Steve
Love this place, can’t wait to see it.
About
St. Augustine transports you to another world with its dated architecture and rich history. Known as "the oldest city in the U.S.", there is plenty to do and explore. It's about a 35-40 minute drive away from Palm Coast, but it is worth it!
The History
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the longest continuously occupied city in the U.S. Pedro Menéndez de Avilé founded the city and the Spanish held onto the region for nearly 300 years. Today, the population in this historic city is just about 15,000. There is plenty to learn in this small city about the countries that previously occupied St. Augustine - or at least attempted to.
As you drive over the bridge into St. Augustine you'll be greeted by the iconic lions that surround the bridge. There is actually a deep history and meaning behind these lions, lion structures like this are popular in Spain. This would explain how the tradition made its way here, since the Spanish occupied the region for centuries.
Additionally, there are legends about certain areas/landmarks being haunted. This would include landmarks such as the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Castillo de San Marcos. There are spooky, night tours available if you're into that sort of activity. Further, one of the spooky tours would be a fun Halloween date!
Restaurants
Restaurants in this city are pretty iconic in their own right. Overflowing with bars and places to eat, it’s a great place to stroll and grab some food and drinks. Each place has its own style combined with the character they receive from the architecture already. Some restaurants we recommend visiting include Prohibition Kitchen, Columbia, Casa Maya, and the Salt Life Food Shack.
Things to Do
As for activities, visit the Lightner Museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, or take the trolley. Other popular activities include visiting the Castillo de San Marcos, Pirate Treasure Museum, or St. Augustine Lighthouse. There is a never-ending amount of things to do and restaurants to try in this bustling city! Whether you are looking for a romantic couples activity or family fun, you will find plenty of options here.
Fun Fact: St. Augustine has even been voted Best City in Florida to move to on numerous occasions!
Reviews
As soon as I drove over the bridge of lions for the 1st time heading into downtown St. A I felt as if I were trasported to a different world! Such a cool unique city with old world feel and so much to do and see. Each time you visit there is always something different to check out!