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We used to live in Pensacola and spent our college years as well as several of our early professional years along the beautiful Gulf Coast. Usually, the only time we would frequently venture into downtown Pensacola was to go clubbing at the lively Seville Quarter.

During the time we lived in Pensacola, there really wasn’t a whole lot happening downtown, and it often felt quite quiet. However, we were delighted to discover that things have changed significantly especially in the last five years.

On our recent visit back to Pensacola, we had so much fun exploring and discovering all the exciting new things that downtown had to offer. We kept saying, with a sense of nostalgia, that we wished it had been like this when we were living here back in the day.

Here are some of the many things we love about downtown Pensacola. Some of these attractions are relatively new, bringing fresh energy to the area, while there are also original spots that hold a special place in our hearts from the past that we used to frequent regularly.

1. Cafes Galore

Fosko Coffee Barre
There were so many new and chic coffee shops in the area that we found ourselves wishing we could have tried them all during our visit. We particularly liked Foskco Coffee, which stood out to us for its cozy atmosphere, great brews, and delicious muffins. It was also the coffee shop that our Pensacola friends enthusiastically suggested we try out during our stay.

The coffee and pastries we enjoyed were indeed delicious and worth the indulgence, but fare warning that you may have to wait a little while for your drinks to be prepared. We were fairly surprised to find ourselves waiting nearly fifteen minutes for our order to be ready, which was longer than we anticipated.

Rex Café & Theatre
Rex Cafe was another coffee shop our friends suggested that we give a try. We went inside to take a look, as it is located within the iconic Rex Theatre. The exterior has a very retro feel and is hard to miss with its vibrant red and yellow hues that catch the eye.

It was established by Generation Pensacola, which is a gospel-centered, non-denominational church that aims to foster community. If you go to the back of the cafe, you have the opportunity to chime in on their Sunday service, which we thought was such a creative and inviting way to welcome newcomers to their worship experience.

Parlor Doughnuts

We were excited to see Parlor Doughnuts in Pensacola of all places. The only other location where we had the chance to indulge in their renowned layered doughnuts paired with specialty coffee was during our time in Oceanside, California. The interior of their charming café is not only inviting but also sets a perfect vibe that creates countless opportunities for memorable photo ops.

My favorite treat at the bakery is definitely the Lemon Bar, with its delightful balance of tartness and sweetness. They also offer vegan and gluten-friendly options, ensuring that there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, they have a special selection of Dog Doughnuts, making it a perfect spot for pet owners to indulge their fur babies as well.

2. Veteran’s Memorial Park

The Veteran’s Memorial Park is nestled within a tranquil environment, featuring monuments arranged around a serene pond. It serves as a gorgeous location for a leisurely stroll, offering picturesque views of the Pensacola Bay as well.

We were staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, and the memorial was conveniently located right across the street, so we decided to take a walk in the park with, Kuma (Crystal’s corgi), since it is pet-friendly. This park pays homage to all the branches of the military, and among its notable features is a miniature version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, which adds a significant touch to the atmosphere.

The memorial, which is also dedicated to the courageous war dogs that served bravely, marked the first time that we came across a memorial specifically honoring animals. The park is incredibly well-maintained, and while we’ve heard that there are often a lot of ducks residing here, we unfortunately did not spot any during our visit that day.

3. Unforgettable Restaurants

McGuire’s Irish Pub

In our college days, we would make it a point to stop by McGuire’s on Thursday nights for their incredibly cheap college night drink specials. As poor college students, we really couldn’t afford to indulge in all the other delicious things they are famous for. And one thing is for sure: the atmosphere at McGuire’s is absolutely phenomenal and truly one of a kind.

It’s amazing to walk in and immediately notice all the dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and walls in every direction. Revisiting McGuire’s as adults gave us a whole new appreciation for this beloved establishment. The food here is truly phenomenal, featuring generous American portions, and their prices remain super reasonable even in today's economy.

Even their drink menu, which is different from the college night offerings, is fantastic. We were genuinely surprised to discover that the prices of their drinks actually decreased as the night wore on. I don't think we’ve ever encountered a restaurant that employs such an intriguing pricing strategy.

Ruby Slipper

If you want to experience Southern Comfort food, make sure to dine at Ruby Slipper for breakfast. Everything we ordered was utterly delicious, ranging from their specialty biscuits and gravy to the creamy stone-ground grits that simply melted in our mouths.

We loved it so much that we decided to have breakfast here twice during our visit, which speaks volumes about our satisfaction. Oh, did we mention they offer Mimosa Flights? Their extensive drink menu features an Award-Winning Bloody Mary, a tasty Bacon Bloody Mary, a refreshing Morning Margarita, and much more to choose from.

4. Boutique Shopping

Rusted Arrow Mercantile

This was the first shop we walked into, as it was enticing us to come in from the charming outside atmosphere. The home decor and gift shop featured a fantastic variety of items so beautifully and thoughtfully displayed that it made us want to buy everything we laid our eyes on in there.

What we love most about the shop was their impressive selection of Pensacola merchandise. There were numerous Pensacola-themed items that we were eager to purchase, but we were a little taken aback at the unexpectedly high sticker price on some of them. Crystal ultimately decided to purchase a tea towel of all things. She’s very particular about her tea towels.

First City Bee Company

I’m a huge fan of honey, especially whipped honey, so I was genuinely excited to walk into this delightful shop. As soon as I entered, I was intrigued by their Bee Bar, which piqued my interest. I was offered a complimentary tasting, an opportunity that I took full advantage of.

Honey wine (AKA Mead) is one of the oldest alcoholic drinks in the world, which is something new that I learned that day. After my tasting experience, I browsed at the various honey products available, I ultimately decided to purchase a variety pack of mini whipped honey to take home. Since it was the holiday season, I bought two packs and decided to give one as a gift to a friend. There were so many wonderful items in this boutique that would make for great gifts.

Rocket to Saturn Vintage

This vintage boutique located at One Palafox Place features an impressive selection of clothing and accessories that are all a minimum of twenty years old, showcasing an array of styles. The staff was not only incredibly friendly and welcoming, but we also discovered that the associate we were speaking with happened to be a mutual friend of our own friend whom we were planning to meet up with later.

Although we didn’t find any pieces during our visit, our friend mentioned that he always manages to discover his favorite vintage t-shirts here at this eclectic shop. They are also pet-friendly and made sure to give Kuma lots of attention.

5. Historic Pensacola

Surprisingly, Pensacola is known to be recognized as the first European settlement in the United States, having been established in the year 1559. While many often hear that St. Augustine, Florida, holds this title, the primary reason that St. Augustine receives much of the historical recognition and glory stems from the fact that Pensacola was not continuously inhabited until 1698, which affected its prominence in the historical narrative.

We didn’t have any time to take part in the Historic House Tours but we did enjoy walking around the area and saw a really unique environmental installation called The Blue Trees. These trees along Zaragoza street were a striking blue forest and are an ongoing art installation around the world.

Where to Stay

We booked a cozy room at the pet-friendly Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Downtown and had a relaxing stay there. Everything on our list is conveniently located within walking distance to the hotel. The property itself is fairly new, so it’s in pristine condition, which added to our overall enjoyment.

We had such a wonderful time in Pensacola, and we couldn’t believe how fast the time went by during our visit. Unfortunately, we did not have nearly enough time to check out all the charming cafes, explore the numerous new restaurants, or partake in the historic house tours. That just means we’ll have to save those experiences for the next time we plan to visit Pensacola.

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