Canadian winters shouldn’t be something you have to bear. Escape your frigid winter and head south to a wonderland of warm, sunny days, sugar-white sands, and emerald-green waters.

Make this the winter you redefine "winter chill" with a warm dose of Pensacola sunshine. Get into those off-the-beaten-path adventures you crave, stretch your winter legs downtown, or roam pre-Civil War forts. Make plans now to skip the single-digit and below-zero temps at home in Canada for miles of get-away-from-it-all white-sand beaches...that's The Way to Beach.

The Pensacola Bay Area provides the perfect sanctuary for Canadian snowbirds, with gorgeous scenery, Southern hospitality, and seemingly endless ways to get your groove on.

Nestled in the northwest corner of Florida, Pensacola is unique among beach destinations because it is a city with an old soul. The city’s colorful, multicultural past dates back to 1559. Influences from Britain, France and Spain are reflected in the city’s architecture, local cuisine and festivals. In Downtown Pensacola, every step you take is a walk through history. It’s a vibrant and progressive destination with trendy shopping, dining and nightlife.   

But you haven’t truly experienced Pensacola until you dig your toes into the sugar-white sand and pristine waters of the world-famous beaches of Pensacola and Perdido Key. Come as you are and hang out with the locals at beach bars and restaurants and be sure to try Pensacola’s signature drink, the Bushwacker, a delicious chocolatey frozen cocktail.

Local Snowbird Community

Gather with fellow Snowbirds at annual events across the Pensacola area.

Join in the fun on the Florida-Alabama state line for a series of Snowbird Hootenannies to be held at the world-famous Flora-Bama Lounge. Each event includes a delicious lunch, door prizes, games and great music. Admission for each event is $10 per person. The first Hootenanny of 2025 is on January 9 and themed “Rock Your Decade.”  Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite outfit from your most beloved musical era. The second Hootenanny of the year is the “Beach Bum Party” on January 23, and is dedicated to celebrating the coastal lifestyle, so Hawaiian shirts and flip-flops are encouraged. The third Hootenany on February 6, dubbed the “Sweetheart Salon,” will focus on all things lovey-dovey to bring Valentine’s spirit to life. The final Hootenany on February 20, dubbed the “Mardi Gras Mambo,” will include plenty of beads, throws and giveaways, plus great music. Get ready to Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler!

The 10^th Annual Pensacola Beach Snowbird Beach Bash takes place this year on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 at Our Lady of Assumption Church, is free and includes a light breakfast, entertainment and a lively bingo game with giveaways.

Getting to Pensacola

Flying

Snowbirds often say “Getting here was easy. Leaving is so hard.” Pensacola International Airport’s convenient location offers easy access to the vibrant downtown historic area and Pensacola’s sugar-white beaches. With Delta, American, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, and Silver now serving Pensacola, this airport is known for making flying easy.

There are currently no direct flights between Canada and Pensacola, however, there are a number of connecting flights available. Look for connections from your closest Canadian gateway or ask your travel agent for assistance.

Driving

For snowbirds making the drive, U.S. I-65 is the most direct route from eastern Canada to Pensacola. The trip from Toronto to Pensacola is about 18.5 hours.

Weather

With an average of 228 days of sunshine per year and mild, short, winters, Pensacola is an ideal destination for winter visitors.

Terrain and Landscape

In Pensacola, you’ll find 40 miles of pristine sugar white beaches, plus rolling hills, bountiful bayous, lazy lagoons, natural national seashores and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico, providing a gamut of outdoor activities that are yours for the taking.

The terrain is generally flat and the landscape transitions from sugar-white sandy beaches on the coastline to lush green southern landscape with stately oak trees and dense pine forests as you travel inland.

Accommodations and Where to Stay

Snowbirds will have a choice of beachfront condominiums, vacation rentals and hotels and resorts to suit every budget…

Bringing an RV? You’ll also find plenty of inland and coastal campgrounds and RV parks to choose from.

The Pensacola Bay Area offers accommodations for every flavor — all just minutes from our world-class beaches and historic downtown. With hundreds of vacation rentals for snowbirds to choose from, it’s never been easier to play house in the Pensacola Bay Area. From full-service, resort-style condominiums to quaint downtown cottages and beachfront rental homes, Pensacola boasts a home away from home for snowbirds.

You can find more information on Where to Stay in Pensacola here.

Attractions and Sights

Pensacola has plenty of sights and attractions to keep Canadian snowbirds busy during the winter months:

1. Pensacola Beach - Stretching miles along the Gulf of Mexico, this barrier island offers snowbirds a range of experiences. From lively crowds at its lifeguarded main beaches, to the quiet, secluded beaches of Gulf Islands National Seashore and the corridors of historic Fort Pickens, you're sure to find your perfect spot in the sand.
2. Perdido Key - Spanish for "lost island," Perdido Key holds true to its roots as it remains a Southern sanctuary for snowbirds and wildlife of all kinds. This barrier island is bookmarked by rolling, white-sand dunes and stunning views of the calm Gulf waters on its southern border and abundant wetlands, estuaries, and wildlife to its north.
3. Downtown Pensacola - Pensacola is unique among beach destinations because it is a city with an old soul. The city’s colorful, multicultural past dates back to 1559. Influences from Britain, France and Spain are reflected in the city’s architecture, local cuisine and festivals. In Downtown Pensacola, every step you take is a walk through history. It’s a vibrant and progressive destination with trendy shopping, dining and nightlife.  
4. National Naval Aviation Museum – Snowbirds can experience hands-on history at the National Naval Aviation Museum located on board Pensacola Naval Air Station. See more than 4,000 artifacts and over 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Experience the thrill of flight in the Flight Simulators, catch all the drama and power of the amazing Giant Screen Digital Theater and refresh with a tasty lunch in the authentic Cubi Bar Cafe. Then take home the spirit of Naval Aviation with a unique memento from The Flight Deck Store. Check the museum website for current access restrictions.
5. Gulf Islands National Seashore -  Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key both are home to the longest stretch of federally protected seashore in the United States. Snowbirds will find endless opportunities for solitude and relaxation and miles of unobstructed views and access to the Gulf. A short hike, bike ride, or kayak trip always ensures a swath of beach, sans humans.
6. Pensacola Lighthouse & Museum - Climb 177 steps up the historic Pensacola Lighthouse for one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. Built in 1859, the lighthouse is located on board NAS Pensacola, right across from the National Naval Aviation Museum.
7. UWF Historic Trust – This 8 acre campus encompasses museums, historic sites and trails including the America’s 1^st Settlement Trail, Historic Pensacola Village, Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, Pensacola Museum of History, Pensacola Children’s Museum and Pensacola Museum of Art.
8. Florida State Parks – From hiking on boardwalks across wetlands and coastal trails to kayaking and fishing, snowbirds will find plenty of opportunity for outdoor adventure at Pensacola area state parks including Big Lagoon, Tarkiln Bayou Preserve and Perdido Key State Park.
9. Vince J. Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park - Located in Historic Downtown Pensacola, this park features beautiful views of Pensacola Bay, and is home to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Baseball team.
10. Pensacola Bay City Ferry – Take in the sights and enjoy a relaxing cruise between Downtown Pensacola and Pensacola Beach.

Culture and Entertainment

Downtown Pensacola is the cultural and entertainment hub of the city. Snowbirds can learn about the city’s diverse and rich history at museums and historical sites including Historic Pensacola Village, Voices of Pensacola, and Pensacola Museum of History, just to name a few. Our African-American culture has its strongest roots in the Belmont-DeVilliers district of Downtown Pensacola. Back in the day the likes of Louis Armstrong, James Brown, Ray Charles, B.B. King and Aretha Franklin performed there.

Pensacola is revered as a must-see destination for cultural happenings. There’s the Pensacola Opera, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Pensacola, the historic Saenger Theatre and the accredited Pensacola Museum of Art. Pensacola’s thriving visual arts scene includes the First City Art Center, downtown galleries, and an eclectic local theatre scene highlighted by the Pensacola Little Theatre. Quite possibly the best aspect: it’s sophisticated but not intimidating, meaning anyone and everyone can easily attend.

Food and Dining

With delectable dining establishments, lively libation locales and charming culinary festivals aplenty, the food & drink scene in the Pensacola Bay Area serves up some serious flavour that snowbirds can enjoy over the winter.

Pensacola’s unique brand of coastal cuisine draws on the city’s colonial roots and proximity to the teeming fisheries of the Gulf.

Food critic connoisseurs and casual-dining foodies alike can satisfy their cravings for breathtaking water-front dining restaurants, historic hole-in-the-wall eateries, sophisticated martini bars, and lively up-and-coming hotspots.

Whether your preferred dining style is toes in the sand, grouper sandwich in hand, an elegant waterfront restaurant with chef-crafted cuisine, trendy downtown dining, or something in-between, Pensacola is the place to satisfy those cravings. 

Fresh gulf seafood is on nearly every menu, but there are plenty of other options including down-home southern cuisine, finger-licking BBQ, steakhouses and burger joints. You’ll also find a good selection of ethnic cuisine, including Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Mediterranean options.

Festivals and Events

One of the many things that makes Pensacola memorable for snowbirds is the strong sense of tradition and unique events taking place.

Mingle with locals at the weekly Palafox Market downtown, join the party each month on Gallery Nights, and get in on the fun at recurring signature events. These annual traditions include the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, FooFoo Fest, Winterfest, and Frank Brown International Songwriters Fest, and Pensacon, just to name a few. Several events draw tens of thousands of people - like the annual Mardi Gras celebrations, the Flora-Bama Interstate Mullet Toss on Perdido Key where participants toss a dead fish over the Florida state line into Alabama, and two air shows featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Once you throw your first fish at Mullet Toss or watch the Blue Angels zoom overhead, we guarantee you’ll be hooked!

Sporting Events

Pensacola is a playground for every snowbird sports fan. No matter what your sport, and whether you want to participate or just take in a game, you’ll find it in Pensacola.

Pensacola boasts two professional sports franchises – The Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball team and the Pensacola Ice Flyers Hockey team. Five Flags Speedway is home to the Snowball Derby, one of America’s most renowned short-track racecar events, held in early December each year.

Pensacola also hosts some serious college-level competitions – the Sun Belt Basketball Championship brings March madness to Pensacola each spring and the SEC Soccer Tournament brings their top 10 teams to compete for the championship in early November.

Runners won’t want to miss the Double Bridge Run in February. This one-of-a-kind 15K begins in Downtown Pensacola and ends on Pensacola Beach, with runners traversing two bridges with amazing views. Or join in the fun at the McGuire’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K Prediction Run, at over 16,000 participants, it’s one of the largest in the U.S.

Shopping

From large shopping malls and major retail outlets to quaint boutiques and unique shops, Pensacola provides snowbirds with the ultimate shopping experience.

Whether you're on the hunt for a forgotten necessity or just want to enjoy shopping while you’re here for the winter, our local shops will help you find everything you need.

Amidst two-dozen historic buildings dotted with chic stores, you’ll find a relaxed Southern style that sums up the unique shopping atmosphere of Downtown Pensacola. The downtown area is blossoming on all fronts, with an explosion of growth and quaint shops along a colourful Crepe Myrtle-lined streets. Shoppers can spend a few hours or an entire day searching for gourmet treats, trendy clothing, hand-made jewelry, fine art and eclectic home furnishings. They’ll quickly realize why the main street downtown, Palafox Street, holds the title of the “10 Great Streets in America.”

Palafox Market is a favorite weekly destination where you’ll find baked goods, fresh produce and specialty food items as well as locally crafted artwork.

Fitness and Outdoor Recreation

Pensacola is a vast outdoor playground for snowbirds to explore. Escape the everyday with plenty of trails to walk, hike or bike: historic trails, migratory birding trails, nature and wildlife trails, fresh and saltwater paddling trails. There’s even the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail for diving!

Fishing is an outdoor lifestyle here, but you don’t have to be a pro to fish in the Pensacola area. Book a Gulf charter for deep-sea fishing or have a relaxing afternoon casting from shore.

There are also ample opportunities to surf, scuba, sail and swim, or take a dolphin tour to get face-to-face with some of the area’s most popular beach residents.

Lifelong Learning

Pensacola offers a variety of courses and classes for snowbirds to enjoy while spending the winter with us.

The University of West Florida offers Leisure Learning programs for adults 55+ that provide opportunities to energize the mind, make new friends and become a part of a vibrant community of lifelong learners. Similarly, Pensacola State College offers continuing education courses and programs in a variety of formats in which students can explore interests, cultivate hobbies and learn new skills.

Discover your inner artist at First City Arts Center where you can take classes in glass blowing, pottery, painting, stained glass, sewing, sculpture and more.

Health Care and Medical Facilities

We understand that health and medical facilities are important services for our snowbird visitors.

Pensacola has three major healthcare systems – Ascension Sacred Heart, Baptist Health Care, and HCA West Florida each with hospital and urgent care facilities.

What's Nearby

Pensacola is an idea home base for snowbirds who want to explore further afield while they’re here for the winter.

With so much to do and see you may never want to leave, but if you do get the itch to wander a little farther, there are several great options nearby.

Pensacola is a short 3-hour drive to the fun and frivolity of New Orleans, Louisiana. Those who enjoy gambling can head north, just over the state line to the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore, AL, or west to Biloxi, Mississippi to try their hand at multiple casinos.

History buffs can tour the U.S.S. Alabama, a retired aircraft carrier in nearby Mobile, Alabama.

And golfers will find dozens of courses to play in nearby communities.

Canadian Deals and Offers

To make the most of Pensacola as your winter home, snowbirds should stop by one of our area visitor information centers to pick up your free Winter Savings Card, or download the Winter Escape Savings Card and Brochure  now! Winter is our offseason, so it also happens to be the time of year when you get the best rates on accommodations.

Safety

Visit Pensacola is committed to keeping our visitors and team members safe and informed.

Please visit this page updated with the latest news on what’s open, what’s not, and the best information on how to enjoy the Pensacola Bay Area safely.

To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit to our beaches, please visit this page for safety information and beach rules.

Cost of Living

There really is nothing like a beach location to renew, recharge and reinvigorate your soul, and it doesn’t have to be an ultra-indulgent affair.

Snowbirds don’t have to break the bank to experience a memorable stay in Pensacola. Here, the natural, beautiful stuff really is free. It costs absolutely nothing to embrace the salty warmth of a beach sunset.

As for the rest of your visit to Pensacola, with careful planning, there are ways to pinch a few pennies while still getting to enjoy the same luxuries we know and love in the Greater Pensacola area. The key: vacation like a local!

Check out this article for our top tips for a budget-friendly trip to Pensacola.

LGBTQ

Pensacola welcomes the LGBTQ community.

Special events include a huge LBTWQ Memorial Day Weekend Celebration in May on Pensacola Beach, PRIDE month activities in June and the annual Stamped Film Festival in November.

See why Canadian snowbirds love Pensacola: