Secret beaches and century-old cannons at this Florida local hidden gem

From overlooked roadside attractions to offbeat museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We will emphasize charm, surprise and delight.

Local hidden gem: Fort Pickens in Pensacola, Florida

While Florida’s panhandle is widely known for its white sandy beaches , emerald green waters and vibrant coastal life , many visitors (and even locals) overlook the walkable historic sites that bring centuries of history to life.

Pensacola, Florida, is at the heart of American history, with roots dating back to 1559 when it was established as America’s first non-continuous settlement. Fort Pickens specifically, a military fort completed atop Santa Rosa Island in 1834, is particularly unique because of how well protected and maintained it is by the U.S. National Park Service. The fort was built to protect Pensacola Bay’s waterways and seaports from foreign attacks. Over a century later, visitors are still able to stroll through its corridors, gaze in astonishment at its massive cannons and climb to the rooftop and envision enemy ships approaching from afar.

The fort’s rangers double as historians, sharing its stories. These include some of the fort’s darker truths, like how enslaved men were forced to build the fort brick by brick. Once completed, Fort Pickens became the largest brick structure on the Gulf of Mexico and exhibited the latest theories in coastal defense design, construction and weaponry.

However, the fort became a destination for freedom seekers starting in 1861, according to the National Park Service. Fort Pickens was accepted as one of the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom sites in 2020.

In addition to touring the fort, the grounds offer plenty to explore, including wildlife sightings, secluded beaches for swimming and snorkeling, hiking paths, fishing piers and campgrounds.

What makes Fort Pickens special?

Fort Pickens satisfies an urge for exploration. Whether you’re wandering through the nooks and crannies of the fort − filled with narrow tunnels, dim lighting and secret mine chambers – or scaling the sea wall for a secluded beach trip, a day at Fort Pickens is a day of adventure.

The preserved fort allows you to experience centuries of American history firsthand while also serving as the backdrop for new memories.

When to go and how to get there

Since being outdoors is a main part of the Fort Pickens experience, it’s best to visit in the late spring or early fall, when the Florida summer heat isn’t sweltering.

Fort Pickens can be accessed by car or by boat, and a ride on the Pensacola Bay City Ferry provides an added layer of fun.

Entrance fees are $15 per person, $20 per motorcycle or $25 per vehicle and must be paid by a card. Annual passes are also available for $45.

If you choose to travel by water, the Pensacola Bay City Ferry offers round trips to Fort Pickens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry comes equipped with bike racks, which make for a great way of exploring Fort Pickens once you get there.

Ferry tickets include “hop-on, hop-off” privileges between each of the three stops in downtown Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens. The schedule can be found on pensacolabaycityferry.com.

The Fort Pickens entrance station gate is open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. from March 1 to Oct. 31 and from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 through Feb. 28. The Fort Pickens gate is open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round.

Where: 1400 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach

More info: Visit the National Park Service website at NPS.gov or call 850-934-2600.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Secret beaches and century-old cannons at this Florida local hidden gem