We knew Pensacola, Florida had beautiful beaches when we decided to take a day trip there. What we didn’t know is that this charming city near the Alabama state border was so full of history. Steve and I are what you would call “history buffs.” Our trips are more likely to include museums, antiquing and food than ziplining or water skiing. The great thing about Pensacola is you can have outdoor adventures and soak up some history, too. We made a day trip to Pensacola while on a trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, another place we need to see more of and soon! Here’s our itinerary.

Stop one: The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

Have you ever toured a historical site and met someone with ties to the place? That happened to us when we toured the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Richard Snell’s father, Lt. Commander Lewis Carroll Snell, served at the lighthouse for two years in the early 1950s.

Lt. Commander Snell was an electronic electrician who kept up repairs for the radio transmitter. He started his military career in the Navy before joining the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for 24 years. You can see his uniform and other information at the lighthouse. Richard Snell was kind enough to let me share his story and take his picture.

Lt. Commander Snell also helped the lighthouse keeper, James Hatten. There were likely multiple trips up the 177 steps leading to the top. We decided not to tackle the steps that day. Don’t they look a little daunting?

If you are in better shape than we are, the views from the top of the lighthouse are stunning, we were told.

Even if you don’t travel to the top, the museum is a wonderful place to learn about the history of lighthouse and the Gulf Coast. The Pensacola lighthouse is the first one on the gulf coast. The original was built in 1824. The current lighthouse was first lit in 1859.

The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is open every day from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $9.50 for adults and $6.50 for military members, children and those over 65. You will have to enter the military base so be prepared to show your identification at the gate.

Our tip: Don’t miss the exhibits on the ground. I learned how to do a knot. Steve is still trying to get it out!

Stop two: The National Naval Aviation Museum

What’s better than touring a museum to dodge the summer heat? A free museum! The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola is free and has so much to see. You can go back in time to when airplane rides were just a dollar and you can also learn about space travel.

We learned so many stories, including one that broke my heart and stayed with me. You can read more about Jesse Brown here.

The famous Blue Angels are based in Pensacola and you will see a lot of information about them.

Don’t worry about what you are going to eat. There’s a cafe onsite. We didn’t eat there because we had other plans for lunch.

Don’t miss the museum grounds. You will find several exhibits including my favorite, Homecoming. It shows a family welcoming a father back from his time serving our country.

We found a little piece of home at the National Naval Aviation Museum. John Towers, who is considered the father of naval aviation, is from my hometown of Rome, Georgia. His statue is located on the museum grounds. Another statue of him is located on Broad Street in Rome. .

Our tip: We really could have stayed an entire day here. Make sure you block off lots of time when you visit.

Another important tip: Like the lighthouse, the museum is on the naval base and you will have to show identification to get their. And be careful that you don’t drive to areas where civilians are not allowed. You will be stopped. And yes, I speak from experience.

Stop three: The Pensacola Museum of History

Have you ever seen something that just stopped you in your tracks? I love finding unique art. This pelican in front of the Pensacola Museum of History just stopped me in my tracks.

It’s not an official part of the museum. You will see pelicans scattered throughout this Florida city. It’s part of a project that began about 15 years ago. It’s called the Tribute to Our First Nations and was created by Dave Kessler.

Another fun fact we learned before we entered the museum, Pensacola once had a pelican drop on New Year’s Eve? They don’t drop a real bird, lol. It was cancelled one year but I think it is returned. I may have to do this one year.

The museum weaves it way through Pensacola history from the time the Native Americans were the only inhabitants to present day. There are so many stories to tell.

The largest exhibit tells the story of Trader Jon’s, a bar that served customers from 1953 to 2003. Martin “Trader Jon” Weissman founded the business that serve locals and the famous who visited Pensacola. I met this guy in an elevator once.

The memorabilia is a walk-through late 20th century history. I wonder what it would have been like to sit in this booth?

Another tidbit I found interesting–Pensacola is known as the City of Five Flags. The Spanish, French, British, Confederate States and the United States have flown over the city.

Our tip: Take an entire day and enjoy all of the historic exhibits in Pensacola. I regret we didn’t plan better. That just mean we will have to go back. Here’s a link to help you plan.

Stop four: Late lunch at Fish House

Does eating at the same place where politicians, famous actors and musicians have dined make you one of the cool kids? It’s not why I picked Fish House but it was a bonus. Look at this collection of famous diners who have walked through the same doors we did!

Steve didn’t remember that we are supposed to order different dishes so that we can try each other’s meals. We both ordered the crispy gulf shrimp with the fries and coleslaw.

Fish House is famous for its grits, so we ordered a side of C&D Smoke Gouda Cheese Grits. I loved it all but those grits were something special. We were so full we skipped dessert.

Our tip: Don’t just go to eat. Walk around and look at the pictures of famous diners outside the restaurant.

Stop five: The beach, of course

The weather was threatening so we made a quick stop at the beach near the Blue Wahoos stadium. The Blue Wahoos are Pensacola’s minor league baseball team and the Double A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. We didn’t visit during baseball season but we did walk around the stadium.

I love Gulf beaches. The sand is whiter, the ocean is bluer and the birds are watching you! This pelican started at me for a few minutes. I can’t decide if the bird was posing for me, waiting for me to feed it a snack, or was worried I was sizing it up for the Pelican drop.

We find when we travel it’s hard to do everything you want to do in a day or even a few days. Pensacola left us wanting more. Hopefully, we will be back, preferably during baseball season.