This list of 10 Unforgettable Adventures Await in St. Augustine, Florida will help you discover all the treasures of the oldest city of European origin in the United States.
Located in the north of the Florida peninsula, in the beautiful Matanzas Bay, this city founded in 1565 by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés has kept its historic centre full of colonial buildings intact and has several tourist attractions such as the San Marcos fortress or the San Agustín Lighthouse that will surely impress you.
During a route through Florida by car, it is usual to spend about three hours getting to know all the points of interest in San Agustín and eating some typical fish dishes in the restaurants in the port, before continuing towards the parks of Orlando or going back and visiting the Kennedy Space Centre, both located two hours away by road.
Based on the experience of the morning we spent in this town during our trip to Florida , we have compiled this list of the 10 must-see places in St. Augustine . Let’s get started!
10 Unforgettable Adventures Await in St. Augustine
1. Magnolia Avenue
One of the best things to do in St. Augustine before starting to visit the historic center is to drive to Magnolia Avenue, known as one of the most beautiful streets to see in the United States .
Located 25 minutes walk from the center, this street is flanked by two rows of imposing oak trees that are more than 100 years old and covered in moss that intertwine in the middle of the street, letting in some rays of sunlight.
Without a doubt, this is one of those images that stay in your mind… It is also a perfect option to take a walk and see the daily life of the local people.
2. Visit the Castillo de San Marcos, one of the things to do in St. Augustine
After leaving your car in one of the car parks in the centre, you can start your day trip to San Agustín with a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos, built in 1672 by the Spanish in a strategic position in Matanzas Bay to protect the city from sea attacks by English pirates.
This star-shaped fortification is characterised by its construction with coquina, a strong variety of limestone, which made it indestructible during its more than 300 years of existence. Today it has been declared a National Monument.
3. Entrance doors
Although the San Marcos fortress was impregnable, the British continued to attack and loot the town’s houses, so in 1704 it was decided to protect them by building a wall, of which today only the Entrance Gates remain, which are another of the essential places to see in St. Augustine (Florida).
These two three-story pillars built of coquina and located at the entrance to Saint George Street, welcome you to the historic center of St. Augustine.
4. Saint George Street
Strolling down St. George’s cobblestone street lined with colonial-style buildings is like stepping back three centuries and is unsurprisingly considered one of the best things to do in St. Augustine and Florida .
Along the way, you’ll see numerous shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes as well as historic Spanish-era buildings such as St. Augustine’s oldest wooden schoolhouse, the Triay House and the Peña-Peck House (home of royal treasurer Juan Esteban de Peña).
The street is also home to the Museo del Barrio Colonial, where you can learn about the history of the city and the way of life of the Spanish settlers in a recreation of a Spanish-era villa.
5. Constitution Square
St. George Street will take you directly to Constitution Plaza, built during the colonial era of Spanish Florida and considered the oldest plaza in the United States.
Inside the plaza you can see a bandstand, four original cannons from the Castillo de San Marcos, the statue of the Spanish explorer Ponce de León (discoverer of Florida) and an obelisk commemorating the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and which gives the plaza its name.
Among the historic buildings surrounding the plaza are the residence of the Spanish governor and the cathedral basilica of St. Augustine, which we will discuss in the next point.
6. Cathedral Basilica, another of the places to see in St. Augustine
Built between 1793 and 1797 by Spanish settlers, the Cathedral Basilica is the oldest Christian church in the United States and another must-see in St. Augustine.
Declared a National Historic Landmark, this religious temple is characterized by its façade that combines Spanish mission and neoclassical styles, to which a Spanish Renaissance-style bell tower was later added, housing the oldest bell in the United States.
7. Aviles Street
Strolling down Aviles Street , quieter than Saint George and considered the oldest street in the country after fragments of pottery from the early 1600s were discovered beneath the brick pavement, is another of the things to do in St. Augustine .
This pedestrian street is part of the city’s artist district and features several historic buildings that house the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum and the Father O’Reilly House Museum.
10 Unforgettable Adventures Await in St. Augustine
8. Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum , housed inside the former Alcazar Hotel—a resort built in 1888 by railroad magnate Henry Flagler to attract tourists and serve as the center of the town’s social life until it closed in 1931—is another must-see in St. Augustine .
The museum, which occupies the back section of the building, with City Hall in front, offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design, but the real gem is the building itself, which features an open courtyard with palm trees and a stone arch bridge over a pond.
9. Lighthouse, another of the places to visit in St. Augustine
On your way back to downtown along the boardwalk, you can stop for some great fish and a delicious key lime pie, typical of South Florida, at Harry’s Seafood, Bar & Grille, one of our favorite restaurants in town, and then hop in the car and cross the Bridge of Lions to the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Climbing the 200-plus steps of this 50-meter-high lighthouse decorated with black and white stripes, which has been guiding ships since 1874, will allow you to enjoy incredible views of the city and its surroundings.
10. Beaches of St. Augustine
To complete this list of things to see and do in St. Augustine, we suggest you take a refreshing dip in one of the best beaches in Florida, such as Saint Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach, both located at the ends of Anastasia State Park.
These wide sandy beaches, which have long wooden piers, are perfect for spending a relaxing morning or with the family, as all the services and restaurants are nearby, as well as being able to see fantastic sunrises.