One of America’s oldest cities is also one of its most popular destinations. There’s something about all that blue water and white sand that can make anyone fall in love with Pensacola, Florida. The Gulf Coast town in West Florida has a way of softening up Winter, and cooling off Summer that makes is a fantastic vacation spot.

But it’s also loaded with history that goes back centuries. Spanish explorers first established a small settlement at Pensacola Bay in 1559. The modern city was founded by the Spanish in 1698 as a buffer against the French who were setting up settlements in Louisiana to the West. You can still see some of the original buildings from that period. At Historic Pensacola Village, you get a feel of the early days and can tour some of the buildings saved and restored from the early 18th century.

To the South, you can see one of the oldest gulf coast light houses still in use. At the Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, you can actually climb to the top of the lighthouse. It’s a long, slow climb, but the views are outstanding. One of the most popular times to visit the lighthouse is when the Navy Blue Angels are flying from their base at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Near the lighthouse, you can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum. Here you learn the story of Naval flying that started more than a century ago, and see many of the planes and meet many of the pilots that helped make all the flying history.

On certain days, the Blue Angels fly training missions — and you can watch and hear all the action from the museum grounds.  Note: you will be on an active military base, so do bring proper ID.

Of course one of the must visit places is Pensacola Beach itself on Santa Rosa Island. The further East you drive on the Barrier Island, the more natural it feels. Part of the Gulf Islands Natural Seashore, the white sand and blue water make for a wonderful backdrop.