The 21 Best Things To Do In St. Augustine, Florida

Fact checked by Jennifer Hawk

The Fountain of Youth is calling your name. Maybe it's those gorgeous beaches, the city's fascinating history, or maybe it is something in the water. Either way, there is lots to explore in this charming city on Florida's Atlantic coast. While in St. Augustine, take a culinary tour, sample fresh seafood, and head out on the water. Learn about this Ancient City while you explore its centuries-old architecture and icons. Spring and fall offer the best sight-seeing weather, but there's a reason to visit anytime of year, from fall music festivals to thousands of Christmas lights to summer thrills. Check out this travel guide for St. Augustine, a town our readers' named their favorite small town in 2023, before your next Florida trip.

What To Know About Florida's Historic Coast

Most people don't realize St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. (It was preceded by Puerto Rican colonies Pensacola, which was destroyed in 1559, and Fort Caroline in Jacksonville, Florida, which was destroyed in 1565.) Ponce de León claimed "La Florida" for Spain in 1513, decades before the Jamestown colony of Virginia and long before the Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. Over the centuries, many cultures have called the city on Florida's Historic Coast home, including Native American, Spanish, British, French, and African.

Find Historical Icons

Explore A Historic Fort

One of the city's most architecturally significant structures, and also the oldest masonry fort in the country, the waterfront Castillo de San Marcos is truly a sight to behold. Built in the 17th century, the national monument is made of native coquina stones, which absorbed or deflected enemy projectiles, giving the Spanish an advantage. Climb to the top of the fort to see the incredible views of the city and waterfront.

nps.gov/casa; 11 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-6506

Visit Fort Mose

Just two miles north of Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Mose Historic State Park is the location of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the U.S. Learn about this important 40-acre historical site at the interactive museum, and stick around to spot bald eagles and blue herons.

floridastateparks.org; 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-823-2232

Sip From The Fountain Of Youth

Take a sip from the legendary fountain at Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, which tells about the birth of St. Augustine, as well as the Timucuan people who preceded the Spanish by thousands of years. Walk through the lushly landscaped park (dogs are also allowed) to sample water from the bubbling fountains. Stroll the 15 acres of waterfront while you're there.

fountainofyouthflorida.com; 11 Magnolia Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-3168

Step Back In Time

History comes alive in the Colonial Quarter in St. Augustine's historic district along St. George Street. Journey through the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries to learn about blacksmithing, watch a live musket demo, and climb the 35-foot watchtower for panoramic views of St. Augustine's bayfront and the historic Castillo de San Marcos.

colonialquarter.com; 14 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-599-2113

Discover Flagler College's Historic Past

Fast forward to the early 20th century, when oil tycoon Henry Flagler developed St. Augustine into one of the country's first winter resort destinations. Paying homage to the city's past, the millionaire developer built the stunning Hotel Ponce de Leon (now Flagler College), with its opulent 68-foot domed ceiling and Spanish Renaissance architecture. In 1967, the hotel closed its doors, and the building opened as Flagler College in 1968. While the property is an active college campus, visitors can take a historic tour to learn about the architecture, stand in the domed grand lobby, and view 79 Tiffany windows in the dining room.

legacy.flagler.edu; 74 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

What To Do

Climb The Lighthouse

St. Augustine Lighthouse is rumored to be one of many haunted places in the city, but during the day it's perfectly ghost-free (they only come out at night, right?) and a gorgeous site to see. Halfway between downtown St. Augustine and the beaches of Anastasia Island, it's the oldest navigational site in North America and home to a maritime museum. If you're feeling energetic, climb 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse for incredible views.

staugustinelighthouse.org; 100 Red Cox Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-829-0745

Take A Guided Tour Downtown

Explore St. Augustine via a historic walking tour or hop-on-and-off trolley ride. Many tour operators can craft an experience to fit any taste, whether culinary, historic, or even paranormal (yes, we're talking ghosts). Legend has it that St. Augustine is one of the most haunted cities in America. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, prepare to be entertained (and maybe a little frightened) on Ripley's Haunted Castle Investigation, Old Town Trolley's Ghost & Gravestones Tour, or Ghost Tours of St. Augustine.

staugustinehistorictours.com; 904-325-9849

ripleys.com; 19 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-824-1606

trolleytours.com/st-augustine; 167 San Marco Ave, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 844-388-6452

ghosttoursofstaugustine.net; 4 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-1122

Set Sail On An Offshore Adventure

Enjoy the sea and year-round balmy weather. Help hoist the sails of the Schooner Freedom, a massive topsail schooner captained by John and Sarah Zaruba. If you'd like to try your luck with a rod and reel, get offshore or on the flats on a fishing excursion with professional guides like Sea Love Charters or Drum Man Fishing Charters.

schoonerfreedom.com; 111 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-810-1010

sealovefishing.com, 220 Nix Boat Yard Road, St. Augustine, FL 32084

drummancharters.com, 57 Comares Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-687-9498

Spend An Evening Listening To Live Music

For live music in the oldest city, walk along the downtown streets where a variety of restaurants host bands. The St. Augustine Seafood Company hosts free concerts at its on-site Colonial Oak Music Park. Known as The Amp, the nearly 5,000-seat St. Augustine Amphitheatre hosts ticketed live music performances. A little farther north, the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall is another popular performing arts venue.

saseafoodco.com; 33 St. George St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

theamp.com; 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-209-3746

pvconcerthall.com; 1050 A1A North, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082; 904-209-0367

Shop Local

Whether you're in the market for vintage clothes, something pretty for your living room, fun food gifts, or one-of-a-kind jewelry, St. Augustine is full of independently owned shops where you'll find all of the above and more. Snake Bird Vintage has a fantastic array of clothing and accessories in a cute repurposed garage. You'll find playful kitchen accessories and tableware, charming dresses, and a lots of jewelry at Red Pineapple Boutique. Head to Declaration Co. for well-designed souvenir mugs, magnets, candles, and T-shirts.

snakebirdvintage.com; 61 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 301-814-4753

facebook.com/REDPINEAPPLEBOUTIQUE; 120 Saint George St., St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-342 -0875

shopdeclaration.com; 63 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine FL 32084; 904-295-2476

Don't Miss Spinster Abbott's

It's hard to describe this bodega-taproom-guest house, but you should make a point to visit Spinster Abbott's and plan to stay longer than you might think. The colorful, retro-inspired space (housed in a former fruit stand) is part corner store, with everyday pantry items and local food products, and part lounge, with live music and a menu of beer, wine, and cocktails. Behind the store is an adorable guesthouse with the same Old Florida style that's available to rent through AirBnB.

spinsterabbotts.com; 61 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine FL 32084; 904-679-5985

Check Out The Night Market

Shop for handmade crafts, and local produce, grab a bite to eat from a food truck, and dance the night away to a live band at the city's monthly Night Market, held at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. This fun, all-ages community event is free and draws a lively crowd.

theamp.com; 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Where To Find The Best Beaches

Kick Off Your Shoes On Unspoiled Shores

While Florida's Historic Coast is most famous for its storied past, leave plenty of time to kick back on the area's unspoiled beaches. Home to the popular St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, St. Augustine Beach offers a large oceanfront pavilion, splash and play park, sand volleyball courts, and plenty of seaside restaurants like Salt Life Food Shack.

Get In Touch With Nature

Just north of St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park is a pristine stretch of sand with abundant wildlife and natural tidal marshes. There's a coquina quarry where laborers mined stones to build the majestic Castillo de San Marcos and other historic structures downtown.

In northern St. Johns County, Ponte Vedra Beach is famous for its historic and luxurious resort town feel. It's also the site where, according to navigational records, Ponce de Leon first set foot on Florida sand. View the exact spot at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, with more than 75,000 acres of protected coastal dunes, tidal lagoons, and forests. It's a gorgeous location to hike, bike, fish, kayak, picnic, and ride horseback. There are over 9 miles of nature trails, as well as a prehistoric earthen burial mound, and 60 additional archaeological sites.

floridastateparks.org/anastasia; 300 Anastasia Park Road, St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-461-2033

Where To Eat

Dine On The Water

Two crowd favorites equally famous for their water views and oyster bars are Meehan's Irish Pub & Seafood House, in the heart of the historic district, and Cap's on the Water in Vilano Beach, which has killer sunset views of the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The waterfront Aunt Kate's is a family-owned eatery with a tradition of serving Menorcan dishes, fresh seafood, and famous clam chowder for more than 100 years. The family's history dates back to Menorca Island residents brought to New Smyrna as indentured servants. They fled the failed English Colony to safety in St. Augustine in 1768. And while the original restaurant succumbed to fire, the new building serves up the same great recipes right on the water.

meehansirishpub.com; 20 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-810-1923

capsonthewater.com; 4325 Myrtle St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-824-8794

aunt-kates.com; 612 Euclid Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-1105

Take A Delicious Tour

There are plenty of options to taste local flavors along Florida's Historic Coast. Culinary tours allow you to sample cuisine from the many destinations that have influenced the city's history, including Spain, France, Italy, Asia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Local tour companies The Tasting Tours and City Walks Food and Wine Tours can guide you on an edible journey across town. And you won't want to miss a tour of St. Augustine Distillery, where you can sample small batch spirits in a restored ice plant dating back to 1917.

thetastingtours.com; 88 Riberia St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-325-3911

staugcitywalks.com; 4 Granada St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-825-0087

staugustinedistillery.com; 112 Riberia St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-825-4962

Sample Southern Cuisine

Supporting local growers and producers, The Floridian features a regional take on traditional fare like fried green tomatoes, pepper shrimp, and barbecue pulled pork and waffles. Another local favorite, Catch 27 serves up hefty helpings of blackened chicken, grits, and deviled eggs.

thefloridianstaug.com; 72 Spanish St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-0655

catchtwentyseven.com; 40 Charlotte St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-298-6786

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

For an after-dinner treat, head to Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops where flavors like Dragonfruit and Granny's Apple Pie are crafted with fresh fruit, spices, and herbs, or venture over to Peace Pie in the historic district for unique homemade ice-cream sandwiches, or nearby Whetstone Chocolates of St. Augustine, which offers a chocolate tasting tour.

thehyppo.com; 48 Charlotte St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-792-0374

peacepieworld.com; 8 Aviles St., St Augustine, FL 32084; 609-435-5321

whetstonechocolates.com; 139 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-217-0275

Where To Stay

Check In At A Historic Inn

Blending romance and history seamlessly, The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens is a high-end bed and breakfast with the ambiance of a luxury boutique hotel. Located in the heart of downtown St. Augustine, the inn features elegant guest rooms and suites that have been completely restored inside nine vintage structures—the oldest dating back to 1790. The Colonial-era Revival residence built in 1909 once welcomed visitors like Mark Twain and Sinclair Lewis.

thecollectorinn.com; 149 Cordova St., St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-209-5800

Book A Room In The Historic Spanish Quarter

A waterfront gem located within walking distance of historic downtown sites, restaurants, and shopping, the Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront hotel offers great views of the Bridge of Lions and Matanzas River. Many rooms in the Spanish Colonial cottage-style buildings provide views of the bay.

hilton.com; 32 Avenida Menendez, St. Augustine, FL 32084; 904-829-2277

Wake Up To Ocean Views

For a lavish beachside escape, the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is a AAA Five-Diamond stunner that opened in 1928 and has been attracting well-heeled guests for nearly a century. A major perk is the resort's 36 holes of serene seaside golf. Plus, there's tennis, kids' activities, a beautiful spa, and lots to do on the beach. Many rooms offer ocean views and walkout access to the beach. Make reservations at the upscale on-site Sea View Grille for coastal cuisine.

pontevedra.com; 200 Ponte Vedra Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082; 904-285-1111

Fall Asleep To The Sounds Of Nature

Nestled between the St. Augustine Beach Pier Park and the 1,600-acre Anastasia State Park, Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort provides opportunities for water sports, nature hikes, and access to miles of pristine undeveloped beaches. Wake up steps from the beach, or enjoy coffee with views of St. Augustine beach from your balcony.

hilton.com; 300 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-461-9004

Festivals To Attend

Experience Nights Of Lights

St. Augustine transforms during the holidays for the annual Nights of Lights celebration. Wander through the historic district and witness magical displays of millions of Christmas lights. Enjoy Light-Up! Night, the beer-infused Nights of Pints, Villa Zorayda's annual Candlelight Tour, holiday concerts, craft festivals, boat parades, and more. The festival kicks off the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continues nightly through January.

floridashistoriccoast.com/nights-lights; 22 King St., St. Augustine, FL 32084

Savor The St. Augustine Spanish Food And Wine Festival

Since Pedro Menéndez and the first European settlers arrived in St. Augustine more than 450 years ago carrying loads of wine from Spain, the historic city has become known as America's Spanish wine capital. Celebrating this unique heritage, the St. Augustine Spanish Food and Wine Festival in February features a series of special events at various venues that feature Spanish wine, cuisine, and culture. And all proceeds from the festival benefit local charities.

spanishwinefestival.com

Enjoy A Month Of Music

Let the rhythm move you at the annual Sing Out Loud Festival throughout September. Including big-name headliners and local talent and songwriters, the event features live music performances at venues around the city.

singoutloudfestival.com; 1340C A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080; 904-209-3746

Read the original article on Southern Living