Things to Do in Pensacola Beach for Families

Planning a family vacation to Pensacola Beach? This resort town offers an array of activities for families, from mini golf and ice cream to museums and nature walks, to make your Pensacola Beach family vacation unforgettable.

Gulf Breeze Zoo

57 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Pensacola | (866) 620 – 1825

Home to over 800 exotic animals, the Gulf Breeze Zoo makes a great excursion for your family trip to Pensacola Beach. This 50-acre zoo is home to giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and more amazing creatures, some of which your family can even meet up close with special animal encounters offered by the zoo. This Pensacola Beach attraction is great for all ages, though there is an age minimum for animal encounters.

UFO’s Pensacola Beach

2 Via De Luna Dr., Pensacola | (850) 677 – 8830

Lean into the alien-studded past of Pensacola Beach at UFO’s, a newly-renovated mini golf course with an indoor arcade and unbeatable ice cream creations. The 18-hole mini golf course has a cosmic theme and challenging holes to make your family vacation out of this world. Kids of all ages can enjoy arcade games and trying their hand at golf just their size.

Pensacola Museum of History

330 S Jefferson St., Pensacola | (850) 595 – 5990

Embark on a self-guided tour of the Pensacola Museum of History to discover the story of Pensacola Beach through artifacts, stories, photographs, art, and more. Two permanent exhibits at the museum honor the area’s early history and one of the original tourist attractions in Pensacola Beach, Trader Jon’s.

Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill

460 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola | (850) 677 – 3905

In addition to an expansive and kid-friendly menu, Laguna’s Beach Bar + Grill offers a place for adventure that the whole family can enjoy in Pensacola Beach. Located right on the water, this Pensacola Beach attraction features family friendly activities like zip lining, rope courses, and a go kart track. In the summer, check out the splash pad!

Gulf Islands National Seashore

No trip to Pensacola is complete without a trip to the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the 50+ mile stretch of federally-protected Gulf and bay shoreline surrounding the island. Spend a day with your family exploring the wild beaches, watching birds, enjoying the pristine water, and even see the remaining structure of Fort Pickens on the western end of the island.

In need of accommodations? Choose from these Pensacola Beach family resorts to find the perfect accommodations for your crew.

Fort Pickens

1400 Fort Pickens Rd., Pensacola

See history up close when you tour Fort Pickens on the western end of Pensacola Beach. The Fort Pickens area is a great place to visit with your family, offering outdoor exploration and a fun Discovery Center. You can make your way through the site with a ranger as your guide, or choose your own adventure with a self-guided tour.

Pensacola Museum of Art

407 S. Jefferson St., Pensacola | (850) 432 – 6247

With over 60 years as a staple of the Pensacola art community, the Pensacola Museum of Art is a can’t miss attraction in Pensacola. Home to four galleries with a range of permanent, rotating, and traveling exhibits, this unique museum also serves as an open space for the community to engage with creativity, art, and culture.

Quietwater Beach

Quietwater Beach is named for the gentle waves and pristine shoreline that made the area popular. Locals and vacationers alike love the calm waters for activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding, while the beach is the perfect place to stretch out on the sand or build a fun sandcastle, perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy a classic beach day.

Pensacola MESS Hall

418 E. Wright St., Pensacola | (877) 937 – 6377

Load up the family for a day of fun at Pensacola MESS Hall, a one-of-a-kind exploratory space for the whole family featuring STEAM and science projects. Put your thinking caps on and work through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to learn about the world around us in brand new ways, all while having fun.

Destination Archaeology Resource Center

207 E. Main St., Pensacola | (850) 595 – 0050

The Destination Archaeology Resource Center packs a ton of historical information into a small space, and presents it in a way that makes it incredibly fun to learn. From underground cave research and photographs to maritime archaeology, this free Pensacola Beach attraction is a great way to spend time with your family while learning something new about your vacation destination.

Pensacola Beach Boardwalk

400 Quietwater Beach Rd., Pensacola

One of the top attractions to visit in Pensacola Beach, the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is the area’s destination for shopping, dining, live entertainment, and more. Home to unique shops, delicious local restaurants, and an ever-changing rotation of live music, the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is a great place to visit with family.

Pensacola Beach is home to a range of activities suitable for the whole family, including kids of all ages. From thrilling zipline rides and arcade games to delicious ice cream creations and mini golf, the Pensacola Beach area has a fun activity for every member of the family.

Choose from these Pensacola Beach hotels for easy trip planning.