We spent a lot of 2010 exploring Pensacola and the surrounding areas. We made an effort to find more free activities and to try new places that we usually skip over. Over the past year we had a few family favorites and in honor of the new year I would like to share them with you! There is no scientific data to this post…I just asked my kids and my husband what they liked to do the best! Here is our top ten activities of 2010 in no particular order:
Arcadia Mill - Of all our nature walks this year, Arcadia Mill was our favorite with boardwalks, a swinging bridge, and lots of wildlife and plant life.
Picking blueberries and strawberries – We loved picking blueberries at A and N blueberries and strawberries at Andrew’s Sod and Fruit. I still have a freezer full of both because I have been rationing them out! In 2011, I hope to visit both places again to stock up on strawberries and blueberries. I have heard from a friend about a place nearby where you can pick grapes so we are going to try it out.
The opening of the Roger Scott Pool - We were only able to make it three or four times, but the whole time we were at the newly remodeled Roger Scott Pool we all laughed, and splashed, and played. I hope to make it a regular outing when it opens in the summer of 2011.
Picking our own Halloween pumpkins out of a real pumpkin patch - For years, I watched with jealousy as my friends living in more northern areas got to go to real pumpkin patches. They picked their pumpkins (and usually apples, too!), took pictures and drank hot cups of hot cider. I was so excited to hear about Holland Farms and the pumpkin patch that they had available to the public. We spent several hours running around and looking at the pumpkins. I hope that it was such a success for Holland Farms that they decide to open a pumpkin patch this year!
Aviation Discovery Park - As we explored new park after new park this year, my kids asked several times to go back to the “airplane” park. Even though there isn’t much to do as far as playground equipment goes, it has the allure of sitting on the flight line of the Pensacola airport. You can listen to speakers blasting the air traffic control chatter as you watch planes of all sizes land and take off.
Bellingrath Gardens - If you haven’t made the drive to Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama, I highly recommend that you put it on this year’s list of activities. It is perfect for the child that loves to be outside and explore.
Blackwater Heritage State Trail - We loaded up the kids’ bikes and made the drive to Milton to ride them! The kids loved all the stop signs and bridges we saw while we explored a very small portion of the trail. Hopefully, this year we can explore some of the more rural areas of the trail.
Geocaching with the kids - We spent an afternoon wandering around the UWF campus and going where our GPS (and 5 year old) led us. We had fun treasure hunting and are looking forward to more geocaching in the future!
Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Community Center and Park – I think this park has one of the most beautiful views in Pensacola. Who can complain while you are sitting under a shady tree, looking at the water, and letting your kids run off some serious energy at a great park!
Waffle Cone Wednesday- This was one of our tasty finds…every Wednesday, TCBY offered a full sized waffle cone for NINETY NINE cents!!! What a deal! It was a great way to get a cool treat on a super hot summer day. I haven’t been in awhile, so call before you go, but I believe they are still running this special!
Pensacola with Kids hopes that you had a wonderful time exploring our great little city and we hope for more adventures in 2011.
What was your favorite place to explore in 2010?
One of our year’s highlights was Holland Farms, also! We loved it.
Thanks for all your “happenings” around the area. We appreciate them! I love to have the PWK email arrive to tell me what is going on!
Happy New Year!
-Rebecca
The highlight of 2010 was the West Wales 6th Annual Artic train ride to Santa’s Workshop in AL. It was so fun & can’t wait for Thomas the Train in the spring. We love PWK & all the great information you provide. Keep up the great job. Your awesome!
Wow – what a great list! I think my favorite adventure with my kids this year was taking them to my favorite place from childhood – Yosemite National Park – to see their first snow. It was so magical! Looks like you had many magical moments, too!