Relationship 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 positive there is no such thing as a scarcity of issues to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
Moreover the historic facets of St. Augustine, there are a lot of different sights for guests too. Our checklist covers all the greatest actions, each outdated and new, and for all pursuits.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 onerous 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 complete 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 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 on the lookout for among the finest 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
Operating by St. Augustine’s coronary heart is St. George Road, a bustling space crammed 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 ambiance of the town.
On our most up-to-date journey, we stayed at St. George Inn, positioned proper on St. George Road. We had a beautiful balcony on the second flooring overlooking St. George Road, and so many sights and the perfect eating places in St. Augustine have been inside strolling distance.
A few of the highlights alongside St. George Road embrace the Outdated Metropolis Gate, the Oldest Wood Faculty Home, and the Pena Peck Home. You’ll additionally discover quite a few museums dotted alongside the best way, just like the Medieval Torture Museum and the Colonial Quarter.
A few of the greatest eating places in St. Augustine might be present in and round St. George Road. If you would like a small chew head to Pizza Time, you received’t miss it as there’s often a line. It was not too long ago 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 slightly bit completely different. Leap 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.
Standard St. Augustine sights alongside the route embrace the Castillo de San Maros, Flagler Faculty, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and the St. Augustine Historical past Museum. Better of all, you’ll be capable of get off at any of the 22 stops to discover the sights and museums at your personal tempo. Once 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 large 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 a captivating perception into the town’s wealthy historical past.
Should 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 comprises in depth reveals on WWII shipwrecks, the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Augustine, and a conventional picket boat constructing.
The lighthouse can also be rumored to be haunted by the previous lighthouse keepers, making it a well-liked cease on many ghost excursions of St. Augustine. It’s been featured in a number of ghost-hunting reveals and paranormal TV collection 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 study all about St. Augustine’s 500-year-old historical past. This residing museum comprises quite a few sights that specify how every day life was carried out 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.
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 may chill and benefit from the sunshine on their outside patio. The Colonial Quarter additionally hosts stay live shows all year long – you may test their on-line calendar for precise dates.
6. St. Augustine Helicopter Tour
St. Augustine isn’t simply the oldest metropolis in the US – it additionally occurs to be some of the stunning! 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 offer you a birds-eye view of St. Augustine sights, like Vilano Seashore, Conch Island, Porpoise Level, and St. Augustine Seashore. Throughout your flight, you’ll be capable of 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 checklist, it’s nonetheless assured to be essentially the most memorable. Don’t neglect to deliver your digital camera, since you’re going to need to keep in mind these jaw-dropping views for years to come back!
7. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Though St. Augustine is principally identified 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 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 may 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 among the finest 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 thought of a picture-perfect trip, ensure 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 huge seashore has a volleyball court docket, youngsters’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 is never crowded, which is good for anybody trying 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 grasp St. Augustine’s impression on American historical past. Top-of-the-line locations to find out about 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 gadgets from the Victorian period, together with stained glass, sculptures, and furnishings. You’ll even stroll by a Victorian village with recreated storefronts and retailers courting again to the 1800s. Along with the Victorian reveals, 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 also 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 fascinated with studying extra about St. Augustine’s darkish aspect, you’ll need to e book a night ghost tour of the town.
As you stroll by the cobblestone streets and winding alleys at nightfall, you’ll find out about spine-tingling tales that date again to the seventeenth century. You’ll go to the Tolomoto Cemetary to find out about among 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 academic than downright spooky, it’s suggested to depart any youngsters (or scaredy cats) again on the resort.
11. St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Relationship 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 all Florida’s largest accredited zoos. The Alligator Farm is the one place on this 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 e book a trip on the Crocodile Crossing, a zipper line course that flies 35 ft over the alligator and crocodile ponds. The place else on this planet are you able to go ziplining over among 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 ingesting 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 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 also be a working archaeological dig web site, 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 lovers and nature lovers. This 1,600-acre park is residence to sandy seashores, tidal marshes, and dense mangrove forests. You’ll additionally discover the Outdated Spanish Coquina Quarries, an archeological web site crammed with coquina stone used for the Castillo de San Marco fort. Stretching alongside the Atlantic Coast plain, the Anastasia State Park boasts among 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 highly regarded. You’ll additionally discover that the calm waters are good for kayaking and get up paddleboarding. Should you’re on the lookout for a little bit of contemporary air and train, you’ll discover just a few nature trails winding by 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 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 comprise essentially the most pirate gadgets on this planet underneath 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 singular 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.
Don’t Overlook to Pin me for later!
We hope we impressed you to go to St. Augustine and gave you a contemporary checklist of issues to do once you get there!
