{Post by Heather Hice-McCray}
Pensacola, Florida has so much to offer those who visit and live here. There are things to do almost every weekend throughout the entire year. The best part is that a majority of the activities in Pensacola that are cheap or free cater to families and children.
Free or Cheap Activities in Pensacola Florida
The Emerald Coast is not only beautiful, but the sheer amount of activities in Pensacola that are free or cheap is almost overwhelming. It makes for a town where you never get bored!
Naval Air Museum
This is one of the prime attractions in the area. Since this area is known as the cradle of aviation this museum is a no-brainer. People come from all over to go here.
The museum truly highlights naval air history. There are planes and helicopters everywhere. They have so many displays and exhibits with information and history you could easily spend hours in there.
The best part is the entire Pensacola Naval Air Museum is free. It is easy to find activities in Pensacola that are free or cheap to do with kids.
The only thing you would pay for is if you wanted to do the simulators or the IMAX movies. I’ve never paid for those when I went with the kids because there is simply so much to see and learn without them.
Blue Angel Practices
The Pensacola area is home to the Blue Angels. The skilled pilots that fly the jets of the Blue Angels not only travel the country putting on shows, but they practice here at Pensacola Air Station.
In March whenever the Blues are here they practice on Tuesday and Wednesdays at 11:30 am. These practices are free for anyone who wants to come and watch. The best part is if you’re able to catch a practice on specially selected Wednesdays you and the kids will get a chance to meet the pilots, take pictures, and get autographs!
Bands on the Beach
This is one of my favorite activities in Pensacola that are free or cheap to do with the girls in the summer. Bands on the Beach starts in April and goes through October every Tuesday from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Each week there is a different band (typically local) that plays in the pavilion on Pensacola Beach. It’s completely free.
We bring chairs, beach towels, food and drinks and sit in the sand while the girls play and listen to great music. It truly encompasses the laid back beach vibe that surrounds Pensacola. We try to go to as many as we can during the summer.
Pensacola Beach
You cannot leave Pensacola without going to Pensacola Beach. It is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to.
The white sands are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The water is so clear and blue you can see through it to the ocean floor.
It costs $1 per vehicle to cross the toll bridge into Pensacola Beach. That’s it! You can spend an entire day lounging on the beach as long as you bring an umbrella and sunscreen.
The kids can play and if you get bored there is plenty of shells to pick up or just walk down the shoreline.
Pensacola Mess Hall
The Mess Hall is a fun place that is full of learning activities; however, it’s disguised so there is a chance your kids might not even realize they’re learning. It’s a hands-on science museum that gets your kids involved in challenging, learning activities.
There are so many learning activities such as creating marble runs, wind tunnels, building houses out of different mediums, and hypothesizing which one can stand up to wind, just to name a few. They also have these amazing boxes you can get from behind a special counter that are like busy bags with an activity and special instructions.
The cost of admission is $10 and lower, but trust me it’s completely worth the money on a rainy Pensacola afternoon.
Quayside Gallery
My oldest daughter loves art. She’s loved it since she first learned how to draw little stick people. Quayside gallery features art from local artists and has three floors for you to explore.
There is no charge to look around. I’ve spent wonderful evenings taking the girls in to look at all the wonderful art. You might even find something you’d like to take home with you!
University of West Florida Trails
The trails of UWF are a fun activity to get the kids out into the Florida nature. There are multiple paths that run throughout the backend of the campus. Everything is clearly marked and easy to follow.
The nature walks are beautiful, and you get the chance to learn about the plants and trees in the area with markers and informational plaques. Last time we were there we saw turtles and birds and a lot of beautiful vegetation.
It’s quiet and enjoyable for the kids to run around the paths while you take a leisurely stroll. Outdoor activities in Pensacola that are free or cheap abound!
Pensacola Children’s Museum
The Pensacola children’s museum is a great place for children of all ages to explore. Although it is on the smaller side of children’s museums it still has a lot of activities.
I love that a lot of the activities are centered around the history of Pensacola. It’s great for kids to explore.
Everything is touchable and hands-on so don’t be afraid the little ones will break anything. This museum is meant for the kids to touch everything. This is one of my favorite things! For a couple of hours I don’t have to say, “Don’t touch that.” It’s like a mini-vacation 🙂
The museum is on the cheaper side as far as museums go with adult admission being $5 and children admission being $3. Children under the age of three are free.
Gallery Night
This is an event that happens the third Friday of every Month. The prominent Palafox Street is closed down to vehicles and opens up to local artists and vendors selling everything from homemade soaps to jewelry and much more.
Most of the local restaurants set up tents on the street so you can pick up a snack or a drink and walk up and down the street.
It’s a fun night. There is always so much to see and do.
The stores all stay open later so you can walk in and shop local. The atmosphere is so lively and fun it’s just nice to be there.
Seafood Festival
We have a lot of festivals here in Pensacola. The Seafood Festival, however, is the one to go to. The festival is free to get in, but you will have to purchase food and drinks if you want them.
Although the prices for food are anywhere from $5 to $10, the portions are generally pretty large. For a small price you can split them among your family and can get a taste of great Florida seafood. You get access to so many great local restaurants in one place.
It features local restaurants and artists too. There is music and cheap activities for the kids. It’s an entire weekend long and is a great way to see the culture of Pensacola.
The Visit Pensacola site is amazing. Simply put it’s all the events in and around Pensacola at all times. It’s even organized by types of activities. You’re sure to find something to do, even if it’s not one of the activities I’ve listed above. Check out the site for more information.
Have you ever been to Pensacola? If so, do you have any other favorite activities that weren’t already listed?
Heather lives in Florida with her husband, two girls and two pups. She is a lover of most things in life, too many to name here without scaring you, but a few include working out, learning new recipes, Pinterest, organizing (yes, it’s true!), home decor and learning to lead a more minimal and purposeful life.
She started Just Becoming Me as a venture to better understand herself and what will lead her towards a more fulfilling life. Her motto is: “We only have one life, and I want to learn to live mine in a way that gets me excited to jump out of bed.”
