Exploring St. Augustine, Florida: Top Things to Do

 

St Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the United States, is located on the northeast coast of Florida. This oceanside community is rich with history and offers so many things to do and see.

St Augustine is usually included on our Florida road trip itineraries. We have spent many days overs several years exploring this beautiful city. I am not much on history, but this place seems to have a draw on me. I am sharing some places we thought were interesting below.

Lightner Museum

Three floors of antiques and memorabilia housed in the former Alcazar Hotel.

 

Hours:

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  7 Days a week (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day)

 

Admission:

Adult: $17.00

Senior (65+): $14.00

College Student: $14.00

Youth (12-17):  $10.00

Child (11 and under): Free

 

Address:

75 King Street

Saint Augustine, FL

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

The Castillo de San Marcos, located on the shore of Matanzas Bay, is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. With walls 33 feet high and 12 feet thick, it is one of only two forts in the world built out of coquina.

 

Hours:

 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.    7 days a week (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day)

 

Admission:

Adults (Age 16 and above) $15.00 - valid for 7 consecutive days.

Children (age 15 and under) free

Tours available

 

Address:

1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

Tour the 145 years old lighthouse tower, see shipwreck artifacts, and learn about the shipyard’s involvement in WWII.

Hours:

9am – 7pm Daily

Admission:

 Adults            $14.95

Seniors (60 & over)         $12.95

Children (Age 12 or under and 44″ or taller)         $12.95

Tours:   $17.50 - $30.00 three different tour packages

 

Address:

100 Red Cox Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32080-5443

      St. George Street

Unique shops will call you to visit as you walk down this cobblestone street. Be sure and grab some sweet treats and food from local restaurants along the way.

We parked on A1A along the water near the Bridge of Lions and walked.

The St Augustine Old Town Trolley is also in that area if you don’t want to walk the few extra blocks.

  Bridge of Lions

The Bridge of Lions is a draw bridge connecting St Augustine to Anastasia Island. There are pedestrian walkways on both sides of the bridge. Take a walk on the bridge at sunset for an amazing view.

Flagler College

An amazing building built by Henry Flagler in 1888.

Admission:

Tours are available or you can walk around the courtyard and into the entrance area without a ticket.

 

Address:

74 King Street

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park

Dating back to at least 1868, the Fountain of Youth is the oldest attraction in Florida. The spring water has 30 minerals which is said the help with youthfulness. Check out the Timucua burials, watchtower, blacksmith exhibit, and much more while you are there.

Hours:

9am – 6pm Daily

 

Admission:

Adults  $18.00

Seniors 60+     17.00

Children 6-12   $10.00

Children 5 and Under    FREE

 

Address:

11 Magnolia Avenue

St. Augustine, FL

Marineland Dolphin Adventure

Get up close to sea life and learn about them. We had planned on visiting , but they were closed when we arrived.

Hours:

9:00am. - 4:30pm. daily

 

Admission:

Adult (12 – 54): $14.99 + tax

Child (5 – 11): $7.99 + tax

Senior (55+): $13.99 + tax

Young Child (4 and under): FREE

 

Dolphin interaction packages are available.

Address:

9600 Oceanshore Blvd

St. Augustine, FL 32080

Magnolia Avenue

Magnolia Avenue is lined with oak trees creating a canopy over the street.  Spanish moss draping from the branches is the touch that makes the scene perfect. One of the most photographed spots in St. Augustine.

 

Address:

Runs in front of the fountain of Youth.

Whetstone Chocolates

Tour the small factory and enjoy some of the best chocolates anywhere. Be sure and purchase some chocolates from the store before you leave. They are the best!

 

Tour Times:

Monday - Thursday: 10:00am, 11:15am, 1:00pm, 2:15pm 3:30pm

Friday - Sunday: 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:15am, 11:45am, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:15pm, 2:45pm, 3:30pm

 

Tour price:

Adults $8.00

Children 5-17 years old $5.50

Children under 5 Free Entry

 

Address:

149 King Street, St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine’s Beaches

Anastasia State Park

300 Anastasia Park Road

 

Crescent Beach

6930 A1A South

Oceanfront Hotel Vilano Beach

The Oceanfront Hotel has some of the best rates in St Augustine. The beach is just a walk across the road. Get up early and take a sunrise stroll down the beach and pick up a few shells. 

The Old Jail

The jail was built in 1891 to look like a hotel so as not to be an eyesore to the town. A fun place for the family.

Admission:

Adults       $14.90  

Children (4-12)       $8.51    

      Children under 4 free

 

Hours:

9:00 am – 4:30 pm daily

 

Address:

167 San Marco Ave

St. Augustine, FL 32084

Old Town Trolley Tours

Located with the Old Jail, Old Town Trolley Tours has several options for available at different price points.

 https://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine

With so much to do and see, I am sure you will fall in love with this charming historic town like I have. 

Happy & Safe Travels!

1.  

Fairhope, Alabama: A Charming Escape by the Bay

Nestled along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama is a small, picturesque city that offers visitors a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its beautiful natural scenery, quaint streets, and charming attractions, Fairhope is a true hidden gem in the South. In this post, we'll explore some of the best places to visit in Fairhope and share some recommendations for places to stay and eat during your visit.

Fairhope Municipal Pier

One of the most iconic landmarks in Fairhope is the Municipal Pier. The pier extends out into Mobile Bay and provides visitors with stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. Whether you're looking to fish, take a leisurely stroll, or simply relax and soak in the sun, the Municipal Pier is a must-visit destination. 

Address:

Located at the end of Fairhope Avenue where it meets North Beach Road

North Beach Park

Adjacent to the pier, North Beach Park is a popular spot for picnics, swimming, and other outdoor activities.

 Fairhope Avenue

Fairhope Avenue is the main street in the city and is lined with a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. Visitors can enjoy browsing local boutiques, sampling homemade ice cream, or taking a guided walking tour to learn more about the history of Fairhope.

Fairy tale Castles

Fairhope is known for its whimsical architecture, and one of the most enchanting examples is the Fairy Tale Castles. These unique structures were built in the 1930s and feature turrets, gables, and other fairy tale-inspired details. Although the castles are privately owned and not open to the public, visitors can still admire them from a distance.

Sheldon Storybook Castle

http://fairhopecastle.com/Sheldon.html

Here is the Air BnB link

Mosher Castle

http://fairhopecastle.com/Mosher.html

Tolstoy Park, The Henry Stuart House

Tolstoy Park is a historic landmark that was once the home of Henry Stuart, a writer and philosopher who lived in Fairhope during the early 1900s. Today, visitors can tour the park and see the cottage where Stuart lived and worked. Adjacent to Tolstoy Park is The Henry Stuart House, a museum that houses a collection of Stuart's writings and personal effects.

Address:

22787 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532

Turn west onto Parker road and then turn right into the first driveway. It is located among offices that look like apartment. The GPS will take you into the other end of the area and get you lost!

Admission:

Free and open all the time

Fairhope French Quarter

The French Quarter is a historic district with a distinctive European-inspired architecture, featuring buildings with wrought-iron balconies, colorful shutters, and stucco walls. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and cafes

Address: 

40 S Section St, Fairhope, AL 36532

Lodging

Fairhope offers a variety of lodging options, from cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels. For a unique experience, check out The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, a historic property that offers stunning views of Mobile Bay and a variety of amenities, including a golf course, spa, and multiple dining options. 

Fairhope has a vibrant food scene that offers something for every taste. For a casual meal, check out Panini Pete's, a popular spot for sandwiches and other deli-style fare. For a more upscale dining experience, try The Wash House, which serves seafood and other Southern specialties in a charming, restored house.

In conclusion, Fairhope, Alabama is a charming destination that offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and modern conveniences. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family vacation, Fairhope is sure to please.

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Exploring the Luxury and Artistic Side of Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach, located on the east coast of Florida, is best known for its extravagant estates, upscale shopping, Palm trees, and beautiful beaches.

It is home to the rich and famous, including President Trump. Trumps “winter home” (including the Mar-a-Lago) is located water front on Ocean Boulevard along with other massive estates.

Our fist stop was the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. It is two-acres of lush tropical grounds with sculptures throughout. Read more about it in my post here.

After spending the morning at the gardens, we headed to Worth Avenue for some serious shopping.

Worth Avenue is a downtown area with upscale boutiques and restaurants.

Parking is a nightmare! I did notice valet parking carts in front of some of the stores, but we finally found parking about six blocks away.

I have to say, it was worth all of the trouble to get to it! Worth Avenue is beautiful!!!

And of course, my daughter had to shop in the Lilly Pulitzer store.

We had so much fun in Palm Beach! We were not able to stay in Palm Beach for the night, but we can not wait to go back and explore more of this beautiful city. We are looking at staying at The Colony Hotel, The Brazilian Court, or The Chesterfield for our return. They all are beautiful!

Location:

Palm Beach is located in southern Florida about 2 hours north of Miami and about 2 1/2 hours east of the FortMyers/Sanibel Island area.


Happy Travels!