20 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida (2024)

With more than 450 years of history, it's not surprising that St. Augustine — the oldest continuously occupied settlement in America — is packed with intrigue. This coastal city is one of the best places to visit in Florida, thanks to all the fascinating things to do and see here, plus quaint places to stay and delicious eats to enjoy.

If there’s anyone who knows the best things to do in St. Augustine, it’s Barbara Golden, who has served as communications manager at the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau since 2005. “I’ve been lucky enough to work in the tourism industry in the St. Augustine area for more than 40 years,” Golden says. “I get to explore and interact with great people and experiences here every day.”

Of course, the city has other superfans, too, like Florida travel and lifestyle blogger Mandy Mizell, who's known as The Flohemian to her followers. “I first visited St. Augustine on my fourth-grade field trip — a Floridian rite of passage — and fell in love,” Mizell says. “I told my mom at the tender age of 10 that I was going to Flagler College, which I did for a year. When I met my husband, a Flagler College alum, I started visiting the area three to four times per year and spending every Christmas there with his family. I began a Florida travel blog shortly after I met him, and I used our family visits as an opportunity to seek new adventures around St. Augustine.”

Serving as your unofficial tour guides, here's what Golden and Mizell point to as the best things to do in St. Augustine, from classic, can’t-miss attractions to lesser-known locals’ picks.

Go for a ride with Old Town Trolley Tours.

It may be touristy, Mizell admits, but taking a ride with Old Town Trolley Tours is a great and easy way to get around St. Augustine, and you'll hear historical tidbits about the 458-year-old city as you go. Plus, Mizell points out, “It’s a free sober ride around town — and most of the local distilleries, wineries, and breweries offer free tastings. There’s also a connection to the Old Town Trolley Beach bus, so you can easily navigate the area without a car.”

Tour Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Spanish stone fortress that was built in 1695 and offers unbeatable views of St. Augustine Inlet. “I love to stand on the ramparts, looking out at the Atlantic Ocean,” Golden says. “I love to imagine what it was like living here in the 1600s, being on watch for approaching pirates or British invaders. Today, the views are of boats moored in the Bayfront, pods of dolphins swimming and playing in the bay, and kayakers paddling by. The rangers, reenactors, and storytellers here are engaging, and I learn something new about our history every time I visit.”

Mizell shares the same love for the landmark and recommends visiting after sundown. “The fort has a special energy at night, and it’s completely free of charge to wander the grounds outside after hours. The entire fort is illuminated, making for some fun night photos with palm tree shadows in the background. You’ll also overhear haunted tales as ghost tours pass through the area. Sit on the wall during a full moon and watch boats cruise along the Matanzas River.”

Cool down with a gourmet popsicle.

Everyone loves a home-grown success story, and The Hyppo is exactly that. Opened in 2010 with a little money and a lot of passion, this shop sells ice pops that are inspired by Mexican paletas, and they contain local, in-season produce and herbs in super-fresh flavor combinations like cucumber lemon mint, blackberry jasmine, pineapple ginger, and (this writer’s favorite) mango mojito. Today, there are five Hyppo locations around Florida, plus pop peddlers across the nation. The pop shop is named for the patron saint of Saint Augustine — the city was discovered on the day of the Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo — and their flagship store location is on Hypolita Street.

Get spooked on a ghost tour.

It’s another touristy itinerary item, but ghost tours in St. Augustine are popular for a reason, and you simply can’t leave the city without taking one. From Old Town Trolley Tours’ Ghosts & Gravestones tour aboard their signature ghoulish trolleys to lantern-lit walking tours with Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, there are many to choose from, some more spooky than others. Expect to end the night fully freaked out after hearing tales of St. Augustine’s dark past and the hauntings that continue today.

Tour the St. Augustine Distillery and have a drink upstairs.

The St. Augustine Distillery and upstairs Ice Plant Bar is a two-for-one stop. “No visit to the Oldest City is complete without embracing its true spirits,” Mizell says. “This local distillery is located inside the historic FPL Ice Plant. They offer free tours with complimentary tastings, which will get the light drinker quite tipsy. Be sure to visit the Ice Plant restaurant and bar upstairs for a co*cktail, where each concoction is served with special types of ice.” There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase the distillery’s sippables, plus non-alcoholic treats that are often created in collaboration with other local businesses.

Visit St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

For a birds-eye take on the Oldest City, head to St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. “Climb 219 steps to the top for the most spectacular view of historic St. Augustine, the surrounding area, and the Atlantic Ocean,” Golden recommends. “I also like touring the grounds to see the wooden boatworks and the local volunteers working to build authentic replica vessels. My favorite part is entering the archaeology lab to observe maritime archeologists working to identify and restore some of the treasures they find on wrecks off our coast — most hundreds of years old.”

Relax at the beach.

While the main appeal of St. Augustine is certainly its winding cobblestone streets and centuries-old Spanish colonial architecture, its beaches are also worth a visit. Nearby St. Augustine Beach is a popular choice, while the white sands of tranquil Crescent Beach and breezy Butler Beach are perfect places to unwind.

Dine at The Floridian Restaurant.

For full-fledged, Florida-style dining with a Southern twang, chow down at The Floridian Restaurant. “Located on Spanish Street, this farm-to-table restaurant is adorned with quirky Florida decor, such as vintage rattan, alligator heads, and Florida kitsch,” Mizell shares. “The native Floridian chef composed a menu sourcing local ingredients with dishes that pay homage to all the flavors that influence St. Augustine. It's predominantly upscale Southern fare with local recipes passed down over generations.”

Plan a wintertime visit to experience Nights of Lights.

There’s no bad time of year to visit St. Augustine, but some visitors make annual pilgrimages from mid-November to the end of January to witness Nights of Lights, one of the top holiday light displays in the world. Decked in millions of tiny white lights, the city glows with a warm and festive atmosphere that’s breathtaking to see, and the spectacle is completely free to enjoy.

Watch a show at St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Located on Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheater that seats up to 4,000 people, making it a great place to catch some of your favorite acts. Mizell also recommends going on a Saturday morning, when you can browse a farmers’ market full of local vendors selling produce, art, and prepared foods. “There’s always live music, and it gives you a real glimpse of the local life and flavors of St. Augustine,” Mizell says. “Oftentimes there’s a featured local artist or author that you can chat with and learn lore about the Oldest City.”

Zipline over crocodiles.

Alligators and Florida go together like beaches and sunshine, and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a great place for an up-close (but safe) encounter, plus educational programming. “My favorite experience is the Crocodile Crossing, a zipline and ropes course over the crocs and gators,” Golden shares. “It’s a workout and a fun way to see the park’s inhabitants.” Another favorite is the rookery, where hundreds of wading birds nest each year between February and June. “The sight is amazing,” Golden adds. “If you love birding, this is the spot — roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons of all kinds, and more can be seen here.”

Try local chocolate.

• If you have a sweet tooth, Golden recommends touring the Whetstone Chocolates factory. “Free samples come with this tour that tells the story of chocolate (one of my favorite things in life), including the Spaniards introducing it to the rest of the world, how artisan chocolates are made, and the right way to eat fine chocolate,” she shares.
  

Stroll Magnolia Avenue.

Contrary to what its name suggests, Magnolia Avenue is lined not with blooming magnolias but with the second-most Southern of trees: “This scenic street is shaded by live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and it's one of the most photographed streets in America,” Mizell says. “It also has a great photo opportunity in front of the Fountain of Youth sign.” Directly across the street, grab a freshly squeezed lemonade from The Fountain of Juice to enjoy as you walk.

Take a scenic drive.

Hit the road for a 72-mile coastal drive along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway from Ponte Vedra Beach to Flagler Beach. “I like to pack a picnic and head down to the spectacular beaches at Matanzas Inlet, then take the ferry over to our other fort, Fort Matanzas,” Golden shares. “Paddle the inland waters with Ripple Effect EcoTours to see dolphins and other native animals in their natural habitat, followed by a visit to Marineland Dolphin Adventure to take a deeper dive into the aquatic life here, and — my very favorite — swim with a dolphin and learn to speak their language.”

Get out on the water.

Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are great ways to get another perspective on St. Augustine. “I feel safest with minimal boat traffic, paddling in front of the Castillo de San Marcos, on Salt Run, or at Matanzas Inlet,” Golden shares. She also recommends sailing charters for all the salty fun with none of the work. “One of my favorites is St. Augustine Sailing for a sunset sail — makes me feel like I am in a Christopher Cross song. They also have some really fun themed sails — brunch, Magic on the High Seas, and dinner cruises with a private chef.”

Visit Ponte Vedra Beach.

Don’t forget about Ponte Vedra Beach — a luxury resort town with beaches, golf, and nature preserves just north of St. Augustine. “The beaches at Ponte Vedra are very unique, and between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra sits the GTM NERR; we refer to it as the GTM Reserve,” says Golden. “This is the coastal site where Ponce de Leon actually sighted land on April 2, 1513, and came ashore the following day and claimed all of Florida for Spain. There’s even a statue of Ponce de Leon at the north beach parking area. The sand dunes here tower over the coquina beaches; in fact, they are 40 feet high in some places — the highest dunes in Florida. It’s also a great place to hunt for fossilized shark’s teeth.”

Take a nighttime bioluminescent kayaking tour.

Want to get out on the water, no SPF required? “One of my other favorite activities at the GTM Reserve is a night paddle with Geo Trippin,” Golden shares. “They take guests out on Guana Lake, where they paddle into the night to see the bioluminescent jelly combs. It’s like magic to see the sparkles that light up around your paddle in the water, and your guide will explain the existence of this natural phenomenon since the beginning of man and its importance to our environment. Unlike other places where biolumes are a seasonal occurrence, they are present year-round on Guana Lake.”

Book a food tour.

The food scene in St. Augustine has exploded in recent years, with eateries dedicated not only to the latest food trends but also to showcasing locals’ culinary heritage, from Greek, Menorcan, and Latin influences to down-home Southern cooking. “It’s hard to eat at all the great restaurants here, so I like to taste a few at a time on one of our city’s food tours,” Golden says. “They change featured restaurants (usually three to four on each tour) and the chef or a manager comes to the table to talk about what’s so special at their restaurant.”

Groove at Colonial Oak Music Park.

According to Mizell, one of the hidden treasures of historic St. George Street is Colonial Oak Music Park, where you can “listen to live local music under a 300-year-old oak tree streamed with lantern lights.” What could be better? The one-of-a-kind venue also has improv comedy nights, where you can sit back and enjoy a laugh or become part of the show as an audience volunteer. “In September, the Colonial Oak hosts artists during St. Augustine’s annual Sing Out Loud Festival and features national music acts,” she adds. “The best news is that most events have free admission, so you can pop in for a song or hang out for the whole evening.”

Visit Anastasia State Park.

Located less than 10 minutes by car from historic downtown St. Augustine, the serene Anastasia State Park has 1,600 acres of beaches, tidal marshes, maritime hammocks, and ancient sand dunes, where visitors can swim, fish, canoe, kayak, hike, and even camp. The park also has a full calendar of events, from guided paddle adventures and bird walks to trail hikes and coffee with a park ranger. It’s a vacation within a vacation, right in the middle of everything.