Courting again to the sixteenth century, St. Augustine is America’s oldest metropolis. This charming seaside city is stuffed with historical past, lovely structure, and plenty of actions. One factor is for positive there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
Moreover the historic points of St. Augustine, there are numerous different sights for guests too. Our listing covers all the greatest actions, each previous and new, and for all pursuits. No matter you select to do in St. Augustine, you might be positive to discover a enjoyable time.
1. Castillo de San Marcos
It’s laborious to overlook this huge stone fortress looming over Matanzas Bay. In-built 1672 by the Spanish, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest construction in St. Augustine, in addition to the oldest masonry fort in all the United States.
All through the 1700s, British forces desperately tried to beat the fort, though its thick Spanish stone partitions may by no means be taken. Nevertheless, the fort was handed over to the British in 1763 when Florida grew to become 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. Should you’re searching for the most effective views in St. Augustine, climb to the highest of the gun deck; from right here, you’ll have panoramic views of town skyline and crystal blue waters.
2. St. George Road
Working via St. Augustine’s coronary heart is St. George Road, a bustling space stuffed with cafes, historic sights, and quite a few sights. In any respect hours of the day, you’ll discover locals and vacationers shuffling alongside this pedestrianized highway for sightseeing, purchasing, and easily soaking within the vibrant environment of town.
On our most up-to-date journey, we stayed at St. George Inn, positioned proper on St. George Road. We had a stunning balcony on the second ground overlooking St. George Road, and so many sights and the perfect eating places in St. Augustine had been inside strolling distance.
A few of the highlights alongside St. George Road embrace the Previous Metropolis Gate, the Oldest Wood 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.
A few of the greatest eating places in St. Augustine could be present in and round St. George Road. If you’d like a small chunk head to Pizza Time, you gained’t miss it as there’s 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 individuals round to the main sights, St. Augustine has one thing a bit bit completely different. Bounce aboard their hop-on-hop-off trolley excursions, which can information you thru city on an old style trolley!
Your conductor will drive you previous greater than 100 St. Augustine sights whereas sharing real-life tales and commentary in regards to the completely different sights within the space.
In style St. Augustine sights 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 have the ability to get off at any of the 22 stops to discover the sights and museums at your personal tempo. If you’re prepared to maneuver on to your subsequent location, you’ll be able to board any of the scheduled trolleys to take you to your subsequent vacation spot.
4. St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Positioned on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is a powerful sight to behold. The large 165-foot tower is painted in black and white stripes, which could be seen for miles round. Because the oldest brick construction in St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is an interesting perception into town’s wealthy historical past.
Should you’re up for the problem, you’ll be able to climb the strenuous 219 steps to the highest of the lighthouse for breathtaking views of town and Salt Run Lagoon. Or you’ll be able to go to the neighboring Maritime Museum, which comprises intensive reveals on WWII shipwrecks, the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Augustine, and a standard 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 reveals and paranormal TV sequence over time, 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 study all about St. Augustine’s 500-year-old historical past. This residing museum comprises quite a few sights that designate how each day life was performed in the course of the sixteenth, seventeenth, and 18th centuries in the course of the European settlement in America. On tour, you’ll see real-life blacksmith forging, musket loading, shipbuilding, and leatherworking demonstrations.
Moreover the guided tour, the Colonial Quarter is residence 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’ll be able to chill and benefit from the sunshine on their outside patio. The Colonial Quarter additionally hosts dwell live shows all year long – you’ll be able to verify 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 lovely! And what higher technique to see the spectacular panorama than from excessive within the air on a scenic helicopter flight? Examine charges now.
Your skilled captain will whisk you over the sandy shoreline and provide you with a birds-eye view of St. Augustine sights, like Vilano Seaside, Conch Island, Porpoise Level, and St. Augustine Seaside. Throughout your flight, you’ll have the ability to spot well-known landmarks just like the towering St. Augustine Lighthouse and fortified Castillo de San Marcos.
Though it’s not essentially the most budget-friendly exercise on this listing, it’s nonetheless assured to be essentially the most memorable. Don’t overlook to deliver your digicam, since you’re going to wish to bear in mind these jaw-dropping views for years to come back!
7. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Though St. Augustine is especially recognized for its Spanish affect, many individuals are unaware that it additionally performed a serious function in America’s Black historical past. Fort Mose Historic State Park was the location of the nation’s first free black settlement for slaves who escaped British colonial rule. The positioning was constructed and established by Spanish governor Handbook de Montiano in 1738, who wished 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 heart. As you stroll alongside the path, you’ll encounter a standard cooking hut, a historic backyard, and a Spanish-style boat. As the most effective hidden St. Augustine gems, the Fort Mose Historic State Park is to not be missed throughout your journey.
8. St. Augustine Seaside
If crashing waves and white powdery sand sound like your thought of a picture-perfect trip, make sure that to spend a day on the lovely St. Augustine Seaside. Positioned 5 miles from the historic downtown heart, St. Augustine Seaside is ideal for households and beachgoers. The 2-mile stretch of large seashore has a volleyball courtroom, 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. When you’ve got bought your fishing license, then you’ll be able to arrange a line right here. In any other case, the pier is a wonderful place for a stroll, particularly throughout sundown. Not like different seashores in Florida, St. Augustine Seaside is never crowded, which is good 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 a couple of museums to grasp St. Augustine’s affect on American historical past. Among the best locations to study St. Augustine’s historical past and tradition is on the Lightner Museum, which is housed within the Lodge Alcazar (a shocking Spanish Renaissance constructing that’s price 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 via a Victorian village with recreated storefronts and retailers relationship again to the 1800s. Along with the Victorian reveals, the Lightner Museum additionally has an industrial room containing an Egyptian mummy, varied 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. Should you’re occupied with studying extra about St. Augustine’s darkish aspect, you’ll wish to guide a night ghost tour of town.
As you stroll via 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 number of the well-known souls buried beneath the bottom. You’ll additionally cease by an historical funeral parlor believed to be visited by the our bodies of previous residents. Though the excursions are typically extra instructional than downright spooky, it’s suggested to depart 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 largest accredited zoos. The Alligator Farm is the one place on the planet the place you’ll be able to 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 may be additionally an on-site chook rookery, the place wild herons, storks, and egrets roam free among the many gardens. Thrill-seekers can guide a experience 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 number 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 gained’t technically grant you everlasting life or magnificence, the Fountain of Youth Park stays one of many high 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 sights 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 during the last 100 years.
13. Anastasia State Park
Located on the peninsula of Anastasia Island, Anastasia State Park is the proper vacation spot for outside fanatics and nature lovers. This 1,600-acre park is residence to sandy seashores, tidal marshes, and dense mangrove forests. You’ll additionally discover the Previous Spanish Coquina Quarries, an archeological website stuffed with coquina stone used for the Castillo de San Marco fort. Stretching alongside the Atlantic Coast plain, the Anastasia State Park boasts a number of the most beautiful 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 very fashionable. You’ll additionally discover that the calm waters are excellent for kayaking and rise up paddleboarding. Should you’re searching for a little bit of recent air and train, you’ll discover a couple of nature trails winding via the dunes and seashores. Whereas Anastasia State Park can simply be visiting as a day journey, it’s potential to spend the night time in one of many campsites positioned 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 essentially the most pirate objects on the planet below one roof. The museum is residence 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 advocate reserving a Pirate guided tour. Led by your very personal pirate information, you’ll learn to tie the proper knot, elevate the Jolly Roger flag, and take part in different swashbuckling actions.
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