Ultimate Family Friendly Guide to Exploring Perdido Key in Pensacola, Florida
We spent a beautiful spring weekend exploring Perdido Key which is a small barrier island in Pensacola, Florida. It is such a family-friendly destination, and I am here to share all the tips and activities you can do with your kids! In this ultimate family-friendly guide to exploring Perdido Key in Pensacola, I'll be sharing all of my recommendations on what to see and do as a family!
Pensacola is about 5 hours from Atlanta, which is where we were coming from, which makes it a perfect weekend trip. There are many outdoor adventures for everyone, and it's one of the most stunning barrier islands in Northwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico!
Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with Visit Pensacola.
Best Family-Friendly Activities to do in Pensacola
Perdido Key is full of many adventures for the whole family! From relaxing on the white sandy beaches, biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, and visiting the lighthouse and naval museum; there’s something for everyone.
Experience Johnson Beach at the Gulf Island National Seashore
A visit to Johnson Beach is a must-visit! From the soft white sandy beaches, crystal blue water, and part of our nation's LONGEST national seashore; you will be amazed by its beauty. It is ideal for water recreational activities, fishing, paddle boarding, hiking/biking on the pedestrian trail, and relaxing on the beach. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience some of the wildlife that appears on the beach periodically.
Please Note: When visiting Gulf Island National Seashore, since it is part of the National Park Services there is a $25 entry fee that is good for 7 days or you can use your annual America the Beautiful National Parks pass.
Blue Heron on Johnson Beach at Sunset
Boys playing on the beach at Gulf Island National Seashore
Watching the sunset
Explore the Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Climb the 177 stairs of the Pensacola Lighthouse! Once you reach the top you will experience amazing views of Pensacola and the Gulf Coast. Climbers must be at least 7 years old to get to the top of the lighthouse. When you are finished here, you can go across the street and explore the largest naval aviation museum in the world!
Visit the National Naval Aviation Museum
This is the world’s largest naval aviation museum and was one of my kids' favorite activities to do while in Pensacola. When you visit the museum, you will get the chance to see thousands of artifacts and over 100 vintage aircraft. There is also a section where the kids can climb into a cockpit trainer! This museum also offers movie showings and so much more. You don't want to miss this during your visit to Perdido Key.
Kids exploring the National Aviation Museum
Perdido Key Beach
This is the main beach on Perdido Key and offers free access. There are a number of public parking places, so you should have no issue here. We enjoyed the sunset here one night, and it was so beautiful.
Spend the day at Big Lagoon State Park
This park offers swimming, boating, fishing, camping, kayaking, hiking, and paddling. If you like bird watching, climb the observation tower for an amazing view! This park is a stopover for quite a few birds, including over 23 species of ducks, wood-warblers, sandpipers, and black-bellied plovers. You can also see a number of blue herons in the park.
We spent one morning paddleboarding in the lagoon. We brought our inflatable paddle board that we rented from Swell Ride Pensacola and had an amazing time out on the water.
With this being a state park, there is a small entrance fee.
Paddle boarding at Big Lagoon State Park
Views from the Observation Tower
Family Friendly places to stay in Perdido Key
During our visit to Pensacola, we stayed at a condo across the street from Perdido Beach. This rental was booked through Southern Vacation Rentals. They have a number of rental properties in the area for your vacation accommodations! This was a prime location for us because we could walk across the street to the beach or take a few minutes drive to any other attraction/restaurant in the area.
Where to eat in Perdido Key
If you enjoy fresh seafood, then you are in the right place! There are a good number of family friendly restaurants in the area to enjoy during your visit. Here are a few options to consider:
Breakfast
Perdido Key Breakfast Club - One of the only spots in town for breakfast, but truly amazing
Bear Fruit Bowls and Coffee
Lunch/Dinner
Salty Pearl Raw Bar
Flora-Bama Yacht Club
Paul’s Pizza
The Crab Trap
Cubi Bar Cafe
Flora-Bama Ole-River Grill - This restaurant is on the border of Florida and Alabama!
Jellyfish Bar and Grill - Amazing food; they even have sushi!
Best Time to Visit Perdido Key
Perdido Key is beautiful any time of year, but peak season is June - August and much warmer. My personal favorite time to visit is during the shoulder seasons. The weather is nice and there are fewer crowds. But you can't go wrong anytime of year!
I hope you enjoyed this family friendly guide to exploring Perdido Key in Pensacola, Florida. There is so much to do in this area that will make you want to come back for another trip! For more resources be sure to check out Visit Pensacola's website to plan your next family adventure.