October 6, 2003 -- The City of Five Flags -- so-named due to the shifting governance over time by the Spanish, British, French, the Confedaracy and the U.S. -- has a veritable cornucopia of activities and discounts going on through November. Read on for the details.
Hotel prices are right on the money. Such as $39.95 per room at the town's Seville Inn & Suites, from now through February 29, 2004, Sunday through Thursday nights. Contact them at 800/277-7275 or 850/433-8331, visit www.sevilleinn.com.
For a real highlight, consider the Blue Angels Air Show on November 7 and 8, 2003, since the pilots have their home base right at the neighboring Naval Air Station. This will be their final show of the season and there's free admission. Phone 850/452-BLUE (same as 452-2583) or visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.
Also fun could be the Historic Haunted House Walking & Trolley Tour from October 23 through 25, 2003. These narrated tours are led by costumed guides and visit over 50 different places where ghostly sightings have been researched and documented by the Pensacola Historical Society. Prices range from about $6 for walking tours to $12 for trolley tours, the latter being handicap accessible. Phone the society at 850/433-1559.
The Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival takes place from November 7 through 9, 2003, with more than 200 fine art and craft exhibitors from around the country, as well as a children's arts festival and food and drink. It's said to be ranked in the top 100 fine art and craft shows by the Art Fair Source Book. Visit www.ggaf.org for more information.
There's also the Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival from November 13 to 23, 2003, featuring musicians from many countries and all genres, they say. Phone 850/492-7664 or visit www.fbisf.com.
Other hotel deals, besides the one mentioned earlier, include $49 per night (except weekends) at the Beachside Resort & Conference Center, through December 30, 2003. Phone 800/232-2416 or 850/932-5331, visit www.innisfree.com.
It costs from $49 for a room at the Sandpiper Gulf Aire Inn from now through October 31, 2003 -- pay for six days, get the seventh free. Phone 800/301-5925 or 850/931-2319. Comfort Inn Davis Highway has rates as low as $59 per night (per room) from now through December 31, 2003. Phone 800/552-4667 or 850/484-8070.
Throughout Florida, Best Western just announced a "Florida Fun Rate" that can save you as much as 25% to even 40% on rooms Most discounts stick with the lower percentage.. Sample discounts include 25% off at these spots: Maingate East Hotel & Suites in Orlando; Oceanside Inn at Fort Lauderdale; and Admiral's Inn at Cypress Gardens. Over in Coral Gables, the Chateau Bleau Hotel offers 30% off, while the Inn at Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, says 40% off is the rate.
Note that you must ask for the FS code when making a reservation at 800/WESTERN. Rates are based on availability and subject to change. Their website is www.bestwestern.com.
For more information on Pensacola and independent reviews of other places to stay, just go to our Pensacola coverage in our Destinations section here, www.frommers.com/destinations/pensacola. If you've got a suggestion for where to stay or what to do in Pensacola, just post a note on our Florida Message Boards by clicking here
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