St. Augustine in December?

[DisneyAlly]

Hi! We'll be down at WDW during the busy Christmas week. We are thinking taking a break from the crowds during our stay. Has anyone been to St. Augustine during the holidays? Is it decorated and are there trolley tours available? We have a DD 6 and DS 8. Will they be totally bored?

Thanks!

 

[PartyofSix]

I have not been to St. Augustine in Dec. But I can tell you they light up the bridge of Lyons and it is spectaular! It's a really big tourist draw for them. You can imagine the beauty if you even been any time of year. I would love to go at christmas my self. I would visit www.saintaugustine.com and the www.casamonicahotel.com I know they have the lights the first weekend of thanksgiving thru the new year but you can get a lot more info visiting there home site. The casa monica I have stayed at and it is so magical. My husband and I went there for a weekend anniversary get a way and wow the place is amazing. It is walking distance to famous George street. Also, I recommend to you Columbia resturant. I think they have a web site. It's wonderful auth. mexican food and they make the sangrita? right at your table and people where drinking up a marvel romanctic and kid friendly place. The concerige made ressies for us and there and had the waitress bring over comp drinks from the bar, unforutuly the drinks were something that you set a fire and the waitress tipped them and caught her hand on fire while her hand was burning he called politely for the manager to come assist her putting the drinks down off the tray as she shook her hand out. It was alwful, the manager did'nt know why she needed him until he congradulated us on our anniversary and we told him the horrorible thing that happened he went and check on her and it was her last night working there and he let her go home early, he promised from now own they would walk those drinks over then light them at the tables!!!! Off subject but a big memory! Have a great time in ST. Augustine it's lovely.

 

[DisneyAlly]

PartyOfSix,

What a story!! Hope the waitress wasn't hurt too badly.

Thanks for links! I checked them out and I found what I was looking for. They do indeed have the old trolley tours of the historic area where we can get off and on several stops. I'll definitely check out the bridge and the Casa Monica hotel. It'll be a wonderful side trip away from the crowded theme parks since we'll be staying through the Christmas week.

Thank you very very much!
Ally

 

[PartyofSix]

Just a helpful hint, if you stay at the Casa Monica (which is luxury at it's best the bed are to die for) ask for Nancey in resv. She gave me a great discounted rate just because I talked her up on the phone. I got the room for 180 a night! You may do better, but at check in and whenever I inquired at the front desk they all raved about the great rate. They have valet parking, and they will take you around town as late as 11 at night in one of their vintage cars! They have a deli your kids will love they serve muffins, salads, sandwiches, pizza by the slice. They also have suites if your inclined to up the anty. One george st there are arcade games, funnel cakes (yummy) ice cream parlors, lemonade stands, and just tons of stores. In the park there are artists there and will do your kids pic for a few bucks. I don't know about the trolley tours you can spend a lot of money and time. We did a carriage ride the first night and the second day we spent at george st and there is more than just george street there are blocks in both directions that you'll want to walk from one end to the other so plan time for that. There is a wonderful sea food place Harry's I think that is about four blocks up from the casa monica, we had lunch there and it was great and not pricey either. Then we walked down to to forts and visited there. The next day sunday, we visited the fountain of youth by car and left to head home. We did'nt have time to be stuck on the trolley waiting for someone to come get us. I don't have the patience for that kind of tour. I know you'll have a great time there no matter how you plan to see it.

 

[leslieh]

My DD attended Flagler college in st. aug. It can get very cold during dec/jan/feb months. It is very pretty to see, but it can be boring for small kids. The lights are all around town and you can park at a meter for hours and walk around.

 

[cinamin27]

usually the first week of December they have a light up ceremony where all of downtown is lit up (it beautiful all in white lights) & they do caroling. The lights last thru Christmas. Yes the trolly runs year round & they also have a carousal that they will put Santa hats on the horses. & best of all they also have horse drawn carriages that you can ride all over down town in & I believe the "driver" will give you info on the history of St. Augustine. You can catch a carriage ride near the Bridge of Lions. They are quite pricy tho, maybe around $75