Escambia County is known for its rich cultural, historical and natural offerings. A temperate climate adds to the area’s appeal with year-round access for the avid outdoor enthusiast. It’s easy to find world-class golf and tennis facilities, as well as a well-developed park system offering miles of trails for hiking and biking. With calm seas and an active commitment to its marine ecosystems, Escambia County is a mecca for water sports with unsurpassed access to snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and deep sea fishing. We’re home to the largest artificial reef in the world – the Oriskany, an 888-foot retired aircraft carrier that now provides a stage for viewing whale sharks, amberjacks and reef fish.
Escambia County exudes a sunny, relaxed charm that is never short on excitement. Restaurants are excellent and numerous. Shopping options are varied and eclectic. You can start your day dining al fresco, spend the morning splashing in the Gulf of Mexico and the afternoon exploring historic sites or experiencing the heart-pounding thrill of a 360-degree full-motion flight simulator at the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Cap off the night with a performance at the Saenger, an extensively renovated Spanish baroque-rococo theater founded in 1925. For a more modern twist, the 10,000-seat Pensacola Bay Center hosts a variety of entertainment options ranging from sporting events to internationally renowned musical acts.
The Pensacola Little Theatre, Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida Theatre Department and Pensacola Christian College also present musical and dramatic productions. And, Escambia County Public Schools sponsors the 140-member Escambia County Youth Orchestra.
While we’re the only city in Florida’s Gulf Coast to boast the cultural "big five:" a ballet, opera, symphony, theater and accredited museum of arts, we’re far from buttoned up. In fact, Escambians love a good party. From Mardi Gras to festivals reflecting our diverse heritage, we celebrate the arts, regional culinary delights, homegrown songwriters and even an annual competitive fish toss across the state line with neighboring Alabama.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from March through November, residents and visitors can enjoy the thrills of watching the Blue Angels (officially known as the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron) perform aerial stunts at 700 mph as they practice from their home base, Naval Air Station Pensacola. Are you a sports fan? Then come on out and root for one of the town’s two home teams. The Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Double-A affiliate of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds, play ball in the waterfront $40 million, 5,000-seat Community Maritime Park and entertainment complex, while the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Pensacola Ice Flyers skate at the County-owned Pensacola Bay Center.
