Travis Park-Hunters Lake - Pensacola, FL Area Guide

Pensacola's history dates back to the 1500s. First settled by the Spanish, the city changed hands between the Spanish, French and British several times. During the Civil War, Pensacola seceded from the Union, and the period after the war was one of reconstruction.

The city has experienced many devastating hurricanes over the years, but has managed to rebuild after each of them, making it stronger and more beautiful each time. Even the Travis Park-Hunters Lake section has seen the effects of the hurricanes despite being further inland that other parts of the city.

For culture, area residents head to the Pensacola Museum of Art. You can stop by the historic Pensacola Village located just a few blocks away to see some of the area's architectural history in person.

While few businesses operate in the Travis Park-Hunters Lake area, residents don't have to travel far to find restaurants serving up fresh Gulf seafood. The diverse selection of eateries and bars in Pensacola gives residents plenty of great options for dining and nightlife.

Hopjacks Pizza and Taproom has one of its two Pensacola locations just outside of the neighborhood. This eatery specializes in unique pizzas and craft beers. Build your own pizza using some of the less-than-traditional toppings, or choose one of the Hopjacks creations, such as the Black and Bleu, which features crumbled bleu chese and slices of tender fillet mignon. Ask your server to help you find a craft beer pairing to go with your pizza. This casual restaurant and bar also hosts live music, making it a one-stop shop for food, drinks and entertainment.

For fresh sushi made by master sushi chefs, head to nearby Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse. With two separate rooms, this restaurant lets you choose between the traditional sushi experience and the hibachi grill area. While both options rank highly, locals come here specifically for the sushi. Try the Cajun Surprise roll for a uniquely Southern take on sushi. This roll features crawfish, eel sauce, shrimp tempura and pepper tuna.

Catch almost any big game at The Ticket Sports bar, located just south of the Travis Park-Hunters Lake section of Pensacola. With plenty of big-screen televisions and pool tables, this bar offers locals a great place to unwind after a long day.

The Travis Park-Hunters Lake area sits in an underdeveloped section of Pensacola, so it has very few roads. The buildings in the neighborhood do have parking lots, making it easy for people visiting to park their cars. White Loop Trail provides cyclists with a natural dirt bike trail for traveling in the area.

Traveling out of this area, locals gain access to public transportation courtesy of Escambia County Area Transit, which provides bus service throughout the City of Pensacola. Bike lanes abound throughout the University of West Florida campus, providing easy access to classes for students.

Pensacola residents travel easiest by car. While walking serves as a feasible option in some areas, it isn't the most pedestrian-friendly city. Parking consists of a mix of free and paid street parking at reasonable rates. You can call ahead for a taxi, but hailing one does prove to be difficult. Uber proffers ride-sharing service in the area.

Pensacola gives residents plenty of free public parks to enjoy though none of them lie within the boundaries of the Travis Park-Hunters Lake area. Ashton Brosnaham Park consists of 10 soccer fields, making it the home of the Gulf Coast Texans Soccer Club. A pavilion, picnic area and four softball fields can also be found here. Tippin Park provides kids with a large playground to enjoy year-round. Head to Bayview Park at the southern edge of Pensacola to take your dog running on the beach, or simply head here to relax and enjoy the gulf cost scenery.

The city plays host to several annual festivals and events. Since the Naval Air Station calls Pensacola home, it hosts the breathtaking Pensacola Air Show every July for residents and tourists alike.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Northeast Pensacola averages about $615 per month, making the area reasonably affordable and competitive with the rest of the city. Gas prices tend to run around 17 percent lower than the national average. If you prefer to travel by bus, a single ride only costs $1.75. Expect to pay $4 for a beer and $13 for a meal at most casual restaurants in the area.

Pensacola has a small number of boutiques in the downtown area located on the opposite side of the city from the Travis Park-Hunters Lake area. For locals who don't want to travel to the downtown area, Cordova Mall hosts plenty of chain retail stores and big-box department store options. This indoor mall sits along the driving route to Pensacola Beach, making it an ideal stop for a last-minute bathing suit.

Despite the name, Duh remains a smart place to shop for garden and home accessories in Pensacola. Located in the downtown shopping district, this shop offers a wide range of furnishings and accessories for Pensacola natives to choose from.

Running Wild sells a selection of running shoes and apparel for enthusiasts. Pensacola hosts the Double-Bridge Run and several other running competitions throughout the year, and Running Wild provides gear and registration for these events.

Area residents head to Winn-Dixie or Publix for the majority of their grocery shopping needs. Pensacola hosts many farmers markets throughout the year, though none open within the Travis Park-Hunters Lake area. Palafox Market located in downtown Pensacola sells fresh produce, artisan goods and locally sourced meats and cheeses every Saturday morning year-round.