Dating again to the sixteenth century, St. Augustine is America’s oldest metropolis. This charming seaside city is filled with historical past, stunning structure, and plenty of actions. One factor is for certain there isn’t any scarcity of issues to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
Besides the historic facets of St. Augustine, there are lots of different sights for guests too. Our listing covers the entire greatest actions, each previous and new, and for all pursuits. Whatever you select to do in St. Augustine, you might be certain to discover a enjoyable time.
1. Castillo de San Marcos
It’s laborious to overlook this huge stone fortress looming over Matanzas Bay. Built in 1672 by the Spanish, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest construction in St. Augustine, in addition to the oldest masonry fort in your entire United States.
Throughout the 1700s, British forces desperately tried to beat the fort, though its thick Spanish stone partitions might by no means be taken. However, 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. Visitors can tour the staterooms and jail cells and take part in cannon firings and weaponry demonstrations. If you’re in search of 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 Street
Running by way of St. Augustine’s coronary heart is St. George Street, a bustling space crammed with cafes, historic sights, and quite a few sights. At all hours of the day, you’ll discover locals and vacationers shuffling alongside this pedestrianized street for sightseeing, procuring, 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 Street. We had a stunning balcony on the second ground overlooking St. George Street, and so many sights and the very best eating places in St. Augustine have been inside strolling distance.
Some of the highlights alongside St. George Street embrace the Old City Gate, the Oldest Wooden School House, and the Pena Peck House. You’ll additionally discover quite a few museums dotted alongside the way in which, just like the Medieval Torture Museum and the Colonial Quarter.
Some of the very best eating places in St. Augustine may be present in and round St. George Street. If you need a small chew head to Pizza Time, you gained’t miss it as there may be often a line. It was just lately named #2 within the USA for the very best pizza on Trip Advisor.
3. Hop-on Hop-off Trolley
While most huge cities have hop-on-hop-off bus excursions to take individuals round to the most important sights, St. Augustine has one thing a bit of bit completely different. Jump 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 concerning the completely different sights within the space.
Popular St. Augustine sights alongside the route embrace the Castillo de San Maros, Flagler College, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and the St. Augustine History Museum. Best of all, you’ll be capable to get off at any of the 22 stops to discover the sights and museums at your individual tempo. When you’re prepared to maneuver on to your subsequent location, you possibly can board any of the scheduled trolleys to take you to your subsequent vacation spot.
4. St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Located 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 may be seen for miles round. As the oldest brick construction in St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is an enchanting perception into the town’s wealthy historical past.
If you’re up for the problem, you possibly can climb the strenuous 219 steps to the highest of the lighthouse for breathtaking views of the town and Salt Run Lagoon. Or you possibly can go to the neighboring Maritime Museum, which comprises intensive displays on WWII shipwrecks, the U.S. Coast Guard in St. Augustine, and a standard wood boat constructing.
The lighthouse can 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 exhibits and paranormal TV collection over time, so don’t be afraid in case 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 day by day life was carried out throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and 18th centuries throughout the European settlement in America. On tour, you’ll see real-life blacksmith forging, musket loading, shipbuilding, and leatherworking demonstrations.
Besides the guided tour, the Colonial Quarter is residence to quite a few eating places and retailers. Grab some tacos and a margarita on the Taberna del Caballo, an 18th-century-styled Spanish tavern the place you possibly can relax and benefit from the sunshine on their outside patio. The Colonial Quarter additionally hosts stay concert events all year long – you possibly can verify their on-line calendar for precise dates.
6. St. Augustine Helicopter Tour
St. Augustine isn’t simply the oldest metropolis within the United States – it additionally occurs to be one of the vital stunning! And what higher option to see the spectacular panorama than from excessive within the air on a scenic helicopter flight? Check 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 Beach, Conch Island, Porpoise Point, and St. Augustine Beach. During your flight, you’ll be capable to spot well-known landmarks just like the towering St. Augustine Lighthouse and fortified Castillo de San Marcos.
Although it’s not probably the most budget-friendly exercise on this listing, it’s nonetheless assured to be probably the most memorable. Don’t overlook to carry 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
Although 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 location of the nation’s first free black settlement for slaves who escaped British colonial rule. The web site was constructed and established by Spanish governor Manual de Montiano in 1738, who wished to supply a secure haven for incoming refugees.
The settlement remained undiscovered till an archeological excavation in 1986 uncovered the unique fort. They additionally 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 probably the greatest hidden St. Augustine gems, the Fort Mose Historic State Park is to not be missed throughout your journey.
8. St. Augustine Beach
If crashing waves and white powdery sand sound like your thought of a picture-perfect trip, ensure that to spend a day on the stunning St. Augustine Beach. Located 5 miles from the historic downtown heart, St. Augustine Beach is ideal for households and beachgoers. The two-mile stretch of large seaside has a volleyball court docket, kids’s splash floor, and several other nature trails.
At the north finish of the seaside, you’ll discover the St. John’s County Ocean and Fishing pier. If you will have bought your fishing license, then you possibly can arrange a line right here. Otherwise, the pier is a superb place for a stroll, particularly throughout sundown. Unlike different seashores in Florida, St. Augustine Beach is never crowded, which is right 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 affect on American historical past. One of the very best locations to study St. Augustine’s historical past and tradition is on the Lightner Museum, which is housed within the Hotel Alcazar (a surprising Spanish Renaissance constructing that’s price visiting in its personal proper).
Inside 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. In addition to 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. If you’re all for studying extra about St. Augustine’s darkish aspect, you’ll wish to e-book 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 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. Although the excursions are usually extra instructional than downright spooky, it’s suggested to go away any kids (or scaredy cats) again on the lodge.
11. St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Dating 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 greatest accredited zoos. The Alligator Farm is the one place on this planet the place you possibly can see each species of alligator, crocodile, caiman, and gharial.
In addition to the crocodiles, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm additionally has an unique fowl and monkey exhibit. There can be an on-site fowl rookery, the place wild herons, storks, and egrets roam free among the many gardens. Thrill-seekers can e-book a journey on the Crocodile Crossing, a zipper line course that flies 35 toes over the alligator and crocodile ponds. Where 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. This 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. While 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.
Although 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 web site, and several other Timucuan burials and artifacts have been found during the last 100 years.
13. Anastasia State Park
Situated on the peninsula of Anastasia Island, Anastasia State Park is the right 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 Old 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 fowl watching are very talked-about. You’ll additionally discover that the calm waters are excellent for kayaking and arise paddleboarding. If you’re in search of a little bit of recent air and train, you’ll discover just a few nature trails winding by way of the dunes and seashores. While 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 comprise probably the most pirate objects on this 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.
In addition to the treasures on show, guests can hearth 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 discover ways to tie the right knot, elevate the Jolly Roger flag, and take part in different swashbuckling actions.
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