Saint Augustine
Winter Teems, Travel Photographer
It’s not everyday the average person gets to experience the history behind a nation. A trip to St. Augustine lands us in one of the country’s oldest destinations. Since 1513, visitors have been finding their way to Florida’s Historic Coast to make it their own. Although this beautiful city has come a long way from the days of Ponce de Leon, much of its rich culture and history remains. Join us as we take you on this insider’s guide on the best that St. Augustine has to offer.
Historic St Augustine
While searching for the Fountain of Youth, Spanish explorer Don Juan Ponce de Leon sighted the mainland of North America on March 27, 1513. He claimed the land for Spain and named it La Florida, meaning “Land of Flowers”. It was not until 1565, however, that the Spanish appointed governor of Florida, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, founded St. Augustine, making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.
After surviving over 200 years of battles, pirates and several changes of rule, the former capital of East Florida was relinquished to US troops on July 10, 1821. It was in the 1880’s that the sleepy Spanish town finally awoke to the beginnings of the visitor industry with the arrival of Henry Flagler.
Since 1959, the state has an ongoing preservation effort, thoroughly restoring many colonial structures to their original appearance. Today, historic St. Augustine has become a center of colonial Spanish culture and a premiere destination for travelers from across the globe.
Getting There
Situated halfway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville in St. Johns County, St. Augustine is just under an hour drive north on I-95. Head east on Highway 16 and you will find yourself in the city.
Having been laid out in the late sixteenth century for foot traffic, the streets of St. Augustine are narrow, many one way, and with numerous streets having overhanging balconies. Needless to say, parking downtown is at a premium. If you are fortunate enough to be staying overnight, the best way to get around is to park at your B & B or hotel and take in the sights on foot. For day-trippers, we suggest the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, located adjacent to the St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor’s Information Center at 10 W. Castillo Drive just off U.S. 1. Another favorite way to get around is on the Old Town Trolley, which offers city tours that include admission to the St. Augustine History Museum and free use of the Beach Bus Shuttle to St. Augustine Beach and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Tickets are $21 for adults and $8 for children and are good for three consecutive days of unlimited travel.
St. Augustine History Museum and free use of the Beach Bus Shuttle to St. Augustine Beach and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Tickets are $21 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 12 and are good for three consecutive days of unlimited travel.
Where to Shop
Anybody that has been to St. Augustine is familiar with St. George Street. This street has many local vendors and seems to have just about everything. You are sure to fall in love with the quaint little shops that offer everything from tourist type T-shirts and genealogy searches to yummy eateries and hand-crafted items. Most of the shops are on five blocks between the intersecting streets of Catherdral Place and Orange Street, which are the walking mall area and closed to cars.
With so many beautiful and distinctive shops, it is very difficult to narrow it down. One of our favorites is Simple Gestures at 4 White Street East. Their unique selection of jewelry, accessories, art and much more is remarkable! Be forewarned, you can spend hours getting lost amongst all the neat items this store has to offer, but you are certain to find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself.
If you are looking for that perfect piece of artwork for your home or office, we highly suggested you stop by Plum Art and Design located in downtown at 9 Aviles Street. It’s a contemporary art gallery that offers affordable, fresh, original works of art from our region’s most talented artists in a venue that is both pleasant and approachable.
For those hard-core deal seekers, there are outlet malls just outside the city along I-95 that has over a hundred brand name outlet stores. You can easily dedicate an entire day to shopping.
Although the typical tourist only stays an average of 2 days in St. Augustine, there are so many things to see and do that you could easily stay a week and still not encounter all of the history and unique experiences it has to offer. From going on ghost tours to zip lining above the alligator farm, we can’t wait to come back to St. Augustine. We are especially looking forward to returning in December to enjoy the B & B Holiday Tour. Awarded the coveted Southeast Tourism Top 20 Events recognition, the Bed and Breakfast Tour is one of the highlights of the city’s two month long Nights of Lights Celebration.
What to Do
If you are a first-time visitor to St. Augustine, there are several obvious tourist attractions that you won’t want to miss like the Fountain of Youth, the Castillo de San Marco, and the Lightner Museum. We also want to point a couple of jewels you may overlook.
No tourist, especially history buffs, should visit St. Augustine without a stop to some of its most renowned landmarks. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a 15 acre waterfront site where Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, established the first and oldest continuous European settlement in the United States. Here, you can enjoy the planetarium, tour the native Timucuan Indian village, and even drink from the legendary fountain. You should also check out one of St. Augustine’s most historically significant structures, the Castillo de San Marcos. As the oldest masonry and only existing 17th century fort in North America, the site consists of 20.5 acres. A tour of the fortress allows visitors to see the walls that withstood many battles of colonial warfare and to witness the ways in which it protected the city. Cannon firings, historical re-enactments and other events are held throughout the year. Another tourist must-see is the Lightner Museum. Once known as the Hotel Alcazar, it was built in 1887 by Henry Flagler who commissioned two young architects that later designed the New York Public Library and the U.S. Senate office building. It was later purchased by Chicago publisher, Otto C. Lightner in 1946 to house his extensive collection of Victoriana. He opened the museum two years later giving it to the city of St. Augustine.
The three-story museum houses 19th century costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments and other artifacts as well as the largest collection of Tiffany glass.
Make sure to pay careful attention in the Lightner Museum Antique Mall and Cafe Alcazar, formerly the Hotel Alcazar swimming pool, it was the world’s largest indoor swimming pool of its time in 1889.
At 83 King Street, you cannot miss the Villa Zorayda Museum. Built in 1883, it is 1/10th the scale of a section of the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The 45-60 minute tour gives an in depth look at the historical significance of the building to the City of St. Augustine, the brilliant architecture as well as descriptions of the many exquisite pieces you will see. The “Sacred Cat Rug” on display here is over 2,400 years old and made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River. It was taken from a pyramid in Egypt and it is said to possess a curse for anyone that walks on it!
For a more romantic approach to St. Augustine, horseback riding on the beach with Country Carriages is the way to go. Group and individual guided tours are available to discover St. Augustine the way our ancestors did. This is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, or evening sunset in historic St. Augustine.
Adults and children are sure to have a swashbuckling time at the Pirate & Treasure Museum. With the world’s largest collection of authentic pirate artifacts, the museum offers fun, interactive exhibits, including the award-winning Book of Pirates and the exciting Below Deck sound experience of Blackbeard’s last battle. It also features the world’s only pirate treasure chest, one of only two existing 17th century Jolly Rogers, and shipwreck treasures from the Florida Division of Historical Resources.
Where to Eat
Present Moment Café located on 224 West King Street is a great choice for those looking for something out of the ordinary. With their vegetarian, gluten-free cuisine, this local spot specializes in the preparation of unprocessed living gourmet foods. We highly recommend the Lunch Sampler Platter, which is chef’s choice. Ours included the Viva Burrito, which is filled with pine nut chili and walnut pate, as well as Maki Sushi Roll with Cup of Miso Soup, and the special zucchini pasta. Although hopping in the car is the best way to get there from the sights, it’s definitely worth stopping by.
A local favorite, The Floridian on 39 Cordova Street presents a farm to table experience. Their goal is to make great food using local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients as much as possible, and to provide a relaxed environment in which the food can be enjoyed. The menu changes continuously with the seasons and reflects a genuine appreciation of Southern cooking. Our favorite dish here has to be the Not your Mama’s Meatloaf Sandwich. It’s CartWheel Ranch all-natural beef baked with Florida sweet onions, bell peppers and chives topped with their famous datil ketchup, served on ciabatta with spinach, tomatoes, and arugula mayo. Truly a sandwich you (or your mama) shouldn’t miss!
In between sight-seeing and enjoying the incredible eateries, take a minute to cool down with a gourmet popsicle from Hyppo. With flavors from Watermelon and Orange Cream, to Avocado Cream and the Elvis Presley (bananas, peanut butter, and honey) these delightful treats are made from blending fresh and local ingredients into a variety of different concoctions. This is definitely one of our favorite stops located at 15 Hypolita St.
For visitors looking to celebrate a special occasion, the Tasting Room is a local treasure not to miss. Tucked in the heart of historic downtown, the restaurant won first place for Best Music, Best Upscale Dining and Best Wine List in “The Best of” St. Augustine Competition 2010. The Tasting Room serves innovative dishes with expert ease. Located on 25 Cuna Street, this elegant Golden Spoon Award winner offers contemporary Spanish food. For the best experience, we recommend the Ultimate Dinner Experience where the Chefs to take you on a guided tour of Spain through your senses. You may choose to savor 3 to 5 courses with an optional wine pairing.
Where to Stay
For those looking for historic luxury, there is no better blend of legendary past with contemporary pleasures than the Casa Monica Hotel. Originally opened in 1888, by Franklin W. Smith, it was quickly sold to Henry Flagler who made it thrive as the Hotel Cordova until 1932. After reopening in 1999, the Casa Monica Hotel was restored to its original name and grandeur. As the city’s only AAA Four Diamond hotel, the Casa Monica Hotel exemplifies the same splendor and service as it did in 1888, maintaining the original historic and majestic style while uniting it with modern luxury. With its 138 luxurious guestrooms and suites, the Casa Monica Hotel reflects a romantic Spanish-style décor of wrought iron beds, mahogany furnishings, and triple sheeted beds topped with imported duvets. Dining is celebrated as an art form in the hotel’s 95 Cordova. Featuring New World, Middle Eastern and Asian flavors, the seasonally inspired menus are enjoyed among lavish antiques, exotic silk fabric and hand-painted 24-karat gold ceilings. Rates start at $169a night.
For our readers seeking a more contemporary place to recharge, we suggest the St. Augustine Hilton Hotel located at 32 Avenida Menendez. It is one of the newest in this charming downtown bay front area. It’s difficult to believe that the Spanish Colonial period facades of the Inn’s 19 buildings house a brand new hotel with rooms and common spaces that include all the service, amenities, fine dining and technology that you expect at a Hilton property. The beautifully appointed 72 guest rooms, some with whirlpool tubs and a view of the water, offer both water and landmark views. Rates start at $139 for a basic room.
Our favorite choice is to feel right at home at the At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast located at 89 Cedar Street. Owners John Gallagher and Tim Millbern have created a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere in this 1800’s Victorian bed & breakfast with their warm personalities. Just a short walk from some of St. Augustine’s most popular points of interests, At Journey’s End B & B offers on-site parking, full breakfasts, a personal concierge service and snacks. They also offer afternoon cordials, complimentary soda, wine, and beer at your leisure, and have become well-known for their Friday night margarita parties (call ahead for availability). The Inn offers 5 distinct rooms, including a carriage house that sleeps 4- a perfect choice for families with children. Rates range from $129 to $219 per night.
Nightlife
With over 400 wines to choose from, two full-service bars and a long pier with seating on the water, Caps On The Water is a great way to spend your evening. Whether you treat yourself to a sunset dinner on their dining deck beneath a canopy of trees, enjoy steamed or baked oysters while taking in the view at the Oyster Bar, or enjoy a special selection from their impressive wine list that range from affordable and accessible to more sophisticated and, often times, hard to find, Caps on the Water located at 4325 Myrtle Street, is sure to provide a relaxed feel in an old Florida setting. Dinner is served every day from 4:30 pm – close.
Opened just last October, Rhett’s is an elegant and unusual new destination in St. Augustine. Styled true to the era of speakeasies and glamorous Hollywood, Rhett’s ambiance, fine wines, full bar, and light menu blend perfectly with the live music offerings of songs from the 1930s – 1950s with piano accompaniment. Located next door to Scarlet O’Hara’s at 66 Hypolita Street, the venue offers a beautiful oak piano bar downstairs with an upstairs champagne bar. Check out their website www.rhetts.com to make your reservation for an amazing evening!
For more information about planning your trip into history visit St. Augustine’s official site at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
