St. Augustine FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Augustine, Florida.
1. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
HISTORIC SPANISH FORTRESS
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a historic Spanish fortress with impressive coquina walls that has stood guard over St. Augustine since the late 17th century. Visitors can enjoy self-guided tours of this remarkable structure, witness cannon firings, and take in expansive ocean views while learning about Florida's colonial past. The fortress features historical displays and interactive audio guides that bring the rich military and cultural history of America's oldest masonry fort to life.
2. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
ICONIC COASTAL BEACON
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum invites visitors to climb 219 steps to the top of this historic beacon for breathtaking panoramic views of the Atlantic coast and surrounding area. Throughout the climb, convenient rest areas allow guests to catch their breath while admiring the lighthouse's impressive architecture and engineering. The accompanying museum houses fascinating educational exhibits on maritime history, shipwrecks, and the lives of lighthouse keepers who maintained this critical navigational aid since its construction in 1874.
3. St. Augustine Wild Reserve
BIG CAT SANCTUARY
The St. Augustine Wild Reserve offers an intimate wildlife sanctuary experience where visitors can observe rescued big cats and other exotic animals in a caring environment. The reserve provides up-close encounters with these magnificent creatures while educating guests about conservation efforts and the issues surrounding exotic pet ownership. Visitors particularly appreciate the interactive animal experiences and shaded viewing areas that make for a comfortable and educational outing.
4. St. Augustine Beach
SCENIC ATLANTIC SHORELINE
St. Augustine Beach features sweeping shorelines adorned with soft, multi-hued sand and gentle waves perfect for swimmers of all abilities. The picturesque dunes dotted with native wildflowers and seagrasses create a natural backdrop that enhances the coastal experience. Families particularly enjoy the beach for its shell collecting opportunities and relaxed atmosphere that complements the historical explorations of downtown St. Augustine.
5. St. George Street
HISTORIC PEDESTRIAN THOROUGHFARE
St. George Street serves as the heart of St. Augustine's historic district, offering visitors a charming pedestrian-only thoroughfare lined with colonial-era buildings now housing unique boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. This historic neighborhood provides the perfect setting for leisurely strolls amidst significant landmarks while soaking in the ambiance of America's oldest city. In the evening, the street becomes especially romantic as lanterns illuminate the path, creating a magical atmosphere that transports visitors back in time.
6. Medieval Torture Museum
MACABRE HISTORICAL COLLECTION
The Medieval Torture Museum presents a sobering look at humanity's dark past through an extensive collection of torture devices and educational displays about historical punishment practices. Visitors can examine authentic and replica instruments while learning about the social, political, and religious contexts in which these methods were employed throughout history. The museum serves as a powerful reminder of how suffering can be inflicted in the name of justice when power falls into the hands of fanatics, madmen, and tyrants.
7. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park
REPTILE CONSERVATION CENTER
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park delights visitors with its comprehensive collection of alligators, crocodiles, and other exotic wildlife in a family-friendly environment focused on conservation education. Guests can witness exciting interactive feeding shows where knowledgeable staff explain the behaviors and ecological importance of these remarkable reptiles. Adventure seekers can experience the park from a unique perspective via the thrilling zip line course that allows visitors to soar above the animal habitats.
8. Lightner Museum
GILDED AGE ART COLLECTION
The Lightner Museum showcases an impressive collection of Gilded Age art, unique glassware, and fascinating antique oddities housed within the former Alcazar Hotel, a stunning Spanish Renaissance Revival building. Visitors can explore three floors of eclectic exhibits featuring everything from fine art paintings to Victorian scientific instruments and musical automatons. The museum's most distinctive feature is its ground floor, which contains the former world's largest indoor swimming pool, now transformed into an atmospheric restaurant where guests can dine surrounded by history.
9. Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
HISTORIC DISCOVERY SITE
Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park commemorates the legendary spring that drew Spanish explorers to Florida in their quest for eternal youth. This 15-acre waterfront attraction combines historical exhibits with archaeological significance as the site of the original Spanish settlement and America's first mission. Visitors can sample water from the legendary spring, explore reconstructions of the first colonial settlement, and witness fascinating demonstrations of 16th-century weapons and daily life.
10. Potter's Wax Museum
LIFELIKE HISTORICAL FIGURES
Potter's Wax Museum, America's oldest wax museum, features an impressive collection of over 160 lifelike wax figures depicting celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters. Visitors can walk among remarkably detailed recreations of personalities ranging from ancient kings to modern movie stars in themed galleries that bring history to life. The museum's location in the historic Old Drugstore building adds to its charm as guests pose for photos with their favorite figures and learn interesting facts about the artistry behind wax sculpture creation.
11. Flagler College
OPULENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Flagler College occupies the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, a magnificent Spanish Renaissance Revival building commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler in 1888. Visitors can take guided tours of this architectural masterpiece featuring intricate murals, hand-painted ceilings, and the world's largest collection of Tiffany stained glass windows still in their original location. The college's courtyard, with its central fountain and palm trees, offers a tranquil space to admire the building's ornate exterior details including terracotta reliefs and carved wooden doors.
12. St. Augustine Distillery
CRAFT SPIRIT PRODUCTION
The St. Augustine Distillery welcomes spirits enthusiasts to a renovated ice plant where they produce award-winning bourbon, gin, rum, and vodka using local ingredients and traditional methods. Free guided tours take visitors through the production process, explaining how Florida's agricultural bounty is transformed into premium craft spirits using copper pot stills and careful aging techniques. The experience culminates with complimentary tastings of their signature products and access to a well-stocked gift shop where visitors can purchase bottles to take home.
13. Villa Zorayda Museum
MOORISH REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE
The Villa Zorayda Museum stands as a unique architectural treasure in St. Augustine, built in 1883 as a winter residence inspired by Spain's famous Alhambra Palace. Visitors can marvel at the Moorish Revival design featuring horseshoe arches, intricate geometric patterns, and an eclectic collection of antiques including an ancient Egyptian rug said to be over 2,400 years old. Self-guided audio tours explain the villa's fascinating history and point out architectural details like the hand-poured concrete walls mixed with crushed coquina shells that have withstood over a century of Florida hurricanes.
14. Pirate & Treasure Museum
AUTHENTIC BUCCANEER ARTIFACTS
The Pirate & Treasure Museum houses one of the world's largest authentic pirate artifact collections, including rare items like Thomas Tew's treasure chest and one of only three remaining Jolly Roger flags. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to fire cannons, tie nautical knots, and discover how pirates navigated the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy. The museum's Hollywood Pirates section features props from famous pirate movies while the Below Deck sound experience immerses guests in the terrifying reality of a pirate ship attack.
15. Old Jail Museum
HISTORIC INCARCERATION FACILITY
The Old Jail Museum, built in 1891 and designed to resemble a fine hotel to avoid alarming St. Augustine's Victorian tourists, now offers guided tours led by actors in period costumes portraying guards and inmates. Visitors can explore the sheriff's quarters, male and female cell blocks, and maximum security area while hearing tales of notorious prisoners and the harsh conditions they endured. The facility, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, operated as St. Augustine's official jail for over 60 years and houses authentic artifacts including weapons, restraint devices, and prisoner belongings.