Endless Holiday

One would have to spend a long time listing all the wonderful reasons to visit the beautiful city of St. Augustine, Florida. America’s oldest city, it was founded in 1565 by Spaniards and has a rich and colorful history.

Photo by Michelle Pitzel

An Intriguing History and Impressive Architecture

Regardless of where you go in this lovely area, you will find yourself learning something about history, from small details about the city itself to major events that occurred in the past. Sometimes overlooked as a Florida vacation destination, there are some people who think you have never fully experienced Florida until you visited St. Augustine. From Romanesque Revival-style buildings and cobblestone streets to colonial architecture and even a hint of the paranormal, the city is nothing less than fascinating.

An Abundance of Landmarks

The most compelling reason to visit Saint Augustine is the abundance of landmarks the city boasts, many of which date back to the Spanish occupation. There is also a virtually unlimited number of art galleries, live music venues, eateries, boutiques, and bed and breakfast establishments.

Photo by Paul Brennan

A Great Place for Kids

If you have children, the St. Augustine Wildlife Reserve and the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum are must-visit attractions. If shopping is your passion, do not miss the chance to go to the famous St. George Street area, where you can enjoy browsing, buying, and sometimes even bartering.

Year round sunshine and pristine beaches complete the outstanding picture of this unique city, so don’t forget your bathing suit.

Getting Around

The best way to experience St. Augustine is by trolley or on foot. Most of the top attractions are in the city’s historic downtown, while other sights like Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth and the Old Jail and Archaeological Park are better reached by trolley.

Weather

March through May is regarded as the best time to visit St. Augustine, as you’ll find fewer people, lower airfare and hotel rates, and more comfortable temperatures than other times of the year. Ultimately, however, there’s no bad time to go except between late August and mid-November, which is Florida’s proverbial hurricane season. It doesn’t mean there will always be a hurricane during that time, but if you want to make sure your chances of severe weather are very low, choose one of the other nine months. Here’s a great list of the top attractions in this engaging, interesting city.