When most people think of visiting Florida, they immediately consider heading to Orlando for the various theme parks or to the many beaches that line the whole state. A place in Florida that can sometimes be overlooked is St. Augustine, which is not only the oldest city in Florida, but in all of the U.S.
Here are 12 reasons why St. Augustine should be the next place you take a vacation to.
1. Founded in 1565, the city of St. Augustine is steeped in history.
Many structures from long ago still stand in the city, such as the Castillo de San Marcos (built in 1695), the Gonzalez-Alvarez House (1700s), the Plaza de la Constitución (1573) and the Ponce de Leon Hotel (1888). If you’re into learning about history, then St. Augustine will undoubtedly teach you something new about the beginnings of the civilization in the U.S.
2. Tons of restaurants offer you a variety of delicious foods.
3. Soft sand and warm salty water awaits.
A staple in any Florida vacation is a trip to the beach. St. Augustine has miles of beaches less than a 10 minute drive from the downtown area at Vilano Beach or St. Augustine Beach. With warm days for a lot of the year, the beach is a great place to unwind and provides a contrast to the downtown area.
4. Live music can be heard all around town.
Whether it be from someone on the street strumming a guitar, or someone performing at a restaurant, live music in the downtown area is easy to find. For the adults who visit the area, there are few better ways to wind down a day in St. Augustine than listening to live music at a local bar or restaurant. The St. Augustine Amphitheater also offers concerts from bigger name artists and bands throughout the year.
5. You can experience Florida nature while enjoying historical sites.
In addition to the St. Augustine beaches, there are other ways to enjoy time outdoors in the nation's oldest city. On the Matanzas Bay, you can rent kayaks or paddle boards to see the city from a new perspective. Eco-tours at the Marina are a great way to see Florida wildlife by sailboat, catamaran or 18-foot explorer boat. Anastasia State Park also offers kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, hiking and camping.
6. Various art galleries line the streets.
For those who enjoy the finer things in life such as original artwork, St. Augustines vast array of art galleries offers visitors a chance to view and purchase unique works of art from local artists to commemorate their trip.
7. Sunny, Florida weather.
For most of the year, Florida is warm, making St. Augustine a great place to visit year-round. In December and January, when most of the country is experiencing cold weather, St. Augustine remains in the mid-60s on average. Even in summer months, the ocean breeze keeps temperatures bearable.
8. Tours will guide you through the city
The streets of St. Augustine are flooded with trolleys, horse drawn carriages and ghost tours. Just pay the fee for the tour, follow along, and see the whole city without having to navigate a map or walk miles around the city. The tours make vacation easy, and isn't that what we all want?
9. You can see historic artifacts in the museums in town.
The Lightner Museum, in the heart of downtown boasts a collection of 19th century artifacts, which are housed in the former Alcazar Hotel. The building alone is enough reason to visit the Lightner. On the island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse offers a museum and the chance to climb to the top of the lighthouse, built in the 1870s. A Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum is in town as well, ideal for younger visitors.
10. Yarr! Pirates! Ooooo, ghosts!
One thing that is seen around town, especially on the bayfront, is pirates. There are people who roam the streets dressed as pirates and if you are particularly into pirates, there is even a museum for that: the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum. There's even a pirate ship to explore on the Matanzas Bay. If pirates aren't your thing, then a spooky ghost tour is sure to give you chills. Various walking and hearse guided ghost tours tell creepy ghost stories of past residents of St. Augustine and are basically a requirement for those who visit the oldest city in America.
11. So many different, unique stores.
Along St. George Street and other downtown roads, shops and stores are in plentiful supply. In addition to touristy shops, there are many other stores where you can buy one-of-a-kind jewelry and knick-knacks to bring home. However if you prefer chain stores, the St. Augustine Outlets are a short drive away.
12. Its beauty is unmatched.
From the glorious beaches to the Henry Flagler architecture to the Castillo de San Marcos on the water, there is so much beauty in St. Augustine. It is a place everyone needs to see to know more about the history of the country, but most importantly, relax and enjoy your surroundings.
