Well, spring baseball will be starting in a few weeks and Pensacola is already touting its options.
In Pensacola, meanwhile, there are dolphin tours, miles of untouched beach along Gulf Islands National Seashore and dozens of themed events. Some suggested stops:
Family Vacations: A good base for a family break might be the Holiday Inn Resort opening Feb. 25. It has beach access, a cascading waterfall, game room and kids' activities. (holidayinnresorts.com/pensacolabeach)
College Break: The Margaritaville Beach Hotel is an island-inspired retreat that blends coastal style and new technology. (margaritavillehotel.com)
Couple's Retreat: Lee House Bed & Breakfast Inn caters to romantics with a fireplace, artwork, elegant furnishings and porches that overlook Pensacola Bay. (leehousepensacola.com)
What's to do in Pensacola? The area has an array of festivals and activities planned for the spring influx. You can find a complete list on the blog, but here are some highlights:
Mardi Gras, March 4-8: One of the country's original celebration sites, Pensacola and Pensacola Beach host family oriented fun at numerous parades with lots of beads and moon pies. (850-434-1234; visitpensacola.com)
Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair, March 5-6: Step back to the days of old with jousting exhibitions, falconry, medieval musicians, jesters, jugglers, fire breathers, belly dancers, bagpipers and more. (877-429-8462, gcrf.net)
Gallery Night, March 11: An evening of arts and culture by touring downtown art galleries open 5-9 p.m. (downtownpensacola.com)
Beulahfest, March 18-20: Country music, arts and crafts, rides and food. (850-944-3167, beulahfest.com)
27th Annual Pensacola Crawfish Festival, April 29-May 1. Held along the waterfront downtown, it's among the largest crawfish boils in Florida. (850-433-6512, fiestaoffiveflags.org)
