Friends have asked me to collate a guide for traveling to St. Augustine. Since one of our daughters is a college student at Flagler College, we’ve made many trips to the area and can provide a bit of insight to make your visit enjoyable. Click on the links to see blog posts I wrote about each of the tourist spots. For restaurants and hotels, I’ve included links to the business websites.

Museums and Historic Sites

• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument – Tour the fort where St. Augustine began.
• Fort Matanzas National Monument – The secondary fort to protect the “back door” of St. Augustine.
• Historic Pena Peck House – Tour a Spanish-period house built in 1750.
• Lightner Museum – Housed in the former Hotel Alcazar built by Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum features collections of glass, china, seashells, typewriters, toasters, and other collectible objects.
• National Shrine Our Lady of La Leche – Site of the first Catholic parish mass in 1565. Free and open to everyone.
• Oldest House Museum – Visit the Gonzales-Alvarez House considered the oldest existing house in St. Augustine.
• St. Augustine Alligator Farm – Located on Anastasia Island, this has been a favorite spot since 1893.
• St. Augustine Lighthouse – Climb over 200 stairs to the top of the lighthouse for aerial views of the surrounding area. The complex includes the keeper’s house and a maritime museum.
• St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine – Escape the hustle-bustle of St. George Street when you step into this quiet space and learn the history of early Minorcan settlers.
• Washington Oaks Gardens State Park – About a thirty-minute drive south, this state park boasts formal gardens, a rose garden, hiking trails, and a fishing area along the Matanzas River.
• Ximinez-Fatio House – See a beautiful home that served as a boarding house before Flagler built his hotels.

Restaurants

Historic Downtown Restaurants

• Athena Restaurant

• Cafe Hildago

• Columbia Restaurant

• Forgotten Tonic

• Georgie’s Diner

• Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille

• Isabela’s Bar Cuba

• OC White’s Restaurant

• One Twenty Three Burger House
• Prohibition Kitchen
• St. Augustine Distillery

• Blue Hen Cafe – great breakfast spot in Lincolnville. You may have to wait but it’s worth it. Rumor has it they are moving onto West King Street soon.
• Casa de Vino 57 – wine bar in the historic district with outdoor courtyard seating. Serves charcuterie and cheese boards. Usually offers live music.
• The Floridian – dinner spot in the historic district with indoor and outdoor seating. We took the in-laws here on another occasion. Order the fried green tomato appetizer. The BBQ Pork ‘n Waffles is my favorite.
• Ned’s Southside Kitchen – good “meat and three” favored by locals. It’s located south of the historic district near Walmart. We even ordered our Thanksgiving dinner from here and it was great.

Beach Restaurants

• Sunset Grille – St. Augustine Beach. This is my favorite place for dinner on Anastasia Island. I love the Macadamia-crusted Mahi Mahi.
• Island Donuts – St. Augustine Beach
• Caps on the Water – Villano Beach. A bit pricy and touristy, but a beautiful spot on the Tolomato River.

Places to Stay

Penny Farthing Inn – great B&B within walking distance to Flagler and the historic district. I’m hesitant about sharing this spot since I don’t want everyone to discover it.

Hampton Inn – St. Augustine Beach – a typical Hampton Inn but on the beach and across the street from  Sunset Grill (one of our favorite dinner spots). 

The Local – halfway between the beach and the historic district. Budget hotel with a retro vibe. Access the room through the app. Coffee bar in the lobby. Small rooms, but very clean.