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Pensacola, Florida
The root: The Cradle of Naval Aviation — home of the Blue Angels and sugar-white panhandle beaches that locals swear rival anywhere.
Eat: Peg Leg Pete's — beach-shack seafood and a legendary beach bar; McGuire's Irish Pub — world-famous Irish pub, dollar bills and hearty steaks; The Fish House — waterfront seafood downtown.
Skip — don't: The beachfront "seafood with a view" joints where the view is the whole recipe — the better fish is at the shacks and downtown docks.
Specialty: Naval aviation pride — the Blue Angels train over these beaches, and the whole town salutes when they roar past.
Shops & crafts: Palafox Market's local art and Gulf crafts; beach shops with hand-painted shells and fishing gear; Blue Angels squadron gear and naval memorabilia.
See: Pensacola Beach's powder-sand shore; the free National Naval Aviation Museum; Historic Pensacola Village's 1800s homes.
Main Street: Palafox Street — the "Main Street of the South" — brick sidewalks, wrought-iron balconies, and a Saturday market under the oaks.
After dark: Sunset at a Pensacola Beach bar, then live music and craft cocktails along Palafox.
When — events
Pensacola Beach Air Show, Blue Angels over the beach (mid-July)
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at NAS Pensacola (early November).
Event dates are the typical annual timing; confirm with the town before traveling.