St. Augustine
America's oldest streets, where Spanish stones still speakFounded in 1565, this historic coastal city has Spanish colonial buildings, including the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos fort, museums, and white-sand beaches.
St. Augustine sits on Florida's northeastern coast as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. You'll walk on brick-lined streets past the massive Castillo de San Marcos fort, browse through colonial-era buildings on St. George Street, and climb the 165-foot lighthouse for Atlantic Ocean views. The city stretches from the historic downtown area to the white sand beaches of Anastasia Island, where you can swim, surf, or watch for shore birds.
Exploring St. George Street
Walk down the car-free St. George Street through downtown St. Augustine, where more than 30 colonial houses from the 1700s now contain local shops, cafes, and art galleries. The street leads to the town plaza, where you'll find street performers and local artists throughout the day. Small lanes branch out from St. George Street, creating a network of paths through the colonial center.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
This Spanish fortress, built between 1672 and 1695, stands as the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. The walls consist of local coquina stone, which has endured centuries of attacks and storms. Walk along the gun deck for views across Matanzas Bay, and watch daily cannon firing demonstrations at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM. The interior rooms display military equipment and soldier uniforms from different periods. Entry costs $15 for adults, valid for seven days.
Beaches and Water Activities
At Anastasia State Park ($8 per vehicle), you can explore 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes, and maritime forests. The 4-mile beach area welcomes swimmers and surfers, while nature trails wind through dunes and oak hammock. St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island has gentle waves and wide sandy shores, making it ideal for families.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Lightner Museum occupies the former Alcazar Hotel building from 1888, displaying American Victorian-era furniture, musical instruments, and decorative arts. At the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, climb 219 steps to the top of the 165-foot tower for Atlantic coast views. The museum explains the area's shipbuilding history and daily life of lighthouse keepers through interactive exhibits.
Getting Around
Most attractions in the historic district lie within a mile of each other. Park for free at the Visitor Information Center and take the trolley that circles through the main sites. From November through January, a free shuttle connects downtown with the beaches.
Local Food Scene
St. Augustine's restaurants emphasize fresh local seafood like shrimp, grouper, and oysters caught in nearby waters. Look for dishes featuring the datil pepper, a hot chili variety that grows only in St. Augustine. You'll find Spanish-style paella and tapas restaurants throughout downtown, along with Greek tavernas opened by Mediterranean immigrants in the 1800s.
Historical Background
Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés founded St. Augustine in 1565, establishing the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States. The city changed hands between Spanish, British, and American control over three centuries. During the 1880s, Henry Flagler built grand hotels that transformed the city into a winter resort. These buildings now serve as Flagler College and the Lightner Museum.
