Standing tall at 165 feet, the iconic St. Augustine Lighthouse, with its black and white diagonal bands greets visitors to the St. Augustine area. The lighthouse lies just across the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island near the beach and is open for tours. While visitors can book specialized guided tours, including sunset and ghost tours, we opted to see the museum and grounds on a self-guided basis.
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When asked about favorite tourist spots in St. Augustine, many Flagler College parents recommended the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Since we’d already explored the Castillo and Ximenez-Fatio House, Thing 1 and I visited this landmark on a hot September day.
Located across the Bridge of Lions on Anastasia Island, the alligator farm began in 1893 reportedly by George Reddington and Felix Fire. George Reddington drove the first automobile in St. Augustine and also owned the Gonzales-Alvarez House (aka the Oldest House Museum) before selling it to the St. Augustine Historical Society in 1918.
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Castillo de San Marcos in the historic part of St. Augustine remains a top tourist spot. However, many don’t know about St. Augustine’s other fort, sometimes called the “back door of St. Augustine,” Fort Matanzas.
For starters, Fort Matanzas is harder to reach. Located about fifteen miles south of St. Augustine on Anastasia Island, visitors must take a five-minute ferry ride to see the coquina watchtower. Purchasing tickets online isn’t an option either as the National Park Service distributes them on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, with fewer tourists, a visit to Fort Matanzas provides an enjoyable experience.
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If you haven’t been to St. Augustine in Florida, you’re in for a treat. Founded in 1565 by the Spanish, the city features 35 buildings from the Spanish period between 1565-1763. For more posts about the oldest city in the United States, read about the Ximenez-Fatio House and St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine.
Located on the bustling, pedestrian-only St. George Street in the historic district, the Peña-Peck House piqued my interest. Open for tours only on Friday and Saturday from noon – 4 pm, I finally visited the house on our most recent trip. The Women’s Exchange of St. Augustine runs the guided tours at no charge but appreciates donations.
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