Thanksgiving tends to follow the same script. You enter a crowded kitchen, a football game in the living room and a nap on the couch. But, a beach Thanksgiving, you can keep the turkey and the nap and move everything else closer to the Gulf of Mexico. On Pensacola Beach, late-November highs usually land in the upper 60s, making the after-dinner walk the best part of a Florida Thanksgiving.
Premier Island Management Group manages vacation homes and condos up and down the island, and every one of our condos has a fully equipped kitchen. Book directly with us, and the turkey, the sand, and a Thanksgiving morning 5K are not far away.
What Is The Pensacola Beach Turkey Trot?
The Pensacola Beach Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving Day 5K based at the Gulfside Pavilion, 20 Casino Beach Boardwalk. The Kids Turkey Dash starts at 8 a.m., and the 5K follows at 8:30 a.m. The best costumes win medals and cups.
The race supports brain cancer research at Duke University’s Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. It also benefits Children in Crisis, which helps foster children and families in Northwest Florida. It has grown into a Pensacola Thanksgiving tradition that earns its early alarm.
How Do You Host A Beach Thanksgiving In A Vacation Rental?
Treat it like a home kitchen with a better view: shop before you cross the bridge, bring your own roasting gear and eat outside.
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Check in Wednesday: Beach home check-in starts at 4 p.m. at our Beach Club office. Call ahead if you’ll arrive after 5 p.m., and review our check-in details.
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Shop on the mainland: Stock up in Gulf Breeze before you cross the Bob Sikes Bridge. Thanksgiving Day is a long day to discover you forgot the cranberry sauce.
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Pack the pan: Our condos come stocked with coffee, a condiments kit and dish soap. Bring a roasting pan and a meat thermometer.
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Eat on the balcony: In late November, sunset arrives before 5 p.m., so carry the pie outside and watch the light fade over the Gulf.
Where Should You Go The Day After Thanksgiving?
Head to Fort Pickens on Friday, because most Gulf Islands National Seashore facilities close on Thanksgiving Day.
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Fort Pickens: The Fort Pickens Area entrance gate stays open until 6 p.m. from November through February, and the fort itself opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sunset. A seven-day vehicle pass costs $25.
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Envie Boutique: The shop on the Pensacola Beach Boardwalk stocks coastal-style fashion. Knock out a few holiday gifts without circling a mall parking lot.
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Baja Coastal Kitchen: When nobody can face another turkey sandwich, our beachfront restaurant serves tacos and fresh seafood. Check holiday hours before you go.
Over The Bridge And Through The Sand
A beach Thanksgiving trades the long drive to Grandma’s house for a short walk to the Gulf. You still get the turkey, the pie and the nap.
Book directly with Premier Island Management Group for a beach Thanksgiving with room for the whole table. Browse our homes for Pensacola Beach vacation rentals, from Gulf-view condos to Pensacola Beach house vacation rentals and Pensacola Beach cottage vacation rentals. Call 866-976-7530 or email info@premierisland.com, and pack a costume for the Turkey Trot along with the roasting pan.