Welcome to St. Augustine, the city that's been around longer than your great-great-great-grandparents (and probably has more stories to tell)!
This charming coastal town is a treasure trove of history, culture, and adventure just waiting to be discovered.
St. Augustine has something for everyone, from soaking up the sun on sandy beaches to exploring ancient forts and sipping on sweet tea.
So buckle up and get ready for a fun ride – we're about to take you on a tour of the 13 most awesome things to do in this magical city.
Are you ready to live it like a local and make awesome memories? Let's go!
To help you plan your trip to this historic city, check out our list of the 13 best things to do while in St. Augustine, Florida:
- Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
- St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park
- St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
- Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
- Lightner Museum
- The Old St. Augustine Jail
- The Colonial Quarter
- St. George Street
- Fort Mose Historic State Park
- The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
- The Bridge of Lions
- St. Augustine Distillery Tour
If you’re interested in learning how to get the most out of your St. Augustine experience, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep reading this post to discover all the essential tips on visiting America’s oldest city.
Why You Should Visit St. Augustine, Florida
The most obvious reason St. Augustine should be on your bucket list is because of its history.
Anywhere you go in this city, you’ll find America’s “oldest,” something a few blocks away. How cool is that?
When it comes to old American cities, we often think of familiar names like Jamestown and Plymouth.
But did you know that Florida's St. Augustine is the oldest city in America?
That's right. This coastal gem was founded by the Spanish in 1565, long before the days of powdered wigs and quill pens.
And the best part?
St. Augustine's historic buildings and landmarks still stand tall today, allowing you to step back in time and experience Old Spain without ever leaving the New World.
Even if you slept through American history class, you’ll find plenty of things to do on a trip to St. Augustine.
You’ll soon discover it’s impossible to squeeze all St. Augustine’s blockbuster attractions into just one vacation.
With its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and European architecture, it’s no wonder St. Augustine is now one of America’s premier romantic destinations.
Couples who want a Spanish getaway without leaving North America should book a trip to San Agustín.
Another nice feature of St. Augustine is its convenient location between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
From St. Augustine, you’re only a 1-hour drive from either of these equally famous cities.
For budget-friendly tips, check out our article on smart savings for Florida fun to make the most of your trip.
What Is The Best Time To Go To St. Augustine, Florida?
Most tourist experts recommend visiting St. Augustine in the spring. Why? Springtime visitors enjoy low humidity, low rain chances, and mild temps in the mid-50s F.
You’ll also find spring less crowded than summer, provided you avoid spring break.
However, if you’re a budget traveler, consider visiting St. Augustine in the winter.
Most people avoid St. Augustine in the winter due to its surprisingly chilly temps, which means guests enjoy deep discounts and virtually no tourist crowds.
Autumn travel isn’t as highly recommended as spring, mainly because of hurricane season.
However, the worst season to visit is the summer, with its high fees, large crowds, and humid weather.
Is St. Augustine Walkable?
St. Augustine is an extremely walkable city in the main Historic District.
However, if you want to venture out to other noteworthy sites, you’ll need to look into the city’s trolley services.
Using a hop-on-hop-off service will save you a lot of steps and frustration getting around St. Augustine’s major tourist stops.
You can learn more about this service by visiting the Old Town Trolley Tours’ website.
13 Things To Do In St. Augustine, Florida
In addition to its world-famous historic attractions, St. Augustine boasts many interactive museums, family-friendly zoos, and even a spirits distillery.
Look at our 13 best things to do in St. Augustine while planning your travel itinerary.
1. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Built in the 17th century, the limestone Castillo de San Marcos was intended to defend against British attack.
Now under the care of the US Park Service, this 320-acre complex welcomes tourists interested in its long past.
On your tour, you’ll learn more about what daily life must’ve been like for soldiers here.
Depending on when you visit, you might also see a live (and loud) cannon demonstration.
The Castillo is open between 9 AM and 5 PM daily, and tickets cost $15 per adult.
To discover more about this National Monument, visit Castillo de San Marcos’s NPS webpage.
2. St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
Buccaneers of any age should schedule a stop at the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.
At this highly interactive attraction, guests can climb aboard a replica ship, meet a pirate tour guide, and even go on their treasure hunt.
St. Augustine’s Pirate Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, and tickets cost $15 per adult and $8 per child.
Be sure to visit the official Pirate & Treasure Museum website to better plan your visit to this fun attraction.
3. St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park
With a history of over 100 years, you’d better believe the St. Augustine Alligator Farm knows how to handle gators.
Considered one of the longest-running attractions in Florida, this farm has almost 25 different crocodile species of varying sizes that love the limelight.
Do reptiles freak you out? No worries; the Zoological Park has lovely lemurs, slow-moving sloths, and beautiful birds.
Tickets to the Alligator Farm cost about $26 per adult and $15 per child, but seniors and the military receive special discounts.
Usually, St. Augustine’s Alligator Farm is generally open between 9 AM and 5 PM daily. For more details, visit the Alligator and Zoological Park’s webpage.
4. St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
Just a short drive from the Alligator Farm, you’ll find another iconic attraction: the 165-foot-tall St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Built in the 1870s, this lighthouse offers guests unparalleled views of the surrounding area—if they can climb the draining 219 steps.
Typically, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and tickets for adults cost $13 per person.
For more details on specific ticket prices, private tours, and special events, visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse’s main webpage.
5. Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
OK, nobody’s sure where Ponce de Leon landed on his first voyage to Florida, but that doesn’t mean the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park is all fantasy.
Spanish settlers colonized this region early in Florida’s history, and archeological digs on park property reveal traces of this.
At this waterfront attraction, you’ll also see recreations of Spanish settlements and Native American dwellings.
And, of course, you could take a sip from the “Fountain of Youth” spring—but there’s no guarantee it will make you any younger.
Tickets to the Fountain of Youth are $18 for adults and $10 for children, but AAA, military, and senior discounts apply.
This park's normal operating hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM, and parking is free. For more information, please visit the Fountain of Youth’s website.
6. Lightner Museum
Formerly a hotel for the upper crust, the Lightner Museum is now St. Augustine’s premier art museum specializing in 19th-century statues, glasswork, and paintings.
But it’s not just art on display at the Lightner Museum.
Shrunken heads, vintage cigars, and even a mummy are among the oddities you’ll find on a tour of this museum.
The Lightner Museum is open seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM, and general admission for adults costs $15 per person.
There are, however, special discounts for seniors, college students, active military, and children.
Visit the Lightner Museum’s official website for details on special events.
7. The Old St. Augustine Jail
Designed in 1891, the Old St. Augustine Jail housed some of the area’s most dangerous criminals for about 60 years.
Today, the only way to get into this jail is as a “new inmate” on a fantastic guided tour.
St. Augustine’s Old Jail is usually open from 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week, and tickets cost about $13 for adults and $7 for children.
You can find out more about the Old Jail on this website.
8. The Colonial Quarter
You'll find the immersive Colonial Quarter museum in the center of St. Augustine’s Historic District.
The Colonial Quarter, which was created not too long ago, has four districts, each depicting life under Spanish or British rule.
On your journey, you can talk with shipbuilders, welders, and tanners and even watch a group of soldiers fire off muskets.
St. Augustine’s Colonial Quarter is open daily between 10 AM and 5 PM.
According to the Colonial Quarter’s official website, you must inquire about tickets at 43 St. George Street.
9. St. George Street
St. George Street is St. Augustine’s premier pedestrian path, cutting through the historic town center.
Here, you’ll find access to St. Augustine’s top attractions and the best boutiques and restaurants in town.
This is the ideal spot for anyone interested in a romantic stroll or souvenir shopping.
By the way, St. George Street is also a well-known haunt for local ghosts. Not scared?
Well, why not go on one of the many nighttime ghost tours through the historic district one night?
10. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Fort Mose is a fascinating National Historic Park only a 15-minute drive north of St. Augustine’s center.
Interestingly, the Spanish created this 24-acre area as a safe zone for runaway slaves.
In exchange for allegiance to the Catholic Church, the Spanish granted African slaves freedom in this territory.
You can learn more about the unique history surrounding Fort Mose on a free guided tour.
The park is usually open between 9 AM and 5 PM daily, but you can find more details on this Fort Mose webpage.
11. The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine
Completed in 1797, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is considered the oldest Catholic church in the USA.
Visitors will instantly see the fantastic Spanish-inspired artistry and architecture as they walk around this historic house of worship.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is usually open to visitors every day between 7 AM and 5 PM, but check the official website for Mass times.
12. The Bridge of Lions
St. Augustine’s Bridge of Lions connects the mainland to Anastasia Island and is often ranked as one of America’s most picturesque bridges.
Stop at the front (near the Cathedral Basilica) to take a few pics of the famous lion statues.
Yes, there are sidewalks on the side of the Bridge of Lions, but be extra careful.
Unfortunately, Florida has the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the nation.
13. St. Augustine Distillery Tour
After all that St. Augustine is exploring, how about relaxing with a cold drink at the city distillery?
Initially used as an ice plant, the St. Augustine Distillery now creates handcrafted spirits and welcomes visitors on a complimentary tour.
Per the St. Augustine Distillery’s website, regular operating hours are 10 AM – 6 PM.
Mondays through Saturdays and 10 AM – 5 PM on Sundays, and tours start every 30 minutes.
Where To Stay In St. Augustine, Florida
Most of St. Augustine’s hotels are concentrated around the Historic District. However, you can find more budget-friendly options a bit farther out.
Below are two highly reviewed hotels ideal for different price points.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa
Tourists who don’t mind splurging should research the 4-star Casa Monica Resort & Spa.
Conveniently located beside Flagler College, this spacious resort is known for its colonial-inspired décor and amenities, such as a fitness center, beach club, and award-winning restaurants.
To learn more about this fabulous hotel, visit Casa Monica Resort’s Booking.com webpage.
Smart Stay Inn
Those interested in saving money should investigate St. Augustine’s well-reviewed Smart Stay Inn.
Although this 2-star hotel is a 10-minute drive from the city’s historic center, guests enjoy perks like continental breakfast, pool access, and proximity to outlet malls and the aquarium.
For more details, visit Smart Stay Inn’s Booking.com page.
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For those traveling in an RV, see our guide on the best RV parks near St. Augustine, Florida, for convenient places to stay.
