What to do in St. Augustine Florida, a city rich in art and history

In the north of Florida, not far from Jacksonville, we find a historic city of the United States: St. Augustine. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, is in fact the oldest European settlement still inhabited in the country, as well as being a very interesting town to visit. St. Augustine is proof that visiting Florida does not necessarily mean limiting oneself to beaches or amusement parks: history, art and culture can also find their place in the trip.

Things to Do in St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a small town of about 12 thousand souls, so we are talking about a small town and not a large metropolis with many neighborhoods. Nevertheless, its history makes it full of things to see and experiences to have. Also consider taking advantage of the hop-on hop-off bus service, which will allow you to get around the city with a single ticket.

Info and ticket for the hop-on – hop-off bus tour

The Old Town

Many American cities boast a Historic District among their attractions, usually corresponding to the first settlement, or at least to the part of the city where historical buildings are still preserved. St. Augustine, compared to the others, can claim to have the oldest “old town” of all. As this is the oldest American settlement still standing, the St. Augustine Historic District represents quite a leap into the past. Although it doesn’t look exactly like it did five centuries ago today, the 200 or so historic buildings we can encounter make quite an impression.

St. George Street is the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, where any visitor passes by at least once to snap a photo. All around are historic homes, restaurants and boutiques. The oldest street, however, is Aviles Street, now known for its art galleries, as well as restaurants and ice cream parlors. Another record is that of the narrowest street in America: Treasury Street.

This alley, only seventy inches wide, was intended to make it difficult for any thieves to escape with the treasure of a possible plundering of the city: hence the name “Treasury Street”. Finally, on Orange Street we can see a part of the ancient walls that surrounded the town.

Historical Places to Visit in St. Augustine

Downtown St. Augustine is not very large and is easily visited. But what are the absolute must-sees? You have to start with those buildings and places that emphasize the antiquity of the coastal town, so much so that records such as “oldest in the United States” or “oldest in Florida” abound here. Here are a few suggestions.

• Plaza de la Consitucion and Bridge of Lions. Let’s start from the center of the city: the Plaza de la Constitucion, where the obelisk celebrates the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and the monuments commemorate the prisoners of the American Revolution, the civil rights movement, the soldiers who fell during the wars. The large cannons testify to the colonial period when St. Augustine was a powerful fortress overlooking the Ocean.
• Castillo de San Marcos. This star-shaped fortification, built between 1672 and 1695, is the only military fortress dating back to the 17th century in the entire United States and is, of course, the oldest building in the city. A special feature of the fort is that it was built with the durable coquina stone, which made it impenetrable both from fire and from attacks by enemies, such as the British who claimed possession of these lands for a long time. Today, you can visit both the rooms used to house soldiers and prisoners and the armory. In addition, throughout the year there are events and initiatives. On the official website you can check the updated opening times and any scheduled events.
• González-Alvarez House. If the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest building in the United States, this is the oldest surviving colonial mansion in Florida and dates back to the early 1700s. The Spanish and British colonial architectural styles mirror the evolution of this territory’s rule over the centuries. The thick stone walls protected against the cold in winter and especially from the heat in summer, while the openings allowed the air to circulate taking advantage of the winds that blow from the southeast in summer. Visiting it allows you to understand more about that historical period and about the settlers coming to America. All updated schedules are available on the official website
• Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse. Also in St. Augustine is the oldest wooden schoolhouse in the USA. A small classroom on the ground floor and the home of the teacher and his wife on the second floor make up this interesting historic building made of cedar wood and handmade nails. Visit it if you want to touch a piece of history and understand what school life was like in the 1800s. More information on the website.
• Government House. From 1598, the governor lived in the house that later became the presidential residence during the time Florida was an independent state. What we can visit today was the governor’s home beginning in 1710. In 1821, when Florida was annexed to the United States, the building was in disrepair and was restored in several phases (in 1833-34, in 1873, in 1937), as it changed destination. Today it houses a small historical museum on the second floor and often hosts exhibitions on the ground floor.
• Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. This is a museum aimed at showing what life was like during the second period of Spanish colonization (1783-1821). We can enter a meticulously decorated house with a beautiful courtyard and the possibility of participating in thematic initiatives. For more details consult the dedicated website.
• Colonial Quarter. This is not really a historic building, but a reproduction of a neighborhood as it was at the time of the Spanish and English settlers. You can see how vessels were built in the 1500s and how some of the typical trades of the time were carried out, from blacksmiths to printers, as well as visit a soldier’s home and climb the observation tower.

The Churches and Palaces

Whether they are ancient or not, St. Augustine’s mansions and churches often have architectural styles that make them interesting and not at all monotonous.

• Cathedral Basilica. As you might guess, this is the cathedral of St. Augustine, but it is also the oldest church in the city. In truth, today we see a much newer building than the first sixteenth-century church, which was set on fire in an English attack in 1586. The second church, made of straw and palm wood, was also razed by fire in 1599. The third church lasted 95 years, until it burned down in another English attack in 1702. St. Augustine’s didn’t have its own church for nearly a century until construction of the current cathedral began, but its sad fate associated with fires had not disappeared. In 1887, the church burned again. Fortunately, having used coquina stone and concrete masonry instead of wood saved the structure and it was possible to restore it and give it the look we see today. The façade combines neoclassical and Spanish mission styles, while inside, murals depict scenes from the history of the Catholic Church in the New World and stained glass windows show episodes from the life of St. Augustine of Hippo, to whom the city is dedicated.
• Memorial Presbyterian Church. This Presbyterian church, built by the industrialist Henry Morrison Flagler in 1889 and dedicated to his daughter, who died during childbirth (that’s why it’s called “Memorial”) belongs to another branch of Christianity. Inside it houses a mausoleum where Flagler’s wife and daughter are buried. If looking at it seems familiar, the reason is simple: it is inspired by the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. What strikes you, in fact, is especially the dome, very similar to that of its Venetian cousin.
• Flagler College. Henry Flagler, in addition to the aforementioned church, in 1887 also built a large luxury hotel, the Hotel Ponce de Leon. Today that structure has been transformed into a college. The building can be visited and among its features is the largest collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass: 79 decorated windows.
• Markland. Also known as the Andrew Anderson house, this residence has the distinction of being built in the Greek Revival style, which repurposes an architectural style inspired by ancient Greece. Today, it is owned by Flagler College and it is possible to visit it inside on special occasions.

Museums

Museum-wise, St. Augustine doesn’t offer huge collections or grandiose museums like we can find in major U.S. metropolises, but there are some interesting small museums.

• Villa Zorayda. Inspired by the famous Alhambra in Granada, this late 19th-century Moorish-style building has had several uses over the years: home, restaurant and casino. In 1933 it was transformed into a museum that displays mainly antiques and collectible furniture. The most curious and controversial piece is the “Sacred Cat Rug”, a carpet more than 2400 years old, made from the fur of cats along the Nile River. Updated hours and prices can be found on the museum’s website.
• Lightner Museum. What used to be a hotel, the Alcazar hotel, is now a museum of 19th century artwork. There is a permanent collection, but periodic exhibitions are also organized. All information on the official website.
• Pirate & Treasure Museum. Dedicated to children, this curious museum about pirates catapults visitors 300 years back in time, giving them an immersive experience in the Caribbean where piracy ruled.
• Ripley’s Believe it or not Museum. Believe it or not, as the museum‘s name implies, here you’ll find some of the most bizarre things you’ve ever seen. Three floors of absurd objects that will either leave you weirded out or make you crack a smile.
• Saint Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. On Anastasia Island, the island in front of the city and accessible via the Bridge of Lions, there is a 160 feet-high lighthouse dating back to 1874, around which there are ghost stories and legends. It is possible to climb to the top of the lighthouse and visit the maritime museum, where various artifacts from vessels found over the centuries are preserved.

What to Do Near St. Augustine

Outside the historic center there is more to see to help you learn more about the history of this place. First of all, do not miss the Fort Matanzas National Monument. The word “matanzas” means “massacres” and is due to the fact that here, in 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the first governor of Florida, killed over 250 French Huguenots. Today, the imposing fortress is a venue for historical reenactments and performances, but it is also simply an atmospheric place to visit during your tour of St. Augustine. To gain access, you can use your parks card. Another interesting place, but of a different kind, is the Alligator Farm Zoological Park, a zoo where you can do things a little different than the usual zoos. An example: you can fly over crocodiles on a zipline: be careful with your feet!

The beaches of St. Augustine

Another thing to do around St. Augustine is to enjoy some of the beautiful beaches that St. Johns County offers to tourists. Here are our recommendations of the best beaches in this area, but if you’re interested in beach life, be sure to read our article on the best beaches in Florida.

• Saint Augustine Beach. It is the largest beach in the city and is located on Anastasia Island, the long island of 23 miles parallel to the coast, located in front of St. Augustine and connected to the city center by the Bridge of Lions. Here you will also find St. Johns County Ocean Pier: a large equipped pier where you can fish. Behind the beach lies Anastasia State Park, where you can make beautiful walks in the green.
• Butler Beach. On the island, to the south of the previous one, there is also this beach immersed in nature and therefore ideal for those looking for a real oasis of peace and tranquility.
• Vilano Beach. A few minutes north of the city, it is ideal for surfing, thanks to the strong currents at this point.
• Crescent Beach. About twenty minutes south of the city we find another beautiful beach, where it is possible to practice various water sports. Here the sand is very compact, so you can bike on the beach with ease and this makes it ideal for a waterfront ride.

Events in St. Augustine: the calendar

From mid-November to the end of December the historical center is illuminated: it is the event called Nights of Lights. Three million lights embellish and make the buildings shine from dusk to dawn. Many activities remain open until late in the evening and special tours can be taken on foot, by carriage, even by sea and air. A Christmas tree is placed in Plaza de la Constitucion.

Places to Eat in St. Augustine: Tips for a good dining experience

If you’re looking for a good place to eat lunch or dinner in St. Augustine, our advice is to stop and eat in Old Town, where the setting is definitely nicer. Here are a few recommendations.

• Columbia Restaurant (98 St. George Street). Opened back in 1905, it’s on the list of the 25 best restaurants in the United States and can boast about being awarded the Golden Spoon. Here you can enjoy excellent dishes, especially Spanish and Cuban cuisine, but in addition to the food it is worth eating here for the setting itself: you will sit in dining rooms decorated with paintings and fountains, surrounded by an enchanting atmosphere.
• Raintree Restaurant (102 San Marco Ave.). The cuisine here varies from American to Asian to Mediterranean. Nice that it is housed in a Victorian-style colonial house.
• Casa Maya (22 Hypolita Street). Sangria and tequila are the popular drinks of this place, where Latin American cuisine is the master. It has pretty rooms and a beautiful courtyard. The fish is excellent.
• Scarlett O’Hara ‘s (70 Hypolita Street). The typical atmosphere of the South of the States can be felt in this place, great for those who love barbecue, but also many other varieties of food. Live music, karaoke and theme nights will liven up your dinner.

Places to Stay in St. Augustine

Those who want to stay in St. Augustine can do so by choosing from lovely hotels and B&Bs, for example in the quaint Historic District:

• Casa Monica Resort & Spa (95 Cordova St.), a historic hotel with old-world charm but modern finishes. The facade has Moorish-style columns (see photo) while the lobby sports artwork. Rooms and suites, which overlook downtown or the lush garden, add a touch of luxury. The hotel features a lounge, café, restaurant, spa, fitness center and pool.
• Saint George Inn (4 St.George Street), offers the elegant charm of a historic hotel combined with the homely ambiance of a B&B.
• A Victorian house with two spacious verandas, located at 70 Cuna Street, houses the Carriage Way B&B called “the B&B jewel of the ancient city”. Rooms are furnished with period furniture, architectural and elegant modern touches.
• Funny Farm (2798 Usina Street), is a place just outside the city where you can stay in peace and quiet, but still have plenty to do. You can use the barbecue, play darts or take a bike for a spin.

All available accommodations in St. Augustine