You’ll never get tired of visiting this place! I’m been here probably 3 times already and it is such an enchanted, lovely town. St Augustine is known for being the oldest city in United States founded by Spanish explorers, it was also once the Capital of Florida until 1824 when it got moved to Tallahassee. But what could possible bring you here, let me tell you more…

History: Romanticism, War & Luxury

Every single corner is full of stories, from great battles between Spain and British colonies to invasions of pirates and luxury hotels, you can’t get enough visiting the great number of attractions and museums all dedicated to St Augustine great past. At the Lightner Museum (former Hotel Alcazar) you can appreciate a great collection of victorian era pieces, at Flager College (former Ponce de León Hotel) one of the luxurious hotels at that time you’ll get a chance to do a tour and walk by the magnificent structure which features a “rotunda” in the lobby, dining hall and hotel’s grand parlor with beautiful Tiffany Austrian Chandeliers and an epic Onyx Thomas Edison clock (one of the first ever to be used in a public building).

The aspect of St Augustine is quaint and strange, in harmony with its romantic history.

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

You can’t miss to visit El Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest and largest masonry forth in the United States. War stories awaits there with a tour that will end in a reenactment of Spanish soldiers firing cannons.

There is a lot more attractions and museums you can visit while exploring St Augustine, this is my preferred list .

1. Fountain of Youth.
2. Villa Zoraida Museum.
3. St Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.
4. Colonial Quarter
5. St Augustine Distellery

The Best Bourbon & Handcrafted Cocktails with Little Bites

This is probably my favorite part of my visits in St Augustine: The Old St Augustine Ice Plant building. Wondering why? Well this historic place was the first commercial business to make block ice in Florida over 100 years ago and today is home of a beautiful community project called St Augustine Distillery and a unique cocktail experience bar called Ice Plant.

The St Augustine Distillery was born from the efforts and savings of neighbors in the area and donations in general of the community. When you walk into this place, you can breathe the collaboration atmosphere in everything they do. The hostess will steal you some laughs from the beginning to the end of the tour (that is free!) and includes a delicious testing of their award winning Bourdon and some other fine craft spirits. At the end of the tour, you a will enter to their gift shop, where you can continue the tasting of different cocktails from the area, like the Florida Mule for instance. 

The Ice Plant is a vintage bar where you can find a selection of local ingredients and flavors which transform into delicious mix of cocktails and small bites. At Ice Plant, you can literally live the experience of going back in time,  the building still features the original bridge crane on rails overhead the bar. The crane was used to pick up huge blocks of ice to then be broken down and sold to local customers and the shrimp boats. The place was restored to bring you the feeling of walking into an old factory. The cocktails features different ice shapes: shaved, rocks, long rocks, and spheres.

Walk around St George Street…

You can expend the whole afternoon visiting the different gift shops, coffee shops, clothing, museums, crafts and arts and restaurants around St George Street, their offerings are endless… from lots of choices for ice cream to musicians in the middle of the street there is something for everyone.

Wake yourself in the morning with a delicious hot chocolate at The Bunnery Bakery & Cafe, continue with lunch at the amazing Spanish Restaurant Columbia and end it up for dinner at the fabulous Prohibition Kitchen with live music and drinks.

Enjoy the view from St Augustine Lighthouse

Amazing views awaits at St Augustine Lighthouse which is the oldest surviving structure. the Lighthouse rises 165 feet above sea level and contains 219 floating steps that you can climb if you are not afraid of heights (I recognize I was feeling a little concerned with those floating stairs) at the same place, you can also find the Maritime Museum which pretty much tells the story behind the lighthouse and its keepers.

All in all, St Augustine is a fantastic spot for families or even for a romantic getaway weekend with that special person! It is charming with a touch of mystery. Great sunsets and lovely venues. If you live in Florida, you can not miss this adorable town.