Courting again to the sixteenth century, St. Augustine is America’s oldest metropolis. This charming seaside city is filled with historical past, stunning structure, and many actions. One factor is for certain there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
Apart from the historic points of St. Augustine, there are numerous different points of interest for guests too. Our record covers all the greatest actions, each outdated and new, and for all pursuits. No matter you select to do in St. Augustine, you’re certain to discover a enjoyable time.
1. Castillo de San Marcos
It’s laborious to overlook this large stone fortress looming over Matanzas Bay. Inbuilt 1672 by the Spanish, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest construction in St. Augustine, in addition to the oldest masonry fort in the whole United States.
All through the 1700s, British forces desperately tried to overcome the fort, though its thick Spanish stone partitions might by no means be taken. Nonetheless, the fort was handed over to the British in 1763 when Florida turned a British colony.
The fort is now open to the general public to discover. It’s one of many must-see issues to do in St. Augustine. Guests can tour the staterooms and jail cells and take part in cannon firings and weaponry demonstrations. In case you’re on the lookout for probably the greatest views in St. Augustine, climb to the highest of the gun deck; from right here, you’ll have panoramic views of the town skyline and crystal blue waters.
2. St. George Road
Working by way of St. Augustine’s coronary heart is St. George Road, a bustling space full of cafes, historic sights, and quite a few points of interest. In any respect hours of the day, you’ll discover locals and vacationers shuffling alongside this pedestrianized street for sightseeing, purchasing, and easily soaking within the vibrant environment of the town.
On our most up-to-date journey, we stayed at St. George Inn, situated proper on St. George Road. We had a stunning balcony on the second flooring overlooking St. George Road, and so many points of interest and the perfect eating places in St. Augustine have been inside strolling distance.
Among the highlights alongside St. George Road embrace the Previous Metropolis Gate, the Oldest Picket Faculty Home, and the Pena Peck Home. You’ll additionally discover quite a few museums dotted alongside the way in which, just like the Medieval Torture Museum and the Colonial Quarter.
Among the greatest eating places in St. Augustine might be present in and round St. George Road. If you need a small chunk head to Pizza Time, you received’t miss it as there may be often a line. It was just lately named #2 within the USA for the perfect pizza on Journey Advisor.
3. Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
Whereas most huge cities have hop-on-hop-off bus excursions to take folks round to the most important sights, St. Augustine has one thing a bit bit completely different. Soar aboard their hop-on-hop-off trolley excursions, which can information you thru city on an old school trolley!
Your conductor will drive you previous greater than 100 St. Augustine points of interest whereas sharing real-life tales and commentary concerning the completely different sights within the space.
Common St. Augustine points of interest alongside the route embrace the Castillo de San Maros, Flagler School, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and the St. Augustine Historical past Museum. Better of all, you’ll be capable to get off at any of the 22 stops to discover the points of interest and museums at your personal tempo. If you’re prepared to maneuver on to your subsequent location, you may board any of the scheduled trolleys to take you to your subsequent vacation spot.
4. St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Situated on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is an impressive sight to behold. The huge 165-foot tower is painted in black and white stripes, which might be seen for miles round. Because the oldest brick construction in St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is an interesting perception into the town’s wealthy historical past.
In case you’re up for the problem, you may climb the strenuous 219 steps to the highest of the lighthouse for breathtaking views of the town and Salt Run Lagoon. Or you may go to the neighboring Maritime Museum, which accommodates in depth displays on WWII shipwrecks, the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Augustine, and a conventional picket boat constructing.
The lighthouse can be rumored to be haunted by the previous lighthouse keepers, making it a preferred cease on many ghost excursions of St. Augustine. It’s been featured in a number of ghost-hunting exhibits and paranormal TV sequence through the years, so don’t be afraid in the event you hear unusual noises throughout your go to!
5. Colonial Quarter
Step again in time with a go to to the Colonial Quarter to be taught all about St. Augustine’s 500-year-old historical past. This residing museum accommodates quite a few points of interest that specify how every day life was performed through the sixteenth, seventeenth, and 18th centuries through the European settlement in America. On tour, you’ll see real-life blacksmith forging, musket loading, shipbuilding, and leatherworking demonstrations.
Apart from the guided tour, the Colonial Quarter is house to quite a few eating places and retailers. Seize some tacos and a margarita on the Taberna del Caballo, an 18th-century-styled Spanish tavern the place you may sit back and benefit from the sunshine on their outside patio. The Colonial Quarter additionally hosts stay concert events all year long – you may examine their on-line calendar for actual dates.
6. St. Augustine Helicopter Tour
St. Augustine isn’t simply the oldest metropolis in america – it additionally occurs to be one of the vital stunning! And what higher strategy to see the spectacular panorama than from excessive within the air on a scenic helicopter flight? Verify charges now.
Your skilled captain will whisk you over the sandy shoreline and offer you a birds-eye view of St. Augustine points of interest, like Vilano Seashore, Conch Island, Porpoise Level, and St. Augustine Seashore. Throughout your flight, you’ll be capable to spot well-known landmarks just like the towering St. Augustine Lighthouse and fortified Castillo de San Marcos.
Though it’s not probably the most budget-friendly exercise on this record, it’s nonetheless assured to be probably the most memorable. Don’t overlook to convey your digital camera, since you’re going to wish to keep in mind these jaw-dropping views for years to return!
7. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Though St. Augustine is especially identified for its Spanish affect, many individuals are unaware that it additionally performed a serious position in America’s Black historical past. Fort Mose Historic State Park was the positioning of the nation’s first free black settlement for slaves who escaped British colonial rule. The location was constructed and established by Spanish governor Handbook de Montiano in 1738, who needed to supply a protected haven for incoming refugees.
The settlement remained undiscovered till an archeological excavation in 1986 uncovered the unique fort. Additionally they excavated quite a few artifacts, which might now be discovered within the Fort Most Historic State Park customer middle. As you stroll alongside the path, you’ll encounter a conventional cooking hut, a historic backyard, and a Spanish-style boat. As probably the greatest hidden St. Augustine gems, the Fort Mose Historic State Park is to not be missed throughout your journey.
8. St. Augustine Seashore
If crashing waves and white powdery sand sound like your concept of a picture-perfect trip, make certain to spend a day on the stunning St. Augustine Seashore. Situated 5 miles from the historic downtown middle, St. Augustine Seashore is ideal for households and beachgoers. The 2-mile stretch of vast seashore has a volleyball court docket, kids’s splash floor, and several other nature trails.
On the north finish of the seashore, you’ll discover the St. John’s County Ocean and Fishing pier. If in case you have bought your fishing license, then you may arrange a line right here. In any other case, the pier is a superb place for a stroll, particularly throughout sundown. Not like different seashores in Florida, St. Augustine Seashore isn’t crowded, which is right for anybody seeking to escape the bustle of metropolis life.
9. The Lightner Museum
In a metropolis as historic as St. Augustine, it’s essential to go to just a few museums to know St. Augustine’s influence on American historical past. Probably the greatest locations to study St. Augustine’s historical past and tradition is on the Lightner Museum, which is housed within the Resort Alcazar (a shocking Spanish Renaissance constructing that’s value visiting in its personal proper).
Contained in the museum, you’ll discover a huge assortment of artifacts and objects from the Victorian period, together with stained glass, sculptures, and furnishings. You’ll even stroll by way of a Victorian village with recreated storefronts and retailers courting again to the 1800s. Along with the Victorian displays, the Lightner Museum additionally has an industrial room containing an Egyptian mummy, numerous shells and rocks, and a number of Native American artifacts.
10. St. Augustine Ghost Tour
It ought to come as no shock that the oldest metropolis in America can be one of many scariest. Haunted by paranormal exercise and forlorn ghosts, St. Augustine has a daunting and eerie historical past hidden deep inside its core. In case you’re involved in studying extra about St. Augustine’s darkish facet, you’ll wish to ebook a night ghost tour of the town.
As you stroll by way of the cobblestone streets and winding alleys at nightfall, you’ll study spine-tingling tales that date again to the seventeenth century. You’ll go to the Tolomoto Cemetary to study a few of the well-known souls buried beneath the bottom. You’ll additionally cease by an historic funeral parlor believed to be visited by the our bodies of previous residents. Though the excursions are usually extra instructional than downright spooky, it’s suggested to go away any kids (or scaredy cats) again on the resort.
11. St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Courting again to 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm has been entertaining households for over 120 years. What began as a small reptile exhibit on Anastasia Island has grown to be one in every of Florida’s greatest accredited zoos. The Alligator Farm is the one place on the planet the place you may see each species of alligator, crocodile, caiman, and gharial.
Along with the crocodiles, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm additionally has an unique chook and monkey exhibit. There’s additionally an on-site chook rookery, the place wild herons, storks, and egrets roam free among the many gardens. Thrill-seekers can ebook a trip on the Crocodile Crossing, a zipper line course that flies 35 toes over the alligator and crocodile ponds. The place else on the planet are you able to go ziplining over a few of the world’s most harmful creatures?
12. The Fountain of Youth
A go to to the 15-acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a must-see for any historical past buff. That is believed to be the spot the place Ponce de León discovered the elusive Fountain of Youth whereas touring from Puerto Rico to Florida in 1513. Whereas consuming or bathing within the water received’t technically grant you everlasting life or magnificence, the Fountain of Youth Park stays one of many prime issues to do in St. Augustine.
Though many individuals come to have a refreshing sip from the pure springs, there are many different family-friendly points of interest within the park. Re-created Spanish and Timucuan buildings have been constructed, which make clear what life was like earlier than the Spanish settlements. The park can be a working archaeological dig website, and several other Timucuan burials and artifacts have been found over the past 100 years.
13. Anastasia State Park
Located on the peninsula of Anastasia Island, Anastasia State Park is the right vacation spot for outside fans and nature lovers. This 1,600-acre park is house to sandy seashores, tidal marshes, and dense mangrove forests. You’ll additionally discover the Previous Spanish Coquina Quarries, an archeological website full of coquina stone used for the Castillo de San Marco fort. Stretching alongside the Atlantic Coast plain, the Anastasia State Park boasts a few of the most gorgeous rural landscapes in all of St. Augustine.
There are quite a few actions to take part in throughout your go to. Swimming, beachcombing, and chook watching are extremely popular. You’ll additionally discover that the calm waters are excellent for kayaking and rise up paddleboarding. In case you’re on the lookout for a little bit of recent air and train, you’ll discover just a few nature trails winding by way of the dunes and seashores. Whereas Anastasia State Park can simply be visiting as a day journey, it’s attainable to spend the evening in one of many campsites situated contained in the park.
14. St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum
With greater than 800 artifacts and found treasures, the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum is believed to include probably the most pirate objects on the planet underneath one roof. The museum is house to a number of distinctive artifacts, together with one of many solely three remaining Jolly Roger flags and one of many final genuine pirate treasure chests from Thomas Tew. You’ll additionally get to see Blackbeard’s unique firearm, in addition to actual gold that was found in his ship.
Along with the treasures on show, guests can fireplace an actual cannon off the gun deck (electronically) and watch a customized Disney 3D pirate present. For a novel expertise, we suggest reserving a Pirate guided tour. Led by your very personal pirate information, you’ll discover ways to tie the right knot, elevate the Jolly Roger flag, and take part in different swashbuckling actions.
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We hope we impressed you to go to St. Augustine and gave you a recent record of issues to do while you get there!