St. Augustine, Florida: This list of the best things to see and do in St. Augustine, Florida, will help you discover all the treasures of the oldest city of European origin in the United States.
Located in the north of the Florida peninsula, in the beautiful Bay of Matanzas, this city founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés maintains its historic center intact, is full of colonial buildings, and has several tourist attractions such as the San Marcos fortress. or the San Agustín Lighthouse, which will surely not leave you indifferent.
During a route through Florida by car, it is common to spend about three hours getting to know all the points of interest in San Agustín, eating a typical fish dish in the port restaurants, and then continuing towards the Orlando parks or going back and going to the centre. Kennedy Space Station, both located two hours by road.
Based on the experience of the morning we spent in this town during our trip to Florida, we have made this list of the 10 essential places to visit in San Agustín. Let’s start!
1. Magnolia Avenue
One of the best things to do in St. Augustine before starting your visits to the historic centre is to drive to Magnolia Avenue, known as one of the most beautiful streets to see in the United States.
Located a 25-minute walk from the centre, this street is flanked by two rows of imposing oak trees over 100 years old covered in moss that intertwine in the middle of the street allowing some rays of the sun to pass through.
Without a doubt, this is one of those images that stays in the mind…It is also a perfect option to take a walk and see the daily life of the local people.
2. Visit the Castillo de San Marcos, one of the things to do in San Agustín
After leaving the car in one of the downtown parking lots, you can begin the route through San Agustín in one day with a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672 by the Spanish in a strategic position in the Bay of Matanzas to protect the city. of sea attacks by English pirates.
This fortification built in the shape of a star is characterized by being made of coquina, a strong variety of limestone, which made it indestructible during its more than 300 years of existence. Currently, it has been declared a national monument.
3. Entrance doors
Although the fortress of San Marcos was impregnable, the British continued attacking and looting the town’s houses, so in 1704 it was decided to protect them by building a wall, of which currently only the entrance gates remain, which are another of the essential places to see in St. Augustine (Florida).
These two three-story high pillars, built in coquina and located at the entrance to Saint George Street, welcome you to the historic center of Saint Augustine.
4. Saint George Street
Walking along the cobblestone street of Saint George, full of colonial-style buildings is like travelling back three centuries, and, as it could not be otherwise, it is considered one of the best things to do in Saint Augustine and Florida.
During the walk, you will see numerous shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes as well as historic buildings from the Spanish era, such as the oldest wooden school in San Agustín, the Triay House, and the Peña-Peck House (residence of the royal treasurer Juan Esteban de Peña).
Also on this street is the Colonial Quarter Museum, where you can learn about the history of the city and the way of life of the Spanish settlers in a recreation of a villa from that era.
5. Constitution Square
Saint George Street will take you directly to Constitution Square, built during the colonial era of Spanish Florida and considered the oldest square in the United States.
Inside the square, you can see a kiosk, four original cannons from the Castillo de San Marcos, the statue of the Spanish explorer Ponce de León (discoverer of Florida), and an obelisk that commemorates the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and which gives its name to the square.
Among the historical buildings that surround the square, the residence of the Spanish governor and the cathedral basilica of San Agustín stand out, which we will talk about in the next point.
6. Cathedral Basilica, another of the places to see in San Agustín
Built between 1793 and 1797 by the Spanish colonists, the Cathedral Basilica is the oldest Christian church in the United States and another of the essential places to visit in San Agustín.
Declared a National Historic Landmark, this religious temple is characterized by its façade that combines Spanish mission and neoclassical styles, to which a Spanish Renaissance-style bell tower was later added that houses the oldest bell in the United States.
7. Aviles Street
Walking along Aviles Street, quieter than Saint George and considered the oldest street in the country, after fragments of pottery from the early 1600s were discovered beneath the brick pavement, is another thing to do in Saint Augustine.
This pedestrian street is part of the city’s artists district and features several historic buildings that house the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum and the Father O’Reilly House Museum.
8. Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum, located inside the old Alcazar Hotel, a hotel complex built in 1888 by railroad magnate Henry Flagler to attract tourists and the center of the town’s social life until it closed in 1931, is another of the buildings to see in San Agustin.
The museum at the back, with the Town Hall at the front, offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design, although the real gem is the building itself, which features an open courtyard with palm trees and a stone arch bridge over a pond.
9. Lighthouse, another place to visit in San Agustín
Back downtown along the boardwalk, you can stop to eat good fish and a delicious key lime pie, which is typical of the southern part of Florida, at Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille, one of our favourite restaurants in the town, to then take the car and cross the Lions Bridge until you reach the San Agustín Lighthouse.
Climbing the more than 200 steps of this 50-meter-high lighthouse decorated with black and white stripes, which has continued to guide ships since 1874, will allow you to enjoy incredible views of the city and its surroundings.
10. Beaches of San Agustín
To complete this list of things to see and do in St. Augustine, we suggest taking a refreshing swim at one of the best beaches in Florida such as Saint Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach, both located at the ends of Anastasia State Park.
These wide sandy beaches that have long wooden piers are perfect for spending a relaxing morning or with the family, as they have all the services and restaurants nearby, in addition to being able to see fantastic sunrises.
Where to sleep in San Agustín
To stay in St. Augustine, we recommend the Budget Inn Saint Augustine motel, located 3 kilometres from Vilano Beach and a 2-minute drive from the historic centre, or the Rodeway Inn St. Augustine, located 3 kilometres from San Marcos Castle.
If you prefer the historic centre, you have the Casablanca Inn on the Bay and the Historic Waterfront Marion Motor Lodge, although in this case, the prices are much higher.