{"id":16325,"date":"2024-03-30T15:59:34","date_gmt":"2024-03-30T15:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journal.rentbyowner.com\/?p=16325"},"modified":"2025-10-09T13:11:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:11:50","slug":"things-to-do-in-st-augustine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rentbyowner.com\/journal\/things-to-do-in-st-augustine\/","title":{"rendered":"19 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

St. Augustine<\/a> is a charming coastal city that lies 40 miles south of Jacksonville in Florida\u2019s St. Johns County. It is known as the Nation\u2019s Oldest City, having been continuously occupied since 1565 when Spanish explorers settled in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its grand age means the city is packed with interesting historic sites, making it a fantastic getaway destination for history enthusiasts. Let\u2019s take a look at 19 of the best things to do in St. Augustine so that you can create a fun itinerary for your upcoming visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Take a Historic Tour of Flagler College<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Flagler College<\/a> is a small liberal arts college set inside the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, which was built in 1888 by railroad magnate Henry Flagler. It was one of the most exclusive resorts in Florida in its heyday, and it remains one of the country\u2019s finest Spanish Renaissance buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a guided tour<\/a> to admire the property\u2019s exquisite architectural and design details, such as the domed ceiling in the grand lobby, the stained glass windows and hand-painted murals in the dining room, and the handmade Austrian crystal chandeliers in the Flagler Room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. Learn About St. Augustine\u2019s Nautical History<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

St. Augustine Lighthouse<\/a> was built in 1874 and you can climb its 219 steps for incredible views of the Atlantic coast. The on-site Maritime Museum shares insights into the rich history of this stretch of coastline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll learn about the earliest houses in the area, part of a native Timucuan village called Seloy, and how this peaceful community clashed with European explorers in the 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also discover how Juan Ponce de Leon\u2019s 1513 expedition laid the foundations for a settlement here and how Spanish colonial watchtowers were constructed along the coast hundreds of years before St. Augustine Lighthouse was built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Experience a Pirate\u2019s Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Experience<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit: Cheri Alguire<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum<\/a> is a fantastic attraction for kids who want a taste of a pirate\u2019s life. It boasts a collection of more than 800 artifacts related to factual and fictional piracy from the 1600s to the present day. Much of the museum\u2019s focus is on the 18th century, the Golden Age of Piracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Join a Floridian Wine Tasting Tour<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Sebastian Winery<\/a> is located on King Street in the city\u2019s historic downtown. Since its founding in 1996, this winery has been known as one of the best in Florida, particularly for its sparkling and dessert wines. However, it also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Port, and Cream Sherry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winemaking in America dates back to the 16th century, and native Muscadine grapes produce some of San Sebastian\u2019s most delicious wines. Take a tasting tour to sample some of the winery\u2019s best products and learn more about the winemaking process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Sample Local Artisanal Spirits<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Credit: Angela N Perryman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Augustine Distillery<\/a> was founded by 20 families, all from the city, with the goal of leaving a better St. Augustine for future generations. The distillery produces award-winning artisanal bourbon, gin, rum, and vodka inside a restored ice plant that was originally built in 1917.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a guided tour to learn about the distillation process and discover what makes St. Augustine spirits so special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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6. Explore the Oddities of St. Augustine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you love weird and wonderful attractions, be sure to pay a visit to Ripley\u2019s Believe It or Not!<\/a>, where a vast collection of unique oddities is on display in a 19th-century castle. Highlights include an exact replica of Michelangelo\u2019s David<\/em> and a matchstick replica of the International Space Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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7. Wander Through the Colonial Quarter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Colonial Quarter<\/a> is a two-acre area of the city\u2019s Historic District where you can lose yourself in 16th, 17th, and 18th-century St. Augustine history. You can take part in musket drills, climb a replica 17th-century-style watchtower to guard the city\u2019s bayfront, and have dinner in an 18th-century-style British pub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This attraction will help you understand how Spain and Great Britain influenced the culture and architecture of the St. Augustine we know and love today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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8. See the Origins of the Nation\u2019s Oldest City<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Fountain of Youth Archaeology Park<\/a> is the original settlement site of Juan Ponce de Leon and Pedro Menendez de Aviles. The foundations of Colonial America began here more than half a century before the arrival of the Pilgrims on Plymouth Rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fountain of Youth Park, which is set across 15 acres on the waterfront, lets you learn about St. Augustine\u2019s early history. It also has exhibits related to the native Timucua people who lived in this region long before European settlers arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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9. Visit America\u2019s Oldest Masonry Fort<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Visit<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit: melissamn<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument<\/a> is the oldest masonry fort in the continental US. The Spanish built it in 1695 to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route from pirates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can guide yourself around the park, but look out for rangers and volunteers who have extensive knowledge of the fort\u2019s history and are happy to answer questions. Formal educational presentations take place regularly, and you can catch musket and cannon demonstrations most weekends. For an epic view of Castillo de San Marcos, head to the Bridge of Lions at sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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10. Take a Ghost Tour in the Historic District<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The age and tumultuous history of St. Augustine make it a prime location to go ghosthunting, and the best opportunities to experience the paranormal are in Downtown St. Augustine and the Historic District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join a ghost tour<\/a> to explore the gravestones of Tolomato Cemetary<\/a>, the old City Gates<\/a>, and the Old Jail<\/a>, all of which are famously haunted. You\u2019ll also get to try the nighttime Chamber of Horrors experience in Potter\u2019s Wax Museum<\/a>, where you\u2019ll hear of the gruesome execution of infamous pirate Andrew Ranson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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11. Relax on the Beach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Relax<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A trip to coastal Florida wouldn\u2019t be complete without at least one day at the beach, and the broad stretch of sand at St. Augustine Beach<\/a> is a welcome break from the bustle of the city. There are excellent amenities here, including chair rentals, a sand volleyball court, a splash park, a beachside pavilion, and a long fishing pier<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an even more peaceful experience, head to Vilano Beach<\/a>, which has a relaxed atmosphere and offers incredible views of St. Augustine at sunset. Reach it by car via the A1A Scenic & Historic Byway<\/a> or take the Dolphin Bay Scenic Shuttle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12. Shop, Dine, and Learn on St. George Street<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

St. George Street is considered the heart of historic St. Augustine and is where you\u2019ll find some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, art galleries, bakeries, boutique stores, and live music venues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a self-guided walking tour of this street and the surrounding area to discover lots of fantastic attractions. Highlights include the Oldest House<\/a> which dates back to the early 1600s, and the serene grounds of the Mission of Nombre de Dios<\/a>. Top food and drink spots include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n