St. Augustine, FL Things to Do and Attractions
The oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America, the Spanish-built Castillo de San Marcos represents the struggles of the colonial era. Constructed of native coquina stone quarried across from Anastasia Island, the fort was
The oldest masonry and only extant 17th century fort in North America, the Spanish-built Castillo de San Marcos represents the struggles of the colonial era. Constructed of native coquina stone quarried across from Anastasia Island, the fort was built to protect and defend the city of St. Augustine, which then belonged to the Spanish.
Today, the 20.5-acre site represents 16th century colonization and life. The fort's period-clothed re-enactors perform informed presentations on the life and experiences of the colonists who lived there and the history and cultural influences of the various groups of people associated with the site, which include Native Americans, Spanish, Colonial African Americans and Minorcan peoples. They also perform historical weapon demonstrations.
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is open daily from 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM. A 25-minute film detailing Castillo history and cannon and musket firing is shown every hour. Admission is $6 for adults. Admission is free for visitors ages 15 and under. All admission is valid for seven days from date of purchase.
The Dow Museum, or Old St. Augustine Village, is an outdoor museum consisting of beautiful gardens and courtyards and nine historic buildings and homes dating from 1790 to 1910. The one-block town plan also contains archaeological records of a 16th
The Dow Museum, or Old St. Augustine Village, is an outdoor museum consisting of beautiful gardens and courtyards and nine historic buildings and homes dating from 1790 to 1910. The one-block town plan also contains archaeological records of a 16th century hospital and cemetery, 18th century Spanish Colonial defense line and an early St. Augustine bridge. It is also the site of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation reading, which freed all slaves in Florida.
At the period-decorated houses of the village, guests find exhibits that highlight the history of St. Augustine and Florida. Houses include the Prince Murat House, circa 1790 to 1815, which was named after its most famous resident Prince Achille Murat, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, who lived there in 1824. Built by a local carpenter, the Carpenter's House, circa 1899 to 1904, is easily recognized by its mismatched building materials left over from other projects. Plus, the house was detached from its foundation during a 1940 hurricane, leaving it with a distinctive lean. The Dow Museum also features the Star General Store, circa 1899 to 1904, and the Howells House, circa 1904 to 1910, where famous American writer William Dean Howells wintered in 1916.
Groups of up to 200 people are welcome to hold private events throughout the museum's spacious courtyards. The Dow Museum of Historic Homes is open for self-guided tours Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is $7 for children ages 11 and under and $9 for adults. Reservations are required for guided tours.
Located just 15 miles outside of St. Augustine, Marineland is heralded as the world's first oceanarium. As a dolphin conservation center, Marineland is home to 11 dolphins housed in a 1.3-million-gallon series of dolphin habitats, each designed for
Located just 15 miles outside of St. Augustine, Marineland is heralded as the world's first oceanarium. As a dolphin conservation center, Marineland is home to 11 dolphins housed in a 1.3-million-gallon series of dolphin habitats, each designed for remarkable dolphin encounters. Marineland's wide range of encounter options include The Quest, a 40-minute deep water swim with the dolphins, and The Immersion, a 30-minute shallow and deep water adventure.
During Dolphin Designs, visitors can choose three colors and hold a canvas while a resident dolphin paints. The casual three-minute Touch and Feed allows guests to feed and feel a dolphin. The more in-depth six-hour Trainer for a Day adventure allows guests to take part in preparing diets, feeding, animal training and behavior tracking. Also included is a one-hour dolphin swim. Finally, the day-long Enhanced Immersion and Training relates dolphin training to dog training techniques and includes as a 30-minute swim with the dolphins.
Marineland offers spectacular private event rentals for up to 400 people. Its 4,800-square-foot deck area is a memorable setting, located adjacent to the dolphin habitats.
Marineland is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Encounters range from $26 to $525 per person, with different minimum age requirements for each adventure. Guests may also visit Marineland simply to observe the dolphins for a fee of $3.50 for children ages 13 and under and $8 for adults.
The Old Florida Museum immerses guests in the past with interactive activities that re-create the daily activities of early inhabitants and settlers. The museum focuses on how three different groups of people the native Timucua Indians, colonial
The Old Florida Museum immerses guests in the past with interactive activities that re-create the daily activities of early inhabitants and settlers. The museum focuses on how three different groups of people the native Timucua Indians, colonial Spaniards and American pioneers lived, worked and played from the 16th to early 20th centuries.
The museum's Florida Indian Program re-creates pre-European years up through 1565 with such activities as canoe making, jewelry making, corn grinding, gardening and face painting. The Spanish-Fort Mose Program of 1565 to 1763 features such activities as candle dipping, rope making, woodworking and fence building. Finally, the Florida Cracker Pioneer Program represents pioneer life from 1821 through the early 1900s, highlighting such activities as corn shelling and milling, lassoing, using a pitcher pump, writing with quill pens and plowing fields.
The Old Florida Museum offers private event space for up to 150 guests on 1.5 acres of outdoor space. The Old Florida Museum is open daily for self-guided tours from 10 AM to 7 PM. Guided tours run daily at 11 AM, 2 PM and 6 PM. Admission is $10 per person.
St. Augustine's Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA was built more than 200 years ago while Florida was still under the rule of Imperial Spain. Constructed of red cedar and cypress put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails, the schoolhouse is
St. Augustine's Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA was built more than 200 years ago while Florida was still under the rule of Imperial Spain. Constructed of red cedar and cypress put together with wooden pegs and handmade nails, the schoolhouse is flanked by a private garden, detached kitchen, privy and well. The structure is also encircled by a huge anchor and chain, which were wrapped around the building in 1937 in response to a hurricane warning.
Guests arrive to the schoolhouse to be greeted by mechanized figures dressed in 18th century attire that resemble the typical school day. Visitors can explore the on-site artifacts and books displayed inside the schoolhouse, or simply relax under the shade trees, tropical plants and 250-year-old pecan tree located on the grounds.
The schoolhouse is open for private rentals throughout its gardens. Its 738-square-foot loft area can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the USA is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $2 for children ages 6-12 and $3 for adults. Admission for children under 6 is free.
Millions of people have visited Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park to sip its world-famous waters and experience the history of this legendary site. Visited by de Leon and Spanish conquistadors in 1513, the 15-acre park is home to
Millions of people have visited Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park to sip its world-famous waters and experience the history of this legendary site. Visited by de Leon and Spanish conquistadors in 1513, the 15-acre park is home to such major archaeological discoveries as an original stone cross thought to be laid by Ponce de Leon himself, the first Christian Indian burials in North America, and Timucua Indian hut foundations and relics. The park is also home to the Spring House, the original coquina rock and cypress spring that sustained the Timucua for thousands of years before European settlement.
Today, guests can visit the park's Salt Cellar, an exact pewter reproduction of the site's original salt cellar. The Timucua Indian Exhibit details the collision of cultures and the relationship between the Spanish conquistadors and Timucua Indians. In the Discovery Globe, which details the journeys of early explorers, visitors are immersed in total darkness with the aid of a two-story globe and black light. And of course, park guests can simply relax among the many picnic grounds, feed the resident flock of peacocks, or drink the famed water.
The park is open for private rentals for up to 1,000 guests. Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $5 for children ages 6-12 and $8 for adults. Admission for children under 6 is free.
Located in the historic East Coast Railway Building a few blocks from downtown St. Augustine, San Sebastian Winery is known as one of Florida's premier wineries. A pioneer in the development of table, sparkling and dessert wines from hybrid and
Located in the historic East Coast Railway Building a few blocks from downtown St. Augustine, San Sebastian Winery is known as one of Florida's premier wineries. A pioneer in the development of table, sparkling and dessert wines from hybrid and Muscadine grapes, San Sebastian Winery is the recipient of more than 300 awards since its 1996 opening.
More than 100,000 visitors visit the winery each year to taste its award-winning wines and tour the production facility. The guided walking tour takes guests through the 18,000-square-foot wine production facility and past the winery's 5,000-gallon stainless steel tanks.
San Sebastian Winery is also home to the Cellar Upstairs wine, jazz and blues bar, located on the winery rooftop. The Cellar Upstairs is known for its great live music, savory appetizers and of course delicious wine.
The 2,000-square-foot San Sebastian Winery Banquet Room, overlooking the scenic San Sebastian River, is available for private events of up to 100 guests. Complimentary tours and tastings are offered Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. The Cellar Upstairs is open Friday from 4 to 11 PM, Saturday from 1 to 11 PM and Sunday from 1 to 9 PM.
Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is not only one of Florida's oldest attractions, but also a world leader in conservation efforts. The lush tropical park is home to scores of alligators and crocodiles, as well as
Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is not only one of Florida's oldest attractions, but also a world leader in conservation efforts. The lush tropical park is home to scores of alligators and crocodiles, as well as various animal species and exotic replicas found nowhere else in the entire state of Florida. In fact, the park's Land of Crocodiles Exhibit is the only place in the world where all 23 species are exhibited together in individual habitats. Its two resident albino alligators are among the less than 50 known true albinos in the estimated total population of five million American alligators.
Other park exhibits include the Komodo Dragon Exhibit, showcasing animals found within the range of saltwater crocodiles, including pythons, vipers, geckos, cockatoos and more. The Maximo Exhibit is home to the park's largest crocodile, measuring in at 15 feet, three inches long and 1,250 pounds. The park is also home to a vast collection or rare and exotic birds and mammals, such as South American toucans, parrots and spider monkeys, the mouse-sized pygmy marmoset, Asian pheasants, African hornbills and Australian kookaburras.
The park offers private event rentals for up to 100 guests at its Anastasia Island Conservation Center. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $10.95 for children ages 3-11 and $21.95 for adults. Admission for children under 3 is free.
Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is not only one of Florida's oldest attractions, but also a world leader in conservation efforts. The lush tropical park is home to scores of alligators and crocodiles, as well as
Founded in 1893, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is not only one of Florida's oldest attractions, but also a world leader in conservation efforts. The lush tropical park is home to scores of alligators and crocodiles, as well as various animal species and exotic replicas found nowhere else in the entire state of Florida. In fact, the park's Land of Crocodiles Exhibit is the only place in the world where all 23 species are exhibited together in individual habitats. Its two resident albino alligators are among the less than 50 known true albinos in the estimated total population of five million American alligators.
Other park exhibits include the Komodo Dragon Exhibit, showcasing animals found within the range of saltwater crocodiles, including pythons, vipers, geckos, cockatoos and more. The Maximo Exhibit is home to the park's largest crocodile, measuring in at 15 feet, three inches long and 1,250 pounds. The park is also home to a vast collection or rare and exotic birds and mammals, such as South American toucans, parrots and spider monkeys, the mouse-sized pygmy marmoset, Asian pheasants, African hornbills and Australian kookaburras.
The park offers private event rentals for up to 100 guests at its Anastasia Island Conservation Center. The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is $10.95 for children ages 3-11 and $21.95 for adults. Admission for children under 3 is free.
Hailed as the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf and its players and contributors, the World Golf Hall of Fame is located at the renowned World Golf Village in St. Augustine. A chronicle of the game's history, heritage,
Hailed as the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf and its players and contributors, the World Golf Hall of Fame is located at the renowned World Golf Village in St. Augustine. A chronicle of the game's history, heritage, major players, course design and equipment, the attraction features historic artifacts, personal memorabilia, videos, photographs and interactive exhibitions.
Exhibits include the 88-foot-long Wall of Fame that details the contributions of professional and amateur golfers, architects, journalists, innovators and teachers. Trophy Tower is home to a vast collection of major golf championship trophies. The Royal and Ancient Game Exhibit explores golf's formative years in Scotland and its global expansion. It even features a life-size replica of the famous Swilcan Burn Bridge, modeled after the original at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland.
In addition to exploring exhibits, guests can get in on the game as well. Visitors can try their swing at many renowned international courses at the Golf Around the World simulation exhibit, or catch a film at the museum's 300-seat IMAX theater.
Golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy events at the stunning World Golf Hall of Fame. The museum also offers private event space for up to 500 guests throughout its exhibit halls and in the IMAX theater.
The World Golf Hall of Fame is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from noon to 6 PM. Admission is $9 for children ages 4-12 and $19.50 for adults. Admission is free for children under 4. Tickets include all-day admission, an IMAX film and a round on the museum's 18-hole natural grass putting course.
Housed in St. Augustine's luxurious Casa Monica Hotel, 95 Cordova blends New World, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors in a Moroccan-inspired interior. Guests enter the restaurant through hand-painted 24-karat gold leaf Moroccan arches to be met with
Housed in St. Augustine's luxurious Casa Monica Hotel, 95 Cordova blends New World, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors in a Moroccan-inspired interior. Guests enter the restaurant through hand-painted 24-karat gold leaf Moroccan arches to be met with lavish antiques, exotic silks of gold and red, comfortable banquettes and graceful tables topped with white linens. 95 Cordova's seasonally-inspired menus feature such selections as crab ravioli with vodka tomato cream sauce; roasted rack of lamb with wild mushroom risotto; and a blue cheese-encrusted filet mignon with wild berry cabernet reduction, mashed potatoes and asparagus.
95 Cordova features three beautiful private dining rooms: the velvet-draped Wine Room, with space for 20 people; the Sultan's Room for 28 people, complete with ornate Moorish wooden doors, a draped ceiling and wrought iron wine cages; and the 50-person, semi-private Gold Room accented with columns, drapery, a gilded ceiling and Moroccan light fixtures.
95 Cordova serves lunch Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2:30 PM and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 PM. Breakfast is served daily from 6:30 to 10:30 AM and Sunday brunch is offered from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Entrees range from $19 to $37.
Tourists and residents alike flock to Amici's Italian Restaurant for its authentic ambience and award-winning cuisine. The restaurant's vibrant Tuscan-style dcor of Vizzini landscapes, rich woods and hand-crafted tile tables serve as the backdrop to
Tourists and residents alike flock to Amici's Italian Restaurant for its authentic ambience and award-winning cuisine. The restaurant's vibrant Tuscan-style dcor of Vizzini landscapes, rich woods and hand-crafted tile tables serve as the backdrop to classic Italian pasta, poultry and meat selections. Entrees include the cappellini lobster of sauteed lobster, mushrooms, tomatoes and light cream sauce over angel hair pasta, and the chicken sorrentino stuffed with prosciutto, eggplant, spinach and mozzarella in Marsala wine and mushroom sauce.
The restaurant features three private dining rooms for 20 to 200 guests. Amici's Italian Restaurant is open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9:30 PM and Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10:30 PM. Entrees range from $13 to $23.
Nestled among the lush Conch House Marina Resort grounds, the Conch House Marina restaurant specializes in Caribbean cuisine served in a Key West atmosphere. Guests are welcome to dine on the palm tree-lined outdoor deck, covered patio overlooking
Nestled among the lush Conch House Marina Resort grounds, the Conch House Marina restaurant specializes in Caribbean cuisine served in a Key West atmosphere. Guests are welcome to dine on the palm tree-lined outdoor deck, covered patio overlooking Salt Run or even among grass huts over the water. The restaurant's menu selections include day boat scallops with key lime, bourbon vanilla and chardonnay butter sauce; shrimp and smoked bacon cheese grits with Jack Daniels broth; and herb-seared ahi tuna with wasabi avocado aioli and Asian slaw.
The restaurant is available for private events. Conch House Marina restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 AM to 9 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 10 PM. Entrees range from $20 to $29.
Run by nationally-acclaimed chef Michael McMillan, Opus 39 specializes in contemporary American and French cuisine in the heart of St. Augustine's historic district. The award-winning restaurant makes everything in-house with only the freshest
Run by nationally-acclaimed chef Michael McMillan, Opus 39 specializes in contemporary American and French cuisine in the heart of St. Augustine's historic district. The award-winning restaurant makes everything in-house with only the freshest ingredients.
Diners sit down to enjoy items from Opus 39's menu, offered a la carte and in five-course and seven-course tastings, in a soft-lit, intimate setting that doubles as a revolving art gallery for local painters. Entrees include seared sea bass with cannellini, bean ragout, arugula and smoked bacon sauce; pan-roasted quail with garlic confit potato salad; and seared scallops with chive potatoes and blood orange vinaigrette. At Opus 39, diners browse a wine room not a wine list when making their selections.
Opus 39 serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 2 PM and dinner nightly starting at 5 PM.
