We got into Pensacola last night, will be here through most of next week. Beach is a daily thing, especially with 5 kids in tow.

We're staying a bit NW of downtown.

Any must try food places, that work for a party of 8?

Flounders is on the list, we liked it last time we were here, but the wait was atrocious last night. Hoping the weekday crowd is lighter.

McGuires is an experience, food ain’t half bad. Kids would likely enjoy the NAS museum.

Gulf breeze zoo is okay, if it isn’t deathly hot.

Fort Pickens with the family, and Seville quarter one evening if you can get a sitter. Used to be a little tapas bar we liked a lot down there but I can’t remember the name. Was right on Garden St.

Just realized this is in the pistols subforum.

Naval Air museum on the NAS is a must if you're into that sort of thing. My in-laws live in Pcola and we go every time we visit (at least since they re-opened the base to civilians). Also the USS Alabama in Mobile is about an hour away, very much worth the trip.

For food, there are a few hole in the wall places that we like, but maybe not the safest. Taste of Jerusalem in Brownsville is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere, but it's very much in the ghetto. Flounders is ok but touristy, and busy like you saw. Rodigios Brazilian steakhouse in downtown Pcola is great, but expensive. Sky's pizza on Davis Hwy is pretty good. Most of the other places we eat are just little local joints near my In-law's which is probably not close to where you'll be. My son always demands I take him to Foosackley's for chicken fingers, and I've always been a fan of Whataburger if you're just looking for fast food.

For beaches, if you want to get away from the crowds drive down to Ft Pickens if you're out on Pensacola Beach. If you're staying in PCola proper, Johnson Beach over on Perdido Key is much nicer and less crowded than Pensacola Beach, but it's also a National Lakeshore, so like Pickens you have to pay to get in. It's only like $8 for a week, though, IIRC, and free if you have a national parks pass. Johnson gets you access to beaches on both the Gulf side and the intercoastal side, which is nice if you have little kids and don't want them getting killed in the Gulf surf on rough days.

Not Pensacola, but if you would enjoy the Naval Aviation Museum, then consider the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin AFB, approximately an hour east. Not as extensive/big as the Naval Aviation Museum but still very good.

Naval Air Museum is awesome, but getting on base might be a PITA:

https://navalaviationmuseum.org/museum-faqs/

What is the base access policy?

Base Access Identification Requirements per the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Navy:

U.S. Citizens 18 years of age and older must show a REAL ID or a valid U.S. passport.

Public access to NAS Pensacola will be available from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Visitors must enter via the West Gate only on the south end of Blue Angel Parkway. (Please see requirements below in Section #3 regarding foreign nationals who wish to visit the museum.)

Additionally, vehicle operators must have a REAL ID or a valid U.S. passport, and foreign nationals will need to be escorted by a U.S. citizen as driver in the same vehicle. The U.S. citizen/sponsor will require a background check at the Navy Blvd. Visitor Center, Front Gate.

Persons with felony convictions are not authorized to access the base.

All vehicles and personnel are subject to security searches and background checks.

It is recommended that you keep your ID with you at all times.

What kind of security can we expect in accessing the base?

To gain access to NAS Pensacola, you will enter through the West Gate, on Blue Angel Parkway, by showing proper ID at the entry checkpoint, and be subject to search of the vehicle. The following items are prohibited on NAS Pensacola and will result in being turned away:

Weapons (firearms/knives), including those of Concealed Weapon Permit holders

While firearms are strictly prohibited aboard the installation, those who are traveling with firearms (concealed permit holders included) can store them temporarily at Jim’s Firearms near the West Gate off Blue Angel Parkway. Jim’s Firearms is a full-service firearms dealer and, for a nominal fee, can store firearms so that those visitors can gain access to NASP and the museum. Click here for more info, phone number, and address.

Boats and boat trailers are prohibited.


It's not quite as awesome, but the AF Armament Museum is outside the Eglin gates:

https://afarmamentmuseum.com/

Thanks all, would love to do the aviation museum, similarly the battleship park in Mobile.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Just realized this is in the pistols subforum.

Was wondering why I couldn't find the thread.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Thanks all, would love to do the aviation museum, similarly the battleship park in Mobile.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Just realized this is in the pistols subforum.

Was wondering why I couldn't find the thread.

Used to be a little submarine right next to the battleship, so plan a couple hours. Not sure if it’s still there, haven’t been in 15 years.

There's a LGS there, Gulf Coast Gun & Outdoors, where Kyle Rittenhouse happens to work now and teach CHL classes.

https://gulfcoastgun.com

quote:

Originally posted by iron chef:
There's a LGS there, Gulf Coast Gun & Outdoors, where Kyle Rittenhouse happens to work now and teach CHL classes.

https://gulfcoastgun.com

Expensive as all get out!

Assuming Para, thanks for the thread move.

Currently on the couch letting the lobster fade. Got more sun than I thought today

quote:

the battleship park in Mobile

Duck further than you think you need to going through the doorways.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Thanks all, would love to do the aviation museum, similarly the battleship park in Mobile.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Just realized this is in the pistols subforum.

Was wondering why I couldn't find the thread.

Used to be a little submarine right next to the battleship, so plan a couple hours. Not sure if it’s still there, haven’t been in 15 years.

I can confirm that the USS Drum (the sub in question is still on site). Just returned from a trip to Mobile with work.

+1 for McGuire's. If you are around during baseball season, the Wahoo's stadium is right on the water and makes for a fun evening or afternoon.

NAS Pensacola Museum.

And if God blesses you, Orange Beach, AL.

A visit is nice.

quote:

Originally posted by bordeth:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Thanks all, would love to do the aviation museum, similarly the battleship park in Mobile.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Just realized this is in the pistols subforum.

Was wondering why I couldn't find the thread.

Used to be a little submarine right next to the battleship, so plan a couple hours. Not sure if it’s still there, haven’t been in 15 years.

I can confirm that the USS Drum (the sub in question is still on site). Just returned from a trip to Mobile with work.

USS DRUM Top Ten for tonnage sank in WWII btw.

Battleship Park is a great visit.

Bellingrath Gardens a great visit.

Bascillica of the Immaculate Conception a great visist.

The Blue Angels practice on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings about 10:30 weather permitting. I got to watch them from Fort Pickens last week. Great experience but would have been even better at NAS Pensacola.

I’m another for McGuires Irish Pub. CRAZY just how many dollar bills are attached to the ceiling! The fort, like many of the old forts, was interesting. Beaches were white sand with clear water - had a great time there.

We missed the Blue Angels a couple years ago, weather on the Wednesday & they didn't fly.

Beaches were great yesterday, not crowded [between Pensacola & Navarre]. We did have a half dozen sharks swimming around all morning. Not 100% but most people were saying they were nurse sharks, 1-3ft & just swam around people eating the thousands of minnows swimming around.

Also, Publix employees could work at Chik-Fil-A.

If you're in the mood for a burger I'd recommend "Tops". My co-worker rave about Joe Pattis

We always stay in Orange Beach but friends always talk about AJs, Backporch and McQuires.

If you go to orange beach, try cobalt. Nice restaurant on the water. Excellent food. Go early.

quote:

Originally posted by navyshooter:
If you're in the mood for a burger I'd recommend "Tops". My co-worker rave about Joe Pattis

I’ve watched Joe Patti’s take fish off the boat out back, clean it and give it to a customer. The epitome of fresh if you stick with local selections. We get all our shrimp, crawfish, and seafood there for our boils. I’ve also gotten sushi grade tuna there that woulda made you think it was painted dark purple. Excellent food and a Pensacola staple for decades.