Overview
Visitors to St. Augustine will find an array of attractions in the nation’s oldest city. From living history museums like the Castillo de San Marcos to Gilded-Age hotels, swashbuckling adventures and specialized tours in the air, on the sea, and in the heart of the historic district, St. Augustine has it all!
Historical Sites
Explore the cobblestone streets and you will find historic sites all around downtown. Every corner is rich with a long history, waiting to be discovered. No vacation in St. Augustine is finished until you have gazed up at the Louis Comfort-Tiffany stained glass at Flagler College, or climbed the steps of the lighthouse, taken a sip from the fountain of youth or learned of the vast history of Aviles Street, the oldest street in the oldest city in the nation. Parts of the city predate the country itself! Visit St. Augustine and stop in at the old houses and museums to discover a new side of the city that was once a small port town and is now a bustling, energetic community dedicated to preserving its valuable past. The heritage and culture of the old city are still deeply relevant even today!
Living History
St. Augustine offers many attractions that highlight the history of the city with trained, professional re-enactors that love to bring history to life. Numerous attractions show people living out their lives at the attraction with you, helping visitors and tourists experience the centuries of history. You can even partake in the living history attractions and put yourself into the mix. Many sites allow you to literally dig through history, or create objects from the past. The idea of making history come to life allows each visitor to become a part of the narrative of this town, to feel the history and stories of this city.
Museums
The entire town of St. Augustine is a living and breathing museum – offering a piece of history around every corner, a historic site with a story to tell. Just walking through the city you can find a monument or plaque marking each site as a historic one with its own place and function in our shared history. Tour the old buildings and imagine how it was for the people of the past to live and work in this ancient port city. History even envelopes the architecture of the old city’s museums. The museums here are replicas of Spanish castles; they are historic wooden classrooms, fortifications, military hospitals that date back to the 1700s and living history sites that can help you travel back in time. So see the exhibits, and check out the treasures and artifacts hidden away in the museums of St. Augustine.
Fun For The Entire Family
The nation’s oldest city will come alive for the entire family in St. Augustine. Featuring attractions such as a pirate-themed museum, the nation’s oldest masonry fort, an iconic lighthouse, zoological parks and archaeological sites, and a host of fascinating historic sites, there’s always something fun to do. Kids will love the boat rides, the train and trolley tours, the cannon firings, and the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a dolphin.
Historic Churches
Religious sites of a variety of denominations can be found in St. Augustine, and many come with a lengthy history of the early settlers who founded them. Some came here in hopes of a better life, looking to establish their own beliefs freely. Others came to proclaim the faith in far off lands and serve the people. Sites like the Methodist church, Jewish temple, Greek Orthodox shrine and the Catholic Cathedral Basilica which dates back to the late 1700s, offer a glimpse into the lives of these early pioneers. Tour these religious sites and get a feel for their devotion and dedication to St. Augustine. Through establishing religious sites each denomination found a home in the New World and therefore added to the rich history of this city.
Shop in Historic St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida has always been a thriving market for shops. It began as a bustling port town for merchants, and today it’s one of the top vacation destinations of the South. Remember your visit to Florida with a keepsake or memento purchased from one of the old city’s many shopping districts. High quality local products and gifts are in abundance here.
Shop souvenirs, art, clothing and apparel, home decor, jewelry, accessories, cigars, spices, wines – whatever your penchant, you’re sure to find a specialty store to suit your need. Walk down historic St. George Street, and venture through its many indoor shopping halls.
Art galleries galore can be found on Aviles Street, and tropical beach wares on Anastasia Island and St. Augustine beach. Browse through Victorian homes converted to boutiques, and shop St. Augustine’s various antique stores for the perfect gift. Buy any number of souvenirs and take a piece of the ancient city home with you.
Attactions On The Water
Get a thrill out on the water! Sail the historic seas on a cruise boat, a pirate ship, or a speed boat! You can test the waters of St. Augustine that first brought the early explorers to its shore hundreds of years ago. The water attractions are unique to this town and offer something for everyone; from family friendly tours on the water to an adults-only party on the pirate ship! The views of St. Augustine from the water are unmatched and the rich history of the city provides you with a full narrative of Florida’s nautical heritage – parasailing, surfing, swimming, boating, and sailing. Any attraction on the water will offer an experience like no other!
Source: Visit St. Auguestine (visitstaugustine.com)