It is impossible to come to Pensacola without visiting the National Naval Aviation Museum, located on the country’s oldest naval air station, the Naval Air Station, built in 1914. This military base welcomes no fewer than 6,000 young aviators in training every year. The aviation museum is therefore part of a military complex, and you will be asked for identification at the entrance, so remember to bring it.

Inside the Naval Air Station, there is a part closed to the public and a part that is accessible and offers several sites worth visiting. You will notably find Fort Barrancas, the Pensacola Lighthouse, and the National Naval Aviation Museum of Pensacola, home to

The famous Blue Angels.

F-14A Tomcat in front of the museum

Fort Barrancas

Fort Barrancas, built during the 19th century, was constructed using enslaved labor. Visitors can explore the fort’s interior corridors and walk through its long brick galleries and defensive tunnels.

A visitor center provides maps and brochures for self-guided tours, and guided tours are also available.

Fort Barrancas is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, which is managed by the National Park Service.

Visitor Information
Address: 3182 Taylor Rd, Pensacola, FL 32508
Hours: Thursday – Monday: 9 AM – 4:15 PM
Entrance fee: $10 per pedestrian –
$20 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
Website: nps.gov/guis

The pass also allows access to other nearby areas of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, including:

• Fort Pickens
  • Perdido Key
  • Okaloosa Area
  • Opal Beach

On certain days of the year, entrance to national parks is free.

Pensacola Lighthouse

For one of the best views of the Gulf of Mexico, climb the 177 steps of the historic Pensacola Lighthouse.

General Information
Address: 2081 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508
Hours: Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM (last lighthouse climb at 4:45 PM)
Admission: $10 adults and $7 for children.

Blue Angels

Naval Air Station Pensacola is home to the Blue Angels, the elite flight demonstration squadron of the U.S. Navy.

Visitors can often watch their practice flights on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from mid-March through early November.

One of the best viewing spots is located behind the parking lot north of the National Naval Aviation Museum.

After the Wednesday practice, autograph sessions with Blue Angels pilots are often held inside the museum.

Inside the museum, the Blue Angels Atrium displays several aircraft suspended from the ceiling, including A-4 Skyhawks, which were previously used by the Blue Angels.

A-4 Skyhawks (Blue Angels Atrium)

National Naval Aviation Museum

The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola was founded in 1962 by naval aviators and officially opened on June 8, 1963. At the beginning, the Navy provided a small 800-square-meter building, and the museum’s collection consisted of only three aircraft. Its mission was to preserve the heritage of U.S. naval aviation and promote its history.

Since then, the museum has grown considerably. Today, it covers more than 30,000 square meters and houses over one hundred aircraft, making it one of the largest aviation museums in the world. The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation helps support the museum by providing funding for the maintenance of the facilities and the acquisition of new aircraft.

National Naval Aviation Museum

At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by volunteers and active-duty military personnel. Admission to the museum is free, although certain attractions such as the IMAX theater and flight simulators require an additional ticket. Visitors are also invited to donate if they wish. Considering the work done by the museum and its volunteers, even a small contribution is well deserved.

The National Naval Aviation Museum is not only very large, but it also offers a remarkable collection of archives and educational exhibits that allow visitors to explore the history of American naval aviation. The museum traces the development of U.S. naval aviation from World War I to the present day.

The museum is located on Naval Air Station Pensacola, an active Navy base where the famous Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron trains.

Here is a preview of what you can discover at the National Naval Aviation Museum: original pilot uniforms, equipment, and insignia from different periods of aviation history. Like most of the artifacts in the museum, these pieces are authentic and carefully preserved.

Pilot uniforms, equipment, and insignia

Aircraft from different eras are displayed throughout the museum, all carefully restored and sometimes presented in impressive settings. Dozens of aircraft can be seen both on the ground and suspended from the ceiling.

Don’t miss the interactive attraction, the Blue Angels 4D Experience.

The TV-2 Shooting Star was a jet trainer aircraft used by the U.S. Navy during the early years of jet aviation. P-40 -40B Tomahawk — National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola

The museum also features many thoughtfully designed exhibits. In one area, both adults and children can climb into the cockpits of different aircraft. There are also several flight simulators where visitors can experience what it feels like to be a pilot for a moment.

Additional exhibits explore various aspects of aviation history, including early balloon flight, and the Hall of Honor dedicated to naval aviation.

Hot Air Balloon Exhibit — National Naval Aviation Museum

Educational Theater — National Naval Aviation Museum

The museum also features exhibits recreating scenes from early American life, including a general store, a barber shop, a movie theater, and military camps from different wartime periods, including the Vietnam War.

Pearl Harbor exhibit — National Naval Aviation Museum

IMAX Naval Aviation Theater

The museum also features the IMAX Naval Aviation Theater, which shows a variety of aviation-themed films on a giant seven-story screen. Admission to the theater is not included with the museum and requires an additional ticket.

If you are traveling with children, this museum is highly recommended. It is very interactive: visitors can climb into aircraft cockpit trainers, try flight simulators, and explore a play area designed for younger visitors.

The National Naval Aviation Museum is a must-see when visiting Pensacola. Beyond its impressive collection of authentic historic aircraft, the museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of American military aviation.

1940s-style candy stand inside the National Naval Aviation Museum

Where to eat

Cubi Bar Café

You can grab a bite to eat at the Cubi Bar Café, a restaurant decorated like an authentic naval officers’ mess. Its name refers to the former Cubi Point Officers’ Club in the Philippines, a legendary gathering place for U.S. Navy aviators.

More than 3,000 squadron plaques from naval aviation units around the world are displayed here, creating a unique and historic atmosphere.

Near the entrance to the IMAX theater, visitors will also find a small snack bar offering drinks, popcorn, and other refreshments.

The Cubi Bar Café at the National Naval Aviation Museum

General Information

Address: 1750 Radford Blvd., NAS Pensacola, FL 32508
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Arriving early in the morning is recommended if you want to enjoy the museum with fewer visitors. Hangar Bay One closes at 4:30 p.m.

Admission: Free (donations are encouraged).
Some attractions, such as the IMAX theater and flight simulators, require an additional ticket.

The museum also offers several free guided tours throughout the day.

The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Website: www.navalaviationmuseum.org