St. Augustine, FL – What to See and Do
History, Beaches, Spanish Colonial Architecture, and a 17th Century Fortress
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Enjoy the history and culture of the oldest city in the United States, founded in 1565 by Spain (1). The city is located on the northeastern coast of Florida, just south of Jacksonville, Florida. St. Augustine has some of the most beautiful beaches, history, culture, and colonial architecture in all of Florida. A stroll through St. Augustine will transport you to an old-fashioned Spanish colonial settlement. Furthermore, St. Augustine has some of best food in Florida and a relaxed vibe to go along with it.
This little city gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy the history and culture of true colonial Spanish architecture. Moreover the city is also quite cozy with a number of bed and breakfasts that dot the historic downtown area. The quaint bed and breakfast’s all have a unique charming feel to them. With over 400 years of history, make sure you do a trip to this beautiful historic town on the charming northeastern coast of Florida. Known for its rich history and picturesque coastal beaches, St. Augustine will be sure to intrigue any traveler who ventures to this historic beach town.
Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum
Where to Enjoy the History and Culture of St. Augustine
Historic Downtown Saint George Street
St. George Street Shops and Restaurants
To really see and enjoy the history and culture of St. Augustine head to the iconic Saint George Street in the heart of the historic district. This walkable street is unobstructed by cars or even bicycles. This is where the majority of the shopping, restaurants, and treats are located. The street features many historic buildings and architecture that will transport you to a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.
Just off Saint George Street are several smaller quaint walkable streets that offer bed and breakfasts and gift shops. Saint George Street will instantly transport you back in time to a Colonial Spanish era. As the oldest street in the oldest city in the United States do not miss a chance to see the wonders that this street has to offer (2).
For a virtual tour of St. George Street click on the link: A Mindful Walk through the historic Saint George Street
St. Augustine Lighthouse
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is located on Anastasia Island which is iconic to the history and culture of St. Augustine. Dating back to 1589, it was originally built as a wooden watchtower (3). The watchtower was erected during the construction of the Castillo De San Marcos by the Spanish Crown to prevent enemy ships from taking Anastasia Island (3). The current St. Augustine Lighthouse seen pictured below was completed in 1874 and is 146 years old with an attached maritime museum that opened in 1994 (3). The museum was given a national preservation award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which recognized the work of the museums research program (3).
St. Augustine Light House
The lighthouse and museum are a great place for a photo opportunity and to learn a little history. The General Admission ticket allows you to walk to the top of the lighthouse. The light house is approximately 165 feet tall with 219 steps to the observation deck (3). There are eight landings, and one has a bench if you need to rest or let others pass (3). The General Admissions ticket also gives you entry to the Maritime Museum. The lighthouse will be enjoyed by everyone in your group by providing a true emerging experience of history and natural beauty that surrounds the St. Augustine Light House.
Castillo de San Marcos (historical fort)
Castillo de San Marcos
Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest surviving masonry fortress in the United States. The fortress was built by the Spanish in 1672 to defend the Florida and the Atlantic trade route. The Fort was completed in 1695 but later renovated in 1756. Originally built as a military outpost to protect Spanish commerce from rival power and pirates (4). The Castillo de San Marcos was made of coquina and deemed impenetrable to enemy attacks as it was fire resistant (5). The first fort was built in 1589 but later remodeled and refortified into the current landmark it is today (5). This iconic fort is full of history, culture and it is a defining landmark in St. Augustine.
St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine Beach
Another place to enjoy the history and culture of St. Augustine is at their beach which is located on Anastasia Island. Anastasia Island is considered a barrier island that sits east of St. Augustine. The island is about 14 miles long and an average of 1 mile wide. St. Augustine Beach borders the Atlantic Ocean and attracts a lot of local surfers due to is frequent large waves. The beach has a small-town vibe, yet still offers plenty of hotel accommodations and restaurants. St. Augustine Beach has beautiful sunrises, a relaxing vibe and the feel of an old fashion beach town. This is a place that will create long lasting memories.
Flagler College
Flagler College
Another great place to enjoy the history and culture is Flagler College. The college would be another landmark that makes up the history and culture of St. Augustine. Flagler College was originally built as a hotel, called the Hotel Ponce de Leon in 1887 by Henry Morrison Flagler (7). When the Hotel Ponce de Leon opened it was considered an architectural and engineering marvel which still stands true today (8). The Edison Electric Company installed the world’s largest incandescent lighting plant at the Hotel Ponce de Leon (8). The hotel was powered by steam and 4,000 electric lights, making the Ponce de Leon hotel one of the nation’s first electrified buildings (8).
Many historical figures visited the hotel, including President Grover Cleveland, who visited the hotel during its second month of operation (8). Some other famous historical figures would include John F. Kennedy when he was 13 years old, Ernest Hemmingway, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (8). In 1968 the former hotel became the centerpiece for the newly established Flagler College (8). The College is a liberal arts college that has celebrated over 50 years of education.
In addition, the college is filled with rich history and is an architectural marvel. Located in the downtown district Flagler College is a great place to visit as the photo opportunity and history are second to none. Moreover, the architecture along with the manicured lawns and landscaping are spectacular. A trip to St. Augustine would not be complete without a stop here. Enjoy a mindful stroll through the grounds of the college to really enjoy the history and culture of St. Augustine, FL.
Palm Garden is a fun spot for some pictures, who doesn’t love palm trees.
Statue of Henry M. Flagler
West Lawn Gazebo, great place for a picnic on the weekends as the campus is not very crowded.
St. Augustine is a beautiful town where you can enjoy the history and culture of the oldest city in the United States. Make sure to add this beautiful and world renown destination to your future travel plans as this will be an unforgettable experience.
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REFERENCES
- CivicPlus Content Management System © 1997-2021 CivicPlus. All rights reserved. All content © 2006-2021 St. Augustine, FL, and its representatives. Retrieved on July 30, 2021.
- Visit Florida, 2021 What to do on St. George Street, https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/cities/st-augustine/st-george-street.html retrieved on July 30, 2021.
- St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum 2021. https://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/get-involved/about-mission-uvp/history/ retrieved on July 30, 2021.
- National Park Service, October 24, 2020, Castillo de San Marcos, https://www.nps.gov/casa/faqs.htm#CP_JUMP_896043 retrieved on July 30, 2021.
- Visit St. Augustine, 2008, Castillo de San Marcos, https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/castillo-de-san-marcos retrieved on July 30, 2021.
- Graham, T. (2014) Mr. Flagler’s St. Augustine (A Florida Quincentennial Book). Gainesville, FL. University Press of Florida.
- Keys, L. (2015) Hotel Ponce de Leon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Flagler’s Gilded Age Palace. Gainesville, FL. University Press of Florida.
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