St Augustine trip

[4HOLIDAYS]

I have decided to do a last minute quick trip to St Augustine. I live in south Florida but have never been here or taken my kids, now 16 and about to be 14.

We are planning to go just after labor day weekend. Sept 1 is ds 14th birthday, so this is to do something fun for him. When DS16 had bday this yr is was to WDW to ride in a Ferrari at the racetrack .

So can anyone recommend a place to stay that is decent and not too expensive? This will just be me and the boys, DH looks to stay home with the dog and work.

We think we want to see the fort,( we saw the forts in Nassau and liked them), and the boys like the idea of the ghost trolley tour.

What sites are must see? and worth the time and cost?
Are the trolleys a good idea to get aroud?

I am thinking we will stay about 3 days.
We live near the beach so that is not something we care about.

Any help, ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Granny square]

The fort is our favorite!! And the trolley tour is nice because you can hop on and off. you also hear so much about the history and story of the city. Well worth it!

 

[jgreco]

We went for 4th of July and did the Ripley's Ghost trolley & walking tour which also takes you around the museum in the dark. My kids (18,16 & 9) loved it! Bring your bug spray!!!! You WILL need it!
Hubby splurged and we stayed at the Casa Monica which is across from the Flagler College. It was a bit pricy, but wonderful.

 

[Jedana]

We like the Ripley's museum.

the forts are awesome, if you like history.

I don't like the lighthouse--mainly because you walk to the top and I'm scared of heights (two strikes righ there).

The alligator farm is overpriced, IMO.

 

[jgreco]

I would skip the Potters Wax Museum and the Old Wooden Schoolhouse (unless its included with your trolley ride). There are lots of good comments on tripadvisor

 

[DisneyGlitter]

You are going to have so much fun there! St. Augustine is known for bed and breakfast places. They are very nice and many are right on St. George street which is the main street in town. The fort is at the end of St. George street. These places can be reasonably priced, but many can be expensive. You can also check out Priceline and bid on a hotel. Use the website betterbidding and you will know exactly what you are bidding on. For example, the Renaissance World Resort (or something close to that) is the only 4 star hotel in its particular area, so if you bid for a 4star, you would get that. The Casa Monica is gorgeous! I would love to stay there one day!

I suggest the trolley tour and fort, they are a must! I have also taken a boat ride there which was historical and relaxing. The Trolley tour will give you a good look around to see what else interests you. They have a Ripley's Believe it or not which might be fun for your kids.

They have amazing place to eat there too! You will not be disappointed! I love the candy shops there like Kilwins!!

 

[Granny square]

The old drugstore sells teas...I buy tons and mail order more.

 

[cdfl30]

If you like BBQ, make sure to go to Mojo's Old City!! Our favorite restaurant is Gas Full Service, its just on the other side of the Bridge of Lions. It doesn't look like much but their food is so good. Also, Savannah Sweets on St. George Street has the best turtles ever We also love Columbia's but if you are from South Florida, you may have already been to the one down there.

If you want to stay near downtown, you really are limited to B&B's or upscale hotels. There is a Country Inn and Suites not to far from downtown on San Marco that may be reasonable.

If you like the outdoors, I recommend renting kayaks and bikes at Anastasia State Park. You can Kayak the salt run and then bike to the lighthouse, makes for a nice day.

We live here so we don't do touristy stuff such as the trolley and museums so I can't really speak to those.

Have fun!!

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Thanks forthe replies. I am not thinking of a b and b really. I don't have to be right in the historic or downtown part. When I look up o websites there are so many hotels listed that I just don't know what is actually close, good, easy access.

I am trying to read thru the trip advisor site but I alsways prefer the Disboard experts!

 

[HLAuburn]

There are a few nice hotels in the main highway, but you definitely wouldn't get the old St Aug "feel" staying there. Parking can be a challenge downtown(and it can get $), so being able to walk or catch a trolley into town would be ideal, in my opinion. The Comfort Suites and Howard Johnson would be in a good location - not right in town, but you could walk or catch the trolley.

Across the bridge on Anastasia Island, there are a few nice motels and hotels...

http://www.anastasiainn.com/
http://www.sleepinn.com/hotel-saint_augustine-florida-FL214?source=bingmap

Bayfront Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are right downtown across from the water.

This is a good website that has the different hotels broken down my areas:
http://hotelguides.com/florida/map-st-augustine-fl-hotels.html

We like Ripley's - a little gimmicky, but fun. And the trolley is always fun too. Not sure about the red train, but the orange one let's you ride for 3 days in a row, so you could use it for transportation. I've heard the new Pirate Museum is fun. If you like forts, of course there is Castillo De San Marco, but there's also Ft Matanzas a little bit south.

Oh, and for food, definitely check out Casa Maya and the Columbia is great, too. Also, O'Steens is really good! Not much for ambiance and there's always a wait, but so worth it!

Have a great trip. We live 20 min from St Augustine and we love it!

 

[Swimalie]

I recommend the lighthouse. It is really pretty there and you all can climb to the top for an even better view.

 

[Bonniec]

Ooh thanks for this post, I'm loving all the hotel suggestions.

We just dropped off my kid last week who started Flagler college right there in downtown. We haven't had much time to explore yet and plan to go back and do so. But we did walk around a bit and ate at a nice burger joint (forgot the name). The place is stunning though. We really loved it.

 

[Jillianv29]

Love it there. Seeing the light house and alligator farm were always fun stops.

 

[Golf4food]

Besides the other attractions mentioned, you can't go wrong with the Pirate & Treasure Museum. It was designed with help from some former Disney imagineers and is truly top notch. It isn't a big place, but it is extremely well themed, interactive, has lots of great stuff. There's a Groupon/Living Social/something like that deal right now for half-price admission if you can find it.

O'Steen's is the best local seafood. Columbia has great ambiance for a nicer place. The Bunnery is a great little bakery/cafe for breakfast especially. There are a couple of little pizza shops in the old town that are good, and we like the Pizzalley's Chianti Room for sit down Italian (nice little place). Harry's has the best outdoor seating area, especially at night, and is a more New Orleans style seafood place. JP Henley's is a nice little pub/sandwich shop along the river. Avoid the Santa Maria at all costs - way overpriced, not great food.

St. Aug is a small place, you can walk everywhere in the old town easily. You only really need to drive to get to places that are outside of the old town area, like the lighthouse, Aligator Farm, etc.

 

[Granny square]

La fiesta inn on the island. On the beach and a yummy breakfast.

 

[ShiPooOwner]

St. Augustine is such a special place. You're going to love it. The trolley is a must for us. Love getting off and on ~ so convenient.

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Thanks so much for all this info! I am taking notes! I have a feeling we will definately love it-can't wait!

 

[debsays]

We went in May for two nights and loved...loved...loved it. Take the trolley it's a hop on/off type and you get to see a lot of the area narrated by the driver. Then you can get off anyplace you like.

We also stayed at a WONDERFUL B/B. OMG, we'd stay there again in a heartbeat. It's the Bayfront Marin Inn and is near the Lions Bridge/water. The breakfast are to die for and they have a late afternoon gathering with Sangria, pastries, cheese/crackers. We can't wait to return to the Bayfront Marin Inn.
Also Harry's and A1A Ale House are GREAT places to eat. Yum-O! Also if your not in a hurry take the A1A route along the water. Enjoy !