The Navarre center is around 8 miles south of Blackwater River State Recreation Area and 13 miles north of The Northwest Florida Zoological Park and Botanical Gardens.
The best time to visit Navarre is from mid-September to October after peak tourist season ends. Nearby attractions in Pensacola are devoid of crowds, leaving the beaches ripe for exploring. You can also visit some of the area's seasonal events, such as Taste of the Beach and the Pensacola Seafood Festival.
Navarre's low season is in the late fall and winter, ensuring you'll get the best deals on hotel stays. Unlike other parts of Florida, Navarre is too chilly for beachgoers during the winter months, but you can still experience the area's shopping, dining, and attraction options. Just keep in mind that some venues do close for the season. Popular winter events include the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival and the Pensacola Marathon.
Peak season in Navarre stretches from March to early September, when spring break crowds and families descend on Pensacola and surrounding areas. While Navarre avoids excessive crowds due to the fact that it's a residential town, you'll still see hiked hotel rates to accommodate the Pensacola overflow. Booking your room well in advance can ensure you aren't subjected to the highest prices.
If you plan your trip carefully, you can save even more money by taking advantage of discounts. For example, military and government employees can book a special rate at Hilton Pensacola Beach, which is within walking distance of Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. The hotel features an indoor pool, a children's pool, fitness facilities, outdoor pools, pool cabanas, and sun loungers, and you can enjoy it all simply by providing proof of your eligibility. Government employees and military personnel and their families can also enjoy discounted rates at Best Western Milton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre, and Homewood Suites by Hilton Pensacola Airport.
AAA members can book special rates at hotels like Red Roof Inn & Suites Pensacola East Milton. You must book the special rate and present proof of your AAA or CAA membership upon check-in, but doing so can save you up to 15 percent off the regular rate. Other hotels with AAA discounts include Candlewood Suites Pensacola University Area, Holiday Inn Pensacola University Area, and Baymont Inn & Suites Pensacola.
Most of the area's hotels also extend money-saving rates to seniors. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Milton East I-10 is just one of these accommodations. Like with any discounted rates, seniors must present their ID upon check-in, but doing so can save you several dollars, which you can put toward dining or other excursions.
Navarre also offers many mid-range hotels that give you an incredible value for your money.
Quality Inn & Suites Pensacola Bayview is an affordable home base for exploring nearby Santa Rosa Island, Johnson Beach, and the Gulf Islands. The hotel features a meeting room and business center, interior corridors, an on-site bistro and piano bar, a seasonal outdoor pool, and relaxing guest rooms with work desks, coffee makers, sleeper sofas, microwaves, refrigerators, and flat-screen TVs.
Best Western Milton Inn is a centrally located three-star hotel that can accommodate up to two dogs per room, allowing you to bring your four-legged children on your Florida vacation. Amenities include a complimentary full breakfast, fitness facilities, interior corridors, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour front desk. Guest rooms feature extended cable TV with movie channels, refrigerators, microwaves, work desks, hairdryers, and irons with ironing boards. There's also a 24-hour business center and available printing service for business travelers.
With its playful parks, white sands, and scenic roadways, Navarre offers affordable fun for the whole family.
Navarre Beach Marine Park is a favorite destination connecting the Gulf of Mexico with Santa Rosa Sound. The park is open from sun up to sun down and is free to visitors. Be sure to check out Navarre Beach Marine Science Station, which is an excellent facility for learning about watersheds and marine life. You can even get some hands-on experience, making the Science Station a must-see attraction for all ages.
For additional knowledge on the area and marine life, visit the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. The on-site education center features a resident Diamondback Terrapin named Pumpkin as well as a variety of seahorses and fish.
Finally, round out your trip with a visit to Gulf Breeze Zoo, a 50-acre facility in nearby Gulf Breeze. The zoo features a farm, aviary, safari train ride, and giraffe feedings, plus you can go behind the scenes on an animal tour with a real-life zookeeper.
Exploring everything Navarre and the Florida Panhandle have to offer is a tall order, but no matter what your itinerary includes, you'll find a wonderfully scenic location brimming with good food, affordable attractions, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're looking to splurge on an upscale accommodation or you prefer something more affordable, you can find the perfect hotel in Navarre to meet your needs.
Below are reviews of the city of Navarre, FL from an actual visitor's perspective.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Navarre! My go to Florida city/beach
The drive on the island and the pier.
The beach is beautiful!
Beach was beautiful!
Navarre Beach
Will be back!
Beautiful beach!
Beaches!
Beaches!
Beautiful area. Hotel is within walking distance to a lot of restaurants and shopping.
We absolutely love Navarre! So beautiful with great views and pristine beaches!
Navarre, Fl is the prettiest place I've ever been in my life!
I liked the slower pace and that it was a corporate cookie cutter of Pensacola or Dustin. Old Florida. Very nice. Needs sidewalks or some path along the inland waterway.
The beach was nice.
The beach was nice.
I love Navarre Beach! The green water is crystal clear and the sand is like powdered sugar. It is not overcrowded and has a private beach ($8.00 for a 7 day pass) with pavilions where one can picnic, bathrooms, and showers. While in Navarre, I had my car's oil changed at the Goodyear place (reasonable and good service), received help from the local library in planning my return trip, played miniature golf across from the Days Inn, and ate at many places (KFC, IHOP, Pizza Hut, a Mexican restaurant next to Winn Dixie, etc). I also shopped in many of the stores. My favorite one was the Island Style next door to Days Inn. Do not miss going to this! I could have spent hours in there (in fact, I did!). The only thing I could say about Navarre that would sound negative is: there are no real sidewalks so one can walk up and down the streets safely. However, there are crosswalks and the buildings are spaced far enough apart that getting from one place to another on foot is no real problem. Loved it!