Read more about the article National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – St. Augustine, FL

National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche – St. Augustine, FL

Just north of St. Augustine’s Old City Gates lies the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios. We learned about the site on the trolley tour when we moved our daughter into her dorm at Flagler College. Fast forward a couple of years later when we explored the tranquil grounds.

On the “Sacred Acre” visitors can see the site of the first parish Mass in the United States. The grounds contain trails through a rosary garden, the 14 stations of the Cross, the seven sorrows of Mary, and a historic cemetery. Our Lady of La Leche also encompasses a church, historic chapel, museum, gift shop, and pilgrimage center.

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Read more about the article The Lightner Museum – St. Augustine, FL

The Lightner Museum – St. Augustine, FL

After three years of visiting St. Augustine, I finally toured the Lightner Museum. The museum, housed in the former Hotel Alcazar (1888-1931) features massive collections from collector Otto C. Lightner (1886-1950).

Open seven days a week, the Lightner Museum lies in the historic St. Augustine district directly across from Flagler College. To reach the museum entrance, you go through the front part of the building which houses St. Augustine City Hall to a serene courtyard area.

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St. Augustine Travel Guide

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.

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Read more about the article St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum – St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum – St. Augustine, FL

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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