Anyone been to St. Augustine?

[ptrbryant]

I keep hearing great things about it, but no details. DH and I are history buffs and would really love to explore Old Town, but would want some time at the beach, too (DS10 would make us!)

Would you recommend staying in Old Town or closer to the beach? Any specific recommendations? Also, do you need a car there or can you use the trolley, etc.? I'd like to keep the costs as low as possible, but still have an anjoyable time (i.e. no peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner in the hotel room!)

Thanks!

Karla B.

 

[ptrbryant]

Just giving this a little bump!...

Karla B.

 

[Planogirl]

We've been and it's great for both beach and history! I'm not sure where would be the best to stay though. We stayed well out of the way on the highway but had a car. I've heard pros and cons for both areas. I think that personally I would stay in or close to Old Town the next time somewhere on the side towards the water. I liked the area a lot and think that it would be the best for restaurants and so on. We never used the trolley so I can't speak for it.

Old Town is really fun to explore. There's a lot of hokey things to see and plenty of genuinely old stuff too. There were also several ghost tours at night and we enjoyed the one we chose. The old lighthouse is fascinating and the old fort was my favorite of all of the sites. We spent quite a bit of time wandering around there. http://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm I also enjoyed the tour of the old college. http://www.flagler.edu/news_events/tours.html It's an easy walk from the Old Town area.

The beaches are gorgeous. We just hopped in the car and stopped wherever we felt like. The town is casual and easy-going and you really pick up on that attitude when you poke around the area. Everywhere seemed comfortable and relaxed if you know what I mean.

There's another fort nearby, old hotels, houses, Marineland and tons more that we just didn't have time to get to. We didn't even make it the Fountain of Youth!

These websites helped us: http://www.oldcity.com/ and http://www.staugustine.com/visit/ I'm so jealous of you because I'd love to go back.

 

[ptrbryant]

That's exactly the kind of information (and links!) that I was looking for...don't be jealous yet! Once I price it out, I need to eBay my way to it!

Karla B.

 

[Planogirl]

Now I'm doubly jealous because I'm still trying to figure out this ebay stuff.

Good luck though!

 

[safetymom]

My sister lives in St. Augustine. We go up for visits and love it there. There is lots to see and do in the Old City. There is a Hilton in the Old City that is very nice. Be sure to visit the Fort. You can also do a carriage ride at night that is great. Harry's restaurant is very good.

I really enjoy my stays when I go there.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

We went there last year for the first time. It was fun. We went to the aligator attraction which was good for the kids. I want to take a ghost tour this time which one did you take? I heard the lighthouse was haunted and on TAPS they had a show and captured some pictures.