Archives: Destinations

Pirate & Treasure Museum

The St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum offers an exciting and educational museum experience that transports you and your family back in time over 300 years to Port Royal, Jamaica, at the height of the Golden Age of Piracy. The museum spans about 5,000 sq. ft. with a 1,300 sq. ft. courtyard.

After a successful 5-year run in Key West, Pat Croce moved the Pirate and Treasure Museum to another pirate stronghold: St. Augustine, Florida. Pirates such as Sir Francis Drake and Robert Searles who frequented the nations oldest city and the Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Marcos, played a major role in the history of pirates and Colonial America.

Oldest House Museum Complex

The Oldest House Museum Complex is owned and operated by the St. Augustine Historical Society. Admission to the Oldest House Museum Complex includes a guided tour of Floridas Oldest House, a detailed history museum, ornamental gardens, a rotating exhibit gallery, surf museum, Marineland history exhibit and the museum store.

The Oldest House is open from daily 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tours run every half hour.

St. Augustine Surf Culture Museum
Located in the bottom floor of the Tovar House, the St. Augustine Surf Culture Museum tells the story of the surf community of St. Augustine, tracing the legacy of wave riding in the early twentieth century to the contemporary moment. This interactive museum interprets over seventy local oral histories, hundreds of historical images, hours of surf film, artifacts, memorabilia, articles, and historic surf boards.

Marineland’s Marine Studios Exhibit
The top floor of the Tovar House is home to Marineland’s Marine Studios exhibit which takes a look at the rich history of modern day Marineland and highlights some of the firsts of the world of marine science, film making, tourism, architecture, and animal training.People and Places of St. Augustine
The second floor of the Tovar House is home to this temporary art exhibit which includes locally produced folk-art to internationally known artists. The collection reflects the personages and environment of St. Augustine. Throughout the year, other temporary exhibits may be featured.

Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Hop on and off as many times as you wish on this open-air fully narrated trolley tour which stops at 22 convenient stops throughout historic St. Augustine. Open air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures. Includes free beach shuttle to the beach as well and complimentary hotel shuttle service.

Your Old Town St. Augustine Trolley Tour Includes:

• 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding. If you have a multi-day pass you can check-in again, however doing so will use another feature tour.
• Hop On & Off at 22 Old Town Trolley Stops
• Open air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures
• Fully Narrated Tour of St. Augustine
• More than 100 Points of Interest
• 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
• FREE Beach Shuttle to the Beach
• Complimentary hotel shuttle service

Additional Details:

Hours:

• Daily. Tours depart continuously every 15 minutes. 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
• July 4: Last tour is at 3pm.
• Thanksgiving: Last tour is at 3pm.
• December 24: Last tour is at 3pm.
• December 25: Closed.
• Advance reservations are required through the Tour Pass app. Simply show your Tour Pass to check-in once you arrive
• Hours of operation may be extended during holiday weekends and during peak season. Please call (904) 829-3800 for details.

First Tour of the Day:

1. Stop #1: The Old Jail: 9:00 am
2. Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 9:07 am
3. Stop #3: Potters Wax Museum: 9:11 am
4. Stop #4: City Gates: 9:15 am
5. Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 9:16 am
6. Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 9:18 am
7. Stop #7: St. George Street: 9:22 am
8. Stop #8: Churches: 9:25 am
9. Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 9:30 am
10. Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 9:35 am
11. Stop #11: St. Augustine Distillery: 9:40 am
12. Stop #12: San Sebastian Winery: 9:42 am
13. Stop #13: Whetstones Chocolate Factory: 9:43 am
14. Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 9:50 am
15. Stop #15: Oldest House: 10:00 am
16. Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 10:04 am
17. Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 10:06 am
18. Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 10:08 am
19. Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 10:10 am
20. Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 10:15 am
21. Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 10:19 am
22. Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 10:22 am

Last Full Tour of the Day: Please note that guests taking this tour will not be able to use the on/off feature.

1. Stop #1: The Old Jail: 4:30 pm
2. Stop #2: Visitors Information Center: 4:37 pm
3. Stop #3: Potters Wax Museum: 4:41 pm
4. Stop #4: City Gates: 4:45 pm
5. Stop #5: Colonial Quarter: 4:46 pm
6. Stop #6: Best Western/Bay Views: 4:48 pm
7. Stop #7: St. George Street: 4:52 pm
8. Stop #8: Churches: 4:55 pm
9. Stop #9: Villa Zorayda Museum: 5:00 pm
10. Stop #10: Lightner Museum: 5:05 pm
11. Stop #11: St. Augustine Distillery: 5:10 pm
12. Stop #12: San Sebastian Winery: 5:12 pm
13. Stop #13: Whetstones Chocolate Factory: 5:13 pm
14. Stop #14: Plaza de la Constitucion: 5:20 pm
15. Stop #15: Oldest House: 5:30 pm
16. Stop #16: St. Augustine Municipal Marina: 5:34 pm
17. Stop #17: Castillo de San Marcos: 5:36 pm
18. Stop #18: Ripleys Believe It Or Not: 5:38 pm
19. Stop #19: Old Town Trolley Welcome Center: 5:40 pm
20. Stop #20: Mission of Nombre de Dios: 4:45 pm (Entry gates close at 5pm; 4pm on Sunday)
21. Stop #21: Old Senator Tree: 5:49 pm Stop #22: Fountain of Youth: 5:52 pm

View Trolley Map

Paranormal Walking Tour of Old Fort Grounds

Experience the historic grounds of Castillo de San Marcos on this paranormal investigation walking tour. Explore the disturbing military history, macabre medical procedures, and the true Native American history and legends associated with the oldest masonry fort in the country. This exterior only tour (you do not enter the Fort) of the longest extant building in the city also includes the famously haunted City Gates and the terrifying Huguenot Cemetery…at night, after dark!

Join our experienced paranormal investigator on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:30pm for the premier paranormal investigation in St. Augustine… if you dare! This tour and investigation program includes shared equipment use for the group that we supply and show you how to use- such as EMF meters, spirit boxes, and more. You are also welcome to bring any of your own equipment that you’d like photos and recording of this guided program are welcome and encouraged!

• The Paranormal Investigation adventure begins at the Tour St. Augustine office, 4 Granada St.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• NOTICE: There is no entry INSIDE of the Castillo, all investigation activities take
  place on the grounds surrounding the fort- including inside the moat and defense embankments.

Ghostly Experience Walking Tour

This is where it all began, the oldest ghost tour company in Florida has spent years delving into historic libraries, church documents, diaries and in-person interviews in order to dredge up the secrets of the past.

Follow the glimmer of lantern-light as you explore the back alleys of St. Augustine with your licensed professional tour guide who shares authentic history and the stories of paranormal activity. Keep your senses alert for swooping lights, unearthly fog and ghostly shadows in the night… all of which have actually been witnessed at the haunted sites we visit.

• Tours last approximately 75 minutes and depart every night at 8pm (Additional tour times on weekends and select nights)
• Departure location: from the Tour St. Augustine Inc. office at 4 Granada Street.
• This tour is family friendly and welcomes well behaved pets on leashes.

Spanish Military Hospital Museum

Learn about the amazing history of Spanish Colonial Medicine. Find out why the Spanish were 400 years ahead of their time.

Guided Tours:
Their fully guided 45-minute presentation will take you back to the colonial Spanish days of medicine with both surgical and apothecary demonstration. Your journey to the past begins as our skilled surgeon performs surgical demonstrations. Watch as our Apothecary creates medicines and discover how colonial herbs were the origins of some of the most popular medicines today.

Oldest Wooden School House

The Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens welcomes visitors to the unique Minorcan homestead of Juan Genopoly, established in the late 1700s. Preservation, conservation, interpretation, and education are the cornerstones of this rich historic treasure.

The Attraction
The Old School offers the opportunity for people of all ages to see an ORIGINAL American Treasure. The Genopoly House has been preserved to reflect the homestead life of the Minorcan Settlers as well as school life in the 1800s. We are proud to provide recreational and educational entertainment for visiting families and students. The self-guided experience begins as the Professor comes to life and welcomes you! All visitors receive a diploma after exploring the Old School, kitchen and gardens! Tour reservations are encouraged for groups of 10 or more. 192

Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth

Visit this top-rated St. Augustine attraction for a fascinating, informative, entertaining tour of Ponce de Leons Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, the original site of the Nations oldest city. Located in the area first explored by Juan Ponce de Leon in 1513 and settled by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565, historic St. Augustine is the oldest successful European settlement in the United States. Colonial America started right HERE, 55 years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before Jamestown! With a long, rich history spanning nearly 500 years, the Fountain of Youth Park will delight and amaze you. Whether you visit for an hour or take all day, our 15 waterfront acres will provide you with hours of enjoyment.

Colonial Quarter

On the Living History Tour, you can imagine life in St. Augustine for hundreds of years. See and Experience how our citizens lived, worked and played while defending against attack. Learn about blacksmithing and cover your ears for a live musket demonstration! Visit a home that is over 270 years old. Climb the watchtower and look for ships on the horizon. The St. Augustine Colonial Experience allows you to understand the success of the oldest permanent European Settlement in North America. History awaits you.

• Learn about Blacksmithing: This hourly demonstration explores how the colonial Blacksmith worked hard at the forge. He reworked old metal into tools, cooking utensils, strap hinges and nails.
• Live Musket Demonstration: Join our tour as you lock and load your 17th century replica musket. The talented tour guides demonstrates musket drills, repairs, shows how to maintain the garrison’s guns, weapons and how to test and inspect firearms. Watch as they do a full musket demonstration.
• Climb the Watchtower: Climb 35-feet to the top of the interpretation of a Spanish watchtower from the past for a birds-eye view of the Castillo de San Marcos and St. Augustine bayfront. Pinpoint the historic city’s landmarks and imagine what Spanish soldiers looking out would have seen and felt.
• Walk Through History: Stroll the Flags Over St. Augustine boardwalk through the centuries beneath the very flags that have flown over this ancient city for over 450 years.

Villa Zorayda Museum

Villa Zorayda is a house at 83 King Street in St. Augustine, Florida. Built in 1883 by the eccentric Boston millionaire Franklin W. Smith as his winter home, it was inspired by the 12th-century Moorish Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

Closed on Easter Sunday, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

Guided audio tour is included.