In the near future, locals and visitors can travel by ferry to three must-see destinations—downtown Pensacola, Fort Pickens and Pensacola Beach. A new ferry system, owned by National Park Service and formally named Pensacola Bay Cruises, is planned to begin operating in time for summer.

Considering Pensacola’s celebrated maritime history, the announcement by Tall Ships America® that it is bringing the first official TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® Gulf Coast to downtown Pensacola in April isn’t surprising. Pensacola is one of only three host ports—and the only Florida port—included in the Gulf Coast series of Tall Ships® races and port festivals happening over a three-day period from April 12-15 at Plaza DeLuna, in partnership with Visit Pensacola. The grand event includes onboard tours, sail away adventures, VIP viewing parties and receptions, entertainment, food and vending booths.

In 2014 crews began a $2 million renovation of the historic REX Theatre at 18 N. Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. Said to be Florida's earliest Art Deco-style theatre, the building had lain gutted and vacant for nearly 30 years. Today it's a vibrant 400-seat theatre that serves as a home to Generation Church and a venue for community theatre, seminars and other events. 

Downtown Pensacola's annual Mardi Gras celebration is among the oldest in the United States, and Pensacola may very well be the first Florida city to observe Mardi Gras, holding its first celebration in 1874. That year a group of leading local socialites formed a Mardi Gras “krewe” called the Knights of Priscus Association to organize the festivities. 

Each Saturday rain or shine, Palafox Market brings a new bounty of fresh produce, delicious treats, flowers, plants, antiques and hand-crafted goods from local small businesses to downtown Pensacola. The fresh-air market, which began as a small, seasonal farmers' market, now fills block after block along Palafox Street.