Things to Do in St. Augustine
Orlando has Mickey. Miami has flash. But St. Augustine has something those destinations can't touch—a long and distinguished pedigree.
Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-settled city in the continental U.S. This northeast Florida coastal community exudes old-world charm and you can't help breathing in its history as you stroll the cobblestone, magnolia-lined streets. If you’re making your way through Florida, make St. Augustine a top destination!
A City of Firsts
Feel the pull of the past in St. Augustine when you visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, where you can fantasize about storming the fort's double drawbridge and visit a legendary haunted prison cell. At the end of the District’s bustling St. George Street, marvel at the stately City Gate, a remainder from when the fort’s moat ran to the river. To see where America's first Mass was celebrated, visit the Mission of Nombre de Dios. Finally, don't miss the lighthouse on Anastasia Island or the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum.
Modern Delights
Skip over to Anastasia Island, east of St. Augustine, for sparkling beaches, trails to ancient sand dunes and all the boat, bike and paddleboard rentals you could hope for. For slightly stranger amusements, visit the nation’s first Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum, set in one of St. Augustine’s most notorious buildings to house Mr. Ripley's original collection of “Weird” things. This Moorish-style castle has more than 800 interactive and totally bizarre exhibits. Put your life on the line at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park as you and the kids zipline over the gators. Finally, don’t miss visiting Solano Cycle to rent a two-seater "scoot coupe," a bumper car/scooter hybrid for use downtown and on Anastasia Island.
Was That a Footstep?
Goose-bump inducing haunts are just around the corner if you’re looking for a bit of the otherworldly in this town. Nearly 500 years of history is fertile ground for ghostly legends. Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, which prides itself on presenting authentic history, takes seekers through dark, narrow brick streets of Old Town. Its Maritime Tales and Legends Tours lead lantern-lit walks that end with visits to two wooden replicas of 16th-century Spanish sailing ships that make the city their homeport. For more scenic excursions, sign up for Old Town Trolley Tours or Red Train Tours, whose open-air train cars are smaller and can go where trolleys can't.
Barbecue and Buccaneers
Ahoy, landlubbers! Thanks to Hollywood, pirates are uber-popular again—so why not dine with them? Take your young deckhands on an unforgettable Black Raven Adventures Pirate Ship weekend cruise that includes dinner and dress-up before kids do battle with Blackbeard. Just over the river, fill up your tank at the local favorite, GAS Full Service Restaurant (9 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine), on Anastasia Island, featuring jalapeño popper burgers and a wide selection of craft beers. For breakfast, lunch dinner—and creative gourmet frozen treats such as “The Elvis” (peanut butter, bananas and honey)—check out the Hyppo Cafe (1765 Tree Boulevard, No. 5, St. Augustine). It's an eatery not to miss.
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