The best things to do in Saint Augustine are those that combine all the things Saint Augustine is famous for.
This ancient city is one of those rare places where history, beaches, food, and unique attractions can all be found in close proximity.
Saint Augustine is the oldest, continuously inhabited, European-settled city in the United States. It was founded in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, a Spanish conquistador searching for gold, glory, and god, in that order.
Visiting Saint Augustine feels a little like time-traveling back to a land of cobblestone streets, centuries-old forts, hidden courtyards, and balmy beaches, all in one place.
You will not lack for things to do in Saint Augustine. This guide will take you through the town’s historic center, its many museums, both quirky and sophisticated, restaurants and attractions.
Explore the Historic Heart of Saint Augustine
The best way to get to know St. Augustine is by walking the historic center. St. George Street is the beating heart of this area. You’ll find all sorts of cute shops, casual cafes, curio shops, art galleries, churches and pastry shops on St. George Street and Hypolita Street, which crosses it.
Best of all, the area is pedestrian-only, which makes for a pleasant stroll among the cobblestone streets.
Linger in this historical center. Read the signs outside the many structures proclaiming to be the oldest home, school, or store. Stop for a meal in a fine restaurant or dessert in a hidden courtyard.
Just chill and absorb the history. Nighttime is magical with twinkling lights and warm glows emanating from the stores.
Time Travel at the Castillo de San Marcos
The iconic Castillo de San Marcos looms on the banks of Matanzas Bay in front of the city. This massive fortress, built by the Spanish in the late 1600s, has protected the city for centuries.
You can either pay a small fee to enter the fortress and explore the rooms with exhibits describing the history of the fort as well as the surrounding area. Or you can just wander the area exploring the canons and taking in the views.
One interesting fact is that the walls of the fort were made of “coquina”, a unique mixture containing compressed shells made to absorb cannon balls rather than shattering the fort.
INSIDER TIP: Don’t forget to ask when the live canon firing demonstration is scheduled so you can attend and witness an activity that is hundreds of years old.
Enjoy a Distillery or Winery
There are several distilleries and wineries in Saint Augustine. Two stand out as fun places with sampling, history and cool gift shops.
Saint Augustine Distillery
Five dollars will get you into this delightful distillery (free if you don’t enjoy the samples) to partake of 4 or 5 samples of mixed drinks consisting of vodka, gin, bourbon and some amazing-tasting coconut-flavored concoction.
The gift shop sells all the liquors alone or with the accompanying mixes, as well as branded clothing and accessories. I bought socks with little bottles of bourbon imprinted on it.
San Sebastian Winery
This family-run winery offers tastings 7 days a week for a $5.00 entry fee. There is a very nice restaurant, “La Cocina at the Cellar Upstairs,” on the property. The gift shop sells a wide selection of wines, wine accessories and gourmet gifts.
INSIDER TIP: Both of these wine and spirits establishments are within walking distance from each other, so you can experience both within a short time. Make sure to have a designated driver after the festivities!
Visit the Beautiful Flagler College
Flagler College is one of the county’s most important private universities. It is also one of the most beautiful buildings in town. It sits across the street from the Lightner Museum and was once the Ponce de Leon Hotel, built by oil entrepreneur Henry Flagler in the late 1800s.
The building is designed in the Spanish Renaissance architectural style. As beautiful as the building’s exterior is, the interior will surprise you.
The entry hall features a spectacular dome. On either side of the master staircase, you will see genuine stained glass windows created by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
The dining halls are equally impressive and look like something out of a medieval European palace.
If you’re interested in architecture or history in general, take one of the guided tours that are offered regularly.
The ceiling dome of Flagler College is magnificent.
The Henry Flagler Connection
You really can’t talk about Flagler College or the Lightner Museum without mentioning Henry Flagler. He was the owner of Standard Oil, originally from New York, who visited Saint Augustine during the Gilded Age from 1870 to 1900.
He fell in love with the area and the climate and was determined to transform the coastal town into a fabulous resort community to rival the likes of Italy, Spain and Greece.
To do so, he created the Ponce de Leon Hotel (1887), today the Flagler College, and the Alcazar Hotel (1887), today the Lightner Museum.
Flagler hoped these spectacular buildings would mimic the Newport Mansions of Rhode Island and the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and lure wealthy vacationers to the area.
This is the same Henry Flagler who built the railroad that extended from Miami to Key West, including the Seven Mile Bridge.
Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse
Another cool stop is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. You will recognize this massive black and white striped structure from just about anywhere in the city.
Climb the 219 steps all the way to the top observation tower to get a spectacular view of Anastasia Island, the vast Atlantic Ocean and the skyline of historic St. Augustine.
The lighthouse houses a small but very interesting museum displaying maritime artefacts and explaining the area’s history and the lives of the lighthouse keepers. There were many shipwrecks in the area due to dangerous sandbanks and the exhibits showcase these as well.
Nature lovers and hikers will appreciate the nearby trails where they can observe the area’s wildlife, including the beautiful local birds.
INSIDER TIP: The lighthouse is rumored to be haunted. Ghost tours frequently stop at the lighthouse to explore paranormal activities.
Relax at St. Augustine Beach
After exploring historic sites, it’s nice to slow things down by the ocean. St. Augustine Beach offers wide stretches of sand, gentle waves, and a laid-back coastal vibe.
The beach is great for swimming, sunbathing, or long walks along the shoreline. The St. Johns County Ocean Pier is a popular spot for fishing and watching surfers catch waves.
Nearby restaurants and beach bars make it easy to grab a drink or fresh seafood while enjoying the ocean breeze. If you’re visiting at sunrise, the beach becomes especially peaceful and beautiful.
Discover the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Yes, it’s tourist tacky as all get out, but suspend your logic and give in to the fun of this iconic Saint Augustine tourist attraction, The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
Legend has it that Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer, was told there was a water source that granted eternal youth, and he set out to discover it. Regardless of the legend’s veracity, archaeological evidence points to this area as being the original Spanish settlement, which in itself is pretty cool.
For a mere $20.00, you can enter the park and sip from the spring that promises your youth will be restored.
There are tons of spectacular peacocks in the area, which make for lovely photo opportunities.
INSIDER TIP: No refunds should your youth not be restored after imbibing the Fountain of Youth’s regenerative powers.
Take a Ghost Tour at Night
Some people are suckers for ghost tours and related spooky stuff. I must confess I am one of them. As St. Augustine is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States, along with New Orleans and New York City, a ghost tour is a must.
The Ghost and Graveyards Tour is a fun evening. In the dead of night, guides take visitors through back alleys, old jails and dimly lit wax museums.
All the while, the guides regale visitors with spooky stories. Many of these are actually true. I was fortunate enough to witness the apparition of a ghost said to have died at the end of the 1800s.
Special emphasis is paid to the two cemeteries nearby and the old jail experience is quite frightening.
Suspend your logic on these tours, sit back and enjoy a spooky romp through the history of St. Augustine.
Taking in a Museum is one of the Best Things to do in St. Augustine
For a relatively small town, Saint Augustine punches way above its weight when it comes to museums. There is something for everyone, no matter your museum tastes.
Explore the Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum is an architectural masterpiece. It is housed in what was once the Alcazar Hotel. The building itself is just as impressive as the collection itself.
I am a museum freak and will always make a point of visiting a museum whenever I visit a new place. The Lightner Museum was no exception.
I imagined it would be just another local museum with a couple of interesting pieces but it turned out to be one of the most magnificent and underrated museums I’ve ever seen.
This is the best value-for-your-money attraction in town. DO NOT MISS THIS GLORIOUS MUSEUM.
Inside, there are many beautifully preserved artefacts from the Victorian age, including antiques, paintings, cut glass, furniture, collectables and more.
INSIDER TIP: A surprising period feature is the interior swimming pool that has been transformed into a gallery and cafe. This was a first in the area.
Pirate and Treasure Museum
Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center
A lovely historical museum with a focus on black history.
INSIDER TIP: The cultural center offers jazz periodically. Book early as this is a popular event.
Villa Zorayda Museum
This is a delightful museum on the same square as the Lightner Museum and Flagler College. You can see all 3 within close proximity.
St. Augustine History Museum
A fun and educational spot that explains the town’s history from indigenous times. This museum is in the same place where the trolley leaves from.
Potters Wax Museum and Old Drug Store
For those of us who like wax museums, this is a walk through the city’s history with the people who created it.
This is the oldest continuously operating wax museum in the country. It features over 160 wax figures from King Henry VIII to Florida’s indigenous peoples.
The Ghosts and Graveyards tour stops here at night when the exhibits are darkened and spooky. I won’t say more.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not
It’s the same Ripley’s Museum you see elsewhere, but with a focus on local historical characters.
Medieval Torture Museum
A bit of history and a collection of medieval instruments used to extract confessions from poor souls, whether they were guilty or not.
Ximenez-Fatio House Museum
Learn about the history of the city from the perspective of women who operated this refuge for over 230 years.
Civil Rights Museum
Part of the Freedom Trail.
St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Visit the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
As the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, Saint Augustine capitalizes on its history by featuring the Oldest School House, Oldest Drug Store, Oldest House, Oldest Drug House and more.
This “Oldest” theme reminded me of the small southern Argentine town of Ushuaia, which capitalizes on being the southernmost town in the Americas. Everything there is billed as the southernmost for tourism purposes; the town, jail, train, national park and so on.
The Oldest Wooden School House dates back to the early 1700s. It is a small schoolhouse and you can visit it in a short time. Nevertheless, one can get a good idea of what education was like in colonial times.
Explore Saint Augustine’s Many Cemeteries
If you’re familiar with my travel blog, www.travelswithtalek.com, you know I love visiting cemeteries. I’ve written about cemeteries in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. Since Saint Augustine is such an old city, it has plenty of interesting cemeteries full of history, funerary art and mystery.
Tolomato Cemetery
This is the oldest cemetery in Florida and the original cemetery of Saint Augustine.
Huguenot Cemetery
One or two blocks from the Tolomato Cemetery, the Huguenot Cemetery was reserved for non-Catholics. Despite its name, no French Huguenots are believed to be buried there.
Saint Augustine National Cemetery
A United States National Cemetery. Burial place of Francis Dade, namesake of Dade County.
Evergreen Cemetery
Established outside the city limits in 1884 to address the overcrowding of local cemeteries.
Take a Scenic Boat Cruise
For a relaxing time, enjoy Saint Augustine from the water. Take a boat tour along the Matanzas Bay and see the San Marco fortress and the city from a different angle.
There are various tours available depending on your interests. Some offer a dinner cruise with music, others focus on the local wildlife. You may even see dolphins, if you’re lucky.
Enjoy Amazing Local Food
St. Augustine is definitely a foodie city. You can find any type of cuisine here, including Asian fusion, Cuban, seafood, BBQ, southern, Spanish, and Cajun…you name it, you can find it in St. Augustine.
Believe it or not, the wide variety of ethnic food reminded me of New York City’s ethnic food scene. I’m not kidding.
If you’re looking to have a fabulous Spanish meal in a historical destination, head over to Columbia Restaurant. Its sister restaurant in Tampa, also named Columbia, is widely considered to be the oldest restaurant in Florida. Traditional dishes like paella are house specialties.
We discovered a great Peruvian/Chinese restaurant on Anastasia Blvd called Llama. It is unassuming, but the food is amazing.
If you love stick-to-your-ribs southern- think Cajun – fare, head to Harry’s Restaurant on Menendez Street, where many good restaurants are located. Try the po’boy or Jambalaya. You won’t be disappointed.
Many of the city’s best restaurants are found on Menendez Street, which borders the water of Matanzas Bay. Just walk along this interesting street, exploring the options and choose your favorite.
You will never be at a loss to discover great places to eat in Saint Augustine. Dining in historical settings with amazing flavors is truly an experience in itself in Saint Augustine.
Take a Trolley Tour
I took one of these trolley tours in Key West and liked it. It’s a good way to see a lot of the city without walking miles. I was glad to see there is an Old Town Trolley Tour of St. Augustine as well. Hop on and pick what attractions you want to go back and explore with more time. The trolleys come by every 15 minutes.
These hop-on, hop-off tours stop at 22 locations, most of the city’s popular attractions, including the Castillo de San Marcos, the lighthouse, distillery and winery, and the historic district.
The guides share stories and fun facts along the way, making it a great introduction to the city—especially if it’s your first visit.
INSIDER TIP: The trolleys can also take visitors to the St. Augustine beach and back free of charge. Shuttles leave every hour.
Experience Nights of Lights
Saint Augustine has something for everyone all year round. During the winter, the city dresses up in sparkling lights that decorate bridges, trees, buildings, and anywhere you can drape a string of lights.
This is the famous Night of Lights of Saint Augustine, widely recognized as one of the most beautiful holiday decoration displays in the country.
This is truly a magical time. The horse-drawn carriage and Christmas markets add to the festive atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Saint Augustine
Saint Augustine has a wide variety of accommodation options in all price ranges.
There are some nice hotels, like The Hilton right on the bay, fronting Menendez Street, which is arguably the center of everything.
You will find lots of rooms for rent throughout the town. Just look for the signs. Many are nestled in charming courtyards.
Cross the bridge into Anastasia Island and you’ll find more hotels, including chain hotels like Holiday Inn Express, where we stayed and can recommend.
Want to splurge and pamper yourself on an indulgent weekend? They’ve got that too. How about the Casa Monica Resort and Spa? It is in the same square as the Lightner Museum and Flagler College and the nearby Zerayda Museum
How to Get to Saint Augustine
Most people drive to Saint Augustine, taking either I-95 or US 1.
If you’re flying, there is the Northeast Florida Regional Airport for private planes. For the rest of us, the closest airport is Jacksonville International Airport, about 56 miles away.
Amtrak provides rail service stopping in Palatka, about half an hour away, and also in Jacksonville.
Best Time to Visit Saint Augustine
It is always a good time to visit Saint Augustine but some times are better than others depending on what you want to do.
Spring is ideal for good weather. The city hosts fun events like the Celtic Music Festival and an Easter Parade.
Summer is hot and perfect for the beach. It is also crowded and high season, hence a bit more expensive.
Fall is perfect weather, not as crowded and shoulder season, so hotels are a little less expensive.
Winter is actually not as cold as in the north. It is quite pleasant with fewer tourists. This is the season for the Festival of Lights, when the city lights up with thousands of lights everywhere. It is worth seeing. There are also lots of other activities in town at this time, like Christmas markets.
Final Thoughts and Best Things to Do in Saint Augustine
You can enjoy Saint Augustine at your own pace. Want to chill on a beautiful beach? St. Augustine has it.
Are you a history buff who enjoys exploring museums? St. Augustine is living history where you can walk in the steps of the original settlers and explore 1600 century forts.
Foodies will especially love the vast selection of delectable cuisine and the selection of nighttime activities is ample.
No wonder visitors love Saint Augustine and keep coming back.
Want to know more about all the fun and interesting things to do in Saint Augustine? Check out these handy guides.
What are your thoughts on the best things to do in Saint Augustine? Let us know in the comments.
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