Visiting Florida beaches for first time-advice

Garnet1995 · #1 Postby **Garnet1995** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:01 am

We are going to Florida for our first time just to vacation. Went to Orlando for a gymnastic comp with daughter years ago. We are planning to go to Pensacola. Any suggestions on places to stay, visit, eat, beaches to see, things to do and of coarse any place to avoid. We are going to take some day trips to a few other cities close by and of coarse find as many Harley Davidson stores to buy t-shirts and charms to add to our collection.

Any advice is welcome and appreciated!

Florida1118 · #2 Postby **Florida1118** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:17 am

Florida is Beautiful...well not parts of Tampa per say but Pensacola, Orlando, Parts of Miami...There all wonderful with all good beaches. You'll have to ask Ivanhater, Im sure he'll tell you whats good in Pensacola

#3 Postby **vbhoutex** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:38 am

If you are into historic sites go to Fort Pickens State Park out on Pensacola Beach. If you are into Naval Aviation there is the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola Naval Air Station. There is also the Air Force Aviation Museum at Eglin AFB over in Fort Walton Beach(Actually Shalimar).I'm not sure if they still have an Aircraft Carrier that you can tour. If you are going for the beaches you couldn't find better beaches to go to than Pensacola Beach. I know there are plenty of accommodations out on the beach and that is where I would stay. If you find them full try Gulf Breeze for motels to stay in and then you will be just a ride across the bridge from the beaches. If you want truly natural beach areas to "explore" then go East on the Island till you get to the Gulf Islands National Seashore which is an are between PB and Navarre that is unspoiled(no building allowed). There are/were? huge dunes and some very interesting nature areas out there when I lived in Gulf Breeze. As stated above Ivanhater would be your best source now since he lives in P'cola.

#4 Postby **Ivanhater** » Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:00 am

Hey Garnet.

You really can't go wrong with Pensacola beach. It is a long island so you can go to the main part right by the pier on the Gulf side or down the island for a little more privacy. Across the street from the pier is the boardwalk on the sound side, that is where most of the restaurants and bars will be. Vbhoutex is right, Fort Pickens on Pensacola beach is a great place to explore. Also on the east end of the island is the more peaceful and natural part of the island. There is a tourist building right when you get on the island that will be able to tell you anything and everything you want to know. Enjoy your tour of Florida and let me know if you have any questions when you get here. Take plenty of pictures and post them if you can!

Have fun!

Garnet1995 · #5 Postby **Garnet1995** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 1:02 am

thanks for the advise and good information. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

#6 Postby **wx247** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 7:41 am

These pictures and discussion make me want to go to the beach. 8-)

Have fun Garnet!!!

#7 Postby **TYNI** » Sun Jun 26, 2011 9:43 am

Hey Garnet - my family and I spent some time in 2004 in the Treasure Island area on the Gulf Coast side. Can't remember the name of the town, but it was wonderful. We were south of Clearwater, but spent some time at Clearwater Beach and fishing off the pier, while the kids were trying skim boarding.

I think (??) we have a member here that lives in that area, TreasureIsleFlaGirl (sorry if this is incorrect...)

Several nice restaurants and night spots too.

Can't go wrong. All you need is sun, sand, and surf!!!

#8 Postby **MGC** » Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:46 pm

If you are in town on July 9th, the Blue Angles will do their annual air show. I'm planning on making my annual trip for the show on the 8th and 9th. Lots to see and do in Penscola, one of my favorite places....MGC

#9 Postby **Ivanhater** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 3:18 pm

MGC wrote:If you are in town on July 9th, the Blue Angles will do their annual air show. I'm planning on making my annual trip for the show on the 8th and 9th. Lots to see and do in Penscola, one of my favorite places....MGC

Hey MGC....I'm looking forward to the show again this year...I usually set up off quietwater. Hopefully the wave in the Caribbean right now does not make a visit toward the north central gulf coast next weekend :grr:

#10 Postby **vbhoutex** » Sat Jul 02, 2011 4:18 pm

MGC wrote:If you are in town on July 9th, the Blue Angles will do their annual air show. I'm planning on making my annual trip for the show on the 8th and 9th. Lots to see and do in Penscola, one of my favorite places....MGC

Most definitely a must see if you are in P'cola then!!! I have wonderful memories of watching them practice out over the bay from the roof of our house as well as being at the beach every year for their show. Quietwater is definitely a good place to watch from, but I always loved being "right under them" out on the beach near the casino. Michael, we'll take that wave so you guys can have a good show. We're up to just a little over 7' of rain for the year so far.

#11 Postby **MGC** » Wed Jul 06, 2011 4:44 pm

Yep, weather permitting (I'm worried about that wave in the GOM), I'll be right near the big beachball water tower. Love to have them F-18's screaming over my head...the sound of freedom! Hopefully there will be no bad weather like that severe thunderstorm that cancelled the show a couple of years ago.....MGC

Visiting Florida beaches for first time-advice

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