets at 11 am on Martin Luther King, Jr Day.
Mardi Gras Parades
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Pensacola with two parades in Downtown Pensacola and one on Pensacola Beach, along with other events happening during Carnival Season!
Pensacola Christmas Parade
Annual Christmas Parade in Downtown Pensacola. The parade starts at Spring and Garden Streets at 5:15 pm and includes local bands, dance schools, organizations, the Blue Angels, and Santa himself. 2024 Date TBA
Free Things To Do Near Pensacola That Are Worth the Drive
Arcadia Mill Archeological Site
Located at 709 Mill Pond Lane, Milton, FL 32583. It is an archeological site that allows visitors to experience this unique wetland ecosystem. The site is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. Guided tours are given Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am – 3:15 pm by calling (850) 626.3084 ext. 102. to schedule a tour. Visitors can also do a self-guided tour from sunrise to sunset daily.
Blackwater Heritage State Trails
Nine miles of paved trail, great for biking, running, walking, skating, and more, run through the town of Milton. The Milton trailhead is located at State Road 87 and US Hwy 90, and it is open 8 a.m. to sundown daily. One mile from the trailhead, there is a visitors center that offers parking, restrooms, picnic tables, BBQ grills, and a playground.
Naval Live Oaks
Part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, located off Hwy 98 in Gulf Breeze. The park has hiking trails, a picnic area, and swimming in the Santa Rosa Sound and is open daily from 8 am to Sunset. There are also exhibits in the Headquarters Building that visitors can view Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
Navarre Beach
Just east of Pensacola, this 12-mile stretch of beach has public access points where you can swim, picnic, and even take a bike ride down a scenic bike path.
Navarre Park
Located on Navarre Pkwy right before the bridge that takes you to Navarre Beach and open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the park has a great play area with swings that face the water, a nature trail with turtles, and more. My kids love flying their kites here!
Panhandle Butterfly House
Located in the Milton Historic District, the Butterfly House is open seasonally from May to August, with a special event in October. Visit over 300 species of butterflies, including some native to Florida. You will also see all of the stages of the butterfly life cycle. The house is open Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please allow 30 minutes to see the house. Admission is free; however, a $5 donation per person is suggested.
Santa Rosa County Library
Various storytimes are held throughout the week at different library locations in Milton, Jay, Gulf Breeze, and Navarre. Check the library calendar for more information.
Splash Pad at Navarre Park
Located in Navarre Park at 8513 Navarre Pkwy, the splash pad is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May through September.
West Florida Railroad Museum
Learn the history of the railroad in West Florida at the West Florida Railroad Museum. The museum is located at 5003 Henry St., Milton, and is open Friday and Saturday from 10 am—3 pm or by appointment.
Yellow Marsh River Preserve State Park
Located at Dickerson City Rd and Garcon Point Road the hiking area can be accessed from the parking lot area located on Dickerson City Rd. There are no recreational facilities here, and the park is open from 8 am to sundown daily.
