Friends have asked me to compile a guide for visiting St. Augustine. Since one of our daughters attended 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.
• Father Miguel O’Reilly House, Trinity Parish Church, & Memorial Presbyterian – Historic house and two churches on tour during St. Augustine History Festival.
• Flagler College – Founded in 1968, the liberal-arts college occupies the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, built by Henry Flagler.
• 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.
• Marineland – Opened in 1937, this marine park south of St. Augustine features dolphin encounters.
• 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 Pirate & Treasure Museum – Fun look at pirate history.
• 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 30-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
• Southern Grounds & Co.

• 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. The restaurant closed its downtown spot, but will reopen summer 2026 on Anastasia Island.
• 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! It’s my happy spot.

Edgewater Inn  – located just on the other side of the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island, this motel offers excellent views of the city and Matanzas River. It’s also walking distance to the St. Augustine historic district. 

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.