St. Augustine Beach FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
1. St. Augustine Beach
SCENIC COASTAL PARADISE
St. Augustine Beach offers a sweeping shoreline adorned with soft, multi-hued sand and shallow waves, complemented by picturesque dunes dotted with wildflowers and seagrasses. Visitors can enjoy the beach's family-friendly atmosphere, making it ideal for outings and shell collecting throughout the year. The gentle waves and expansive shoreline provide the perfect setting for swimming, sunbathing, and seaside relaxation.
2. St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier
ICONIC FISHING DESTINATION
The St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier stands as a popular landmark at St. Augustine Beach, offering excellent fishing opportunities and panoramic ocean views. The pier features a large oceanfront pavilion that serves as a gathering spot for visitors and locals alike. Surrounding the pier, visitors will find a splash and play park, sand volleyball courts, and plenty of seaside restaurants to enjoy after a day of pier activities.
3. Capybara Cafe
UNIQUE ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
Capybara Cafe offers America's only capybara-themed cafe experience, allowing visitors to get up close with these fascinating exotic animals in a fun setting. The cafe operates as part of a sanctuary, providing educational opportunities while enjoying the company of these gentle creatures. Visitors can interact with capybaras and other exotic animals in a controlled environment that prioritizes both animal welfare and guest enjoyment.
4. Farmer's Market at St. Augustine Pier
LOCAL FLAVORS AND CRAFTS
The Farmer's Market at St. Augustine Pier brings together local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and unique trinkets in a vibrant outdoor setting. Visitors can find quality seasonal items like tomatoes, eggplants, and oranges from local farmers alongside artisanal goods. The market provides a glimpse into local culture while offering an opportunity to purchase fresh ingredients and souvenirs directly from area producers.
5. Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SITE
The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center preserves and celebrates the rich African American heritage of the historic Lincolnville district in St. Augustine. Housed in a historic building, the museum features exhibits chronicling the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine and the significant contributions of African Americans to the area's development. Visitors can explore authentic artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that tell the story of this culturally significant community.
6. Anastasia State Park
PRISTINE NATURAL ESCAPE
Anastasia State Park offers a pristine stretch of sand just north of St. Augustine Beach, featuring abundant wildlife and natural tidal marshes in an unspoiled coastal setting. The park contains a historic coquina quarry where laborers once mined stones used to build the Castillo de San Marcos and other downtown structures. Visitors can enjoy swimming, beachcombing, wildlife viewing, and exploring the unique ecological systems that make this protected area so special.
7. Salt Life Food Shack
BEACHSIDE DINING EXPERIENCE
Salt Life Food Shack provides a quintessential beachside dining experience with fresh seafood and coastal cuisine right along St. Augustine Beach. The restaurant offers panoramic ocean views, creating the perfect atmosphere for enjoying local flavors after a day at the beach. Visitors appreciate the casual, laid-back ambiance that embodies the beach lifestyle while serving up delicious food that captures the essence of coastal Florida.
8. Castillo de San Marcos
HISTORIC SPANISH FORTRESS
Castillo de San Marcos stands as the nation's oldest masonry fort and one of St. Augustine's most iconic historical attractions. Built from coquina stone quarried nearby, this impressive Spanish fortress has withstood centuries of attacks, weather, and time since its construction in the late 1600s. Visitors can explore the fort's gun deck, historic rooms, and exhibits that bring to life the strategic military importance and complex cultural history of this National Monument.
9. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
HISTORIC COASTAL BEACON
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum features a striking black and white striped lighthouse that has guided mariners along the coast since 1874. Visitors can climb the 219 steps to the top for breathtaking panoramic views of St. Augustine, the beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. The accompanying maritime museum houses fascinating exhibits on lighthouse keepers' lives, shipwrecks, maritime archaeology, and the rich nautical history of America's oldest port.
10. Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum
ODDITIES AND CURIOSITIES
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum showcases an eclectic collection of bizarre artifacts, unusual art, and strange phenomena housed in a historic castle-like building in downtown St. Augustine. Visitors can marvel at hundreds of exhibits featuring oddities from around the world, from shrunken heads to unusual artistic creations. The museum offers a quirky counterpoint to St. Augustine's historical attractions, providing entertainment for the curious-minded of all ages.
11. St. Augustine Alligator Farm
EXOTIC WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park houses every living species of crocodilian, making it a unique wildlife attraction that has educated visitors since 1893. Beyond alligators and crocodiles, the facility features exotic birds, lemurs, monkeys, and an impressive array of reptiles from around the world. Visitors can experience thrilling zipline adventures over the exhibits, watch educational wildlife shows, and learn about conservation efforts dedicated to protecting these remarkable creatures.
12. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
LEGENDARY HISTORICAL SITE
The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park marks the traditional site where Ponce de Leon supposedly searched for the legendary waters that would restore youth and vitality. This 15-acre waterfront historical attraction contains springs visitors can drink from, archaeological excavations of the first European settlement in America, and reconstructions of the first Timucuan village. Visitors can explore beautiful grounds with peacocks, historical exhibits, cannon demonstrations, and panoramic views of the Matanzas River.
13. St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
INTERACTIVE MARITIME HISTORY
The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum houses one of the world's largest authentic pirate artifact collections, bringing the Golden Age of Piracy to life through interactive exhibits and rare treasures. Visitors can view the only authentic pirate treasure chest remaining in the world and hold actual artifacts from famous ships. The immersive experience includes educational displays about notorious pirates who once prowled the waters near St. Augustine and their lasting impact on maritime history.
14. San Sebastian Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING
San Sebastian Winery offers visitors a taste of Florida's unique wine culture in a renovated historic building dating back to the early 1900s in downtown St. Augustine. Guests can enjoy complimentary tours and tastings, learning about the winemaking process from grape to bottle while sampling award-winning varieties. The rooftop bar and restaurant provides a perfect finale to the winery experience, offering live music, refreshing drinks, and spectacular views of the historic city.
15. St. Augustine Distillery
CRAFT SPIRITS EXPERIENCE
The St. Augustine Distillery crafts small-batch spirits inside a meticulously restored ice manufacturing plant from 1917, combining historic charm with modern distilling techniques. Visitors can take free guided tours to learn about the production of the distillery's award-winning bourbon, gin, rum, and vodka made from locally sourced ingredients. The experience culminates with a tasting of handcrafted cocktails featuring the distillery's spirits, and guests can purchase bottles and cocktail accessories in the on-site gift shop.