Saint Augustine, FL Road Trips

42 years before the English established a colony at Jamestown in Virginia, and a full 55 before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the Spanish colonial empire settled St. Augustine. Founded by Pedro Menéndez de Aviles in 1565 as the colony's capital and in an effort to protect Spain's claims in Florida from the French at Fort Caroline (present-day Jacksonville), the town had a rocky start. Pirates attacked, as did the local Native Americans, and British privateer Sir Francis Drake burned St. Augustine to the ground in 1586. In response, the Queen of Spain dispersed funds to construct a masonry fort to protect the town, and construction on the Castillo de San Marcos began in 1672. The fort was never captured, despite multiple attempts, including a 58-day siege by British forces in which the town was burned again. With the end of the Seven Years' War and the 1763 Treaty of Paris, Florida moved from Spanish to British colonial rule. During the American Revolution, St. Augustine remained a haven for those loyal to the British Crown. A group of immigrants that fled from a colony in New Smyrna arrived in town in 1777 and made up much of the city's population at this time, they were and are still known today as "Menorcans". The second Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolution in 1783, freed the original 13 colonies but gave Florida back to Spain. The second Spanish period was characterized by neglect from the crown, as Spain was engaged in a war with Napoleon and France and regarded the colony of Florida as an unprofitable backwater.

1 Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, 11 S Castillo Dr, ☏ +1 904 829-6506. 8:45AM-5PM. A large coquina limestone fort constructed by the Spanish in the late 1600s to defend their small colony. Inside, certain rooms are open to the public, including the chapel, guard quarters, and the powder magazine. The top deck of the Castillo is also open to visitors and allows great views of the city and the bay, as well as up-close encounters with authentic cannons. There are living history demonstrations on weekends, including the firing of those cannons—an incredibly powerful (and loud!) experience. Lower level is handicapped accessible. Parking $2.50/hr. $15/adult, children under 16 free. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Flagler College, 74 King St, ☏ +1 904 823-3378. Rotunda open daily 9AM to 4PM, tours depart at 10AM and either 2PM or 3PM depending on season. Located on 19 acres (7.7 hectares) downtown, this college campus' Spanish Renaissance architecture is highlighted by the grand Ponce De Leon Hotel building. Built in 1885 by Henry Flagler, with an interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the hotel faced years of decline in the mid-20th century before being saved and converted into the liberal arts college in 1968. Tours: adults $12, children (under 10) free, seniors $10. (updated Jul 2018) 3 Oldest House Museum Complex, 271 Charlotte St, ☏ +1 904 824-2872. 10AM-5PM, tours every half hour. A historic house just south of downtown that is believed to be the oldest house in the city, constructed under Spanish rule in 1723. The property, run by the St.

1 Adventure Landing, 2780 S.R. 16, ☏ +1 904 495-7130. Su-Th 10AM to 11PM, F Sa 10AM to midnight. Great for kids, this family fun park located behind the larger outlet mall off of I-95 offers miniature golf, an arcade, batting cages, go-karts, and a roller coaster simulator. Pay per activity. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Anastasia Watersports, 850 Anastasia Park Road (in Anastasia State Park), ☏ +1 904 460-9111. Daily 9AM to 6PM. A shack in the state park offering affordable kayak, paddleboard, and sailboat rentals, as well as rentals of bikes and beach equipment like umbrellas and surfboards. A nearby park store sells snacks and fishing bait. Priced by the hour: $20-60. (updated Feb 2019) 3 Faver-Dykes State Park (15 miles (24 km) south of St. Augustine, near the intersection of I-95 and US-1, and bordering Pellicer Creek, a designated state canoe trail), ☏ +1 904-794-0997. 8AM-sundown. Activities include fishing, picnicking, boating, canoeing, camping and wildlife viewing. (updated Aug 2020) 4 St. Augustine Art Association, 22 Marine St, ☏ +1 904 824-2310. Tu-Sa noon to 4PM, Su 2PM to 5PM. Home to one of the oldest arts organizations in the Sunshine State, this is the premier gallery in the historic district. The 5,000 square foot landmark features a permanent collection of "Lost Colony" art from the 1930s as well as monthly juried exhibits of local art. Free Admission. (updated Jul 2018) Both Old Town Trolley and Ripley's Red Trains offer nighttime ghost tour trams titled Ghost & Gravestones and Ripley's Ghost Trains, respectively.

1 PK's Roosevelt Room, 119 St. George St, ☏ +1 904-209-5700. Brunch 1920s style. 2 The Hyppo, 70 St. George St, 48 Charlotte St, ☏ +1 904 217-7853. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Gourmet popsicle outlet started by students from Flagler College; sells a variety of funky flavors at two locations in town. (updated Feb 2019) 3 The Kookaburra, 24 Cathedral Pl, ☏ +1 904 209-9391. Small Australian-inspired coffeehouse offering meat pies with savory fillings. (updated Jul 2018) 4 World Famous Oasis Restaurant, 4000 A1A S, ☏ +1 904 471-3424. Su-Th 6AM-9:30PM, F Sa 6AM-10:30PM. This two-story, diner-style restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has a full bar and huge windows on the upper deck. (updated Feb 2019) 5 Pizza Time, 124 St. George St, ☏ +1 904 819-0133. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa Su 8AM-9PM. Ranked as one of the best pizza places in the country, this parlor owned by Brooklyn transplants serves up a mean slice that rivals those in New York. (updated Feb 2019) 6 The Spanish Bakery & Cafe, 42 1/2 St. George St (Entrance under Whetstone Chocolates sign). Su-Th 10AM-5PM, F Sa 10AM-8PM. Serves breakfast and lunch featuring freshly-baked authentic Spanish pastries, bread, and soups. Outdoor seating only. (updated Feb 2019) 7 Beachcomber Restaurant, 2 A St, ☏ +1 904 471-3744. Daily 11AM to 8PM (Summer: to 9PM and to 10PM F-Sa). This casual spot serves lunch and dinner in a unique atmosphere with an open deck just steps from the beach. $12-25. (updated Feb 2019) 8 The Blue Hen Café, 223 W King St, ☏ +1 904 217-3777. Tu-Su 8AM-3PM.

1 Ann O'Malleys, 23 Orange St, ☏ +1 904 825-4040. Live music and sports bar. (updated Sep 2021) 2 Barley Republic, 48 Spanish St, ☏ +1 904 547-2023. 5PM–2AM. Traditional American bar/Irish pub. (updated Sep 2021) 3 St. George Tavern, One St. George St, ☏ +1 904 429-9345. W–Su 11AM–10PM. American but European-influenced cuisine. About $30 for an entree. (updated Sep 2021) 4 Stogies, 36 Charlotte St, ☏ +1 904 669-3971. Cigar room and jazz club. (updated Sep 2021) 5 The Tini Martini Bar, 24 Avenida Menendez, ☏ +1 904 263-4882. Bar with views of downtown St. Augustine. (updated Feb 2019) 6 St. Augustine Distillery, 112 Riberia St, ☏ +1 904 825-4962. Daily 10AM to 6PM. Opened in 2014 in a hundred-year-old ice plant, this working distillery crafts small batch whiskey, rum, gin, and vodka, as well as Florida's first bourbon. All spirits have won numerous awards and are made using locally grown, Florida agriculture. Free tours and tastings are offered daily. A "fill your own bottle" experience is available with Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon. Tours are free. (updated Jul 2021) 7 San Sebastian Winery, 157 King St, ☏ +1 904 826-1594, toll-free: +1-888-352-9463. M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-6PM. A few blocks from downtown, this winery was opened in 1996 in a restored railroad building and offers award-winning American wines dating back to 1562. Tours are offered seven days a week, leaving every 20-25 minutes and lasting for about 45 minutes.

1 Anastasia Inn, 218 Anastasia Blvd, ☏ +1 904 825-2879. No pets. (updated Feb 2019) 2 Best Western Bayfront, 16 Avenida Menendez, ☏ +1 904 824-4482, fax: +1 904 829-8854. On the shore of Matanzas Bay. 59 rooms. (updated Feb 2019) 3 Castillo Real, 530 A1A Beach Blvd, ☏ +1 904 471-3505. About a block from the coast in St. Augustine Beach, the hotel does not allow pets and is smoke-free. 4 Marker 8 Hotel & Marina, One Dolphin Dr. Marina on-site. (updated Feb 2019) 5 St. George Inn, 4 St George Street, toll-free: +1-888-827-5740. Twenty-five hotel rooms and suites, many with balconies and views of the Intercoastal Waterway, the Castillo de San Marcos and the City Gate. Facilities: internet access, private baths, and a complimentary continental breakfast. 6 Casa Monica Resort & Spa, 95 Cordova St, ☏ +1 904 827-1888. A historical hotel built in 1888, it has 138 rooms and suites in a Spanish-style décor. The hotel is in St Augustine historic district. (updated Jul 2021) 7 The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, 149 Cordova St, ☏ +1 904 209-5800. Awarded "best resort in Florida" in 2022. The resort has also received awards from USA Today, the AAA, U.S. News & World Report, and TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice. (updated Jul 2021) 8 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel St. Augustine Historic District, 116 San Marco Ave, ☏ +1 904 825-1923. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Jul 2021) 9 Historic St Augustine Hilton Bayfront, 32 Avenida Menedez, ☏ +1 904 829-2277.

St. Augustine does have a small airport within the city limits: 1 Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST IATA). It is mainly utilized by private aircraft and VIP flights. There are no regular commercial flights as of November 2018. Next nearest airports for scheduled commercial flights to St Augustine are: Jacksonville International Airport (JAX IATA) is the closest major commercial airport, 40 minutes to the north. It is served by nine airlines, including the three main American carriers: United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB IATA) is next to the Daytona International Speedway, about an hour south, and is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. Orlando International Airport (MCO IATA) is a major airport serving Central Florida, and is about two hours south of St Augustine. International flights are from Canada, Europe, Mexico, and South America. Connections are available from almost every major American city. From any of the above airports, a rental car, taxi, or rideshare is necessary to continue onwards to St. Augustine. St. Augustine can easily be reached by car, as Interstate 95 passes just west of the city. From the north (Jacksonville), take exit 318 for S.R. 16, then travel east to U.S. 1 or Business U.S. 1, then turn right. From northbound I-95, take exit 298 for S.R. 207, then travel north to U.S. 1 and turn left to reach the downtown/attractions area. 2 Historic Downtown Parking Garage, 1 Cordova St. Large parking garage just north of downtown.

St. Augustine is a very walkable and pedestrian friendly city. Walking will allow you to see most of the historical buildings and shops in the downtown with relative ease, and is most definitely the best way to get a true feel for the historic core of the city. Further destinations, such as those on Anastasia Island, are much less accessible by foot, and one of the other methods below are suggested. St. Augustine offers an electric bike progam. Available to visitors and locals, the bike sharing is accessible by downloading the "Gotcha Powered by BOLT" app in the Apple Store or Android Play Store. The e-bike share service area is limited to most of the city limits and has 13 parking hubs around the city. There are two main tourist trolleys that provide guided tours of the historic downtown area. 4 Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine, 167 San Marco Ave and 1700 Ponce de Leon Blvd, ☏ +1-844-388-6452. 9AM-4:30PM. Fully narrated hop on & off trolley tram has 23 stops, visiting all major attractions. Offers one and two-day tickets, both include entrance to the St. Augustine History Museum and a free shuttle to the beach attractions. $45/adult, $24/child. (updated Sep 2023) 5 Red Train Tours, 19 San Marco Ave, ☏ +1 904 824-1606, toll-free: 800 226-6545, [email protected]. 8:30AM-5PM, last boarding at 4PM. The original St. Augustine sightseeing tour, offering 24 stops including both Ripley's Believe It Or Not and the Lightner Museum. One and three day tickets are available, and can be combined with tickets for Ripley's and Bayfront Mini Golf.