Location: St. Augustine
Top Things to do in St. Augustine
Top 10 Historic Sites in St. Augustine, Florida (FL)
Saint Augustine is a luxurious, romantic vacation spot—you’ll find classic hotels and intimate restaurants. Those can be a dime a dozen, though. What sets Saint Augustine apart is its history—it’s the oldest European settlement in the U.S. And nowhere else in the world can you taste the waters of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park (where Ponce de Leon may have landed). Who knows, if you vacation here, maybe you won’t need that Botox!
Restaurants in St. Augustine
1. Fort Matanzas National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,076 reviews
This fort is on Rattlesnake Island and can be reached via ferry.
Reviewed By Whyme512 - Streetsboro, United States
Even though the dock had been washed away and we couldn’t get to the fort, the Park Ranger was very talkative and explained everything about the fort. He then explained about the critters and the plants in the area.
2. Fort Mose Historic State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
This fort is the first sanctioned settlement of black people in the U.S.
Reviewed By 975rodb
This small park has an impressive little museum that gives a thorough overview of the history in this area involving the English, Indians, slaves, and Spanish. It's an amazing story that should be seen. There is a short film that gives an overview and a neat Boardwalk that goes out to view the original fort site.
3. Old City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,566 reviews
Reviewed By 266JosephG - Montreal, Canada
This was our first visit to historic St. Augustine. We parked at the Castillo and toured the fort and then strolled along the river, on St. George Street and in-between and beyond admiring the historic architecture of the basilica, former luxury hotels (now FlaglerCollege), the Governor House and the beautiful park Plaza de la Constitucion. We browsed in the many shops and halted in one of its landmark bars and enjoyed a nice seafood dinner in the colonial quarters. It was a magnificent sunny day, in a laid back atmosphere devoid of any overcrowding; truly a great outing and a promise to return.
4. Old St. Augustine Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 641 reviews
A city block of St. Augustine's history, with historic houses spanning the period from 1790-1910.
Reviewed By susangs2020 - Emmaus, United States
We had so much fun visiting the village. Frank, the jailbird, was great. He gave us a great tour of the jail (and was really funny). Over at the store, Abigail and Minnie explained how things were done back in the day. The pace of the tour was perfect!
5. Old Jail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,523 reviews
Reviewed By windyordfa - Chicago, United States
Great job in reinactment of events and educational very fun!!! showed the history very well and also had a small interesting history museum the trolley tour is great Melonie is a great tour guide!!!
6. National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,130 reviews
Reviewed By MarnetteS - Webster, United States
We were in town for a few days sightseeing. We like to take a city tour first thing to find those attractions we want to explore on our own. Nombre de Dios was one of them. We were ready for a quiet, serene place to spend our last day after the hectic days in town. The setting for the mission is lovely and you can just imagine Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales celebrating the first parish mass in the U.S. as he proclaimed the land in the: "Nombre de Dios" ~ "Name of God." He was the priest who accompanied St. Augustine founder, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, and the Spanish explorers. These first settlers brought with them a devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and established the Holy Virgin’s first sanctuary in the U.S on the grounds. They build a chapel and dedicated it to “Nuestra Senora de La Leche y Buen Parto” ~ “Our Lady of the Milk and Happy/Safe Delivery.” The small chapel is a lovely place to sit, pray and reflect. This shrine has drawn thousands of mothers, mothers-to-be and families. We spent over an hour strolling the grounds and looking at all of the graves and monuments. Especially poignant are the “Seven Sorrows of Mary,” stone grottos along a walkway. Another interesting grave is those of six Sisters of St. Joseph, brought in to teach the slaves after the Civil War. And not to be missed is the 208’ bronze cross, the tallest cross in the Western Hemisphere. A gift from the Vatican, it was capped at that height to avoid the installation of a mandatory aircraft warning light. Is it any wonder, these grounds are called “The Sacred Acre?” We re-crossed the bridge (restored after Hurricane Matthew) and went into the mission church. Perpetual Adoration is held; exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is held from Monday through Friday following noon Mass until 2:45 p.m. Daily Mass is held Monday through Saturday at Noon. No Mass on Sunday. Spanish Mass on Saturday at 1:30. Chaplet of Divine Mercy is said Monday through Friday at 2:45 p.m. Confessions are said Monday-Saturday from 11-11:55 a.m. The shrine is open daily from Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. The parking rules are clearly stated: the gates close promptly at the designated time. If you do not remove your car before closing time, you need to wait until the next day. Another short bridge leading directly to the cross is currently closed for repairs. Plans include building a prayer garden in that area. We purchased prayer cards in the gift shop and spent a half hour with Greg who spent time explaining the history of the shrine and its importance to the Church. My husband is a retired professor from a Franciscan university and Greg was knowledgeable about the Franciscan contribution to the mission and Church in Florida. If you go, please take advantage of the docent’s knowledge to understand the importance of this sacred land to the history of the Church. This is a free attraction; donations help support it.
7. Ghosts & Gravestones
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Do you want to participate in a real paranormal investigation at one of the most haunted locations in Florida? Join us on any Friday or Saturday night as we conduct a Ghost Hunt at the authentic Old Jail of St. Augustine, Florida. The Old Jail is listed on the Florida and National Registry of Haunted Places, and has been featured on numerous TV shows, including Ghost Hunters and Paranormal Seekers.Built in 1891, this St. Augustine landmark was once home to the County's most vicious and violent criminals, the worst of whom were hanged at the gallows on the property. Now a museum, guests can come and learn of its past, its infamous residents, and its most famous Sheriff, Joe Perry, all during the comfort of daylight hours. But in the quiet of the night, the most daring of guests can join us on one of our Ghost Hunts inside this haunted building, where paranormal phenomena, from full-bodied apparitions to disembodied voices, have been seen and recorded.
Reviewed By W851WRjohng - West Palm Beach, United States
My girlfriend and I did not know about the Jail before the trip but we are happy we found out about it. It has great history and our guide was funny and improved quite nicely. The outside of the jail looked like a house and the inside was like stepping back in time.
8. Villa Zorayda Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Take a step back in time as you enter this Grand Gilded Age home, built by Franklin W. Smith in 1883. Franklin Smith, an eclectic world traveler, was originally from Boston, and he built the Villa Zorayda as his winter home in St. Augustine, FL. Smith was the innovator of poured concrete and crushed coquina construction that is seen throughout St. Augustine today. On the "National Register of Historic Places", the Villa Zorayda is a 1/10th scale reproduction of a portion of the Moorish Castle, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. View the elegant traceries on the walls made of alabaster and plaster which were made in Spain using the same molds that the Moors used for the walls of the Alhambra Palace! In addition to the magnificent architecture of the building is the original art and antique collection: hand pierced brass lamps, hand carved and exquisite inlaid furniture, an Egyptian rug over 2400 years old, and much more! You will also see beautiful hand painted Spanish & Egyptian tiles, Moorish horseshoe arches, and the beautiful architectural details from the Alhambra Palace. Learn the 133 year history of the Villa Zorayda as you take a state-of-the-art audio guided tour, which run continuously throughout the day. The audio guided tour is available in English, Spanish and French. Free parking while visiting the Museum.
Reviewed By CollegeProf_9 - West Des Moines, United States
The Villa Zorayda Museum (a small, scaled replica of the Alhambra Palace in Spain) is filled with fascinating artifacts from a bygone era. The audio tour (part of the admission price) is quite well-done, and you'll glean many unique tidbits of information to spark the imagination. While not a good choice for families with youngsters (so many tempting "do not touch" signs), anyone who is interested in another aspect of St. Augustine's history would enjoy this tour. Recommend!
9. Pena-Peck House and Woman's Exchange of St Augustine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Historic House Museum of the First Spanish Period, circa 1750. Built of native coquina stone. Home of the Royal Spanish Treasurer and two British Governors, and the last seat of British Government south of Canada after the Revolutionary War (until 1785). Home of the Woman's Exchange of St. Augustine, established 1892 as a non-profit gift shop featuring handcrafted goods.
Reviewed By 585peggys - St. Petersburg, United States
We toured as the House was listed on free map we received at a trolley stop. What a great experience and should not be missed. Wonderful learning experience on the history of St. Augustine, even better learning experience on the purpose and good works of the Woman's Exchange. The gift shop provides items which help support women's in their ventures to build their efforts to improve their lives. What a great treasure to the community.
