Things to do in Pensacola under $10: From Blue Wahoos games to historic trails
With prices of products across industry on the rise, many people are beginning to wonder how they can save money.
So how can you save money while still having fun?
It's surprisingly easy. Pensacola is full of unique local things to do that won't break the bank, many of which are totally free.
Pensacola Beach eco trail
Cost: Free
The Footprints in the Sand Eco-Trail is an 8.5-mile trail that shows off some of the most unique features of Pensacola beach. It runs from shore to shore and encourages walking, biking, driving, running and even swimming at the 29 stops — each teaching about the local flora and fauna around the region and providing pictures and maps to guide you.
Historic walking trails
Pensacola is America’s first settlement, established in 1559 by Don Tristan de Luna and Spanish Settlers. It’s rich in history, and we have a few trails that help visitors and residents alike learn more about the city.
America’s 1st Settlement Trail
Where: Plaza Ferdinand, East Government and South Palafox streets
Cost: Free
America’s 1st Settlement Trail is new and mimics Boston’s famous Freedom Trail. It’s a 2.5-mile pedestrian trail that outlines the nation’s history through a series of planned stops. The self-guided tour begins at the 300 block of South Palafox. For the full map, visit: https://www.visitpensacola.com/americas-1st-settlement-trail/
Florida National Scenic Trail in Fort Pickens
Cost: Free
The trailhead for this one is located in Fort Pickens and takes visitors through the Battery Worth. It’s a mile long and runs along salt marshes and canals, allowing people the opportunity to spot some of the local wildlife along the way.
Colonial Archaeological Trail
Where: 330 South Jefferson St.
Cost: Free
This trail outlines a period of history from 1752 to 1821. It can be accessed at the Pensacola Museum of History, located at 330 S. Jefferson St. The trail leads visitors through downtown Pensacola as they explore the Historic Village and learn about 18th-century colonization.
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Pensacola Maritime Trail
Cost: Free
The Pensacola Maritime Trail is also located in downtown Pensacola along Pensacola Bay. It’s made up of 10 signs that talk about everything from Native American culture, to Spanish exploration and life in 18th-century Pensacola.
Museums
Sticking with the theme of getting to know more about Pensacola's history, we have a number of museums and similar attractions that are free to visit or relatively inexpensive.
Historic Pensacola Village
Where: 205 E. Zaragoza St.
Cost: Free
The Historic Pensacola Village is an 8.5-acre area that has 28 historical properties located where the Spanish and British forts were originally located in downtown Pensacola. Here's a look at some of the more popular museums.
African-American Heritage Society
Where: 200 Church St.
The African-American Heritage Society aims to preserve, promote and integrate African-American history, heritage, culture and diversity in the Pensacola area. The organization puts on several events, but if you're looking for a way to check out what they have to offer on a regular basis, you can visit its retrospective exhibits at the historic Coulson House, located at 200 Church St.
Pensacola Children's Museum
Where: 115 Zaragoza St.
The Pensacola Children's Museum features exhibits designed so parents and young children can learn and play through interactive spaces that include a colonial classroom, a Publix Super Markets exhibit, a kiddie corral and more.
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Quina House Museum
Where: 204 S. Alcaniz St.
Dating back to 1810, the oldest building in Pensacola still in its original location. The Quina House Museum can be toured free of charge Tuesday through Saturday.
Pensacola Museum of History
Where: 330 S. Jefferson St.
The Pensacola Museum of History is the flagship museum located in the former Pensacola City Hall building that was constructed in 1907. It's a self-guided tour featuring general historical galleries with permanent and rotating exhibits.
Note: The National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse are extremely popular attractions that aren't listed because they're currently closed to the public. Department of Defense ID card holders can still access these attractions.
Bands on the Beach
Where: Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola Beach
Cost: Free
Bands on the Beach is a local concert series at Pensacola Beach that highlights regional musicians that encompass nearly every genre. Shows are at the Gulfside Pavilion and overlook the Gulf of Mexico. Concert goers can bring lawn chairs and blankets, but pets and glass containers aren’t allowed. Each show starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday and the series runs from the first Tuesday in April to the last Tuesday in October.
Art Galleries
Pensacola's has many art galleries — most of which can be visited for free.
Quayside Art Gallery
Where: 17 E. Zaragossa St.
The Quayside Art Gallery is the largest co-op gallery in the Southeast, and it's open free to the public. On display, you'll find 3-D works in clay, glass, fiber, precious metals, woods and more; plus oil, watercolors, photography, inks and mixed media formats.
Blue Morning Gallery
Where: 21 S. Palafox Place
Blue Morning Gallery offers a collection featuring over 60 local artists, including many award-winning artists.
Artel Gallery
Where: 505 S. Adams St.
The Artel Gallery is a nonprofit gallery run by volunteers and founded in 1993. It features several quality experimental and contemporary art exhibitions.
Pensacola Photo Trail
Cost: Free
The Pensacola Photo Trail features 15 spots you can go to snap the perfect Pensacola selfie. The trail is definitely not one you can walk as the destinations will take you everywhere from the Edward Ball Nature Trail in the north end of the county to the Flora-Bama Lounge, which sits, as the name might suggest, on the border of Florida and Alabama.
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Here’s the full list:
Pensacola Postcard
The Graffiti Bridge
Pelican at T.T. Wentworth
Cubed Gulf Coast at Museum Plaza
Palafox Pier Pelican
Mississippi Blues Trail Marker
Pensacola Beach Ball
Futuro Spaceship House
Big Lagoon State Park
Jeremiah Pelican at Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum
Flora-Bama Lounge, Package and Oyster Bar
Edward Ball Nature Trail
Alger-Sullivan Historic District
Blue Wahoos Game
Where: 351 W. Cedar St.
Cost: Seats start at around $10
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos is a Minor League Baseball team and a Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The team plays at the Blue Wahoos Stadium, which was voted as the best Double-A stadium in 2020 by Ballpark Digest. That's because it offers more than just baseball. In conjunction with its stunning view, the park allows local organizations to host community events throughout the year.
Visiting state parks
Pensacola has three state parks in the area that all offer something a little different. Check ahead before visiting becomes some of the parks have some sections closed from time to time.
Big Lagoon State Park
Where: 12301 Gulf Beach Highway
Cost: $6 per vehicle
Big Lagoon State Park has 704 upload acres that separate the mainland from Perdido Key and the rest of the Gulf of Mexico. Here you can do everything from scuba diving and horseback riding to snorkeling and star gazing. For more information, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/BigLagoon
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Perdido Key State Park
Where: 15301 Perdido Key Dr.
Cost: $3 per vehicle
The Perdido Key State Park uses boardwalks to take visitors over the beach dunes to the beach. Surf fishing is a popular attraction at the park, along with family picnics and spotting endangered species such as the Perdido Key beach mouse, nesting shorebirds and nesting sea turtles. For more information, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/perdido-key-state-park
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
Where: 2401 Bauer Road
Cost: $3 per vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers
The Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park is a wet-prairie surrounded by coastal bayou and rare plant and animal species. It's over 4,000 acres and home to four species of endangered pitcher plants. Visitors can experience the park thanks to boardwalks that wind through the bayou. For more information, visit: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/tarkiln-bayou-preserve-state-park
Community Markets
Cost: Free
Each weekend, you can find a number of community markets that are open and free to explore. Palafox Market, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, is the most popular market, but there are a lot of new faces on the scene. The Pensacola Community Market is a monthly market that happens at Coastal Community Brewing Company and features lots of local vendors, artists and food.
Sunday Market on Palafox is another new market that takes the place of Palafox Market on Sundays. It's a smaller affair at the moment, but features a lot of similar local vendors.
Free events on social media
Last up, and maybe a small cop out, but check out social media to see what's happening. There are a lot of businesses and organizations that host pop-up or one-off events that you might miss if you're not searching. The best way to follow these events is to check out our Top 5 things to do story posted every Thursday or jump on your social media network of choice and scout around.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Cheap things to do in Pensacola: 20 things to do for under $10
