Pensacola is a vacation spot that I’ve visited quite a few instances, however on every journey, I uncover new sights and experiences that I haven’t beforehand loved. This vacation spot has a lot to supply and I’m always amazed by how wheelchair accessible Pensacola is!
Whether or not I’m lounging on the seaside in a seaside wheelchair (these can be found in a number of places all through Pensacola), exploring one of many many museums within the metropolis, watching in awe because the Blue Angels take flight, or one thing else, I fall a bit of extra in love with Pensacola, Florida throughout every journey. If you’re searching for an accessible vacation spot that provides one thing for everybody, look no additional!
On this weblog put up, I’ll cowl eight wheelchair accessible issues to do in Pensacola, after which I’ll share a lodge advice for you on the finish. By the point you end studying this weblog put up, I’m certain you’ll be itching to e-book a visit of your individual to this slice of Floridian paradise!
Wheelchair Accessible Issues to Do in Pensacola
Watch the Blue Angels take flight
Pensacola is house to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and for those who time your go to proper, you can watch them take flight! Pensacola has two massive air reveals yearly, one in July and one in November. However even for those who aren’t visiting throughout these two months, you possibly can see the Blue Angels training on sure days.
Between March and October, the Blue Angels apply on choose Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Whilst you can watch them flying via the sky from many vantage factors round Pensacola, I had the possibility to look at from the Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry and it was such a enjoyable expertise!
The Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry hosts “Blue Angels Follow Cruises”, so you possibly can see them flying as you cruise Pensacola Bay. The boat is wheelchair accessible and it was simple for me to get onboard in my powered wheelchair with the offered ramp.
As soon as onboard the ferry, your entire decrease stage is wheelchair accessible. You’ll be able to sit at one of many tables indoors if you wish to benefit from the air con and buy snacks or drinks from the snack sales space, or there’s an accessible out of doors space the place you possibly can absorb the solar whereas watching the Blue Angels. I selected to sit down outdoors for almost all of the 1.5 hour cruise (Blue Angels are in flight for about 45 minutes) and I had excellent views.
Watching the Blue Angels carry out was such a memorable expertise. I used to be in awe your entire time and my eyes might barely consider what they had been seeing. It’s troublesome to explain how superior it’s to look at them, however for those who’ll be in Pensacola throughout one among their practices or throughout an air present, it ought to positively be on the prime of your to-do checklist. Simply remember to verify the schedule and e-book your Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry tickets upfront of your go to right here.
Go to the Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum
The fun of aviation historical past hit me as quickly as I pulled as much as the Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Instantly, the dimensions of the museum was fairly spectacular and I used to be blissful to see loads of accessible parking areas and large, accessible pathways main proper as much as the doorway.
The Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum did discuss naval aviation historical past typically, nevertheless it additionally lined the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which I extremely loved studying extra about. To be utterly sincere, I didn’t know a complete lot in regards to the Blue Angels earlier than this journey, however because of this museum and watching them apply in-person, I’m now a fan for all times!
Inside, the hangar-like constructing felt very open, with loads of area to maneuver my powered wheelchair between the unbelievable aircrafts that had been on show. Fortunately, most reveals had been positioned at wheelchair-friendly heights, permitting me to get have a look at the planes. Most informational plaques had been additionally low sufficient for straightforward studying from my wheelchair. There have been elevators to succeed in the second ground as nicely, which supplied a special perspective of the gathering.
A more moderen, second constructing known as Hangar Bay One is now proper outdoors the primary museum constructing as nicely! This 55,000 sq. foot area homes an enormous assortment of post-World Battle II period plane. Navigating Hangar Bay One was a breeze with a wheelchair and it felt like a stroll/roll via historical past. Admission to Hangar Bay One, and the Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum, is totally free.
Should you’re within the temper to look at a film whereas on the museum, there’s a large display screen theater with designated wheelchair accessible seating. I made a decision to catch a exhibiting of “The Magic of Flight”, a movie that’s all in regards to the wonderful Blue Angels. Whereas watching the 40 minute movie, I felt like I used to be hovering alongside the Blue Angels – all from the consolation of the museum! Tickets for the on-site large display screen theater do price.
The Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum is open day-after-day of the week from 9am-4pm, excluding sure holidays. Should you’ll be in Pensacola and need to study aviation, together with the Blue Angels, there’s no higher place to go to!
Try my brief video beneath about my go to to the Nationwide Naval Aviation Museum and onboard the Pensacola Bay Metropolis Ferry –
Attend a Blue Wahoos baseball sport
It’s apparent why Pensacola’s Blue Wahoos stadium is a three-time recipient of the Southern League Ballpark of the 12 months award. Opened in 2012 to make Pensacola one of the enjoyable locations to be, the Blue Wahoos Stadium sits alongside the water with probably the most excellent view of Pensacola Bay.
There may be loads of wheelchair accessible parking and I used to be capable of roll inside alongside a paved pathway. As soon as contained in the ballpark, I discovered my wheelchair accessible seating rapidly, as many variety staff supplied help alongside the way in which. This can be a pretty small stadium holding simply over 5,000 followers, so there isn’t a foul seat in the home!
My accessible seating within the decrease stage had area beside me for my companion and loads of room for me to show and watch the sport, the gang, and even preserve an eye fixed out for his or her mascot, Kazoo! It was a extremely enjoyable sport and I beloved how interactive and fascinating it was between every inning.
There are a number of eateries contained in the stadium, so that you positively gained’t depart hungry. I loved some Papa John’s pizza about midway via the sport. I additionally observed a number of companion care restrooms, which I used to be blissful to see.
Earlier than you go to Pensacola, remember to verify the Blue Wahoos schedule and in the event that they’ll be on the town whilst you’re there, attempt to catch a sport! I can let you know from expertise that it’s one of the enjoyable methods to finish any day in Pensacola.
Store alongside Palafox Avenue
Palafox Avenue is such a enjoyable space in downtown Pensacola with many retailers and eating places. Throughout my go to, I discovered some cute retailers as I simply maneuvered alongside the crosswalks and explored this space. I additionally observed that the curb cuts had been clean, so I didn’t have any points getting from one block to the following.
One in every of my favourite retailers on Palafox is Bodacious. This distinctive store presents scrumptious tastings of premium olive oils and vinegars, freshly brewed espresso, and a fantastic choice of wholesome meals choices. I discovered it simply accessible to roll inside and I instantly headed to the suitable facet of the store to pattern the olive oils. They provide you a small dish of bread items and there have been multitudes of bottles of additional virgin olive oil with completely different tastes, all from the best olive groves. After sampling a number of sorts, my favourite taste was the Tuscan Herb. This was so scrumptious and I’ll positively be buying some every time I go to Pensacola.
Though all of the retailers on Palafox are distinctive, you simply can’t store on Palafox Avenue and never cease into Peterbooke Chocolatier. In right here, you’ll find probably the most scrumptious and distinctive chocolate creations, hand-made caramels, and even the chocolate lined strawberries are hand-dipped each day! Simply rolling in right here and smelling the candy odor of those wonderful treats will make your mouth water. I discovered some white chocolate lined popcorn that I knew could be my mother’s favourite, and I made a decision on the handmade truffles for myself. Since I couldn’t resolve on milk chocolate or darkish chocolate lined, I opted for each! And it seems I made the suitable determination, as each had been delicious. The employees had been very pleasant and supplied to maneuver a show in order that I’d have more room to maneuver all through the shop and so they had been additionally providing samples of their contemporary made candies.
One other enjoyable cease on Palafox is Rocket to Saturn Classic. That is such a cool store! The shop is a bit small, however I had no difficulty with the aisles being tight for my wheelchair. I used to be capable of maneuver round simply and scour all of the classic objects of clothes from days passed by. They even had cowboy boots, fascinating hats, and so many nostalgic clothes objects. I used to be so excited to discover a 1970’s classic Disney World bucket hat that I couldn’t depart the shop with out. I assumed this can look wonderful for my upcoming journey to Disneyland Tokyo!
Regardless of which store you dive into on Palafox, I’m sure that it is going to be a enjoyable and fascinating expertise. Simply plan to be right here for at the very least a couple of hours, as there’s a lot to see. And for those who’re a shopaholic, you would possibly need to plan much more time!
Discover Pensacola’s varied museums
What’s nice in regards to the museums in Pensacola is that if you are going to buy a ticket, which prices round $12 per grownup and $7 per little one, you should have admission already lined at many museums, together with the Pensacola Museum of Historical past, the Historic Pensacola Village, Pensacola Youngsters’s Museum, and the Pensacola Museum of Artwork. What a deal! One other incontrovertible fact that I found was that I used to be capable of park one time and roll to all of them in a single go to, as they’re solely a pair blocks from each other.
The Pensacola Museum of Historical past is housed in a three-story beautiful constructing. All ranges of the museum could be accessed by way of an elevator contained in the museum. Once I first rolled as much as the entrance of the constructing although, I used to be puzzled after I noticed solely steps on the entrance. I rapidly noticed an indication that acknowledged the wheelchair accessible entrance is to the facet of the constructing. I then rolled to the facet entrance and needed to push a button on the wall to buzz the attendant inside. He mentioned over a speaker system that he could be proper all the way down to unlock the door in order that I might enter. Inside minutes, I used to be inside on the elevator headed as much as the primary ground. Right here, I used to be capable of buy my ticket and go to the museum retailer. I then moved on to the opposite ranges by way of the elevator and noticed each everlasting and short-term reveals. I discovered in regards to the historical past of Pensacola and the way charming the fantastic thing about Pensacola Bay has drawn guests and residents right here for greater than 450 years. Please word that this museum is closed on Mondays.
On the Pensacola Museum of Artwork, the accessible parking is on the north facet of the museum within the employees parking zone, however you can simply stroll/roll to this museum from the Pensacola Museum of Historical past. From the accessible parking space, you will note the accessible entrance. Simply because the Pensacola Museum of Historical past, right here you have to to buzz the button discovered on the ramp door and an attendant will allow you to inside. That is the one accessible entrance, because the entrance has stairs. As soon as inside, the reveals and rooms are very spacious and an elevator grants entry to all flooring of the museum. Throughout my go to, I used to be blissful to see such broad examples of recent and up to date items on show. This museum can also be closed on Mondays.
The Pensacola Youngsters’s Museum is a hands-on kids’s area for kiddos as much as 8 years previous. After all, their dad and mom or guardians are additionally welcomed as nicely. This can be a protected zone for kids to play and be taught hands-on. I used to be blissful to see the accessibility at this museum and the inclusiveness of the reveals. I noticed ramped reveals and there was additionally an elevator that granted entry to each flooring.
You’ll be able to’t go to downtown Pensacola and never discover the Historic Pensacola Village. This space lets you expertise the wealthy heritage of America’s first multi-year European settlement. Right here, you’ll really feel such as you’ve gone again in time and you may see the previous properties and an previous church, with costumed volunteers working to deliver you again into this period much more. There are paved pathways all through the buildings that I might simply roll on and examine this historic space.
Downtown Pensacola has a lot to supply, and the numerous museums add some unbelievable experiences to town. With so many museums, plan at the very least a pair to go to in your journey, as you doubtless gained’t be capable of see all of them in simply someday.
Carry out your inside artistic facet at Coloration Me Mine
Coloration Me Mine portray studio was hands-down extra enjoyable than I even thought it could be. As quickly as I rolled inside, the employees had been pleasant and supplied details about what this place entails. You’ll be able to select a bit of an “already made” ceramic piece and paint it to make it your individual. They’ve all of the provides right here for you, so all you need to deliver is your self and your artistic facet. I’ve by no means been a lot of a painter, however I used to be actually intrigued to make my choice one of the best that it may very well be.
Since I used to be in Pensacola, I chosen a Blue Angel aircraft. I imply, in spite of everything, I used to be within the house of the best flight workforce of all time! The employees member defined to me the place the paint choices had been and learn how to put multiple coat of paint on it, in case I actually wished to make it shiny. They’d loads of choices of paint brushes, a sink to clean my palms, and loads of tables and area for me to maneuver. You solely need to pay for the piece that you choose, plus a $15 portray payment, which I assumed wasn’t dangerous in any respect for the expertise that I had.
After you’ve gotten accomplished your inventive masterpiece, you’ll then want to depart your merchandise there for about 7-10 days in order that it may be fired. As soon as it’s accomplished, you possibly can both decide your merchandise up, or it’s also possible to select to have it shipped to you. You’ll have to pay transport charges if that choice is required. This was such a enjoyable exercise in Pensacola and it positively impressed me to deliver out my artistic facet extra typically.
Eat at a few of Pensacola’s greatest eating places
Each time I’m in Pensacola, I have a tendency to achieve a couple of kilos as a result of the meals is so scrumptious! I really like consuming contemporary seafood and Pensacola positively has loads of that, however even for those who aren’t a fan of seafood, I feel you’ll love the numerous restaurant choices. Listed here are a few of my favourite wheelchair accessible locations to eat in Pensacola:
The Fish Home – If there’s one factor I completely need to do throughout each journey to Pensacola, it’s consuming at The Fish Home! That is my favourite restaurant within the space and I actually dream about it typically. It’s that good! I extremely advocate getting the Soul Rolls for an appetizer (they’re spring rolls filled with roasted rooster & collard greens, and topped with peach chutney) after which for the entree, you possibly can by no means go incorrect with the restaurant’s signature merchandise, Grits à Ya Ya. It’s The Fish Home’s tackle shrimp & grits, and it’s by far one of the best shrimp & grits I’ve ever eaten.
The Grand Marlin – If you wish to get pleasure from a meal with nice views of the water, The Grand Marlin is among the greatest locations to dine (simply ask for water view seating). I’ve visited this restaurant a number of instances and it always appears to get higher and higher. Service is phenomenal right here and a few of my favourite appetizers at The Grand Marlin are the Blue Angel Chips (home chips lined in blue cheese sauce) and the Crispy Lobster Fingers (fried lobster with vanilla bean honey mustard). Then for an entree, I all the time get the Grouper Piccata, which is Parmesan crusted grouper and it’s served with mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach. It’s significantly so scrumptious!
Felix’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar – Felix’s originated in New Orleans, however now has a location in Pensacola Seaside! I ate right here for the primary time on my most up-to-date Pensacola journey and I used to be actually impressed. Their menu focuses on oysters and seafood, however you’ll discover New Orleans dishes on the menu as nicely, together with jambalaya, Louisiana gator, and extra. I actually favored the fried pickles for an appetizer and the fried fish platter for my entree. Every little thing was tasty and I’d like to return to Felix’s to attempt extra of their objects!
Polonza Bistro – Throughout my most up-to-date Pensacola journey, I used to be searching for a fantastic brunch spot and by chance, I stumbled upon Polonza Bistro. It’s situated in downtown Pensacola and is open day-after-day of the week for breakfast and lunch from 8am-3pm. On weekends, they serve brunch and I beloved the rooster and waffles that I had. The rooster was completely crispy and the waffle was so scrumptious! I additionally actually favored my iced honey latte, and in case you are within the temper for espresso (and who isn’t, proper?!), that is actually the place for you!
Take within the views and calm down on Pensacola Seaside
The final, however actually not least, advice that I’ve for you is to benefit from the seaside! Pensacola has a few of the most lovely seashores that I’ve ever visited, with white sand and clear blue water, and fortunately, it’s doable to get pleasure from some seaside time it doesn’t matter what your talents are in Pensacola!
On Pensacola Seaside, I observed two seaside entry mats that reach towards the water. By rolling on these mats, you possibly can keep in your individual wheelchair whereas on the seaside. I all the time love enjoyable on the seaside entry mats, however for those who’d prefer to enterprise past the mat and go additional out on the sand, motorized seaside wheelchairs can be found to lease from Entry Mobility of Pensacola.
Whilst you’re in Pensacola Seaside, plan to roll out on the Pensacola Seaside Pier. It’s inside strolling/rolling distance of the seaside entry mats and the pier is an excellent place to absorb the beautiful views or go fishing. The picket pier is over 1,400 toes lengthy and has lowered viewing spots, so I might simply see the seaside and ocean from a seated place.
Pensacola Seaside is one among my favourite seaside locations within the nation and I really like that it’s so wheelchair-friendly! If you’re searching for an inclusive seaside expertise, you’ll love spending time on Pensacola Seaside and on the pier.
The place to Keep: Hampton Inn Pensacola Seaside
For my most up-to-date journey in Pensacola, I stayed on the Hampton Inn Pensacola Seaside. This was my first time staying there and it was nice for my accessibility wants, and it was additionally in a terrific location proper on the seaside.
An outside pool was out there and it had an accessible elevate. From the pool space, there was a ramp main all the way down to the sand, which I used to be actually blissful about. Should you keep at Hampton Inn Pensacola Seaside and lease a seaside wheelchair from Entry Mobility of Pensacola (or have one among your individual), you can simply entry the seaside from this lodge.
In my wheelchair accessible room, there was one king sized mattress. The mattress was 24 inches tall and on a block body, so there wasn’t any clearance beneath for a hoyer elevate/hoist for those who want that. The room did have loads of area for me to maneuver round and there was a balcony, nevertheless it had a step to get out on it, sadly.
Within the lavatory, there was a pull-under sink, seize bars, and a roll-in bathe. The bathe had a handheld bathe wand and the lodge offered a transportable bathe seat as nicely. The toilet labored completely for my wants.
If the Hampton Inn Pensacola Seaside appears prefer it’ll be just right for you, take into account it to your subsequent journey to the world. You’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the lodge and e-book your individual keep proper right here.
As you possibly can see, there isn’t any scarcity of wheelchair accessible issues to do in Pensacola, Florida… and truthfully, I didn’t even cowl half of them on this weblog put up. There may be all the time one thing enjoyable to do and one thing new to find on this vacation spot, and I’m immensely trying ahead to my subsequent getaway to accessible Pensacola!
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*Thanks to Go to Pensacola for working with me on this journey and exhibiting me one of the best of wheelchair accessible Pensacola! Whereas my experiences had been complimentary, all opinions expressed are genuine and my very own.
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