When I moved from Pennsylvania to Florida, I stopped for a night in St. Augustine. St. Augustine is beautiful and while I only spent about a day there, it’s a beautiful place to spend a weekend!
St. Augustine is OLD. Like real old. 1565 old. It was the oldest European settled town in the United States. The first school is located right downtown which of course my library and education nerd self swooned over. Okay, history lesson over.
Getting There
St. Augustine is a great weekend trip from a few bigger cities near the coast that I included below:
From Tampa – 3 Hour
From Orlando – 2 Hour
From Charleston – 4 Hours 15 Minutes
From Savannah – 2 Hours 30 Minutes
Where to Stay:
I booked a Bed and Breakfast, 44 Spanish Street Inn, for my one evening there. The hosts were incredible people and are the type that absolutely go above and beyond to make you feel comfortable. It happened to be Father’s Day when I checked in and they were able to make sure someone was there to help me out in between their family dinner. They also make the most fantastic breakfast I’ve ever had. You can see the photos below, but there was a yogurt parfait and also bacon and waffles. The reviews online kept saying to stay for breakfast, so I did and it was marvelous.
If you’re more an Airbnb traveler, there’s a bunch of different Airbnb’s you can stay at. Here’s a collection of some of the top places I’ve found through my browsings.
Walking around the Colonial Quarter:
I had a bit of time to explore after I checked in and before dinner. I set out and walked the streets downtown. There’s a lot of fun little shops with jewelry, clothing, art, and souvenirs. I most enjoyed the architecture. Because of its 400 year + history, the Spanish influence of buildings and homes is mesmerizing, especially while walking along cobblestone and brick streets.
Places to Visit
- St. Augustine Beach Pier
- Anastasia State Park
- St. Augustine Lighthouse
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm
- Cathedral Basilica St. Augustine
- Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
- Trolly or Boat Tours
- St Augustine Distillery Company
Castillo De San Marcos
Construction on this “Castle of Saint Mark” began in 1672 and took about 23 years to build. It was constructed to protect from raids by other countries. It was used as a fort for about 200 years and then deactivated. It at various points held Indian captives from tribes like the Apache, the Seminole, and some of the the Plains tribes.
I only walked around it on the outside during the evening, but there are opportunities to get a better look inside the National Monument. You can find that info here.
Where to Eat:
If you stay at a Bed and Breakfast, you’re covered for breakfast or you can head to the Maple Street Biscuit Company. Come hungry and leave stuffed but happy.
For lunch or dinner, the Bull & Crown Publick House is a great option. I was able to sit outside for dinner and had this Bull Melt which was ribeye steak, red onions, a goat cheese spread, and horseradish on Sourdough. YUM.
Other options include:
- Santiago’s Kitchen at Guy Harvey Oceanfront Resort
- The Ice Plant
- Catch 27
I’m already planning my next trip back here with a friend. What I didn’t get to do during my first trip, especially the beach, Cathedral Basilica St. Augustine, and the lighthouse are on my list for next time!
As always, Happy Travels!
