St.Augustine
This is the city where it all began. The Spanish conquerors followed Columbus and established here the bridgehead on the American continent. St. Augustine is a small but very interesting and unique tourist destination that is different from the other more traditional tourist destinations and attractions in Florida.

Mission of Nombre de Dios Mission of Nombre de Dios St. Augustine is the oldest American occupied city. First sighted and claimed for Spain in 1513 by the Spanish explorer, Don Juan Ponce de Leon, the city was not explored and colonized until the year 1565 by the Spanish explorer, Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. The site he discovered is today known as the Mission of Nombre de Dios and is located just across the street from The Ramada Historic hotel.

Some of St. Augustine’s most popular landmarks include the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (the fortress on the hill is the oldest structure in the US), a living history museum showing life in St. Augustine in 1740 and the Fountain of Youth where it is said that Ponce de Leon sought and found everlasting youth.

The city’s history and cultural diversity reflect a mix of the Old and the New. The sightseeing tours by train, trolley, horse driven carriages or by cruise boats make history come to life. You will find something for everyone in St. Augustine!

See more pictures of St.Augustine on our "Pictures" page

       


Attractions

The City Gates & St. George Street | The Old Town Trolley Trains | Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains | Fountain of Youth | Castillo de San Marcos | Ripley's Believe It or Not | Lightner Museum | San Sebastian Winery | Flagler College | Oldest Wooden School House | Limelight Theater | Oldest House Museum Comp. | Mission of Nombre de Dios | St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum | Ghost and Gravestones |

The City Gates & St. George Street
 

During the 1700 St. Augustine was a walled city and the City Gates were the only way in and the only way out. It was originally built to protect the city. Today the City Gates are located at the entrance to St. George Street, the main walking street in the historic district. There is a wide selection of cafes, ice cream parlors, chocolate stores, restaurants and over 240 shops. There is no entrance fee to the City Gates and St. George Street.
The Old Town Trolley Trains
167 San Marco Ave, (904) 829-3800
The Old Town Trolley Trains takes you to all sightseeing attractions worth visiting on a private guided tour. It makes 19 stops for on and off re-boarding and leaves every 15 minutes. The driver is a licensed tour guide who entertains you with the history and anecdotes of St. Augustine during your tour.

Essential information:

  • Price $14.00/person
  • Reservation required for groups
  • Picks up  and drops off at the hotel
  • Open: All days, tours starts at 8:30 AM, last trolley at 4:15 PM
  • The entire tour without any stops takes about 1 h 15 minutes

Web: http://www.historictours.com
Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains
170 San Marco Ave, (904) 829-6545
Ripley’s Sightseeing Trains route takes you around the city on a private guided tour to all the major attractions. This single venue enables you to enjoy the sights and sounds of 20 different, must see stops. Trains depart every 15 minutes. A professional tour guide recounts the exciting history of the city as the various attractions are pointed out as well.

Essential information:

  • Price $14.00/person, ticket valid for 3 days
  • Reservation required for groups
  • Picks up and drops off at the hotel
  • Open: All days, tours starts at 8:30 AM, last trolley at 4:30 PM
  • The entire tour without any stops takes about 1 h 20 minutes

Web: http://www.redtrains.com
Fountain of Youth (Archaeological Park)
11 Magnolia Ave, (904) 829-3168 or (800) 356-8222
 
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park was discovered by Ponce de Leon on April 3, 1513. This 15 acre, 700 year old park is centered around the Spring House which contains the original Fountain of Youth spring and the landmark cross. The landmark cross is made of 27 coquina stones and believed to be placed by Ponce de Leon to mark his historical landing.

Essential Information:

  • Price $5.00/person (min 20)
  • Reservation required for groups
  • Located 1/4 mile north of the hotel
  • Open: All days 09:00 AM - 5:00 PM except Christmas Day
  • Recommended duration of visit: 2 hours
  • Bus parking
  • Accessibility of the attraction:
  • Handicapped friendly
    • No stairs
    • Paved walk-ways
    • Short walk from bus drop-off
Web: http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
Castillo de San Marcos
1 South Castillo Drive, (904) 829-6506
 
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park was discovered by Ponce de Leon on April 3, 1513. This 15 acre, 500 year old park is centered around the Spring House which contains the original Fountain of Youth spring and the landmark cross. The landmark cross is made of 27 coquina stones and believed to be placed by Ponce de Leon to mark his historical landing.
Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest handmade national monument in the continental USA. The fort was built by the Spanish to protect their interests in the New World that later became known as America. Construction started in 1672 and ended in 1695. The fort is made of coquina stones. The unusual consistency of these compressed sea shells is the reason it remains standing to this day. The Monument site consists of 330 years of history and culture in an area of 20.5 acres.

Essential Information:

  • Price $6.00 /person
  • No reservation needed
  • Located 1/2 mile south of the hotel
  • Open: All days 08:45 AM - 5:00 PM except Christmas Day
  • Recommended duration of visit: 2 h
  • Bus parking
  • Accessibility
    • walking tour
    • stairs (upper floor)
    • can provide wheelchair, however upper gun deck can only be reached by stairs
Web: http://www.nps.gov/casa
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
19 San Marco Ave, (904) 824-1606

Ripley’s Believe It or Not in St. Augustine is the original museum holding Robert Ripley’s extensive collection. Explore over 800 exhibits of art and oddities. Get ready to experience a thrilling adventure and be amazed by wonders from all corners of the world.
Essential Information:
  • Price $7.50/person or $6.00/senior (min.10)
  • Reservation required
  • Located 1/2 mile south of the hotel
  • Open: Sunday - Thursday 09:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Recommended duration of visit: 1,5 h
  • Bus parking
  • Handicapped friendly
eb: http://www.staugustine-ripleys.com
The Lightner Museum
75 King St, (904) 824-2874
 
The Lightner Museum is the former Alcazar hotel, built by Henry Flagler 1887. Today it is the home of an extensive collection from the Victoriana era (1837-1901). The beautiful relics are exhibited on three different floors and will transport you on a journey back in time.


Essential Information:

  • Price $6.00 /person (min. 10)
  • Reservation required
  • Located one mile south of the hotel
  • Open: All days 09:00 AM - 5:00 PM except Christmas Day
  • Recommended duration of visit: 2 h
  • No Bus parking
  • Handicapped friendly
Web: http://www.lightnermuseum.org
San Sebastian Winery
157 King St, (904) 826-1594
 
San Sebastian Winery is one of Florida's premium wineries. You can enjoy a 20 minutes audio tour of the 18,000 square foot wine production facility. Further, a tasting tour is offered at the winery where the knowledgeable staff is happy to provide you with information about the wines you try. Essential Information:
  • Free (Price if more then 20 - $2.00)
  • Reservation required if more than 20 people
  • Located two miles south of the hotel
  • Open: All days
    • Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
    • Sunday 11:00 - 6:00 except Christmas Day
  • Recommended duration of visit: 1,5 h
  • Bus parking
  • Handicapped friendly
Web: http://www.sansebastianwinery.com
Flagler College
59 Saint George St., (904) 823-3378
 
Flagler College was originally the Ponce de Leon hotel, a luxury hotel, built by Henry Flagler in 1888. It was the first hotel in the world with electricity. The old restaurant portion of the hotel houses the largest collection of original Louis Tiffany glass. The Spanish Renaissance architecture of this building is amazing and the details remarkable. Notice the bricks on the floor. This tour will give you insight into the historic Flagler-era.

Essential Information:

  • Located one mile south of the hotel
  • Open, 2 tours a day, 10.00 AM & 2.00 PM
  • Recommended duration of visit: 1 h
Web: http://legacy.flagler.edu/Tours-sp8.html		  
The oldest Wooden Schoolhouse
14 Saint George St, (904) 824-0192 or 1-888-653-7245

The oldest Wooden Schoolhouse in the US is a national treasure that dates back to the early 18th century. It is held together with wooden pegs and handmade nails. Everything in the house is made by hand. The schoolhouse is themed to represent a normal day at school.

Essential Information:
  • Price $3.00 /person
  • Located 1/2 mile south of the hotel
  • Open: All days 09:00 AM - 5:00 PM except Christmas Day
  • Recommended duration of visit: 30 minute

Web: http://www.oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com

  
Limelight Theatre
11 Old Mission Avenue, (904) 825-1164
 

The Limelight Theatre is the only year round theatre in St. Augustine. It provides a variety of shows, including comedy and musicals featuring local talents.
 

Essential Information:

  • Price $18.00/person (min. 16)
  • Reservation required
  • Located across the street from the hotel
  • Open hours:
    • Thursday - Saturday 7:30 PM
    • Saturday & Sunday matinees 2:00 PM
  • No Bus parking
  • Handicapped friendly

To view Limelight Theatre's 16th Season click here: »

Web: http://www.limelight-theatre.org

  
The Oldest house museum complex
271 Charlotte Street, (904) 824-2872

The Oldest house museum complex is a national historic landmark which presents a picture of what life looked like over 400 years ago. It is a surviving expression of Spanish, British and American occupation.
In-house attractions:
  • The Manusy Museum: covers 400 years of Florida history
  • Exhibition Gallery
  • The oldest house garden: a traditional and ornamental garden

Essential Information:

  • Price $8.00/person
  • Located one mile south of the hotel
  • Open: All days 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM, except Christmas Day, Thanksgiving & Easter
  • Recommended duration of visit: 1.5 h
Web: http://www.staugustinehistoricalsociety.org

Mission of Nombre de Dios
27 Ocean Avenue, (904) 824-2809 or (800) 342-6529

The mission of Nombre de Dios marks the beginning of Christianity in USA. The first Catholic parish Mass on US soil and was held here. Pedro Menendez de Aviles discovered this site in 1565 and it is today known as the founding site of St. Augustine. He proclaimed the land for Spain and the Church. This was to be a sacred spot where the Spanish settlers would begin devotion to Christianity.


Essential Information:

  • Free! Donations are welcome!
  • Reservation required
  • Located just across the street from the hotel
  • Open: All days
  • Recomended duration of visit: 1,5 h
  • Bus Parking
  • Walking Tour
 

Web: http://www.missionandshrine.org

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
81 Lighthouse Avenue, (904) 829-0745 ext 217

Discover St. Augustine's rich maritime past at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. This working lighthouse and keepers' house feature exhibits on life at the lighthouse, the US Coast Guard in St. Augustine in WWII, and artifacts from shipwrecks off the nation's oldest port. Visitors can climb 219 steps to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of St. Augustine and the beaches.


Essential Information:

 

The St. Augustine Lighthouse, with its distinctive black and white spiral and red top is 165 feet tall. There are 219 steps to the observation deck, including the granite steps leading up to the metal stairs. Ten additional iron steps, accessible only to lens personnel, go up to the lantern inside the lens room. The observation deck is about the height of a fourteen-story building or the bridge of a destroyer.

   lighthouse

Ghost and Gravestones
167 San Marco Ave, (904) 826-3663

Explore the darker side of the Nation's Oldest City with your ghostly host and experience the historic haunted tales and legends found at every turn. You will visit three of the town's most haunted buildings for an up close and personal encounter with things that go bump in the night...do not look away as your journey leads you inside the Spanish Military Hospital, the Oldest Drug Store and the Authentic Old Jail!

The Old Drug Store rests upon an old Indian burial and is a natural gathering place for lost souls and malignant spirits. Enter... if you dare and learn the secrets of embalming and why so many people were buried alive.		  

Visit the death bed and hear of amputations and strange medical practices shared in whispered tones as you re-live the grizzly duties of 17th century medical practitioners at the Spanish military hospital.

Built in 1891, the Old Jail housed prisoners for over 60 years. Listed on the Florida and National Haunted Places Register, the Old Jail has been the site of countless supernatural occurrences. Many criminals met their maker here at the end of a hangman's noose

Join us aboard the Trolley of the Doomed for a scary, fun and informative "FRIGHTSEEING" Tour you will never forget.  All of the stories are well researched. The tour is rated PG-13.