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Big Lagoon State Park - Pensacola

Pristine beaches and emerald waters steal the show in Northwest Florida but there’s so much more to see and experience around here. The area’s rich history and natural beauty make it more than easy to fill your days with food, fun, and adventure. Big Lagoon State Park is one of our most favorite spots to frequent.

This park offers five miles of hiking and nature trails in three distinct areas. Choose one trail or roam the extensive coastal forest and connect them all to make one big loop. The three-story observation tower located within the park provides spectacular views of Big Lagoon and Perdido Key. Multiple day use areas give access to the intracoastal waterway making this a prime spot for swimming fishing, boating, and paddling.

Make a full day adventure out of your visit by sticking around the area for lunch or dinner. Hub Stacey’s at The Point is nearby and offers a relaxed dining atmosphere for the whole family with a water view. There's a fantastic park located next door with play areas for multiple age groups as well as a boardwalk and fishing pier right on the intracoastal waterway. Or cross the Perdido Key Bridge and head toward Orange Beach to visit the famous Flora-Bama. The Flora-Bama Ole River Grill is a fun and family friendly open-air dining experience. Enjoy a variety of food and drink options while you watch the boats pass by.

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier

Drop a line or take a stroll on the longest pier in the Gulf! At 1,545 long, The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is not only the longest pier in Florida, it's also currently the longest fishing pier in the Gulf. Visitors may bring their own gear or rent a fishing pole at the bait & tackle shop.

Not an avid fisherman? Take a walk and soak in the panoramic views of the Emerald Coast. Scout the water for all kinds of local marine life. You are almost guaranteed to spot dolphins, sea turtles, or maybe even a shark. Grab a bite or a beverage at Windjammers while you're there.

Pensacola Blue Wahoos Baseball - Downtown Pensacola

Right in the heart of Downtown Pensacola sits a stadium overlooking the bay. It is home to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the local minor league baseball team. Attending baseball games during the season is one of our favorite things to do.

Fans pack the stands during the season to cheer on the home team and it's always a grand time. My kids joke around and say that they just like to go for the food and I can't really say that I blame them. There are a lot of delicious choices at the various concession stands but a hot dog and an ice-cold beer or soda always does the trick for me.

Games are themed throughout the week. Giveaways are typically done on Friday nights with items like hats, jerseys, and beach towels given out to the first guests in the park. Saturday night games end with a firework show and Sundays are considered family night, giving kids the chance to take the field and run the bases at the end of the game.

Game tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the stadium box office with lawn seats starting at just $10. Parking is plentiful in the downtown area, but the free parking tends to get snatched up quick so come early!

Southern Star Dolphin Cruise - Destin

We recently had the pleasure of boarding the sunset dolphin cruise with Southern Star in Destin. Located on the Destin Harbor, Southern Star is Destin's original dolphin cruise company.

This family friendly cruise is suitable for all ages. There's ample shade on the two-story boat, a restroom, and a small indoor seating area with snacks and beverages.

This 1.5 hour cruise takes passengers along the Destin Harbor, Destin Jetties, East Pass, Crab Island, & Destin Coastline (pending wave & weather conditions). This relaxing evening cruise ends with a glorious view of the sun slowly sinking into the water before returning to the dock.

Limited parking is available at Harborwalk Village. If you are planning to cruise during the peak season vacation months, be sure to arrive early to allow plenty of time for parking and boarding. You will not be able to board the cruise until your entire party is present. Add this to your itinerary for your next trip to the Emerald Coast and be sure to explore the shops and restaurants along Harborwalk Village after completing your cruise.

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