Saint Augustine?

[robin09]

I hope you can help me....Would love to visit St. Augustine 2 or 3 nights starting on the 23rd of this month. Budget is limited, any suggestions on hotels, places to eat and things to do?

We are looking at the lighthouse, and DD13 saw the pirate museum and I think we'll do that. No ghost tours please, dd hates that, has a deep phobia about them. Thankyou!

 

[Granny square]

We love the Castillo. we also enjoyed the trolley tour.

 

[packofjedis]

Definitely do the Castillo.

I've been to the pirate museum. I don't think it was worth the money. It's a lot of artifacts that the owner has collected. There are a couple of things to touch and do, like load a "cannon" and "fire" it, but overall it's mostly reading about each artifact. Interesting, yes, but we had 4 of us going in, and really I should have waited outside.

You can spend a day walking around on St George Street. Lots of old cool buildings and stores that sell everything.

The beach is right there so you could always hit that, even though it may be chilly.

Jacksonville is a short drive away (45 min-an hour). They have a cool zoo and a science museum, though I haven't been to the science museum in 10+ yrs so I don't know how it is now. St Augustine also has a couple of outlet malls by the highway.

 

[AverageDiser]

Dd and I go to visit relatives every winter in St Augustine, and have a blast. This year we went to Ripley's (should be called Rip-off's, but it was all she wanted to do!) The trolley tours are very cool, there's a Gatorland, The Castillo, and as a pp mentioned, St George St. We haven't been yet, but there's also the Fountain of Youth..my rels say it's also a rip-off, but might be fun in a cheesy way. We haven't been to the lighthouse yet, but it's on our list for next year.

If you have the time/inclination, the Jacksonville Zoo is one of the top rated in the country, a lot of different types of animals, not just the usual. We went this year and enjoyed it immensely. You may want to take a picnic with you, the food isn't great, and is overpriced. If you enjoy shopping, the outlet malls are good, there's also a small flea market about ten minutes away in Elkton, which we always enjoy.

Food-wise, if you like seafood (particularly shrimp) O'Steen's is a must-do. It's a tiny, family-owned restaurant, and the fried shrimp are to DIE for! Soo good! Try to hit during off-peak hours..I promise you won't regret it- it's the place all the locals go. Hope this helps and you have a great trip

Almost forgot..O'Steen's does NOT take credit cards..cash only..but the prices are pretty reasonable..thinking 7-30 for an adult meal, depending on what you order and the quantity..six shrimp are plenty for me, but I know that can vary person to person.

 

[tessieg]

I go to St Aug every year!
-I really like Fountain of Youth and it isnt too expensive. Interesting displays.
-ALso the SPanish Quarter off st George St. People dressed in period clothing explaining what life was like when the city was first settled.
-Stop in the gorgeous Basilica Cathedral.
-Also the Mission de Nombre de Dios is free and has beautiful grounds to walk around. There is a huge cross there along the marsh and a lovely chapel plus gravesites for many of the first priests and nuns who came to the new world.
-The lighthouse is fun to walk up and has great views.
-The ALligator Farm is very nice and interesting--it's gotten pricey though.
-Ripley's Museum is always a hit with kids.
-We did the Pirate Museum and enjoyed it. It is small and will only take an hour or so.
-The Oldest schoolhouse is nicely priced and interesting.

Stop by the visitor center(attached to the parking garage near St George ST) and you can find coupons for most attractions.

On St.George St, have pizza at a little shop called Pizza Time--sold by the slice. They have all the normal types plus some interesting varieties. VERY good. Do not eat across the road at Pizza Alley--not nearly as good. also, cash only at Pizza Time but they do have an atm.

Have chocolates or ice cream at one of the shops along St George or take a chocolate making tour at Whetstone Chocolate Factory.

There is a huge amazing playground right behond the parking garage too. I think it is called Swing Park. A great place to run around even for older kids as it is so big! Free of course.

There is a Disney outlet in the nearby ST AUg outlets. About 15 min awayfrom the historic district.(near the interstate)

Have a great trip!

 

[amyy]

Glad the op started this thread because we are hoping to go to St. Augustine for the day soon.

 

[robin09]

So much info, thanks guys.. I did book a room atSt augustine Island Inn, reviews on tripadvisor were good... We'll check out things to do , as advised on here.. keep the ideas coming, thanks!