6 Best Budget-Friendly Things To Do in Pensacola, FL

Are you looking for things to do in the Pensacola, Florida, area? Perhaps you live here and need an exciting day trip to break up the daily routine. Or you may be visiting Florida and planning to tour this section along the Gulf of Mexico. This city in the “The Sunshine State’s” panhandle offers several beaches, opportunities to explore its history, and many other activities. So whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with the whole family, you’ll have plenty of options.

We know that the cost of activities can add up. Read below as our team at Allen Turner Hyundai shares a list of six free or low-cost activities for you to check out in Pensacola.

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Spend a Day at the Beach

You can’t beat free when you’re looking for an affordable activity. Pensacola offers public beaches on the Gulf of Mexico that you can visit without spending a dime. A beach day is perfect for any grouping, whether you want to head there yourself, with a partner, or with your family. During your visit, sunbathe on the white sandy beaches and swim in the gentle waves of the Gulf.

There are several options in the area for you to explore. Pensacola Beach features a pier where you can walk out over the water, spend a relaxing morning fishing, or head to the gift shop. Johnson Beach provides a history lesson with a Korean War memorial.

Another option is Perdido Key State Park, which has a boardwalk that takes you over the white sand dunes. Keep in mind that this park charges $3 per vehicle. If you have a dog you want to bring to the beach, Bayview Dog Beach allows you to let your dog off the leash while you both enjoy the water.

Stroll Downtown Pensacola

It’s possible to create a budget-friendly day customized to your needs by heading to downtown Pensacola. In this area, you can walk or drive among picturesque 19th-century buildings and take in views of the water surrounding the area.

You can see these sites and window shop the many boutiques for free. It’s possible to walk much of the downtown area and enjoy a day in the Florida sunshine. You can find inexpensive meals in the area’s various eateries, taking your pick of restaurants, breweries, and taverns. Downtown Pensacola often has restaurant specials to help you enjoy yourself while saving money.

There are often extra events to enjoy, so check the calendar before you go. The Palafox Market has vendors, music, and food if you’re in the area on Saturdays. Gallery Night takes place one Friday night each month and becomes a festival environment with art and entertainment.

Visit Historic Pensacola Village

Drive or walk this historic downtown area to see old buildings and museums. You’ll find preserved structures representing hundreds of years of history.

During your visit to this village, head to the Pensacola Museum of History, which offers permanent and changing history galleries. Another option is Pensacola Children’s Museum, which has interactive and child-friendly exhibits and story time on some Fridays. And the Pensacola Museum of Art provides exhibits related to art and culture.

One admission ticket gives you access to all three museums and guided historic house tours in the area for seven days. As of 2023, each adult ticket costs $12, each child’s ticket is $7, and children under three get in for free. If you’re a member or attending the University of West Florida, you can also enjoy free admission.

Have a Blast at Fast Eddies Fun Center

Families and fun-loving adults will have a good time at this go-cart and entertainment center. You can get in with free admission and then control your budget by choosing which activities to participate in. Having fun with your fill of go-carting, mini-golfing, arcade games, and other engaging activities is easy.

A one-ride ticket for the Family Go-Kart Tracks costs $7.95, a round of mini golf is $5, and one game in the batting cages is $5. There are discounts for bulk games, value packages, and promotions that can help you save. You can also eat on-site at an affordable snack bar with simple meals, such as pizza and hot dogs.

Take in a Baseball Game

During the upcoming season, you and your partner or family can head to a baseball game in Pensacola. Since the area hosts minor league baseball, you can save compared to going to a major league baseball game. You also save on travel since the closest teams in major league baseball are the Tampa Bay Rays or the Atlanta Braves, each several hours away from Pensacola.

To catch a game on a nice day, head to Admiral Fetterman Field to see the local team, the Blue Wahoos. This stadium gives you waterfront views as a backdrop, and its small size makes you feel closer to the game. Tickets cost about $30 to $40 per seat, while you can find more affordable games for $16.

Enjoy Uncle Sandy’s Macaw Bird Park

Whether you love bird watching or are simply looking for a unique activity in the area, consider a day at this bird park, which is a non-profit rescue and sanctuary for parrots and other birds. It only costs $5 for ages 13 and older, $2 for ages 7 to 12, and is free for children 6 and under. Be aware that the park is only open on Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

You can see and learn about various colorful, exotic birds during your visit. There are public shows to educate you on parrots, and you can tour the park. If you’d like the opportunity, you can choose to handle one of the birds. Another option is to visit the open-flight aviary, where you can interact with birds.

So, that was Allen Turner Hyundai’s list of budget-friendly things to do in Pensacola. What did you think of our list? Are there other fun and affordable activities in the area that we missed? Be sure to let us know so we can add them to our list.

Image by graygraphics is licensed with Pixabay License