St Augustine has been called The Ancient City, and with a nickname like that, you can expect this oceanside Florida town to be filled with important historical sights. Over the years, St Augustine has been inhabited by all sorts of peoples, from first-nation natives to foreigners, merchants, pilgrims, colonizers, soldiers, prisoners, and rich industrialists. St. Augustine features attractions like military forts, castles, and opulent hotels that were built during the Gilded Age.
While you can’t see everything that St. Augustine has to offer in just one trip, you can’t leave with seeing the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Old Jail. Nature lovers better check out St. Augustine Beach and the St. Augustine Wild Reserve as well. There are so many fun and educational things to do in St. Augustine that won’t cost you a penny, and there are quite a few inexpensive things to do and see as well.
History and adventure come alive in America’s oldest city. There are more than 60 attractions in St. Augustine, but we’ll only have time to cover what we think are some of the best. Whether you’ve come to town to immerse yourself in St. Augustine’s rich history or intend on spending a few days fishing off a pier, there is something for everyone in this incredible City. Join us as we explore a few of the sights and attractions that await you in best things to do in St. Augustine.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
For more than 200 years, Castillo de San Marcos served as a fort. It was built by the Spanish settlers between 1672 and 1695, and it was meant to protect the newly established region of Spanish Florida from pirates and the British.
It’s notable for being the oldest masonry fortification in the United States, and it’s the only still-standing 17th-century military site in the nation. It was constructed from coquina, a semi-rare variety of limestone made up of shell fragments, and only one other fort in the world was constructed of this material.
During the American Revolution, it was used by the British and later was used by the Union during the American Civil War, but for most of its military career, Castillo de San Marcos was under Spanish control.
In 1900, the fort was declared a national historic monument.
The fort is well-preserved and is a great place to brush up on your early American history. Several times a day, visitors can also watch a cannon firing demonstration.
Fort Matanzas National Monument
Built between 1740 and 1742, this historic and well-preserved masonry watchtower was built by the Spanish and served as a lookout to observe enemy ships approaching from the south. The monument sits on a 300-acre nature preserve that features dunes, marshland, and maritime forest. Numerous species of threatened and endangered plants and animals can also be observed here.
St. George Street
This cobblestone street is the very heart of St. Augustine. It’s lined with shops, cafes, art galleries, and gift shops housed in antiquated buildings that date back to the 16thcentury. St. George is a pedestrian-only street that gives visitors the feeling as if they had been transported back in time to when the Old City was first settled.
At the northern end of the street, you’ll find boutique shops like Sunburst Crystal and Tillie’s Bath Cottage, as well as the Old City Gates. From there, you can walk to the Castillo de San Marcos Monument. The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum is also nearby. As you make your way south down St. George, you’ll discover all sorts of other shops, restaurants, and galleries, as well as the Colonial Quarter, which we’ll touch on in a bit more detail in a moment.
St. George can often be crowded with tourists, but if you visit earlier in the day, it won’t be quite as crowded. And don’t forget to pick up a souvenir before you leave.
Colonial Quarter
The Colonial Quarter, which can be found on St. George Street, gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of 16-18th century residents of the town. The Quarter which has been described as a living museum, is divided into four areas; the 16th century Spanish First Town, the 17th Century Spanish Fortified Town, the 18th century Spanish Garrison Town, and finally, the 18th Century British Colony. Visitors to each section can see things like ship construction, musket drills, cannon firing, and leatherworking.
Guided Ghost Tours
It’s not surprising that a place that boasts being the oldest city in America would also be a haven for paranormal activity. Guided tours take visitors on a spooky ghost hunt as they learn about some of the city’s most notable hauntings. But don’t expect your tour to be completely grim. Your costumed tour guide will sprinkle in a bit of humor, making this an ideal activity for ghost-hunters of all ages.
Tours begin at a centralized location but then branch out to the surrounding regions of the city. Some tours will even take guests to a couple of St. Augustine’s supposedly ghost-infested cemeteries. After exploring the city and hearing a few spine-tingling tales, you’ll make your way back to your original starting point.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
This is the actual site of the historic 1565 Menendez settlement, America’s first colony. Situated on 15 acres of pristine waterfront, the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is one of the nation’s oldest attractions.
Guests can take a sip from Pnnce de Leon’s famous Spring of Eternal Hope or witness a cannon firing demonstration. The Living History Timucua Village will give visitors a glimpse into the daily life of St. Augustine’s earliest settlers. If you’re a history buff, this is a must-see attraction and one of the best things to do in St. Augustine.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
While Ripley’s museums can be found in tourist towns across the world, this one became the first permanent Ripley’s collection in 1950 and is housed in the Castle Warden, which was constructed in 1887. This museum contains a collection of strange and unusual oddities acquired by famed traveler Robert Ripley from all over the world. They also offer an hour-long guided tour of the city aboard a red trolley that takes visitors to more than 100 points of historical interest.
Old Jail
This jail was built back in 1891 to house St. Augustine’s criminals. Railroad magnate Henry Flagler helped fund the project, and the jail was designed to seamlessly blend in with the rest of the city’s buildings. It features Roman-revival architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The year after the jail closed in 1953, it reopened as a historic attraction and museum. Guides dressed in period clothing take visitors on a narrated tour of the facility. Not only will you learn about the jail’s history, but you’ll also be given a revealing glimpse into what it was like to be a prisoner at the jail. Night tours are given as a part of the milt-attraction Ghosts & Gravestones tour.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
This scenic and informative maritime museum stands 165 feet about sea level and overlooks Matanzas Bay and the Atlantic Ocean on Anastasia Island. Visitors can ascend the 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse for breathtaking views of the sea and city.
The museum also features many exhibits that show what it was like living at a light station. The gorgous grounds are also perfect for taking a leisurely stroll. Included with admission is a guided tour, and there is an ls also a gift shop where you can pick up a maritime souvenir.
Tours are held every day between 11 am and 3 pm, and you can expect to learn all about the crucial role the lighthouse played In the city’s history. You’ll also see how it has been preserved over the years over at the Maritime Archaeology & Education Center.
Today, this lighthouse is still functional and is actively used as a navigational aid. Parking is free, and admission is very affordable.
St. Augustine Beach
Just five miles south of St. Augustine’s historic downtown district is this 2 mile stretch of beach that features white sand and crystal clear water. It’s a popular spot for families, and the little ones will especially enjoy the beach’s splash pad. If you want to spend the day fishing, we recommend casting your line out at St. John’s Country Ocean and Fishing Pier, which is at the northern end of the beach.
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
While historically speaking, real-world pirates weren’t much like the highly romanticized ones that we see in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Disney’s Peter Pan, St. Augustine was indeed a hotbed of piracy back in the day. Over at the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, you’ll find a collection of genuine pirate artifacts, including the world’s oldest wanted poster, a 17th century Jolly Roger flag, an actual treasure chest, and a variety of other relics and antiquities. One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the replica pirate ship featuring a helm and cannons which visitors can climb aboard and explore.
The museum is across the street from the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, located in the Old City’s historic district. Ticket prices are reasonable, and it’s open every day from 10 to 7.
St. Augustine is a perfect vacation destination for solo travelers and families alike. Take in the area’s rich history while enjoying all of the comforts of a modern city. Because of St. Augustine’s mild climate, it’s an excellent place to visit any time of the year.
Have you been to any of the attractions that we featured in this video? Or, maybe you know of a few that we didn’t mention that you think deserve a shoutout – either way, share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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