27 Of the Best NAS Pensacola Things to Do (2020 Edition)

Introduction

Welcome to Naval Air Station Pensacola on the beautiful gulf coast of Florida! This great beach destination makes a fine place to be stationed and offers plenty to see and do. Here are just a few things to get you started at your new duty station.

Read on to get some ideas or if you already know what you want to do, click the numbers below to jump to specific activities:

(1-3) Pools
(4) Bowling
(5) Golf Courses
(6-7) Marinas
(8-11) Shopping
(12-13) Museums
(14-16) Attractions
(17-18) Parks, Rivers, and Lakes
(19-23) Gyms
(24-25) Beaches
(26) Sports

COVID-19 Notice

Due to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, many businesses, venues, and parks may be temporarily closed or operating under restricted hours. Many, if not all, of the ones listed here, are likely subject to health restrictions, though new re-openings and closings occur all the time. Check websites and call ahead to learn each listing’s current status.

26 Things to Do on Naval Air Station Pensacola

With the beach, state parks, the historic village, and more nearby there are tons of options for activities and experiences.

NAS Pensacola Pools

1. NASP Indoor Pool

3828 Fred Bauer St.
Bldg 3828
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-9429

2. Mustin Beach Pool

3201 Radford Blvd
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-8293

Located on the waterfront behind Mustin Beach club, this is a recreational, family friendly pool operated by the Pensacola MWR.

3. Corry Station Pool

Bldg 3735 Chief’s Way
Pensacola, FL 23511
Phone: 1 (850) 452-6317

An L-shaped pool located behind the Corry Station Family Fitness Center with a handicap accessible ramp into the shallow end. Features two rock walls, a dive area, and two designated 25 yard lap lanes.

NAS Pensacola Bowling

4. Corry Bowling Center

3738 Chief’s Way
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32511
Phone: 1 (850) 452-6380

Featuring 16 lanes, leagues, coaching, and food options at Corry Grill and the Old Crow’s Nest, this is a great place to have a night out or host birthday parties.

NAS Pensacola Golf Course

5. A.C. Read Golf Course

1440 Murrays Rd, Bldg 3495
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-2454

The A.C. Read Golf Course is located in a beautiful spot along the Bayou Grande making it one of the most beautiful courses in both the Navy and the state of Florida. It features 27 championship holes and an additional 18 hole executive course. There is a snack and beverage cart which makes the rounds and full proshop with sales, club fitting, and lessons.

NAS Pensacola Marina

There are two Marinas on the Naval Air Station run by the Pensacola MWR which offer boat, kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals as well as sailing classes, youth boating camps, and boat storage. Check the respective websites for rates and details.

6. Bayou Grande Marina

AA Cunningham St, Bldg 3244
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-4152

7. Sherman Cove Marina

3541 Radford Blvd, Bldg 4151
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-2212

Shopping

Knowing where to shop is vital when you’re moving to a new area. Here are a few options to get you started.

Pensacola

8. Cordova Mall

5100 N 9th Ave
Pensacola, FL 32504
Phone: 1 (850) 477-7562

Shopping and restaurants in a friendly setting for every budget.

9. Miles Antique Mall

5109 Bayou Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32503
Phone: 1 (850) 607-6560

A huge antique mall comprising 65,000 square feet of furniture, arts, antiques, gifts, clothing, and accessories.

10. Joe Patti’s Seafood Company

524 S B St
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 1 (850) 432-2215

If you’re a seafood enthusiast, this market features the best prices for seafood along the Florida coast. Even if you’re not into seafood, simply seeing the open air fish market is an interesting experience with it’s hustle and bustle.

11. Portside Entertainment Complex

570 E Ave, Bldg 3912
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-3364

This complex features a club with dance floor and full-service bar, karaoke, and parties as well as seasonal sporting events on the many big screen televisions. There is a game room with 50 arcade games, 14 pool tables, and juke box. The food court features A7W, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut Express. There is an outdoor deck along Pensacola Bay to enjoy the water with friends.

NAS Pensacola Museums

Pensacola

12. National Naval Aviation Museum

1750 Radford Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-3604

This gorgeous museum features exhibits of the history of Naval Aviation. Tours of the museum are run by actual Naval Aviators who lend incredible insight into each exhibit through their many combined years of experience making the history truly come alive. A full bar and restaurant is offered and you can even come watch the world-famous Blue Angels practice their daring acrobatics! Check the website here for schedules.

13. Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

2081 Radford Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 393-1561

Featuring an amazing view from the top, this historic lighthouse was built in 1859 and located aboard NAS Pensacola just across from the Naval Aviation Museum.

Pensacola Attractions

14. Downtown Pensacola

Pensacola, FL 32501

The downtown area is a fantastic little area with lots of bars, restaurants, and frequent street fairs with wine tasting at art galleries, open air movies, and lots more! Check out the city website for a schedule of fairs and events.

15. Pensacola Bay Cruises

750 Commendencia St
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 1 (850) 466-3379

Pensacola Bay Cruises is a passenger ferry that takes people to three destinations: Downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Fort Pickens at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Enjoy beautiful sunset cruises and all the marine wildlife you’ll see along the way.

NAS Pensacola

16. Fort Barrancas

3182 Taylor Rd
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 455-5167

This fort on the Naval Air Station was built in 1821 to protect the Gulf Coast. The story behind it is remarkable and told by knowledgeable guides on easy walking tours.

17. Portside Cinemas

Saufley St.
Bldg. 606
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-3523

With two 96 seat theaters and regular showings, MWR Pensacola’s Portside Cinemas is a great place to see current blockbusters at low prices. Give them a call or check their Facebook page for the latest listings.

Parks, Rivers, and Lakes

Pensacola

18. Big Lagoon State Park

1201 Gulf Beach Hwy
Pensacola, FL 32507
Phone: 492-1595

Beach camping, hiking, kayaking, and beautiful sunset views make this park a great attraction.

19. Jogging Trail

1064 Radford Blvd
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-9845

This 4 mile long jogging trail begins at the West end of Mustin Beach Club and runs along the beach and woods and has a water fountain and rest area at the 4 mile mark.

NAS Pensacola Gyms

During this time of COVID restrictions, many gyms are operating on a schedule-only basis or reduced capacity. Be sure to check each gym’s website for any COVID updates.

20. Radford Fitness Center

450 Radford Blvd
Bldg 4143
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-9845

This full service fitness center has full free weights, TRX pullup bars, a rowing studio, PRT cardio equipment and over 35 group exercise classes per week. There are steam rooms, certified fitness trainers, racquetball, basketball, and volleyball courts.

21. Portside Fitness Center & Gym

Saufley St, Bldg 606
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 452-7810

Another full fitness facility and a large gymnasium with weight rooms, cardio rooms, classes, olympic lifting platforms, and functional fitness areas.

22. Wenzel Fitness Center

Chief’s Way
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32511
Phone: 1 (850) 452-6198

The Corry Station gym is a full-service fitness center with cardio equipment, free weights, spin bikes, group classes, personal trainers and more.

23. Navy Wellness Center

3715 Chief’s Way
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32511
Phone: 1 (850) 452-6802

A full service fitness center that features cardio and strength equipment as well as massage therapy services, fitness classes, and specialty classes for those recovering from illness, stroke, diabetes, and people that are in wheelchairs.

Pensacola

24. Family Fitness Center

3712 Chief’s Way, Bldg 3712
Pensacola, FL 32511
Phone: 1 (850) 452-6004

This gym offers childcare within eyesight while you workout! A professional staff will monitor your children so you can continue working on your fitness goals.

NAS Pensacola Beach

25. Barrancas Beach

Radford Blvd, Bldg 3641
Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508
1 (850) 452-5421

Barrancas Beach is a private beach maintained by the Pensacola MWR accessible on base with a full bath house, beach volleyball, cabanas, and grills that is only accessible to military members. This is a great place to take the family and avoid crowded tourist beaches.

Pensacola

26. Ski Beach

John Towers Rd, Bldg 3487
Pensacola, FL 32508
Phone: 1 (850) 281-0134

Located on the Bayou Grande, this beach features picnic sites, a fishing pier, beach volleyball, and of course, beach access. There are paddle boards, kayak, canoe, and camping rentals available here between 0900 and 1700 Thursday through Monday.

Pensacola Sports

27. Blue Wahoos Ballpark

351 W Cedar St
Pensacola, FL 32502
Phone: 1 (850) 934-8444

This park is home to the local AA pro baseball team, the Blue Wahoos, and the University of West Florida team. Check out their site for schedules and events.

Conclusion

Pensacola is a fun town with great beaches, beautiful sunsets, and a rich history of Naval Aviation. Whether you are relaxing at the beach or watching jets scream overhead arching and rolling in the sky at the Naval Aviation Museum, we hope you enjoy your time at Naval Air Station Pensacola!

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.