National Naval Aviation Museum
Check access rules, as it's on a Navy base.
Pensacola
Florida's white-sand Panhandle, with the Blue Angels and an amazing free naval aviation museum.
Spain tried to settle here in 1559, before St. Augustine. Pensacola Beach's sand is like sugar, and Gulf Islands National Seashore keeps much of it wild. The Naval Aviation Museum holds over 150 planes, and the Blue Angels' practice is free.
- Best Time
- March–May and September–October
- Time Needed
- 2–3 days
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Check before you go; hours vary by season
- Getting There
- About 2.5 hours by car east of Biloxi, on I-10.
What to See
2 of 3 are freeGulf Islands and Fort Pickens
An old brick fort and undeveloped white sand.
Palafox Street
Downtown's old Spanish quarter, with good food.
Know Before You Go
- Hurricanes hit regularly. Check base access before you go to the museum.
Where to Stay
Stay on Pensacola Beach.
Where to Eat
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Must-SeeLast checked 2026-11-02. Part of the Florida list.