St Augustine lodging and attractions???

[tinkerbell1967]

Any suggestions on where to stay for maybe two nights in St Augustine and suggestions on what to do there? I have not really researched yet so any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[malibuconlee]

The "thing" in St. Augustine is to stay in a B&B. We stayed at the Mansion. I don't reccommend it. It was Memorial Day Weekend and everything else was booked as it was a last minute trip.

Definitely see the fort (they have another name for it that I can't remember now. Ride the trolley around and take the tour they give. Do the ghost tour in the evening. We bought tickets, but messed up the time and didn't end up getting to do it.

Don't forget to get your drink of water from the "Fountain of Youth!!"

 

[malibuconlee]

St. Augustine

Here's a site with info.

 

[safetymom]

Walk through downtown St. Augustine. Great little shops and lots of history. Visit the fort, the lighthouse and make a trip to the beach. It's a great place to visit.

 

[lovethattink]

We usually stay in Vilano Beach. It's only a 5 minute drive to Ripley's Believe it or not and the St. Aug info center. We go often. I second seeing the Castillo de San Marcos. For eating, we love Athenas, Harry's Bar and Grill, Columbia Restaurant, and there's one on the bay where you feed the fish and birds through slots that open in the wall. DS(11) loves that place. If you plan to go to the beach, just be aware that they had ALOT of erosion at St. Augustine. At places, the water comes all the way up to the motel properties.

 

[sue1013]

We really like spending a couple days there. My favorite hotel is Casa Monica. It's right in town you can walk to everything except the beach.

 

[safetymom]

I second eating at Harry's.

 

[Disney_dude]

http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/
Another link.

 

[Disney_dude]

Use the Sightseeing Trains, you'll see more of the town.

 

[reddixie]

I also recommend Harry's. My favorite place to eat though is Columbia's cuban food. Visit the Castillo, Oldest House, Flagler College, Lightner Musuem. Go to the Presbrytirain(sp) Church (free). Ghost tour. The fountain of Youth, Lighthouse, The St. Augustine Village. The Basillica is gorgeous also. St. George St. has great shopping, the Spanish Quarter Museum which is fantastic, The oldest School, The Greek Orthodox Shrine, and some quaint places to eat. The restaurant that someone mentioned where you can feed the fish is Santa Maria's. I am not crazy about the food there. The Conch House is a great seafood place and quaint. Also Ripley's Believe it or not, 3-D World, Wax Museums, Spanish Military hospital. The old jail is terrific to see. Interesting story about it. As for where to stay a B & B or Casa Monica is wonderful. PM me if I am available would love to meet you and take you on a tour. I live about 20 min. away and everyone says I should start a tour co. I love St. Augustine. Please feel free to ask any ?'s and I will answer them.

 

[lunsusie]

I understand that there is a new Hilton across from the Bridge of Lions. Have any of you stayed there? Thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Antonia]

We always tay at the Bay Front Inn. It is nice and clean with a great little pool and hot tub right across from the Matanzas Bay. A seafood restaurant right across the street and horse drawn carriages go by. It is within walking distance of shops and the fort. You get a muffin and coffee in the mornings and a newspaper. And the price is right.

 

[floridagirrl2]

St Augustine ties with WDW as my favorite place on earth! Things to do: buy trolley tickets for a tour of the historic and touristy sites (you can get on and off at any stop--you can buy tickets that are good for up to 3 days).

Go to Anastasia State Park for the most beautiful, no-driving beach, and rent a bike, kayak, or wind-surfer, if you are so inclined (there is quiet water as well as the Atlantic Ocean at the park). Climb to the top of the lighthouse! Tour the fort. Walk over the Bridge of Lions! Take a ghost tour (riding in a hearse or bus or walking.). Visit the Alligator Farm, a historic landmark and formerly corny tourist trap that has transformed into a true zoological park. Walk around the historic area for great shopping and restaurants. Go to the St Augustine Outlet Center for bargain shopping.

Our favorite restaurant is AIA Aleworks. Ask to be seated outside for the BEST view in St Augustine--you can see the bay, the city marina, and people-watch all the tourists walking around the historic district! The food is good, the ambience is unbeatable!

For the best pizza of your life, eat at PizzaAlley on St George Street. For the most beautiful, unusual jewelry, shop at Tarpon Jewelry, also on St George Street.

Breakfast (I shouldn't share this because it's a tiny place and always packed with locals--I hate to see them get MORE crowded!)--go to Mary's Harborside Cafe, directly across from the bay and next to the Monterey Inn. They have the best omelets in St Augustine, and I love their fresh-fruit-and bagel special.

DH and I have stayed at the Monterey In at least 20 times. It's just your basic, 50s era motel with funky old furniture, but it is very clean and well-kept. It's directly across from the bay and in the heart of the historic district. If I could afford it, I'd stay at one of the bayfront bed-and-breakfasts (Casablanca Inn or the Casa de la Paz are gorgeous and bayfront)--they are out of my pricerange but maybe not out of yours!

Have a wonderful time!

 

[lori625062979]

I really loved it there. I remember driving in the surrounding area was so bad with bars on the windows and I was thinking this is a great place? Then we were in St Augustine and it was like another world I love the feel of the place its so busy and has so much to do durning the day then it seems the town just shuts down for awhile then its totoally different going back at night with all the little taverns I think its one of the most beatuiful places I have ever been.

 

[bartty]

And don't forget the disney outlet store!!! (I think it's off I95) And my other most favorite thing is the st. augustine mud ice cream....

 

[Liz]

The Alligator Farm is really good. Also the fort and old schoolhouse. Ripleys is okay. We went there because my DS (16 at the time) wanted to see it but none of us have any desire to go again, including DS. Potters isn't worth the money at all. Have heard the ghost tours are really good but we haven't done that.

 

[PigletsPal]

We are thinking of staying in St. Aug. in Feb. for our 25th Aniversary. DH and I have never been. Is there any B&B that are better than others. I was looking into the one I think is called Southern Winds. But on another board it got a few bad reviews.

 

[reddixie]

I understand that there is a new Hilton across from the Bridge of Lions. Have any of you stayed there? Thoughts?

Thanks.

Yes there is a new Hilton and its open. It looks beautiful and looks like houses built during the 1700-1800's not like a hotel. I haven't stayed there but they seemed rather busy yesterday. I think it would be a fantastic place to stay overnight.

 

[floridagirrl2]

DH and I just came back Sunday from a long weekend in St Augustine (3 nights, 4 days). We didn't go inside the Hilton but it's very nice from the outside--they did an excellent job of making it blend in with the 3+ centuries of architecture in the historic district. It's directly across from the bay.

Re: B & B, DH and I also have not stayed at any B & Bs, but the two waterfront (across from the bay/Matanzas River) B & Bs are the Casablanca Inn and Casa de la Paz--they are absolutely gorgeous. One of them (I forget which, but they both have web sites you can Google) even has private verandas with hammocks on the 2nd floor that look out over the bay.

 

[Thea]

We'll be starting our florida vacation in st. Augustine. We have been there several times before with our children, but since they are all grown and away at school this time it'll only be DH and myself. Therefore I've made reservations at a BB called St. Francis Inn.

Do anyone know this place ? It looks very good on the internet, and they have been very nice and helpful when I mailed them with some questions.

What restaurants would you recommend for a romantic dinner for two ?

TIA

Thea

22 days before we hit Florida - 25 days and CSR here we come...