Florida Base Guide

Florida, home to Mickey Mouse and a coast full of beaches for days, even months, is also home to 21 military bases. From Pensacola to Homestead, we’re bringing you some great things to do all over the state!

Find yourself in Pensacola? No worries – Downtown Pensacola is full of restaurants, galleries, ice cream and you can take a little trip over to the Pensacola Children’s Museum and the Pensacola Museum of Art. Need a beach day? Johnson’s Beach in Perdido is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country! 

Let’s drive over to Jacksonville where we can head over to the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens for a full day of interactive and educational experiences. You’ll not only be able to see over 2,000 rare and exotic animals, you’ll see 1,000 varieties of plants, meet a truly dedicated animal wellness team and  be in one of the only walking safari locations in Northeast Florida! Want to head into the sky? The Jax Navy Flying Club offers lessons right on base from beginner to certifying – you’re guaranteed to have fun!

Time to head MacDill AFB over in Tampa – home to Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, Adventure Island and Dinosaur World. You can check out Gasparilla – a family friendly carnival during the day and Mardi Gras nights for some fun and winding down. For a day out – Ybor City, Tampa Riverwalk, and Amalie Arena are local go-to’s where you are guaranteed to enjoy your day! Catch a game at Raymond James Stadium – home to the Buccaneers and while you’re at it, the George M. Steinbrenner Field for a baseball game! Depending when you’re there, you can get a two for one and check out the New York Yankees Spring Training! 

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a MUST VISIT when you’re in Florida. Go behind the gates for exclusive access to launch sites, learn about future missions and train like an astronaut on Space Shuttle Atlantis! 

Let’s venture down south where Homestead Air Reserve Base is just 25 miles outside of Miami. Catch the Marlins playing, visit the Miami boardwalk, spend the weekend visiting museums specific to South Florida at the Miami Dade Military Museum and Memorial! Home to over 300 primates – head on over to Monkey Jungle Park! 

It wouldn’t be a blog about Florida if we didn’t talk about Disney, Universal and SeaWorld – check your MWR for tickets to these top attractions in Orlando Florida. A day or two with the Mouse can fix all your worries and bring joy. 

Some memorable, notable & fun worthy mentions? 

• Go Parasailing in Destin Florida near Patrick Air Force Base!
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park in Panama City Beach Florida
• Jacksonville Beach Sea Walk Pavilion
• Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, Pensacola 
• Tampa Bay Water Bike Company 
• Crab Island – A sandbar in Destin Florida! 
• The Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida 
• Dry Tortugas National Park in Dry Tortugas, Florida

My name is Sasha Hernández-Ticali and I’m a PCS Mentor with MilHousing Network. I’m a military spouse stationed with my family in Maryland. When I’m not working, I’m cooking, dancing & enjoying time well spent with family and friends.