Let’s talk about St.
Augustine, the first US city that was founded by Europeans and has been constantly inhabited from the moment of construction to the present day.
It is located in the USA, in the state of Florida, almost on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, under the protection of an impressive star fortress.
Are you already interested?
So let’s have a virtual tour there together.
And I will share my experience—what we learned about St.
Augustine while traveling along the East Coast of the United States.
You will find out what to do there if you have a free day or even just a couple of hours to stop and see its sights and feel the unique atmosphere.
What is so Special About St. Augustine?
Saint Augustine is special because it is the oldest city in the United States that exists today.
As well, St.
Augustine is called quite a European city in America, which will be of interest to all travelers interested in history and architecture.
It was founded in 1565 by the Spaniards.
Since then, the city of St.
Augustine has constantly existed; people have lived in it from the moment the first stone was laid in the fort on the site of the modern city to the present day.
St.
Augustine is located in Florida on the Atlantic coast.
You can visit many attractions in the city—first of all, the Castillo de San Marcos Fort in the Spanish Quarter, the King Street area with museums and wineries, the Catholic Cathedral of the late 19th century, and many colonial-style buildings, some of which have been restored and others have been rebuilt.
Of interest is the crocodile farm from the end of the century before, where alligators are grown.
On a nearby island is the 1824 San Agustin Lighthouse.
St.
The city is one of the most beautiful cities I have visited in Florida, and it is a must-visit if it’s your first time in the city.
In addition to its rich historic past, nice beaches, and the hospitable character of its locals, visiting St.
Augustine is a thing worth doing.
I like its unique laid-back feeling that St.
Augustine offers, making it an ideal city for me to stay for my vacation, unlike the bustling cities like Orlando or Miami.
The first time I came here, the best Spanish colonial architecture, its rich historic past, nice beaches, and a friendly atmosphere drew me.
In 1565, Spanish explorers founded the city, which why it is the oldest city in America that is perpetually inhabited.
However, in 1763 they handed it over to the British, and in 1783 the British returned it to Spain.
Finally, the Spanish handed over the whole of Florida to America, and automatically St.
Augustine became a part of America.
Things to Know about St. Augustine
- Although St.
Augustine
is old and rich in history, it is small.It is made up of about 8.4 square miles of land and 2.4 square miles of water.
- According to the last census, its population is about 15,415 people, excluding students of local educational institutions such as Flagler College, and tourists in transit.
- The city’s low population enables it to maintain a small-town environment notwithstanding it shares borders with Jacksonville on its northern side and Daytona Beach on the southern side, which is an hour’s drive either way.
- The rich historical past of St.
Augustine is its main attractive force, and among the best historic monuments of the city is the Castillo de San Marcos.
- When raids by English privateers became frequent, the Spanish built the outstanding fortification in 1672.
- The fortification was a part of the American coastal defense system as well as a system that heats cannonballs that were used against invading ships.
- The Union was in control of the fort when Florida opted out of the Union at the pick of the civil war.
As a result of some undisclosed reasons, only one Union caretaker was taking care of the fort.
He only collects receipts from the Confederate forces and retires for the day.
Is St. Augustine Worth the Trip?
Yes, it is worth the trip.
It is an ideal place for everyone who loves small European towns.
Then you are welcome to the northeast of Florida.
I will say that we did not regret stopping in St.
Augustine.
It was very interesting to look at the fort of Castillo de San Marcos, and San Agustin itself turned out to be very atmospheric, albeit touristy through and through.
However, since Europeans were born here, everything here is steeped in history.
So it’s definitely worth stopping by here on the way from or to Miami!
The Castillo de San Marcos
You will see the Castillo de San Marcos at the waterfront, which makes it a spectacular destination in the city.
The destination has become the most significant destination you can see in St.
Augustine.
When I was told that Castillo was constructed in 1672, I was surprised because of its preservation.
For more than 400 years the original structure has survived wars, hurricanes, and visitors like me who want to explore everywhere.
Since sides of Castillo de San Marcos have accessibility for physically challenged person in a wheelchair in mind, I have brought my uncle to explore this fort in 2020.
We came with his family and it was a fun activity for everyone.
I recommend that you visit the Spanish Colonial Quarter in the morning because it is among the best places you will visit when you come to Saint Augustine.
The Castillo de San is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays, so if you visit on these days or after the official working hours, you can stroll around its entry which is close to the moat wall.
The entry has many things on display, and many places of interest you will enjoy visiting.
Exploring the Castillo de San Marcos takes about an hour and a half, and I spend longer time when there is cannon demonstration.
Augustine Worth Visiting?
What Is the Best Time to Visit St. Augustine?
I recommend visiting St.
Augustine from March to May; it is the best time to visit St.
Augustine.
You’ll encounter fewer people, pleasant weather, and affordable hotel and flight rates at this time.
However, I consider the events and weather before I make my trip to the city,
Summer in Florida begins from June to September and it comes with warmth and humidity, but the breeze coming from the Atlantic helps to reduce the heat.
As a result, I like the city’s activities during the summer.
On the other hand, I don’t like coming during the winter because of its coldness, but it comes with a nice warm temperature.
You can expect the hurricane between May and November.
Finally, the location of St.
Augustine on the eastern coast of Florida gave it the advantage of having perfect warm weather with a cool coastal breeze.
The city experiences an average temperature of 75° to 80° between May and October.
St.
Augustine is two hours’ drive to Orlando.
It is either I visit the top places of interest whenever I am in St.
Augustine or come over from Orlando for a day tour of St.
Augustine.
What is the Most Beautiful Street in St. Augustine?
St.
George’s Street in Augustine is considered the “epicenter” of tourist activity.
It is a narrow pedestrian street with many shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, and pubs on both sides.
It gets very crowded on weekends, so you might feel claustrophobic checking everything out.
But that’s part of the seductive energy of the street!
You’ll find local musicians playing for tips in the side streets and plenty of outdoor seating in bars and restaurants.
Where Do Locals Hang Out in St. Augustine?
Here are some popular places where there are some neighborhood hangouts in St.
Augustine that will make you feel at home:
Prohibition Kitchen
It’s a particularly attractive location to enjoy the longest bar in town while enjoying speakeasy-style beverages and listening to some fantastic live music.
A1A Ale Works Brewery
A tempting food menu of scratch-cooked, pub-style classics complements the craft beer variety, which is always full of tasty surprises.
Stogies Jazz Club and Listening Room
There is never a bad time to visit because there is live jazz and blues music every night, subdued lighting, a terrace outside, and leather sofas that give it the feel of an exclusive club.
Augustine Worth Visiting?
How many days do you need in St. Augustine?
We stayed one night, and it was not enough for us.
We did not manage to see all of the city’s landmarks.
That’s why I recommend you take several days to see everything in St.
Augustine.
Two to three days is enough to explore St.
Augustine.
Although I am free to stay at least three weeks in St.
Augustine for my vacation, it may take me at least a week to explore the city.
With many features, eateries, beaches, and historic interest, I don’t mind spending more days in St.
Augustine.
Sometimes, I wander a little far from the city and unwind with water activities or fishing.
I guess the number of days you spend in the city depends on what you want to do.
Is St. Augustine a walking town?
Yes.
St.
Augustine’s historic streets are simple to walk through and beautiful to look at.
The city’s promenade center consists of narrow colonial streets lined with interesting local shops and outstanding restaurants.
Three stately hotel buildings, built in the late 19th century by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, tower over smaller, reconstructed historic houses, but the city’s tallest building is only seven stories high.
One of Flagler’s former hotels is now home to a small, private liberal arts college whose students bring a vibrant feel to the centuries-old town.
In St.
Augustine, you can dine on the terrace overlooking the narrow brick streets, view superb art in unique galleries, and visit historic sites older than the United States itself.
But the city is more than history and high culture.
Want to parasail over a pristine beach or listen to famous bands play under the stars?
Saint Augustine has it too.
Do You Need a Car in St. Augustine, Florida?
Not necessary.
You can see the sights of St.
Augustine both on foot and by car (although it’s more convenient to drive to distant locations).
If you do not have a car, in St.
Augustine there are many other options for sightseeing.
However, there are some interesting ways to see the sights of St.
Augustine with a guide:
On the red tram (Red Train Tours), which has been operating since 1953.
The guided tour lasts 1.5 hours and makes 22 stops.
On the plus side, they pick up and deliver back to the hotel.
The trolls (Old Town Trolley Tours) are said to be the coolest guides.
The trip lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes, during which 20 stops are scheduled among the sights and points of interest in St.
Augustine (you can get off at any stop and then get back on the next trolley).
On a boat (a scenic cruise) with a family that has been taking guests for generations.
Therefore, they are great connoisseurs of the history of their city.
Their tour lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes around Matanzas Bay.
Departs from the city harbor, south of the Lions Bridge.
The undoubted plus of this excursion is that you can see dolphins along the way.
Can you Walk in Downtown St. Augustine?
Sure, St.
Augustine is one of the most walkable cities.
You can even take a walkable Ghost tour in the town.
Both the Old Town Trolley and Ripley’s Red Trains offer nighttime ghost trams called Ghost & Gravestones and Ripley’s Ghost Trains, respectively.
Both of these nighttime versions of the tram tours include several segments where guides park the tram, drop off the group, and lead the group into supposedly haunted buildings.
Keep in mind that different tours go to different locations; for example, Ripley’s Ghost Trains pass through Ripley’s supposedly haunted “Believe It or Not” building, and the Ghosts and Gravestones tours enter the old prison, a historic site owned by the trolleybus Old City.
In addition, numerous ghost walking tours are held outside of St.
George’s Street, with small registration booths or storefronts on duty throughout the day.
How Do you Spend a Day in St. Augustine, Florida?
Enjoy the unique atmosphere and visit a huge number of attractions, and it is convenient that they are grouped together in different areas.
There is a tourist information center in downtown St.
Augustine where you can come and get a map of the city and a lot of practical information, including a lot of information about staying here and useful tips.
The visitor center is located at the intersection of San Marco Ave.
and W.
Castillo Drive, near Fort Castillo de San Marcos.
My favorites are the Castillo de San Marcos (1672), which is the oldest stone fort in the United States; the oldest wooden school in America (1716); and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where, presumably in 1513, the navigator and explorer Ponce de Leon landed.
Most of the interesting places in St.
Augustine are located near the main attraction of the city, Fort Castillo de San Marcos, in the Spanish Quarter.
The second group is the area of King Street, where there are museums andwineries.
And a few more interesting attractions are located on the neighboring islands.
For example, the lighthouse of San Agustin on Anastasia Island
Does St. Augustine have a boardwalk?
Yes.
St.
Augustine has the Tolomato Boardwalk, which provides peaceful walkways along the Tolomato River with spots for bird observation, fishing, and picnics.
The Palencia Community’s promenade is accessible from dark until sunrise.
In general, St.
Augustine is a comfortable place to spend time.
But it is the duration of a tourist’s stay that is the key to assessing the tourist attractiveness of the city.
Can You Walk on St. Augustine Beach?
Yes, you can walk on St.Augustine Beach.
You can certainly walk the beach at night.
There is no law against that.
St.
Augustine Beach is a unique place that is a favorite among tourists who come from afar.
There are clean and calm beaches, many restaurants, and shops near by.
How Far is Downtown St. Augustine From the Beach?
It is only 5 miles away.
You can walk this distance because walking speeds up metabolism, reduces the risk of exacerbation of chronic diseases and obesity, and helps fight stress.
There are many pluses!
Are St. Augustine Beaches Free?
Yes.
St.Augustine beaches are free.
Public beaches are located onAnastasia Island.
Local beaches, of course, cannot be compared with the beaches of Miami; it is much calmer here, with fewer party people.
But someone who travels with the whole family, on the contrary, will appreciate it.
Is St. Augustine Pier Free?
No, the pier offers fishing and sightseeing for visitors for $2 only.
There are volleyball courts, a splash pad, a covered pavilion, free parking, and a gift store at the Pier.
For a modest price, visitors can access the pier itself to go sightseeing or fish.
Is St. Augustine Beach crowded?
No, it is not crowded compared to Miami.
Here in St.
Augustine, it is much cheaper than in Miami.
Clean sand, a wonderful beach, palm trees at every turn, and friendly people
Is St. Augustine a Party Town?
Yes.
St.Augustine is a 100% party town.
St.
Augustine is a real hotbed for local musicians and bands.
During the weekend, almost every restaurant and bar in the historic center of the city, as well as many on Anastasia Island, have live music in various genres, from country to classic rock, blues, and jazz.
The St.
Augustine Amphitheater is located in Anastasia State Park, across the Lion’s Bridge on the island.
A cozy venue with just under 5,000 indoor seats, it’s a great place to watch a performance if one of your favorites is in town during your visit.
Drawing on well-known live bands of all genres, past bands have included The Beach Boys, Toby Keith, Slayer, and Selena Gomez.
Follow the upcoming lineup on the website.
The city also hosts Square Concerts on Thursdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day at Constitution Square in the city center.
Local and regional musicians perform in the park’s gazebo, and visitors are encouraged to bring sun loungers and blankets to relax and enjoy the music.
Picnics are allowed, but alcohol is not.
The Colonial Oak Music Park in the aforementioned Colonial Quarter offers free live music from local musicians and occasional touring Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
What is the Cheapest Time of Year to stay in St. Augustine?
The cheapest time of year for St.Augustine is between March and May.
You’ll encounter fewer people, pleasant weather, and affordable hotel and flight rates at this time.
As for the weather:
St.
Augustine is hot, muggy, and cloudy in the summer; the winters are cool and partly cloudy; and it’s humid all year round.
Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit St.
Augustine for a warm-weather holiday is late March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-November.
