Located in the Northwest part of Florida, St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the United States. It offers visitors the perfect combination of Spanish history and architecture along with some of most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Coast.
St. Augustine holds a special place in my heart. As a child, my family stopped here on my very first road trip. And its history , beauty and charm stayed with me though the years. So much so, that decades later, I chose to include this city on two different road trips with my own family.
Spanish Moss 
A view of St. Augustine
So come along with my family and discover the history and charm of St. Augustine, the oldest city in the USA.
Let’s start with some basics:
WHEN TO VISIT & HOW TO GET THERE
St. Augustine is a place to take it slow and savor the moment. A minimum of a 3 day/2 night visit is recommended to take it all in. Our visits have always been part of a road trip so our car was our transportation. If you plan on flying, Jacksonville International Airport is the closest airport to St. Augustine.
When to visit is really dependent on your tolerance to crowds and heat as well as your budget. The shoulder seasons of March through May and September through November will provide the most comfortable temperatures. You’ll also enjoy smaller crowds and lower airfare and hotel rates. But keep in mind that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through the Fall. Like most families, our visits fell during the summer months when most visitors descend on this city. But, honestly, we loved it. It’s a vacation after all!
ACCOMMODATIONS
St. Augustine offers a variety of accommodations. Your interests and budget will determine where to stay. The Central Historic District is the best choice for close proximity to most sights and good restaurants. The beaches are a short 5 mile drive.
Our accommodation choice on our first visit reflected where we were as a family. Having two young children, ages 4 and 8, influenced our choice — a hotel central to most sights and for mom a dad, a budget friendly pick. The Best Western Historical Inn checked off all the boxes. A subsequent visit when my kids entered their teenage years included a stay at the Castillo Real, a more sophisticated accommodation, steps away from St. Augustine Beach.
Do your research to find what works best for you and your traveling companions.
HOW TO GET AROUND
Your feet and trolley cars are the two best transportation choices when exploring St. Augustine. Generally, it is a very walker friendly city. If you stay within the central historic district, most sites are in walking distance.
Keep in mind that many of the streets are cobblestone. If you or anyone in your party is limited in their walking ability or has a disability, taking a trolley car tour is the best choice. You can purchase the number of days you need, listen to experienced guides while being transported to all the highlights of the city in a comfortable way.
THINGS TO DO
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The Castillo de San Marcos is a must see for several reasons:
- Built by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route, it is the…
- Oldest surviving masonry fortress in the United States, and, is…
- Culturally significant. Its presence represent the ongoing influence of this nation’s Latino heritage.
Fort Mantanzas National Monument
There are many things to explore at Fort Mantanzas but first you have to get there. And a 45 minute free ferry boat ride that boards near the visitor center is the only way. Once you arrive, you will get a brief overview by a park ranger before you start your journey here.
The fort was built to guard the inlet and warn the settlers of St. Augustine of enemies approaching from the south. Today, it is no longer used for military purposes. Its current purpose is to protect Florida’s coastal environment, including its includes, dunes, marshes as well as threatened and endangered species.
The Colonial Quarter
St. George Street, the city’s central pedestrian thoroughfare, is where you will find most historic sights, eateries and shops to get the perfect souvenir.
A living museum is located on St. George street offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of residents from the mid-Century. The museum is divided into four areas: the 16th Century Spanish First City, the 17th Century Spanish Fortified Town, the 18th Century Spanish Garrison Town and the 18th Century British The 14th Colony.
Immerse yourself into a different time in history. Visitors can view activities such as cannon firing demonstrations, musket drills and even the construction of a ship. Explore on your own or take a tour.
Visit the colonial quarter’s website for updates on operation hours, ticket prices and discounts.
Mission de Nombre de Dios
On September 8, 1565, Admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed on the shores of Florida and settled St. Augustine.
The wooden cross kissed by Aviles 
He proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church by kneeling to kiss a wooden cross presented to him by the chaplain of his expedition. Soon after, the Spanish and local Timucua people celebrated their first mass in Florida.
This mission’s location would become the starting point for the oldest continuously occupied, non-indigenous, city in North America.
To read more about religious and spiritual sites discovered while traveling, head over to my post, “Top 15 Religious and Spiritual Sites Visited (so far!):https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?paged=13&cat=30
Flagler College
was once a luxury resort hotel and is now a liberal arts college in the heart of St. Augustine. Walk around the grounds and enjoy its beautiful architecture and landscaping.
Originally built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, the property was once home to Hotel Ponce de León, a true masterpiece of Spanish Renaissance architecture. A National Historic Landmark, it serves as the centerpiece for Flagler College.
The hote was designed by two young architects, John Carrére and Thomas Hastings, known also for their design of the New York Public Library and The House and Senate Office Buildings in Washington, D.C. The “Ponce” was also one of the nation’s first electrified buildings, powered by none other than The Edison Electric Company.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park
Alligators, tortoises and more! After all, you are in Florida. This park is an enjoyable reprieve from historical sights and the beaches. For more information, click here: https://www.alligatorfarm.com/
Almost a decade later, our second trip to St. Augustine included revisiting some sights, but with a new focus on beach activities, eating and ghosts!
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine offers some of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Coast. So, it’s no surprise that our hotel choice was not in the historic district for this visit. Castillo Real, located just 200 feet from beautiful St. Augustine Beach, suited this family just perfectly.
Interested in fishing? Head on over to St. Johns County Ocean Pier. There is also a beachfront park with volleyball courts, a playground, and a children’s splash zone. Ocean Hammock Park is another option, offering a nature trail and picnic areas as well as a sea turtle nesting site.
Most of the action is on A1A Beach Boulevard, which is full of casual eateries for all tastes.
And of course, no visit is complete without a…
Ghost Tour
St. Augustine is considered one of the top 10 haunted cities in America. So why not explore the darker side of our nation’s oldest city with an evening “ghost tour.” And it doesn’t matter if you believe in the paranormal or are looking for an enjoyable couple of hours in the city, a ghost tour won’t disappoint. And you may learn some history along the way.
Our tour provided secrets about the Huguenot Cemetery which supposedly has the most documented paranormal activity in the area. We also learned how yellow fever took the lives of many in St. Augustine.
So, of course, their spirits are alive and well here. Keep a close eye on the City Gates where you may catch a glimpse of Elizabeth, a young girl who succumbed to the fever.