St. Augustine, Florida-What do you recommend?

[Matt@WDWR]

I'm renting a condo on St. Augustine Beach this July. Anybody been to St. Augustine? What do you recommend to do?

 

[woodleygrrl]

you have to do the cheesy tour of the Fountain of Youth. It is super fun and you can buy water as a souvenir.

http://www.fountainofyouthflorida.com/index.php

We did it when we were kids and it was a hoot.

Jennifer

 

[sayhello]

Check out the old fort. I thought it was really interesting, and the views are lovely.

http://www.augustine.com/history/walkingtour.php?tour=5

The Castillo de San Marcos was built by the Spanish to protect St. Augustine from English expansion. Construction started in 1672, making it the oldest masonry fortification in the United States. It stands today as a symbol of Spain's early colonization of our country. This fortress, never defeated and never abandoned, has been in constant active use for more than 330 years. The Castillo was declared a National Monument in 1924, and the National Park Service was assigned its care in 1933.

Sayhello

 

[ScubaMickey]

I'm renting a condo on St. Augustine Beach this July. Anybody been to St. Augustine? What do you recommend to do?

Hi Matt,

I live in St. Augustine, so Welcome to the Nation's Oldest City. There is plenty of activities for all interests. Are beaches are beautiful and are still open to vehicle traffic if you want to drive on. Surfing is very popular. Not too many shells to collect!!! The beach pier is a fun area to stroll...Anastasia State Park is also around the corner if you enjoy kayaking, wind surfing, or paddle boarding. Fort Menendez is on A1A south on the Intercoastal waterway and is a NPS property. Free and a fun boat ride included over to the small watch tower Fort.

The historic district is lively with the Castillo de san Marcos National Monument to learn Spanish/British/Indian history and St. George Street for shopping. Lots of places to dine and shop. The City of St. Augustine is fun to explore on foot, although, July will be hot!!!

I would be glad to snail mail you brochures/maps from the Visitors Center if you would like. Just send me a private message with an address and I will put a package together.

ScubaMickey

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I love St. Augustine. By my take, it seems American history books often neglect it, perhaps because it was initally controlled by the Spanish. Yet there it is! Very intersting and a beautiful place.

 

[Eliza32]

I love St Augustine!! We always try to fit in a day trip when we go to WDW - it's so lovely. I recommend cinnamon rolls from the Spanish Bakery and a slice of pizza from a place on the main street (who's name I have completely forgotten) but they have them all in a case and you choose, then they warm it back up in the oven. It was fab
The whole place is just so laid back it's perfect after the hustle and bustle of WDW

 

[kbelle8995]

Hi Matt,

I live in St. Augustine, so Welcome to the Nation's Oldest City. There is plenty of activities for all interests. Are beaches are beautiful and are still open to vehicle traffic if you want to drive on. Surfing is very popular. Not too many shells to collect!!! The beach pier is a fun area to stroll...Anastasia State Park is also around the corner if you enjoy kayaking, wind surfing, or paddle boarding. Fort Menendez is on A1A south on the Intercoastal waterway and is a NPS property. Free and a fun boat ride included over to the small watch tower Fort.

The historic district is lively with the Castillo de san Marcos National Monument to learn Spanish/British/Indian history and St. George Street for shopping. Lots of places to dine and shop. The City of St. Augustine is fun to explore on foot, although, July will be hot!!!

I would be glad to snail mail you brochures/maps from the Visitors Center if you would like. Just send me a private message with an address and I will put a package together.

ScubaMickey

Oh help me ScubaMickey I'm trying to remember the name of the hotel that has a museum in it. Am I dreaming? Ah never mind I found it "The Lightner."

 

[ADP]

Go check out the World Golf Hall of Fame.

http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/

 

[Matt@WDWR]

Great advice everybody. I really appreciate it!

 

[Elmo888]

I have been once, and I really liked the little red tram that goes around the town. You can park in one place (or leave your car at your condo if you can walk to a tram stop), ride the tram all day, and get on and off as you like (it isn't much more for two days, but we were only there for one night!). I can't remember the name of it, but you can't miss it. The driver talks about the sites as you go, and it goes near all of the major ones.

I loved St. Augustine, but just be aware that it can get a little bit shady at night if you are walking.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Enjoyed the Fountain of Youth area, loved Castillo De San Marcos area, had a great time at the Alligator Park and saw the St. Augustine Light House and small museum area there that was cool.
Ghost Hunters did a show at the lighthouse and had a ghost playing with them.

We really liked St. Augustine and have been back twice so far.

I wanted to add make sure you have plenty of water with you at Castillo De San Marcos. It's killer hot there in July and there was no where to buy any cold water. I ended up with heat exhaustion and was in pretty bad shape the next day. We spent hours there. Same with the Fountain of Youth. It's at a park and I was so happy I had gatorade and water with us that day.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I wanted to add make sure you have plenty of water with you .

This is very true - for all visits to Florida! You don't need nearly so much water in the winter months, but even then we drink some. In spring and fall, we drink quite a bit.

In the summer, staying hydrated was probably key to our having a great time.

You don't always realize when you are walking around that you are losing moisture, unless you have some on hand.