The nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, Florida, is home to beautiful historic buildings and sites, still yet to show its true age. The city is still bursting with life and entertainment. With quaint restaurants and shops and historic opportunities all around the city, St. Augustine is one of the most interesting destinations in the United States.
History
The 400 year old northeast Florida town boasts many historic buildings, attractions and sites. The Castillo De San Marcos monument on South Castillo Drive sits in downtown St. Augustine on the shore of the St. Augustine Inlet. In addition to touring the monument, you can hear ranger talks, view museum exhibits and see historical weapons demonstrations and historical reenactments. At the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum off A1A, you can tour the site and climb the tower in one hour. At the Lightner Museum on King Street you can view items and art from the 1800s in the three-story restored historical building, formerly the Hotel Alcazar.
Attractions
Although the town is full of history, it also has several newer attractions. At the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park on A1A, you not only can see American and Chinese alligators, but historic animals from South Africa, albino alligators, a variety of birds from multiple continents, crocodiles and animals from all over the world. At Potter's Wax Museum on King Street, you can see and pose with more than 150 lifelike characters like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods and other artists and historical figures. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium on San Marco Avenue also offers oddities in a museum setting.
Tours
Guests who want a more structured tour of the city, rather than simply walking around, can use an area tour company as a guide. The Ancient City Tours, which operates from Aviles Street, offers walking historic tours of the city, ghost tours and educational tours to historical monuments, churches and other sites. The St. Augustine Ghost Tours on Saint George Street takes up to eight guests around spooky sites in a vintage hearse; a paranormal investigation walking tour also is offered. The St. Augustine Eco Tours off A1A features boat excursions and kayak adventures for dolphin and bird watching, photography tours and river and creek explorations.
Water Activities
Bay Ray Boat Rentals on Dolphin Drive will set you on your way to view sea creatures like dolphins and sea turtles, experience offshore and inshore fishing, visit sites like Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas at Crescent Beach or simply enjoy a relaxing cruise near Anchorage Inn Marina and Fish Camp and the Intercoastal waterway. Captain James Dumas, a fully licensed and insured guide for The Drumman Charters, off A1A, will take visitors on a boat for fishing for trout, redfish, flounder and tarpon.
Outdoor Sites
On warm, sunny spring and summer days in Florida, you also might enjoy outdoor sites. The 1,600 acre Anastasia State Park on A1A features camping, hiking, fishing and swimming and basking on four miles of beaches. Grills, bicycle rentals and supply stores are available. Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth is a 15-acre park located on Magnolia Avenue. There, you can see a shipwreck exhibit, Indian burial grounds and roaming peacocks.
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