Pensacola now offering variety of group tours

• Advocate marketing report
• Published: Apr 26, 2009

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Want to dig up the past or take a trip back into the history of Pensacola? Now, access to these excursions is easy through a new slate of group tours in the Pensacola Bay area. According to the Pensacola Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, four different group tours are available. They include the following:

First Settlement Tour

• Tour stops: Seville Square, Victorian-era North Hill and the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum.
• Scope: A look at Pensacola’s colorful history, where visitors can learn about the history of the community through a collection of artifacts.

Santa Rosa Island History and Birding Tour

• Tour stops: Pensacola Beach, Naval Live Oaks Reservation, Fort Pickens, Gulf Islands National Seashore and Project GreenShores.
• Scope: To study the nature and history of one of the country’s longest barrier islands. Fort Pickens is a pre-Civil War fortress, and the national seashore attracts 200 species of birds each year.

History of Flight Tour

• Tour stop: The National Naval Aviation Museum
• Scope: A visit to the museum that features more than 150 aircraft and 4,000 artifacts. Tour includes lunch and IMAX tickets.

Archaeology of Northwest Florida Tour

• Tour stops: T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum, Colonial Archaeological Trail, Arcadia Mills Archaeological Site and the University of West Florida’s Archaeology Institute.
• Scope: To showcase the treasures of historic Pensacola Village, downtown Pensacola, North Hill Preservation District and East Hill Historic District.

Walking tours start at $10, and deluxe tours, which include transportation and lunch, start at $45, according to the CVB. For more information, contact Lori Coppels at (800) 874-1234.

There are also other events in the coming months to enjoy, as the city continues to celebrate its 450th anniversary:

Ongoing

• Throughout May: Miguel Zapata Art Exhibit. (850) 432-1450. http://www.celebratepensacola.com
• Thursday nights, May-August: Evenings in Olde Seville Square. (850) 438-6505.
• May-September: Bands on the beach. (850) 932-1500. http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com