St. Augustine, FL - any recommendations where to stay/things to do?

[parrothead365]

The Old Jail tour, shopping in the old part of town, a large cool drink at the Mill Top, and I highly recommend Saltwater Cowboy's for really good eats. It is south of St. Augustine on A1A look for the signs on the left as you go south. If you hit Crestent Beach you have gone to far.

 

[Snowysmom]

We stayed one night at the Holiday Inn on Ponce de Leon Blvd. The room was really nice and there are lots of places to eat nearby. We visited the Mission de Nombre de Dios. The grounds are beautiful and my FIL helped build the great cross that overlooks the water. We wanted the kids to see what Grandpa had built. We want to stay longer next time and do the tours. It is a beautiful place.

 

[floridagirrl2]

Just found this thread while I was doing a search on Comfort Inn .

We are less than 2 hours from St Augustine and we do a long weekend there every month during warm weather! The Casa Monica is a beautiful hotel but quite pricy, and not waterfront.

Our favorite motel is the Monterrey Inn, directly across from the Bay and about a block from the fort. It's a 50s-era motel with older furniture, very basic, but extremely clean and well-kept, and right in the heart of the historic district. It has a cute pool, a sundeck overlooking the bay, and a diner with excellent breakfasts.

If your brother wants to splurge, there are several bed-and-breakfasts on the bayfront (near the Monterrey). Anyplace on Avenida Menendez is right across from the bay.

There are two trolley tours, one Green and one Red. One goes out to the beach, lighthouse, and Alligator Farm, and the other doesn't--your brother should sign up for the one that does! It's an excellent way to get around St Augustine--you can get off and on at all the various stops, and a trolley comes by every 10 or 15 minutes.

Things to do: see the Fort, take a ghost tour, eat at the A1A Alehouse (great views of the bay!), climb to the top of the historic lighthouse, go to the beach, rent a jetski, see the Alligator Farm, go to Anastasia State Park (beachfront), take a tour of Flagler College (formerly Flagler Hotel, a castle-like structure built in the 20s by Henry Flagler, a railroad magnate & Florida developer), take a 1-hour ride on the big tourist boat at the municipal pier, eat a slice of pizza at Pizza Alley, etc., etc.

Your brother will have a great time! Sorry, I do not know any details on getting there from Orlando.

 

[Liz]

We have been to St. Augustine many times and plan on a day trip again in June. Since the kids are getting a little older we thought we'd visit the fort again and then the Wax Museum & Ripleys (first time at both of those).

Just wondering if anyone knows if there are discount coupons available anywhere to the wax museum or Ripleys?

The ghost tour sounds interesting but my mom will be along and I don't think she would enjoy it.

Thanks!

 

[katerkat]

There is an excellent restuarant - Creekside Dinery - on the main road, before you actually get to St. Augustine. It's hidden by palm trees with all that stuff hanging around them. Right next to a Lowe's, which as far as I can tell from internet searches has closed. (But look for a big empty lot!) DH and I found it by accident and it was one of the best meals we've ever had!

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

I went there a few years ago with work and we were able to see/do alot. I suggest the Litner (sp??) museum, I liked that one alot.

We also did:

Fountain of Youth (good)
Oldest School (if you like that kind of thing)
Oldest House (see school)
Alligator Farm (pretty cool, especially if you have kids with you)
Ghost Tour (pretty cool)
That Trolley tour (liked it)
Winery (fun, we got to sample several wines)

I cant remember what else we did and I think there was a few more things but I cant remember.

I wish we could have done Ripley's.

** edited to add the Lighthouse, enjoyed that too **

 

[DukeStreetKing]

St. Augustine is beatiful! I used to live only 20 minutes away and went there often. Visit the fort and take the tour, I think it only costs $3.00 or $4.00.

Also, there is a great casual restaurant called, Salt Water Cowboys, right off A1A on Dondanville (sp?) Road. It is old-style Florida Cracker dining. Chairs made out of tree limbs and twigs. Get the Florida Cracker combo - gator tail, frog legs and cooter (turtle). It is excellent.

The ghost tours are wonderful, we took one for Halloween and it was awesome!

Have a great time!

 

[ABCMom]

My family loved St Augustine! We stayed at the Holiday Inn which is right along the beach. We loved walking the streets downtown with all the unique little shops.

 

[Mari annie]

One of the most beautiful and inviting places we go!

Just got back from WDW for 11 days and before we go to WDW we stay in St Augustine for 2 days.
We stayed at a quaint/clean Motel called Marion Manor Motor Lodge. Only 48.00 plus taxes w/the local "red" coupon book.
(sorry I don't have the booklet anymore) but I am sure if you call and ask about the rate they'd probably offer it to you..
Right on Manazas Bay, it's a very old hotel maybe 1950's or 1960's but very clean. Right in the Historic District.
We did the trolley Tour/Ripley's/The Winery.
Go tour Flagler college! It's a goreous college and they give the historic tour, worth the money! I believe there's two tours daily am and afternoon.
There's so much to do, the Ft, downtown area, there's a toyshop with a an old fashioned spa (get a coke and a sandwhich)!
The Spainish Bakery *cheap they have a 5.00 lunch and yummy!
Columbian Resteraunt. We have been to the one in Tampa and Celebration, Celebration is our favorite, but still a great place and the 1905 is excellent!
The shopping in the Historic District is wonderful.
The Old Jail Tour.
We did also go to the Fountain of Youth, it's pretty run down, but still a nice place to go, if you have the time.
Also touring the Lighthouse.

Be sure to go over the Lions Bridge and explore the other parts of St Augustine. There's a great place to go for Breakfast, owed by two creative cooks called Anatasia's Kitchen *they open at 10:00 am, so if you're an early breakfast eater, this wouldn't be the place..they close at 2:00pm. They do catering.
Homeade jams/bread/quiches, small menu but big taste!
Cheap/Clean!

Osteens's is great! We just went! On the foodnetwork, so we always try and go to places they recommend, you know they are great local places and they would be inexpensive.
Great fried shrimp and homemade slaw!
We also went to O.C. Whites, outdoor patio. The dinner was okay, the salads they offer are much better. The guitar singer is very good.
A must try if you like Mexican food. Acapulco's Mexican Resteraunt.
Homemade Tortilla chips and Salsa, and the items *we go for lunch, are very inexpensive and the views of the Manazas Bay and you can see the Lion's Bridge (sit outside the bar area outside for the great city views)
There's a huge bounty of things to do in St Augustine.
I love places like this, it's truly "Old Florida", stone buildings,
lots of History. Truly a unique place.
We are going back next month for a few days.
Lovely City and the locals are very friendly and helpful!
I love Florida, and this is a perfect place to spend a day an afternoon or a week!

Another great place if you have the time/drive to Tampa/St Pete area we discovered another find, Maderia Beach/Treasure Island.
Cute little community and the shops there's a ton on the pier!
If you love shopping and taking your time, discover this hidden jewel!

Have fun on your trips and enjoy!




Ps if you have a sweet tooth and love carmel apples
try Kilwin's Chocolates!
If you want to try a Chocolate Tour, there's a self guided Factory tour through Wetstones Chocolates, you need a car, it's not in the downtown, but their store is and they can give you directions.

I am smiling! today it's middle 50's!!!!!!

Any body who has another hidden jewels they have been in Florida please feel free to post, we are always looking for another adventure to go on!
Thank you!

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Mari annie,

Another nice place to visit is Ca d'zan, which translates to House of John. It is John Ringlings mansion in Sarasota, Florida. It is a beautiful house on the Sarasota Bay with acres of land and an art museum. Right next door is the Ringling Brother's museum with lots of historical items and exhibits.

Sarasota is a beautiful area and not too far from Naples and Ft. Myers.

Enjoy.

 

[Mari annie]

Thank you Duke for your recommendations, I have written this down, this sounds like a great place to go and take the family!!

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by tar heel
There's a little hole-in-the-wall seafood place called Osteen's downtown that is wonderful -- great place for shrimp. There's an antique place next door and you can brose while waiting for your name to be called.

It is actually across the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Blvd. on the way to St. Augustine Beach.

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by katerkat
There is an excellent restuarant - Creekside Dinery - on the main road, before you actually get to St. Augustine.

My favorite is one of Creekside's sisters -- Saltwater Cowboy's in St. Augustine Beach. It is built out over the salt marsh, and has a nice deck (with a bar). Watch the sun set, the tide come in, and the kittens play under the deck while you sip a frozen drink from the bar. I'd love this place even if the food wasn't great!

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by ez
Henry Flagler built it and it was originally the Hotel Ponce de Leon.

The history of Henry Flagler and his hotels is fascinating, but they only do tours of the Ponce in summer, when school is not in session. Across the street, however, is another of his hotels, the Alcazar. It now houses city offices and the Lightner Museum. Well worth seeing. (My kids especially liked the museum's shrunken head and mummy.)

 

[DisneyVillain]

Originally posted by DisneyVillain
The history of Henry Flagler and his hotels is fascinating, but they only do tours of the Ponce in summer, when school is not in session.

WRONG! They are now charging for the tours, and running them all year. We enjoyed it, and I recommend this tour.

 

[CindysGusGus]

I know that this is the thread that wont quit but I have a question for the ghost tour takers. How young of a child would you recommend? Were there kids on the tour? I have 7yo twins who are pretty stable, watched Harry P, went on tower of terror at age 5 and didnt seem bothered by it. Any response would be appreciated.. Thanks

 

[CindysGusGus]

bumping to hopefully get some replies...TIA

 

[floridagirrl2]

Cindy, there was a young boy, about 10 years old, on the ghost tour I took. I think younger children would be more bored than scared--most of the tours are walking tours and involve walking by and looking at various buildings and a graveyard and hearing a ghost story related to each place.

There is a ghost tour by bus that might be better for young children, just so there's not so much walking, but I haven't taken it, so can't give you details.

 

[CindysGusGus]

thanks so much Floridagirl, my kids love story telling, I dont think they would be bored as much as they would be irritated with me for making them walk. I just dont want them to get freaked out. We were in St Aug a couple of years ago and were walking through those cobblestone streets at abiout 9 in the dark and even I was spooked. There was no one telling us stories either...lol.