Pensacola, FL for spring break with a 9 yr old?

[Toodles524]

I'm thinking of taking my 9 year old dd to the beach for spring break. This would be the week just prior to Easter. Does anyone know how wild things are in Pensacola? Would a single mom feel comfortable with this situation? Or is there somewhere else you would recommend? We usually go to the beach at Vero Beach resort, but we are driving (so this is closer) and would rather do the Gulf Coast Beach this year. Budget is also a consideration. Thanks for any help or suggestions you can give me.

 

[hercamore]

Hi Toodles,

You will have a GREAT time in Pensacola!

Last April, dd (then l8 yo) and I took our first beach vacation in Pensacola area first week in April. DH stayed home, LOL.

The area is awesome, beautiful, clean beaches. with emerald waters of the Gulf to swim in. The air temps were mild, but the water is a little cool during that time of year.

We flew in to Pensacola airport from Mn and rented a car. Drove to Pensacola Beach and stayed at Clarion Suites on the beach. Very nice place and the beach in front of the Clarion was quiet evein tho the Clarion was full. Public beach is about l0 min walk away. We felt very safe there, mostly families around. I was concerned about "wild" too, but we saw mostly famiies with small children.

I'll pm you with more info. gotta run.

herc.

 

[maleficent1959]

Pensacola is not a wild vacation place at all. It prides itself on being very family-oriented and friendly. There are some lovely hotels on the beach, and many condos and houses for rent too. The rates are very affordable, especially compared to Destin and Seaside.

Panama City is where the wild things are.

 

[Toodles524]

Thanks so much for your answers. I was hoping for this. Clarion is one of the hotels I have been looking at. But I'd like to book this pretty quick, so I don't have to worry about them filling up! Is the water to cold for swimming? Or do you just stick with the pool?

 

[WilmaBud]

I would think April is hit and miss as far as hot weather. there's lots to do in Pensacola. I want to take my kids there (we lived in Pensacola Beach one summer when hubby was in the Navy). Pensacola is the cradle of aviation. That's where all the Navy pilots are trained to fly. There's a nice aviation museum on the naval base (I'm not sure how accessible it'll be during these times of national alert, though). Pensacola Beach is awesome. It's got nationally protected beaches (not all of them). And there's a cool fort (Fort Picken's, I believe) where Geronimo was once held prisoner. Also, the whole town has walking, biking, roller-blading paths. The beaches and the water are beautiful, too.