If you love historical things to do then St. Augustine is the perfect city to visit since it lays claim to the oldest city in the nation! In this guide we’ll outline the top historic things to do in St. Augustine, Florida
1.) Go to the Beach
One thing is for sure when visiting St. Augustine….there are plenty of beaches. In fact, the area has 42 miles of beach coastline from Ponte Verde Beach to Crescent Beach.
- Ponte Vedra Beach –
- Vilano Beach
- Anastasia State Park
- St. Augustine Beach
- Butler Beach
- Crescent Beach
Did you Know That You Can Drive on the Beach?
It’s true…you can drive on certain sections of the beach. Before you attempt to do so, read all of the regulations so it’s a great experience for all. View beach driving rules & policies
St. Augustine Beaches Map..see below
2.) Get on the Water
There’s something about being on the water and seeing the city from the bay that’s special. There are many different types of water and boat tours that you can choose from in St. Augustine.- Dolphin & Wildlife Historical Boat Tour – get up-close and experience dolphins and wildlife in their natural habitat. (This tour is included with Tour Pass)
- Sunset Boat Cruise – Sunsets in St. Augustine are a sight to behold.
3.) Explore Downtown St. Augustine
Where to Park
Parking in St. Augustine can be challenging when it is busy. The Visitor Center Parking Garage is the best place to park since it is very large and is close to all of the main attractions and sites. There are a few other surface lots
- Visitor Center Parking Garage – most recommended since there is ample space and it’s somewhat centrally located.
- Castillo de San Marcos Surface Lot – limited in space but a great place to park.
- 24 Cathedral Place Surface Lot – great central location.
- Cll Street Surface Lot – limited in space.
- Granada Street Surface Lot – great place to park if exploring the Lightner, Villa Zorayda or places in Old St. Augustine.
- Free Parking at Trolley Station – If you take a hop on hop off trolley tour (included with a Tour Pass), you can park for free at their location 167 San Marco Blvd, St. Augustine.
Want to save money and visit all that St. Augustine has to offer? If so, then we recommend purchasing TourPass St. Augustine. You can purchase a 1-day pass which will more than pay for itself by visiting a few attractions.
4.) Visit Historical Sites & Attractions
There are so many things to do and choose from regarding what to do in St. Augustine. Obviously historical attractions take center stage since your in the Nation’s oldest city. Here are our top picks for what you should do.
Recommended Tours & Historical Sites
- Lightner Museum (included with Tour Pass)
- Hop on Hop Off Trolley Tour – (included with Tour Pass) a great way to get around the historic district.
- Castillo de San Marcos Fort National Park
- Fountain of Youth Park – (included with Tour Pass) Plan to stay a few hours exploring all of the historical artifacts and learning the history of this site. Take a sip of water from the famous Fountain of Youth. Great for all ages.
- Villa Zorayda Museum (included with Tour Pass)
- Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse (included with Tour Pass)
- Oldest Jail Museum Tour (included with Tour Pass)
- Ghost & Gravestones Trolley Tour (included with Tour Pass)
- Spanish Military Hospital (included with Tour Pass)
- Ximenez Fatio House (included with Tour Pass)
- Oldest House Museum Complex (included with Tour Pass)
- Colonial Quarter (included with Tour Pass)
- Pirate & Treasure Museum (included with Tour Pass)
- Visit this page for a full list of everything that’s included on the St. Augustine Tour Pass
5.) Eat at Some of the Best Restaurants on the East Coast
Music and atmosphere flow through the streets of St. Augustine. You shouldn’t have a problem finding a great bite to eat. Below are our recommended places to eat.
- The Floridian
- Catch 27 Seafood
- Caps on the Water
- Tini Martini Bar
- Columbian
- Raintree Restaurant
- Scarlet O’Hara Pub & Sports bar
- Barley Republic
- The Bar With No Name – great place for those looking to party…a younger crowd
- Gypsy Cab Company
- Salt Life Food Shack
6.) Events in the Spring
Every spring St. Augustine hosts some great events. Here are a few that happen in the spring season.
St. Augustine Food & Wine Festival
Starts on May 4th 2022. Event takes place at the World Golf Hall of Village.
St. Augustine Race Week
March 26 – to April 2, 2022. Some of the best racing vessels ranging from 24 to 50 feet will compete in this multi-day competition.
Want to save money and visit all that St. Augustine has to offer? If so, then we recommend purchasing TourPass St. Augustine. You can purchase a 1-day pass which will more than pay for itself by visiting a few attractions.
Frequently Asked St. Augustine Spring Break Questions
Absolutely it is! St. Augustine has many fantastic beaches and is less busy than many other Florida cities during spring break such as Panama City, Daytona or Miami.
Yes, but not nearly as busy as many other popular Florida cities such as Miami, Daytona or Panama City.
- February: High 69, Low 48 degrees. Average water temperature is 65 degrees.
- March average high 74, low 54 degrees. Average water temperature is 67 degrees.
- April average high 79, low of 59 degrees. Average water temperature is 72 degrees.
