St. Augustine

[froglady]

The Columbia restaurant is good if you like Spanish food. The restaurant over the pier is the Santa Maria; my children used to enjoy feeding the fish.

The Raintree and LaPavillion are more expensive choices. Also, isn't there a restaurant in the Casa Monica hotel?

I haven't visited in a while, but IMO, the Alligator Farm is worth a stop.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

Last year for my 35th birthday (in March) we stayed for 2 nights at the Bayfront Marin House (www.bayfrontmarinhouse.com) Bed & Breakfast, and it was delightful. We had a lovely room, called the Burgess cottage,

It had an in room jacuzzi, and a gorgeous view of a little gazebo, and in the morning we could go get our breakfast and either eat it in room, or out in the garden. The view was spectacular, we caught lovely sun rises and beautiful sun sets. They had breakfast every morning, Soda and beer all day, and DELICIOUS deserts and cordials every evening. (SOOO GOOD!)

We did the walking ghost tours. My boyfriend is NOT at all a Ghost person, but I am, and I loved it, the history was just so appealing! There is a wonderful mexican restraunt directly across from Fort Mastanzas that is resonable. A visit to Old Town is needed, as is to the Winery - a tasting, if you like. Take the trolley tour, but buy the pass at the visitors center, and get the combination ticket it gets you several things, like a trolly pass, ghost tour, Ripleys, etc, especially if you're going to be there for a few days.
http://www.ci.st-augustine.fl.us/visitors/vic.html

Hope that helps, let us know what you decide to do!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

The Columbia restaurant is good if you like Spanish food. The restaurant over the pier is the Santa Maria; my children used to enjoy feeding the fish.

Thanks, froglady for the name of that restaurant! I had been trying to remember and just couldn't. I would love to go back to St Augustine, we used to go on the way to DW, but w/ the kids in school now it is harder to take the extra time. (We go to DW during the off season)

 

[marlasmom]

There is a Columbia in Orlando and the original one is in Tampa. All the same restaurant. (Try their free sangria.)

 

[JimB.]

For the "lazy" stuff, try the trams around town. 1 price covers the entire day. Also a horse drawn carraige ride around town is nice, especially from dusk on.

The lighthouse is nice, but not "lazy". Lotsa' steps to get to the top. Walking the shops on St George Street is nice, and many opportunities to empty your wallet.

Many historical sights around town, the most obvious is the Castillo de San Marcos (AKA "the old fort") downtown on the waterfront.

Lots of quality B&B's to stay in. Also a brand new Hilton downtown. The Casa Monica Hotel is a very nice "luxury" hotel also downtown.

For eating - try Fiddler's Green (on Vilano Beach on the north side of the inlet), Salt Water Cowboy's (in Crescent Beach, on Anastasia Island), Creekside Dinery (US1 south of downtown). For more casual fare, try the Oasis (A1A on Anastasia Island), Pizza Garden downtown (Pizza by the slice, and it's REALLY good!). Mango Mango's is good too (A1A on the Island)

Hooked on Harry's is good, but it's a chain restaurant. For personal reasons I wil N-E-V-E-R eat at the Columbia here (but I did at the one in Celebration & it was pretty good). Eat at Acupulco's instead (across from the fort. Yea, it's mexican, not spanish, but what the heck.)

The Santa Maria restauarant over the water? Ick. Ugh. There is a reason people feed the fish. NOBODY that lives here eats there.................

 

[reddixie]

The Columbia restaurant is good if you like Spanish food. The restaurant over the pier is the Santa Maria; my children used to enjoy feeding the fish.

The Raintree and LaPavillion are more expensive choices. Also, isn't there a restaurant in the Casa Monica hotel?

I haven't visited in a while, but IMO, the Alligator Farm is worth a stop.

95 Cordova is in Casa Monica. I would recommend eating at Salt Water Cowboys, Columbia's, The Conch House,(was closing and building condo's I haven't been in almost 3 months), Tavern on the Green, 95 Cordova, and Cafe Hildalgo(very new on the corner of Hypolita and St. George street. I love St. Augustine and live within 30 miles. My family tells me I should be a tour guide there. Lazy touring take the tram makes life easy. Shouldn't miss IMO would be Flagler College, Spanish Colonial Museum(if you love history), Castillo de San Marco's(the fort), and the old jail. If you can find it there is a lovely Shrine that is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church and an unexpected treasure. Also I tell everyone the fountain of youth is a complete ripoff. Many have insisted and I go along at 6.00 a person. When we leave always its wow that wasn't that great for the money. PM me for any questions and if anyone wants a personal tour I will gladly do so for free. I just love St. Augustine.

 

[foxfire]

I would recommend eating at Salt Water Cowboys, Columbia's, The Conch House,(was closing and building condo's I haven't been in almost 3 months), Tavern on the Green, 95 Cordova, and Cafe Hildalgo(very new on the corner of Hypolita and St. George street. Lazy touring take the tram makes life easy. Shouldn't miss IMO would be Flagler College, Spanish Colonial Museum(if you love history), Castillo de San Marco's(the fort), and the old jail. If you can find it there is a lovely Shrine that is owned by the Greek Orthodox Church and an unexpected treasure. Also I tell everyone the fountain of youth is a complete ripoff. Many have insisted and I go along at 6.00 a person. When we leave always its wow that wasn't that great for the money. love St.

We really enjoyed the Columbia Restaurant. Good food, good service in an interesting old building. The Greek Orthodox Shrine is just down the street from this restaurant and well worth the time to visit. It's something you might pass by if you don't know to look for it but it's just beautiful inside with some very interesting artifacts on display out in the hallway.

Walking on St. George Street checking out the stores is a good lazy way to tour and spend a few hours. It's closed to automobile traffic so you can amble along at your leisure.

I think the tram ticket is good for 3 days...at least it was when we were there in October. You can get on and off at any of the stops then catch the next tram that comes by when you want to move on somewhere else.

I agree about not going to the Fountain of Youth. Save that money for something else.

Flagler College is amazing. You can take a guided tour or you can go on your own to the main floor and look around. Other parts are off limits unless you take the tour.

There's a lot to see in St. Augustine. It's a very interesting place.

 

[eloisemommy]

My hubby and I are planning a trip to St. Augustine but it won't be until mid to late October. It seems so far away. I'd be interested in talking to anyone that has been there during that time period so I know what to pack and what to expect weather wise and all. Does any of this close down for the winter? We've never been to Florida so this will be a real treat to us. Really looking forward to those grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches - one of my all time favs. I have a feeling I will want to leave my home and spend the rest of my life in Florida. Thanks for any info.

 

[reddixie]

October is warm here. I would pack shorts and T-shirts. You might want a few jeans and a light weight jacket if you are the cold type. It can get into the sixties. We are usually swimming right up until Thanksgiving. Nothing closes here for the winter. I will say though that Oct. is still busy enough. When you come say early Dec. the shops and such are only open midday. IE 11:00 to 5:00. Instead of their usual 10:00 to 6:00. Also in Oct. with school in full session the College only does tours at 11:00 and 2:00 so that will have to be scheduled. The Fort only does gun or cannon firing on Sat. during the off season. I think Oct. is a great time to visit. It's not to hot or cold and still plenty to do without the smothering crowd. Once again any more questions let me know I live almost in St. Augustine. In fact will be going to Columbia's today for the 1905 salad and then St. George Street to the Spanish Dutch Convoy(purse store) with a friend for a girls day out.

 

[Trinity721]

We live 30 min drive from St. Augustine and love going there on a lazy Sunday or whenever. Every trip we've had there we've done "lazy sightseeing" and loved it. Definitely tour the fort and walk the shops. That'll take up lots of time and you always find something new. I did not care much for the Fountain of Youth, but we went just to say we've been there and it was kind of neat I guess. DH and I like Harry's though it is a chain restaurant, but they have cute outdoor seating with live entertainment at night. Don't miss Flagler. For October, I agree with the other posters. Jeans and lightweight jacket or even hooded sweatshirt would be just fine. Enjoy your trip!

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

Any hotel recommendations for a 10th anniversary? I love the ones already mentioned in this thread, but I'd like a few more to compare. Thanks for any info!!!

 

[eloisemommy]

Thanks for all the info on St. Augustine in October. I'm really looking forward to going. It's a little cold for me where we live now. I could really look forward to moving to a warmer climate.

 

[Mari annie]

We drive from MA to MCO every year, two weeks our 19th trip!

Three years ago we discovered St Augie! Love it!
We spend 2 days there before going to MCO (WDW) I went to the Fountain of Youth as a kid in the 60's and we now stay in The Historic District for the 2 days going down to WDW and 1.5 days coming home from WDW.

Beautiful Old Florida.
The trolly tour is a must for everyone!
Lightner Museum is wonderful, too.

Our favorite resteraunt is Columbia. We also go to Celebration for Columbia Resteraunt.
If you have kids, St Augie* has something for everyone.
There's the Old Fort, The Lighthouse, The Fountain of Youth, Ripley's, Ripley's in St Augie is the best, the building it's housed in makes the museum.
We have been to the one in MCO and Niagra Falls and our Family's favorite Ripley's is in St Augie. The shopping is outstanding. The people are wonderful.

If any of you love St Augustine, try Savannah, GA!
Another wonderful Historic City. We stopped there on our trip last year and did the Trolly trip and toured the city for the entire day, so now we have another city we will stopping along the way for lunch.
If you are a foodie, don't forget Paula Deen's Place!

Wherever your travels take you, have fun!

2 1/2 weeks and counting until warm FL Sunshine!!!

 

[luvwinnie]

Marlasmom, how was the trip? We leave on the 17th for 4 nights in W. Palm and then 3 in St. Aug.