Pensacola Journals

Pensacola Beach, Still a Sugar Sand Gem

A January 2006 trip to Pensacola by ajavagal

Pensacola Beach in Jan 06 Photo - SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, Florida More Photos
Quote: We took a short trip to the Gulf Coast beaches to access the damage (for future trips) from the hurricanes.

SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach

Hotel | "SpringHill Suites by Marriott"

Pensacola Beach in Jan 06 Photo - SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, Florida
Quote:
This hotel is on Santa Rosa Island (bridge toll $1-one way only). The hotel looked new (workers were still finishing some of the remodeling--adding a deck to the bar area), very clean and well kept, very friendly staff, great breakfast selection, beautiful beachfront property, three outdoor pools (one heated, one large child pool) plus hot tub.Rooms were larger than any other Springhill we've stayed at. Beds were extremely comfortable, with two TVs, microwave/mini fridge/sink. Our room had a balcony and wonderful ocean view. Great value!Pensacola Beach is still beautiful, and repairs are still being done on many hotels/resorts, but many are finished. Our favorite restaurant, Peg Legs, ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 1, 2006

SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach
24 Via De Luna
Pensacola Beach, Florida 32561
(850) 932-6000

Peg Leg Pete's

Restaurant

Travel Photo by IgoUgo member
Quote:

Casual dining, indoors, deck or bar. Seafood and American food, cajun specialities. Child's menu $4.99-6.99 includes drink, pirate's eye patch, and sand bucket (food served in the plastic bucket, playground at restaurant).

We didn't care for their fish cowder or scallops. I recommend blackened fish, jumbalaya, grouper nuggets (kids), fried shrimp, grilled fish, and fried clams (appetizer-large portion and only $4.99). Locals eat here, and we do too when we visit; a family of four can dine for $50-75, depending on your selections.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 1, 2006

Peg Leg Pete's
1010 Fort Pickens Road
Pensacola, Florida 32561
(850) 932-4139

National Museum of Naval Aviation

Attraction | "The National Museum of Naval Aviation"

Naval Air Museum Photo - National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida
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Free guided tours are provided, and IMAX films can be seen. It's well worth visiting--displays and aircraft are so wonderful! There was a lot of info on World War II, and I found it interesting having family members serve in the Air Force and Marines. There was a friendly atmosphere and a cafe on-site. Other sights nearby make it worth a day trip, like the lighthouse and Fort Barrancus. We will come back on our next visit to the Pensacola area.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 1, 2006

National Museum of Naval Aviation
1750 Radford Boulevard
Pensacola, Florida 32508
(850) 452-3604

Pensacola Beach

Story/Tip

Pensacola Beach Photo - Pensacola Beach, Florida
Quote:
Gorgeous, sugar-white, fine-powder quartz sand. Oceanside, surf can be rough (great for surfers), but in summer, it's plenty tame for kids. Also, the Santa Rosa Sound side of the island has beaches, as well as Gulf Breeze and Navarre (each just across a bridge). During our visit, the road across the island was not fully open, and hurricane damage was still apparent, but rebuilding was going on everywhere, and there was plenty open, even in off-season. I'm sure everything will be back to normal by spring. Beaches to the south FWB, Grayton, and Destin looked fine--not near the damage to structures in that area. However, just across the stateline in Alabama, more damage to property an...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 1, 2006