Things to Do
Things to Do, events, festivals, attractions, activities, parks
Pensacola Bay Area 2012
Pensacola Bay Area 2012
Pensacola Florida was voted best Gulf Coast town by Gulfscapes Magazine readers in 2011. Pensacola Bay Area 2012
The Pensacola Bay Area is already experiencing a vibrant and fun-filled spring with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine to go around. Travelers are invited to spring into a summer filled with sandcastles, fishing rodeos, bushwackers, festivals and events, celebrating everything from food and music to art and history. These include the ever-anticipated annual Blue Angels Air Show on Pensacola Beach and Rosamond Johnson Day on Johnson Beach, where the Korean War Purple Heart recipient is honored for his bravery and valiance.
Thanks to increased air service to and from Pensacola International Airport, it’s now easier than ever before to head to the Pensacola Bay Area’s sugar-white sand beaches and experience all that this “Destination on the Rise” (as recognized by TripAdvisor in 2012) has to offer. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or a significant other, there is lots to love in Pensacola.
The Pensacola Bay Area offers numerous activities for families with children of all ages – from floating in the pool, building sandcastles in the powder-white sand and enjoying dolphin cruise excursions to learning about history first-hand at various museums, including one of the largest air and space museums in the world, the National Naval Aviation Museum, featuring more than 140 aircraft and an IMAX theatre. From now until November, families also have the unique opportunity to see the world-famous Blue Angelspractice on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings behind the museum. On Wednesdays, families have the chance to have their photos taken with the pilots, who are also at hand to sign autographs and answer questions. Admission is free.
Beginning in June, the National Flight Academy will welcome students from around the country for an unforgettable summer camp experience, complete with hands-on missions and virtual reality simulators designed to teach science, technology, engineering and math skills. The five-day, overnight camp was designed theatrically to simulate a modern aircraft carrier named Ambition and is open to students in the seventh through twelfth grades.
Additionally, sports enthusiasts can have a ball watching the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, play at the brand-new Maritime Park, located bay front at the heart of downtown Pensacola.
Romantic Retreats
Escape from your daily routine and experience all there is to fall in love with along the Pensacola Bay Area, where you can enjoy time with your loved one exploring galleries, shops and nearly 500 years of history in the quaint, historic downtown district. Spend your time together tasting superb culinary offerings that showcase Pensacola’s deep-seated Southern flair with modern twists, strolling along hand-in-hand on the white-sand beaches of Perdido Key or Pensacola Beach at sunset or jumping on a few stand-up paddleboards and cruising through the Santa Rosa Sound.
Savor the Flavors
Experience the freshest Gulf seafood, Southern flair, creative food pairings and exquisite flavors at any one of the Pensacola Bay Area’s numerous fine-dining restaurants, in downtown Pensacola or at a laid-back restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on Pensacola Beach or Perdido Key. Visitors may also order signature cocktails – the bushwacker is a local favorite – or locally brewed beers at a wide variety of waterfront watering holes and lively pubs
Also, be sure to visit the Pensacola Celebrity Chefs at their respective restaurants, as they each incorporate their own distinct finesse to their meals, having just returned from their second appearance at the acclaimed James Beard House. Visit www.PensacolaCelebrityChefs.com to learn more.
Back To Nature
Bring yourself back to nature in the Pensacola Bay Area along the Gulf Islands National Seashore, the largest stretch of protected seashore in the country. Visit the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center, Fort Pickens and Johnson Beach to swim, bike, snorkel, fish, hike, comb the beach, bird-watch, camp or take in a stunning Gulf Coast sunset.
Pensacola Beach’s Fort Pickens provides a picturesque bike trail lined with miles of powder-white sand dunes and emerald-green water. Spend the day on a stand-up paddleboard on the Santa Rosa Sound or kayaking through the dense marshlands of Perdido Key’s Big Lagoon State Park, where visitors can climb to the top of the park’s three-story observation tower to spot a variety of bird species and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
For travelers craving a nature-filled adventure, kayak and canoe excursions abound in Coldwater Creek and Blackwater River, and an exciting zipline at Adventures Unlimited allows guests to soar above the treetops, catching a rare glimpse of the forest and creek trickling below.
2012 Spring and Summer Festivals and Events
The Pensacola Bay Area hosts a wide variety of year-round festivals and events suitable for every taste and budget. Spring and summer are ideal times to enjoy some of the destination’s most notable celebrations, from the beach to the key and everywhere in between. Mark your calendars and join the fun!
- Bands on the Beach. Tuesdays May-Oct. Attend this popular summer evening concert series with local musical favorites playing at Gulfside Pavilion. (850) 932-2257, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
- 28th Annual Pensacola Crawfish Festival. May 4-6. Head downtown and treat yourself to spicy crawfish and authentic bayou country entertainment along the waterfront at one of the largest crawfish boils in Florida. (850) 433-6512,www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
- Rosamond Johnson Day Ceremony. May 5. Share in a special remembrance of Korean War Hero and Purple Heart recipient, Rosamond Johnson, who was killed during war at the age of 15 while bravely attempting to save fellow soldiers. (850) 492-4660, www.visitperdido.com
- Evenings in Olde Seville Square. Mid May-Mid Aug. This summer concert series features a variety of musical styles from big band to jazz and from Broadway to modern dance. (850) 438-6505, www.pensacolaheritage.org
- Gallery Night. May 18. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries, open at 5 p.m. (850) 434-5371, www.downtownpensacola.com
- Shallow Water Slam. June. Redfish, flounder and speckled trout are the game in this tournament, with Flounder’s Chowder House serving as headquarters. www.pensacolakingmack.com
- Bud Light King Mackerel/Cobia Tournament. June. See some of the biggest king mackerel and cobia caught at the largest two-day boat event in the Gulf of Mexico. www.pensacolakingmack.com
- Fiesta Days Celebration. June 2-10. Celebrate the founding of Pensacola with a boat parade, street parade, parties, sand-sculpting contest and more. (850) 433-6512, www.fiestaoffiveflags.org
- Sounds of Summer. June-Aug. The beat goes on in Pensacola Beach with this free concert series most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the boardwalk amphitheatre. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
- 42nd Annual Bill Hargreaves Fishing Rodeo. June 14-17. Enjoy great fishing from the Grand Lagoon Yacht Club. (850) 607-7569, www.glycpensacola.com.
- 4th of July Celebration. July 4. The family-oriented, patriotic event held downtown is the largest on the Gulf Coast. Fireworks displays are also on Perdido Key and Pensacola Beach. (850) 434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com
- Red, White and Blues Week. July 4-14. This week-long celebration on Pensacola Beach kicks off with a huge fireworks extravaganza and ends with the Blue Angels show. (850) 932-1500, www.pensacolabeachchamber.com
- 42nd Annual Pensacola International Billfish Tournament. July 5-8. The Pensacola Big Game Fishing Club hosts one of the country’s largest billfish tournaments at NAS Pensacola, which attracts around 600 anglers from all over the Southeast. (850) 453-4638, www.pbgfc.com
- Pensacola Beach Air Show. July 13-14. This must-see event features a show by the world-famous Blue Angels. (850) 932-2257, www.visitpensacolabeach.com
- Gallery Night. July 20. Enjoy an evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open at 5 p.m. (850) 434-5371, www.downtownpensacola.com
- Seville Quarter Running of the Bulls. July 21. Participate in Pensacola’s wacky version of the running of the bulls, where roller derby enthusiasts with wiffle bats chase you around the streets of downtown. (850) 434-6211, www.sevillequarter.com
- Bushwacker Festival and 5K. Aug. 3-5. This festival is centered on Pensacola’s favorite adult beverage: the chocolaty bushwacker. Enjoy a fun run and celebration on the boardwalk. (850) 434-1234, www.visitpensacola.com
Categories: Festivals, Fishing, Florida, Seafood Tags: 2011 Best Gulf Coast Town, 2012, Bay Area, fl, florida, Pensacola Bay Area 2012, Pensacola FL, Pensacola Florida, Pensacola Florida
Babes on the Bay
Babes on the Bay
Biggest Fishing Tournament
Babes on the Bay Rockport Fishing Tournament
Babes on the Bay – Along the coastal bend, fishing remains one of summertime’s top attractions. The Rockport Fulton area, just 30 miles northeast of Corpus Christi , offers the finest bay fishing. On Saturday, May 19, Aransas Bay will be filled with women! They will be coming for The Annual Jim Ehman Memorial “Babes on the Babe” fishing tournament. The tournament is the largest one day fishing tournament in the United States . Last year Babes on the Bay had 1140 ladies, of all ages, on 320 teams. Now in its 13th year, it is expected to be bigger than ever, with possibly over 1200 entries.
Along with the Babes on the Bay fishing tournament, the event also features a Food Vendors Court and a Babes Shopping Mall where vendors sell everything from fishing rods to jewelry.
The kick-off for Babes on the Bay will be held at 6 p.m. on May 18, at the Rockport Festival Grounds. The fishing tournament officially begins at sunrise on Saturday, May 19. Weigh-in for the event will be from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Prizes will be given for five divisions. The divisions are as follows: Team with a professional guide (any bait); Team with a Professional Guide (artificial only); team with Non-Professional Guide (any bait); Team with Non-Professional Guide (artificial only); and Babe-ette Division (ages 16 and under). 1st -5th places will be awarded for the first four divisions with additional prizes for Babe-ette Division. Awards will be presented at approximately 6p.m., following the weigh in on Saturday.
For more information, visit www.babesonthebay.com or call 361-386-0028. For information about Places to Stay visit www.rockport-fulton.org
Categories: Fishing, Texas Tags: fishing, fulton, rockport, rockport-fulton, Rockport-Fulton Texas, texas, Texas Gulf Coast, tx, TX and tagged Babes on the Bay
Magic Arrives in Galveston
The Carnival Magic, the newest, biggest ship in the Carnival line, arrived in its new home port of Galveston on Nov. 13. On the 14th, Magic left for her inaugural Gulf of Mexico journey, traveling to Cozumel, Mexico.
Carnival Magic Arrives in Galveston
The Carnival Magic, the newest, biggest ship in the Carnival line, arrived in its new home port of Galveston on Nov. 13. To celebrate, Carnival threw a dockside party featuring Grammy Award winning band Maroon 5. On the 14th, Magic left for her inaugural Gulf of Mexico journey, traveling to Cozumel, Mexico.
To say the Magic is spectacular and elegant is an understatement. She’s 1004 feet long and carries 3690 guests. For fun, the ship offers SportsSquare, a fun and fitness area with basketball, miniature golf, ping pong, a rope course and exercise equipment. Entertainment can be found in the Red Frog Pub, a Caribbean inspired bistro with its own hand crafted beer, at the Play It Again Piano Bar, at the casino, at the poolside movie Theatre, or at the Showtime Theatre which features Vegas style shows.
And of course one of the biggest draws of a cruise is the cuisine. Formal dining nights in the Northern Lights Dining Room create lasting memories of delicious dishes
and crisp service. And for variety, the Magic offers two premium dining areas, the Cucina del Capitano, a family style Italian restaurant (don’t miss the Spaghetti Carbonara), and Prime Steakhouse (everything was excellent and the presentation and atmosphere were dazzling!)
The Magic will offer several destinations for its cruises, one will go to the Mayan Riviera at Costa Maya, Cozumel and Belize, the other will visit Nassau and Key West, another to Jamaica and Grand Cayman. But who are we kidding? The destination is an afterthought. The thrill of the cruise is what makes this such an inspiring vacation, and the plethora of activities and entertainment aboard the Magic make it the prime destination.
Visit their site for more info or to book a cruise Carnival Magic
Categories: Cruises, Galveston, Texas, Things to Do, TX Tags: carnival magic, cruiseline, cruises, flagship, galveston, Magic Arrives in Galveston, port, ship, tx
2012 South Beach Wine & Food Festival
Guy Fieri will be at the 2012 South Beach Wine & Food Festival which kicks off Feb. 23, 2012 in Miami.
2012 South Beach Wine & Food Festival
It’s time to get ready for the culinary event of the year! The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE kicks off on Feb. 23 and runs for four days along the beautiful shores of Miami Beach.
This is the 11th year for the SOBE Wine and Food Fest, which promises to be even better than last year’s 10th Anniversary extravaganza. Joining the festivities this year are Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, Rachael Ray, Anthony Bourdain, Charlie Trotter, Andrew Zimmern, and Michael Schwartz.
The 2012 event kicks off with Moët Hennessy’s The Q presented by Allen Brothers, sponsored by Miami magazine, which brings together the best BBQ chefs from across the nation preparing their signature dishes on grills and in smokers. Emeril and Fieri are the hosts of The Q, which will certainly be a wild and crazy party. Gulf Coast area chefs that will be cooking are Dean Fearing of Fearings in Dallas, Christopher Hastings of the Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham, AL, Chris Lilly from Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q in Decatur, AL, Wayne Mueller of Louie Mueller Barbeque in Taylor, TX, and Stephen Stryjewski from Cochon in New Orleans.
Ms. Ray again will oversee the Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Allen Brothers, which will showcase dozens of burger creations from the country’s most talented chefs.
Also, the 2012 Tribute Dinner presented by Bank of America keeps its long-standing tradition of honoring the world’s greatest wine and culinary talent by paying tribute to esteemed chef Charlie Trotter and celebrated winemaker Piero Antinori.
Tickets are going fast, so grab yours soon. You won’t want to miss this spectacular culinary affair.
South Beach Wine & Food Festival
February 23 – 26, 2012
Miami Beach, FL
2012.sobefest.com
Categories: Activities, Beer, Chefs, Crabs, Crawfish, Farmers Market, Featured story, Festivals Featuring Food and Wine, Fish, FL, Florida, Food & Wine, Miami, Oysters, Recipes, Restaurants, Seafood, Shrimp, Things to Do, Travel, Wine Tags: chefs, food, food and wine, miami, SOBE, wine, wine and food
