Crowded beaches and the Blue Angels. There's more to Pensacola than that. Sure, those are two of the big draws to this westernmost city on the Florida Panhandle, but lovebirds on a long weekend are likely looking for things to do beyond a major military base and throngs of beachcombers. Your three-day trip along this stretch of the Gulf of Mexico needs an amorous oomph that includes plenty of alone time in nature and in town.
Pensacola is a water town through and through. One of the most romantic things to do is charter a boat and head out for the day or overnight to explore the bays, channels and barrier islands of the coast. Dolphin sightings are common. Anchor down in a secluded cove to take in the view of the pristine Gulf Islands National Seashore or dingy to shore. Two companies that tailor specific romantic maritime excursions to suit your needs are Pensacola Yacht Charters and Condor Sailing Adventures, the latter specializing in wedding cruises with an on-board ceremony conducted by the captain.
To really experience the romantic allure of Pensacola, a visit to its historic district is in order. Seville Square anchors this district; don't confuse it with the park with a commercial development of the same name nearby. The historic quarter is officially called Historic Pensacola Village. This is where you can walk the streets and gaze upon buildings centuries old. When it's time for dining, head a few blocks north up Palafox Street to the heart of downtown, where a wide selection of restaurants and night spots await, or across the street to quieter Seville Harbor on Pensacola Bay, where dockside restaurants overlook a marina filled with pleasure craft and charter boats.
Pensacola Beach sits across the bay from downtown Pensacola on Santa Rosa Island. It has everything you would expect from a beach resort area, including crowded sands and lots of development. If you'd like the beach to yourself without high-rises looming overhead, head a few miles west to the Fort Pickens unit of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Here you'll find long stretches of sugar white sand to call your own for a day. Across the mouth of the bay, the Perdido Key unit of the national seashore contains an even longer stretch of sandy shoreline. This is the place to go when you really want to be alone on the beach -- it's only reachable via a long walk across the sand or by boat.
Across from Seville Square and the harbor, the Lee House Bed & Breakfast Inn is nicely situated for romantic retreats. Its wraparound verandas provide views of the water and the historic district. Park the car and walk where you want to go, except for the beach, which is across the bay bridge. If it's the beach you crave, the Margaritaville Beach Hotel stands out among the chain properties in Pensacola Beach. It's named after the famous song by Jimmy Buffett, a native of the area, and is within easy walking distance to a long pier jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico.
