Pensacola …. Blue Angels Practice

Question

Quick trip to Pensacola to see Blue Angels practice. We arrived on a Monday afternoon. We are not beach people, so we opted to stay downtown. We stayed at Days Inn Wyndham. It was more than adequate. When we turned on the smart tv, no picture, they immediately sent over two people, who rebooted the set, both very nice. Clean room, basic continental breakfast in the lobby. Small pool, towels provided, not crowded. We would stay here again. About one mile to walk to the restaurant and store area of town.

Monday late afternoon. We walked downtown and had a quick bite at the Flying Burrito. Food was ok. Quick service.

Tuesday morning we grabbed a quick continental breakfast at the hotel, then off to the Blue Angels. It took about 1 1/2 hours to reach the West gate and the time in line, to get onto the base. Once you get to the gate, they check your IDs, once that happens, it is a pretty short drive to the parking lot for the Blue Angels show. We almost gave up, we didn’t think we would get in, glad we stuck it out, we made it onto the flight line with about ten minutes to spare. I would suggest you make sure to allow enough time for the long line to get onto the base. You have to use the West gate, there were other entrances closer to downtown but those are not open to the public. The show was FANTASTIC. We took our own lawn chairs, but really didn’t use them, as the show started right when we got there. If you plan on arriving early, then chairs are a good idea. We really stood most of the time. Be sure and wear a hat and sunglasses if you go in the summer. It was very, very hot out there. They have public portable toilets. After the show we poked around the Navy Museum on the same property. It was ok, very large. If we were in Pensacola again we might check it out further, but not on a practice day. It was pretty crowded and we were pretty drained from the heat. We drove out to Pensacola Beach in late afternoon and had delicious hamburgers at Shaggys. We sat on outdoor balcony on the back, shaded by roof, had fans and misters, we were very comfortable. Very efficient staff. The burgers were cooked exactly as ordered, medium. The fries were excellent. Would definitely go back. Early evening we walked to town and had ice cream at Kilwins.

Wednesday, we walked downtown and had a very good breakfast at the Ruby Slipper. We had the Biscuits and Gravy, and breakfast of eggs, grits, bacon and biscuit. Biscuit was awesome. Bacon very crisp. Service was quick, staff very nice. Definitely recommend this place. We then walked over to the Historic area, poked into several museums and exhibits. We then hit the hotel pool for some relaxing. Opted to just snack in the room after the pool.

The Blue Angel show was our main reason for the trip, and it did not disappoint.

Answer

For those planning a short trip to Pensacola to see Blue Angels practice, staying downtown can be a convenient and comfortable option, especially if you’re not focused on beach activities. Based on recent experiences, here is a detailed summary of what to expect and recommendations for accommodations, dining, and activities.

Accommodation:

Days Inn by Wyndham Pensacola Downtown: Clean, basic, and comfortable accommodations. The staff is responsive — for example, issues with smart TVs were quickly resolved. Offers a small pool and continental breakfast. Towels are provided, and the area is not crowded. The location is convenient, about a mile from downtown restaurants and stores.
Other downtown hotels may offer similar amenities, but staying downtown gives easy access to restaurants, museums, and a short drive to the West gate of the Blue Angels practice area.

Dining:

Flying Burrito: Quick service for a casual bite downtown. Food is okay for a quick meal.
Shaggy’s on Pensacola Beach: Recommended for burgers and casual dining. Outdoor balcony seating with shade, fans, and misters is comfortable. Burgers cooked to order, excellent fries, efficient service.
Kilwins: Great spot for ice cream, convenient for a walk downtown in the evening.
Ruby Slipper Café: Excellent breakfast spot. Favorites include Biscuits and Gravy and breakfast plates with eggs, grits, bacon, and biscuit. Quick service and friendly staff.

Blue Angels Practice and Show Tips:

Allow plenty of time to reach the West gate — lines can be long. It took about 1.5 hours from downtown in recent visits. Other gates may be closer but are not open to the public.
Once through security, the drive to the parking lot is short. Plan to arrive early if you want to use lawn chairs or get a prime viewing spot.
Expect hot summer conditions — hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and hydration are essential.
Portable public toilets are available at the practice/show site.
Standing is common as shows start soon after arrival; chairs are optional if you come early.
The Navy Museum on base is large and worth visiting if you have time, but it can be crowded and may be more enjoyable on non-practice days.

Other Activities:

Historic downtown Pensacola is walkable with several museums, shops, and exhibits for a relaxing afternoon.
Hotel pools are a good way to relax after a busy day at the Blue Angels show.

Summary: Downtown Pensacola provides a convenient base for attending the Blue Angels practice or show. Days Inn by Wyndham offers reliable, comfortable lodging with easy access to restaurants and shops. Dining options downtown and on the beach provide a mix of casual and quality meals. Expect long lines to enter the base, very hot weather in summer, and standing during the show. Combining the Blue Angels experience with a stroll through the historic district and time at the hotel pool makes for a well-rounded, short trip.