05/14/2026
Visit Pensacola how about this love letter to Pensacola from 1823?
"Late in the afternoon of yesterday, I strolled down the street toward the water…At that hour the view down the bay is grand. The bright sun had nearly run his daily course through a calm, clear sky, in which not a cloud had crossed his path, and now approached the long, lustrous line of the western horizon, to plunge, as it seemed, beneath the sea. The day had been sufficiently warm to make the return of evening agreeable; and it was one of those delicious evenings peculiar to the climate of Florida. There was in that serenity in the heavens that lulls the mind, at the same time that the increasing elasticity of the land breeze cheers and exhilarates the spirits. The eye, too, worried by the dazzling glare of noon, found relief in wandering over the fading prospect. In front, across the bay, lay the Island of Santa Rosa, whose thick clumps of dark green Yapon-Bushes, interspersed with snow-white sand-hills, already began to lose their distinctness in the mellow shades of twilight. On the left, far way, the Escambia, the Coldwater, Whitewater, Blackwater, and Yellow-water Rivers, –verily a rare assemblage of names,-- with their host of tributaries, thence poured their united volume into the princely bay of Pensacola. "
- George McCall, January 6, 1823. From "Letters from the Frontiers."
𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙖 💌 𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙒𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙖 𝙫𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣!
Through our From the 1500s, With Love campaign, we’re celebrating more than 250 years of history and the moments that make Pensacola so special. Maybe it was a beach sunset you still think about, a family vacation that became a yearly tradition, or the destination you chose to call home. Whatever your story looks like, we want to hear it. We’re inviting you to write your love letter to Pensacola in 500 words or less for a chance to win a Pensacola vacation for four valued at $2,500!
Submit your letters here: https://bit.ly/3P1EFJb !
𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙣:
🏨 A three-night stay for four at Hilton Pensacola Beach in a junior suite
🍽️ Dining experiences valued at more than $800, including:
• $150 to Restaurant IRON
• $150 to Flora-Bama Lounge & Package
• $150 to The Wharf Fish & Oyster Company
• $150 to Union Public House Pensacola
• $100 to Hideaway Beach Bar
• $100 to O'Riley's Irish Pub Downtown
• $25 to Bamboo Wi***es
🛥️ Pensacola experiences, including:
🎣 An inshore fishing charter with Hot Spots Charters
🐬 A dolphin cruise with Frisky Mermaid Dolphin Cruises & Pontoon Boat Rentals
🎮 Passes to FAST EDDIES FUN CENTER
⛵ A daytime sailing cruise with Condor Sailing Adventures
🏛️ Passes to Historic Pensacola
🎁 A special gift basket from valued at $80
Submit by June 30, 2026. The winner will be announced July 4, 2026, during America’s 250th birthday year celebration! Official giveaway terms and conditions are available online. Transportation not included. Must be 21+ to enter.
