Best Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida
Are you looking for the best things to do in St. Augustine, Florida? You’re in the right place! I’ve been to St. Augustine quite a few times now, and I’ve tried many of the most popular activities here.
This Florida destination is known for being the oldest city in the United States. It was founded by the Spanish way back in 1565, and you can still see remnants of the Spanish colonial period today.
St. Augustine is located about one hour south of Jacksonville and two hours north of Orlando. It’s a great place to spend a couple of days, offering a mixture of history, nature, culture, and entertainment. This guide will show you all of the best things to do in St. Augustine to make the most of your visit.
If you’re planning to stay in St. Augustine, you may also want to check out my hotel guide.
Here’s a look at the best things to do in St. Augustine, Florida:
1. Visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a 17th-century fortress that was built by the Spanish. This sprawling waterfront fortress is now a National Park Site and a must-visit for history buffs.
It’s interesting to visit the Castillo de San Marcos on your own, but I highly recommend stopping for one of the ranger- or volunteer-led programs that happen throughout the day. These presentations last for around 20 minutes and are especially helpful for bringing the history of the fortress to life.
Admission to the fortress is $15 for adults, and free for children under 16. Entry is free if you have the America the Beautiful pass, which grants admission to almost all National Park Sites in the United States.
2. Take a hop-on, hop-off trolley tour
One of the best ways to explore St. Augustine is on a trolley tour! A hop-on, hop-off trolley tour of the historic city is a great way to get acquainted with St. Augustine and learn about centuries of history.
The trolley tour lasts for 90 minutes, so you can ride it all the way through once and listen to the commentary, and then take your time hopping on and off at the 22 stops throughout St. Augustine. When you purchase your trolley tickets, you’ll also get free admission to the St. Augustine History Museum.
3. Relax on St. Augustine Beach
Historic St. Augustine is located on a body of water, but it’s not the ocean. The town is actually situated on the Matanzas River. But the beach is just a few miles away, so you can easily get there!
One of the best things to do after exploring the Old Town is spending an afternoon at St. Augustine Beach, which is only a 10-minute drive away. There are several public access points you can use along St. Augustine Beach, or you can visit the most pristine area of the coastline at Anastasia State Park.
4. Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
One thing you can’t miss is climbing to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum. This active, working lighthouse on Anastasia Island was built in the 1870s. In the museum buildings, you can learn about centuries of maritime history and lighthouse keeping through interesting exhibits.
You can also climb to the top of the lighthouse for a great view, although be prepared, because it’s 219 steps! Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for children 12 and under, and $16 for seniors 60 and older.
5. Take a nighttime ghost tour
With over four centuries of history and many bloody conflicts over the years, it’s no surprise that many people consider St. Augustine to be one of the most haunted cities in the United States.
This nighttime ghost tour of St. Augustine by trolley is a great way to experience the dark side of the city. You’ll stop at the Old Jail (allegedly the most haunted place in St. Augustine), pass by spooky old cemeteries, and make a stop inside Potter’s Wax Museum, which is… unsettling, to say the least.
6. Visit the Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum is one of my favorite places in St. Augustine. This museum, located within the stunning, historic Hotel Alcazar, houses an amazing collection of art and artifacts. The hotel originally opened in the late 19th century and attracted many wealthy tourists traveling south for the winter.
After the hotel closed, the building was purchased by Chicago publisher Otto C. Lightner in 1947 to house his many collections. He then turned it over to the city of St. Augustine as a museum.
7. Stroll through the Old Town
While in St. Augustine, you must spend some time exploring the pedestrian-only streets of the Old Town. St. George Street is the heart of this area. This cobblestone street is lined with shops, restaurants, historic sites, and quirky tourist attractions. It’s pedestrian-only, stretching for several blocks.
While you’re here, be sure to pop into the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, which dates back to 1797. The other streets in this area are very walkable, and you can easily stroll around for an hour or more.
8. Go on an airboat safari
One of the most unique things to do in St. Augustine is taking an airboat safari along the St. Johns River. This river is the longest in the state of Florida, stretching 310 miles from Northern to Central Florida. An airboat ride on the river gets you up close and personal with this wetland environment and ecosystem.
During your journey, you’ll learn about the river, including its history and significance, as well as the habitat it provides to local wildlife. You might even spot some turtles, snakes, and gators!
9. Be mesmerized by Night of Lights
If you’re visiting St. Augustine between mid-November and mid-January, strolling through the Night of Lights is one of the best things you can do. This festive holiday lights display is incredibly popular, and you can also take a trolley tour or golf-cart tour to see the lights — just book it well in advance!
The lights are cool, but I’ll be honest, St. Augustine gets crazy crowded during the Night of Lights season. If at all possible, visit on weekdays instead of weekends, and go early in the season or towards the end of it.
10. Visit the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
For a uniquely Floridian experience, you can see live gators at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Alligators are the focus here, but there are also tons of other animals that you can see at the zoo.
There are other activities here like zip lining and animal encounters with alligators, giant tortoises, and sloths. Tickets are $37 for adults, $22 for children under 12, and $33 for seniors 65 and older.
11. Take a sunset cruise
An amazing evening activity in St. Augustine is taking a sunset cruise with live music and drinks. These cruises depart from nearby Vilano Beach and take you past sights like the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Bridge of Lions, and the historic Old Town, where the lights will start twinkling on at dusk.
As you sail on your breezy catamaran, you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and other drinks, as well as light snacks. You can also soak in the sunset to the sounds of live music onboard.
12. Go on a tour of Flagler College
Many people have never heard of Flagler College, but this small, private liberal arts college boasts a beautiful campus in St. Augustine. The centerpiece is the main campus building, originally the Ponce de León Hotel, which was built in 1888. It later became part of the college when it opened in 1968.
You can take a guided historic tour of the main campus building, led by a knowledgeable student tour leader. The interior of this building is normally only open to students and faculty, but visitors on the tour can see beautiful areas like the Rotunda, the Courtyard, the Dining Hall, and the Flagler Room.
Top Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida
This guide showed you the best things to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
As the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a fascinating historic destination. It also offers a lot beyond the history, including access to beaches and nature, as well as abundant shopping and dining.
Enjoy your trip to St. Augustine!
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