St Augustine is a small jewel of a city on the east coast, full of romantic ambiance and old world charm. It is best known for its remarkable historic streets, Spanish style architecture, and panoramic bay. Do take time to wander down St. George street, a promenade of sorts, and enjoy the art galleries, quaint shops, and restaurants.
PLACE TO VISIT
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument - This old fort was built by the Spanish in the late 1600s of Coquina limestone to defend Spain's interests in the area. Living history demonstrations on weekends. Lower level is handicapped accessible. Adults $6, under 16 free, but must be accompanied by an adult. Annual Castillo Park Pass ($30) is valid for 12 Months and admits pass owner and any 3 adults.
Florida's Oldest House - The museum complex, owned and operated by the St. Augustine Historical Society, includes Florida's Oldest House, two museums, a changing exhibition gallery, an ornamental garden, and a museum store. The admission ticket gives entry to all facilities. The featured attraction, the González-Alvarez House is the oldest surviving Spanish Colonial dwelling in Florida. The site has been occupied since the 1600s and the present house dates to the early 1700s.
Fort Matanzas National Monument - The small watchtower was built by the Spanish in the 1740s on a small island to control the southern entrance to St. Augustine via the Matanzas River. There are daily ferries to island. There is also a half-mile boardwalk nature trail on adjacent Anastasia Island. This attraction is free.
Flagler College - Located on 19 acres downtown, the Spanish Renaissance architecture is highlighted by the former Ponce De Leon Hotel, built in the late 1800s as a winter resort by Henry Flagler with the interior designed by Louis C. Tiffany. The liberal arts college was created in 1968.
Fort Mose Historic State Park - The park is where the first free black settlement in America was established in 1738 by the Spanish for black slaves of British masters seeking asylum in Spanish Florida. The settlement is located about two miles north of St. Augustine.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse - Located near the City Gates, The Old School House is a surviving expression of another time. It was built over 200 years ago, while Florida was under the rule of Imperial Spain.
Potter's Wax Museum - A fun and educational family attraction - with over 160 wax figures including authors, artists, inventors, athletes, scientists and explorers, from the Founding Fathers to present day events and celebrities.
Ripley's Believe It or Not - Ripley's oldest Odditorium, located in the Castle Warden, was purchased shortly after his death in 1949 and opened in 1950. It is also rumored to be haunted. Segments of the most recent Ripley's TV series were filmed here, including the opening credits. Among the attractions here are a mummified cat, a 1/12 scale model of the original Ferris wheel made out of Erector sets, life and death masks of famous celebrities (including Abe Lincoln), and shamanistic apparatus from cultures around the world.
San Sebastian Winery - San Sebastian Winery is located in Henry Flagler’s East Coast Railway Building just a few blocks from downtown historic St. Augustine. Complimentary Tours and Wine Tasting run about every 20-25 minutes, lasting approximately 45 minutes in length and offered seven days a week, (except for major holidays).
Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum - As you stroll through this garrison town, leave today’s world behind and discover life in another time. Visit with the blacksmith, carpenter, or soldier’s wife as they go about their daily activities. You'll see costumed historical interpreters tell the story of everyday life in 1740's St. Augustine when the city was a remote outpost of the Spanish Empire.
St Augustine Lighthouse and Museum - Built in the 1870s on the northern end of Anastasia Island. The museum contains exhibits about living and working at the light station. Open Daily at 9:00am. Allow at least one hour to tour the site and climb the tower. The last ticket to climb the tower is sold at 5:45 pm.
Holiday Regatta of Lights - A spectacular and colorful parade of boats held on the St. Augustine bay front between the Bridge of Lions and Castillo de San Marcos. This event reflects the maritime roots of the "Oldest City" and is in keeping with St. Augustine's historical seaborne image and rich nautical heritage. The Regatta is hosted by The St. Augustine Yacht Club and is usually held in early to mid December. Sailboats, trawlers, shrimp boats and many other vessels parade, decorated with the festive lights of the season in celebration of the holidays.
HOW TO REACH
By air - St Augustine/St. Johns County Airport runways accommodating most private and corporate jets. No commercial service is available at this time.
Jacksonville International Airport is the nearest commercial airport and is served by nine airlines.
By Bus - Greyhound has a limited bus stop here located at: 1711 Dobbs Road St Augustine. Tickets are not available for purchase from this terminal. You need to either purchase them online in advance or go to the Jacksonville terminal.
By car - St Augustine can easily be reached by car. Interstate 95 is just west of the city. Take exit 318 if traveling south on I-95, exit 298 if traveling north on I-95. Major highways entering the city include US-1, US-90, SR-16, SR-207 and FL-A1A.
The St. Augustine Parking Garage, an enormous, multi-level, state-of-the-art facility was opened in 2006. It is located across from Ripley's and at the far end of St. George Street. Limited parking can also be found on the street as well as at the Castillo De San Marcos parking lot (charge).
By train - Jacksonville is the nearest city with an Amtrak station; it is served by the Silver Star and Silver Meteor Miami - New York City routes.
