Explore Florida’s Best Small Town

Summertime is officially here– looking for things to do that are fun for all ages? If so, St. Augustine might be the perfect spot to explore! This city is full of history and has a vibrant community with different activities and attractions everyone will enjoy.

From sightseeing to relaxing on the beach, St. Augustine has it all. Let’s take a look at some of the things Florida’s best small town has to offer:

Sightseeing

St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city, which means there are multiple historical buildings and monuments that are interesting to see and visit. One of the most popular spots is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument — construction for this fort began in 1672 and now you can visit this monument and take a tour to learn more about its history.

Other popular sightseeing spots include:

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum: From climbing to the top of the lighthouse, to exploring the surrounding nature trails, this museum is the perfect spot for families with young ones to visit. (Please note: all kids must be at least 44 inches to climb the lighthouse.)
Old Jail Museum: Saunter through the cell blocks, Sherriff’s living quarters and maximum-security areas with a “deputy” as your guide at the Old Jail Museum. Built in 1891, this museum has been renovated to showcase what prisoners in the 19^th and 20^th centuries days were like. There is also an option to do a ghost tour in the jail during the evenings where you’ll hear all about the supernatural occurrences that go on inside the walls!
Lightner Museum: This museum is an iconic building at the heart of St. Augustine with a wide variety of art and historical artifacts to discover. This museum also has special events and rotating exhibits, so make sure to keep an eye out on their website.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park: Want to visit the spot where the nation’s history was born? The Fountain of Youth was first explored in 1513 by Juan Ponce de Leon and gives visitors a chance to capture eternal youth and delve into history. This would be a perfect spot to stop at with little ones – there’s no better way to get out some energy than roaming throughout the site’s archeological park!

You will most likely see the Red Trolley driving around while exploring the city. This hop-on-hop-off ride experience is a must do to get in as many spots as you can in one day!

Attractions

Apart from the beautiful historic landmarks, St. Augustine also has a ton of attractions that are fun for the whole family! Some of their most popular attractions are:

George Street: Walk along St. George Street and visit local shops and restaurants. There are also a couple of historical buildings along the street, such as the Oldest Wooden School House in the United States.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm: This park is a fun spot to visit for all ages. The Alligator Farm has a wide variety of animals and even has wildlife shows that will definitely make your visit memorable.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not: Explore this museum to check out interesting stories and amusing artifacts. The oddities and curiosities make this a one-of-a-kind experience for all!
San Sebastian Winery: Make sure to stop here to take a tour of one of Florida’s premium wineries. Looking for some sweet samples? Check out their restaurant – it features live music and gives you the opportunity to try their wine.

Dining

From casual to elevated, by the water or in the heart of the city, there is a wide variety of wonderful restaurants in St. Augustine. Here are just a couple to choose from:

Columbia Restaurant: Florida’s oldest restaurant is located right on St. George Street and features Spanish/Cuban cuisine with has a beautiful indoor area. A tip from Find Your JAX: their famous sangria pitcher pairs well with anything on the menu!
Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila: This restaurant offers delicious food and drinks, and has a rooftop area so you can enjoy the view of the water and St. George Street while dining there.
Conch House Marina Resort: Looking for somewhere to eat right on the water? This restaurant has an amazing view of the boats coming in to the Conch House Marina and a wide variety of seafood and drinks.

Photo Credit: @VisitSt.Augustine

Nightlife

Is St. Augustine the new city that never sleeps? Must be because of their lively and diverse nightlife! Here are some popular nightlife activities to choose from:

Sunset Cruise: A sunset cruise is the perfect opportunity to take in breathtaking views of the city while cruising along the water. (Please note that a lot of these cruises give you the option to choose from adult-only or family friendly.)
Ghost Tour: Wanting something fright-seeking? St. Augustine has a wide variety of ghost tours that showcase the city’s history and most haunted spots. Just be sure that a spooky spirit doesn’t follow you home!
Concerts: While the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is the most popular spot for concerts, you can often find live music performances on St. George Street! Many of the city’s restaurants feature local artists.

Photo Credit: @VisitSt.Augustine

Beaches

Last, but certainly not least, there are a bunch of beaches close by that are perfect to visit on a warm, sunny day… and for all of you dog lovers, a lot of these beaches are dog friendly! Here are a couple of right around St. Augustine:

Photo Credit: @VisitSt.Augustine

While this city is a beautiful place to visit, it is also an amazing place to live! Click here to learn more about living in St. Augustine and a special video tour that shows all the reasons why residents love living in the area.