Everyone has something to say about Florida – especially my husband. He actually has quite a lot of somethings to say. However, I convinced him that St. Augustine was different than the average Florida beach town and worth exploring with an open mind. If your travel partner has the same (bad) attitude, here are some things to share, so a St. Augustine adventure can (happily) unfold in your future:
1. It’s the nation’s oldest city. Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain founded St. Augustine in 1565 which makes it the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the country! From September 4th – 8th, St. Augustine celebrates its 450th anniversary, so not only will you get all the history, you’ll also get a big celebration, too!
2. It loves artists. Augustine is filled with creative people doing creative things. Why? Because it’s a beautiful old town with lots of character that serves as inspiration for creatives. Plus the St. Johns Cultural Council supports local artists in a number of ways so as to keep attracting – and keeping — artists in town.
3. The Bluebird of Happiness is waiting for you at Vilano Beach. While most of the tourists are clogging up St. Augustine Beach, you can head north to Vilano Beach! Only two miles from downtown St. Augustine, and a world away from St. Augustine Beach, Vilano has no chain restaurants, hotels or stores with the exception of the newly built Publix supermarket in the Town Center. The Town Center is old school Florida mixed with a modern concept and design that has received awards from The Council for a Sustainable Florida and the First Coast Florida Regional Planning Association, among others. Plus, the Bluebird of Happiness is always smiling at you from the town pier.
4. It features (lots of) fun food. Some things are just too good to be real, so you’re forced to experience them firsthand – like Cousteau’s Waffle & Milkshake Bar. Homemade Belgian waffles + hand-dipped milkshakes = well … I just really don’t even have words to describe it. Seriously, it should be illegal it’s so good. And, across the alley is The Hyppo – Gourmet Ice Pops. Enough said.
5. The public art, architecture and nature scenes turn every stroll into a photo opportunity. Photographers – professional and amateur – cannot get enough of St. Augustine as around every corner there’s a new shot waiting to be snapped. Gorgeous weeping willows? Check. Lovely sunsets over the water? Check. Historic homes on cobblestone streets? Check. Forbes even lists it at one of America’s prettiest towns.
6. It’s home to a crazy amount of seashells (and sea glass). You can walk up and down the beach for hours and hours and hours collecting seashells to take home. Or, you can visit The House of Z on St. George Street in the historic district where you’ll discover a mini sea glass museum as well as handmade sea glass jewelry. Better yet – do both!
7. You can rent – or be a guest on – some really fun wheels! There are so many fun ways to see St. Augustine! You can have a guided tour via Red Train Tours or Old Town Trolley Tours. St. Augustine Bike Rentals is the town’s one stop bike, scooter, Segway and pedicab rental and tour guide shop — it can keep you busy for days. But, if you really want to ramp up the cute, rent a scoot coupe from them and be sure you Instagram the ride!
8. The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is part of the Nation’s Oldest Port Heritage Area. And, the Lighthouse Archeological Maritime Program was a partner in creating the first underwater archaeology program to enter a public school system. Plus, word on the street is that the lighthouse is the most haunted place in town!
9. There are so many resale shops that you may need an extra suitcase to get home! Walk along San Marco Avenue and you’ll not only need to buy a used suitcase for your finds, but, you’ll also need some of the wheels mentioned above to get you back to your guest house!
10. You can visit the weekly Farmer’s Market — and catch an ‘80s band – in the same location! The St. Augustine Amphitheatre hosts the Saturday Farmer’s Market as well as ‘80s favorites such as Rick Springfield, Loverboy and The Romantics. And if you want a real adventure, you can camp at the adjacent Anastasia State Park. It’s actually an archaeological site where coquina rock was mined to build downtown’s historic fortress – Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
So go find your own adventure in St. Augustine and let me know what unfolds. And remember, there’s a lot more to Florida’s Historic Coast than just sunshine and palm trees!
