10 Things To Do in St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida is lush in history. It is referred to as the “Nation’s Oldest City” after all and has several notable attractions such as forts, castles, and streets and building rich in Spanish culture. It has become a popular city for tourists to visit. If you’re one of those tourists, here’s 10 Things you won’t want to miss while there.
1. Trolley Tour
The most efficient way to see much of St. Augustine’s offerings in one fell swoop is to hop on the city’s trolley tour. It’s a hop-on hop-off at any point and time type ride that takes you around and through the heart of the city. The trolley has live guides giving you all the information you’ll want to know about the history of several buildings, statues, and sites. It’s fun, easy, affordable, and you’ll learn a lot while passing constructions such as the Great Cross and many others.
One convenient place to buy your pass is at the Florida Heritage Museum. Note that your pass is also good for admission to the museum itself. Food and drinks are not included, but there are several excellent restaurants you’ll be able to hop off and eat at along the way. Ann O’Malley’s (pictured below) is a cool little Irish pub with excellent reubens and live music. You’ll pass plenty of options when it comes to food, drinks, and desserts. The trolleys arrive each of it’s 21 designated spots about 20 minutes apart. It is service dog, wheelchair, and stroller friendly making the ride easy to hop on and off for all types. Click below to book a trolley ride with museum admission ahead of time.
2. Magnolia Avenue
Magnolia Avenue is said to be one of the most beautiful streets in the U.S.A. It is a fairly quiet street in comparison to the rest of the city, and the trolley does drive down it at one point during the tour. It is completely up to you how you get to this captivating canopy-like road, with 100 year old oak trees covered in Spanish moss, but it is worth the stop. You’ll find the temperature slightly cooler with all the shade these trees provide and of course, it’s great for pictures. It also also from Magnolia that you’ll find the entrance to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. I’d recommend that park, but I didn’t actually go to it myself. I do know that it is a popular stop for tourists though.
3. Castille de San Marcos
The U.S.’s oldest remaining masonry fortress, built by the Spanish beginning in 1672, is visible from the trolley ride. I would encourage you to hop off and see it up close. The fort is an incredible piece of Spanish Empire architecture. There is a heap of interesting history about this archival structure that you can read about online. However, if you are looking for the full experience, book a tour and learn about it by going HERE. Tour or no tour, just seeing this astonishing and often grisly piece of history from the outside or inside is a must if you’re in town.
4. Red Boat Tour
Like the trolley, the Red Boat Tour is an excellent way to see many of St. Augustine’s offerings in one fun and affordable ride. The big difference is that you’ll do it by sea, and you’re welcome to bring beverages aboard. Captain Tony and his first mate Jennifer narrate as you sail aboard the White Pelican pontoon around the waters of St. Augustine. Along the way you’ll likely see dolphins and other wildlife. You’ll also see Castille de San Marcos, the St. Augustine lighthouse, Bridge of Lions, as well as several other popular landmarks. Depending on which tour you go on, you might even catch a magnificent sunset. This tour has been ranked amongst the best in North America, carrying 36 passengers at a time.
5. St. Augustine Lighthouse
The St. Augustine lighthouse can be seen from both the Red Boat Tour and from a distance on the trolley tour. However, this historic and said-be-haunted lighthouse offers a tour of it’s own. Even if you opt out of paying to go inside and climb the 219 steps, seeing this 150 year old tower closeup is worth the drive. The Maritime museum near it provides you with much of the history of America’s oldest port. Despite this structure being connected to a museum and doing tours, it is an active and working lighthouse. The nearby area is lovely. luscious green, and picturesque.
If you’re looking for a haunting (but fun) experience, there’s also the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour below.
6. Buc-ees
There are only 43 Buc-ee’s located throughout the southern United States, and St. Augustine happens to be one of those cities. So what is Buc-ee’s? It’s a beloved mega gas station and country store with a large assortment of a fast, quality foods and apparel and souvenirs galore. Buc-ee’s has developed quite the reputation and fandom. Just wearing a tee or hat with their beaver logo on it will kickstart many conversations with strangers, even all the way back in Arizona. So if you’re in St. Augustine and looking for gifts to bring back home to friends or family, this is a fun stop. You’ll be able to fill up your tank and grab an armful of savory brisket sandwich to feed your entourage too. And if you’re lucky, you might even get a photo with Buc-ee himself.
7. Old Jail / History Museum
The Old Jail tour and entrance into the History Museum are both included in the admission price of the trolley ride. You can start and/or finish the trolley at this point. If time permits it, this is a fun little stop. I didn’t do the old jail tour although I could see and hear the guide showing and teaching a bit of it’s history to a group of folks. I did walk inside the museum though and take a look around. It’s quick and painless, and nice to do at least once in your lifetime. The guides are all in costume and character, and the scenery makes you feel as though you’ve traveled back in time to the 19th century. You’ll also find some neat places to snap some good photos, such as the old jail cell and chain gang located near the main drag.
8. St. George Street
Walking up (or down) St. George Street is a must-do when you’re in this historic city. It’s filled with cool little shops and outstanding eateries. There are so many options that you might feel overwhelmed, but just know that you can’t lose no matter where you choose to eat. St. George is a pet friendly street that feels like you’ve stepped foot into Spain. There’s live music and that marvelous, sometimes breathtaking, European architecture all around you. It’s easy to fit this outing into your day, especially if you’ve decided to ride that trolley. Near it’s entrance (or exit, depending on where you begin), you’ll be near the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, the Governor’s House, and the statue of Ponce de Leon. All of these are things you’ll want to see close up.
9. Flagler College
It is true that you will cruise by this coastal campus via the trolley, listed as a National Historic Landmark. However, to take in all of it’s charm, you may want to walk it. There’s plenty of history surrounding Henry Flagler’s vision for a school with grandiose hotels near it. Most of that history you’ll learn from your tour guide aboard the trolley. Just seeing this vibrant architecture though is a treat in itself. The school has been compared to Hogwarts so much, that the college now dedicates a whole week to the Harry Potter films. History lovers and Harry Potter fans, this ones is for you. The Lightner Museum, another popular tourist stop, is just across the street as well.
10. San Sebastian Winery
The San Sebastian Winery is yet another stop on the St. Augustine trolley tour, but you could spend a good portion of your day here. The winery includes free samples and paid samples of a wide variety of different wines throughout their own complimentary tour. It ranks as one of Florida’s premium wineries, with over 550 awards to it’s name so far. There’s the Cellar Upstairs Bar & Restaurant on the roof which provides a nice view of some of the city as well as live music on most nights.
There’s so many things to do in St. Augustine, Florida that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just 10 things. Regardless, these are 10 things we did that we thoroughly enjoyed. Be sure to check out the following video montage featuring these places as well as a few others (such as the Black Raven Pirate Ship and the Memorial Presbyterian Church).
