Things to Do in St Augustine

The historic Governor's House Cultural Center and Museum has played many roles in the state of Florida since being built more than 400 years ago. During the colonial period of the 16th century, it served as the official residence and offices of the Spanish governors of Florida. The mansion was then rebuilt in 1710 after being destroyed by British forces. British governors of East Florida ruled from the structure during the American Revolutionary War, often throwing lavish parties. In 1821, history was made here when the Spanish governor turned over the control of Florida to the United States.

Once a part of the new nation, it served as a U.S. post office, courthouse, and customs building before opening as a museum in 1991. The structure itself holds centuries of history, though its exhibits go into further detail the significance of the house and the area. Many archaeological artifacts, including Spanish gold and Native American canoes, tell the stories of the multiculturalism that influenced Florida and St. Augustine as it is today.

The idyllic town of St. Augustine is an ideal destination for travelers who want to see history come to life. Few places showcase the past quite like the Spanish Military Hospital. Visitors can wander the halls and outdoor areas of this popular attraction, which includes the Hospital West building, the Apothecary and the Hospital East. Travelers will learn about medical practices from the Second Spanish Period. Visitors can follow an expert guide and learn about medicinal herbs in the well-kept garden, see a surgical demonstration and learn about ancient apothecary. This one-of-a-kind destination offers up the perfect way to experience the life of a local during the 1700s.

This stunning contemporary church is widely considered one of the eight religious wonders of the world. Perhaps that’s because its stunning façade with towering spires, royal arch and smooth white stone are truly a sight to behold.

Visitors who appreciate breathtaking architecture and attention to stonework detail with find a stop at Memorial Presbyterian Church worth the trip. Trained docents can unlock the art and history of the interior during a free tour, and religious travelers can participate in a Sunday morning worship where all are welcome.

Fort Matanzas was built in the mid-1700s to protect the Spanish colony of St Augustine. St Augustine was vulnerable by river access to the south and Fort Matanzas helped the French protect it from the threat of British attacks. At the time, Florida was a much sought after area of the world due to being a profitable shipping lane from the Caribbean. The fort successfully protected St Augustine on multiple occasions and eventually became property of the United States. In 1924, it was declared a national monument.

The construction of Fort Matanzas is interesting to behold as it’s made from coquina, a type of limestone that is made of tiny pieces of shells and sand – a likely choice considering the geography of where Fort Matanzas was constructed, but one that can also be quite fragile. Despite that, it has upheld and today visitors can take a ferry to the fort, which is located on Rattlesnake Island and tour the grounds. The ferry has a guide who will tell you about the history of the fort on your way over. Once at the fort, be sure to climb the ladder to the observation level for excellent views of St Augustine and the ocean.

This quirky museum offers up plenty of fun for travelers who want to take a look at strange oddities and rare specimens. Its colorful galleries filled with wild and bizarre exhibits are perfect for the entire family. And while Ripley’s is a well-known establishment across the globe, the St. Augustine location is the first permanent Ripley’s in the U.S.

Visitors can explore more than 800 interactive exhibits that are stationed inside this historic castle. Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a too-hot day, this iconic museum is an ideal place to unwind, relax and discover!

Travelers don’t have to worry about walking the plank at this popular attraction located in St. Augustine. The Pirate and Treasure Museum is filled with galleries and exhibits that showcases the life and times of sea greats like Sir Francis Drake and Robert Searles. Visitors can learn about the role pirates played in early colonial America and gain a deeper understanding of life on the high seas.

Travelers will venture back some 300 years to Port Royal, Jamaica when they enter this unique museum that’s perfect for the whole family. Children will love the well-designed treasure hunt that leads the younger set on a real life adventure.

An ideal stop for history fans, the St. Augustine History Museum features everything from replica ships and vintage toys to treasures discovered off the Florida coast. Find artifacts, photographs, and ephemera showcasing an ever-evolving St. Augustine, dating to the days of Spanish and British rule—all displayed in the museum's galleries.

Chocolate lovers can rejoice, because this incredible local sweets factory has one of the best tasting tours around. Visitors can get a behind the scenes look at the Whetstone Chocolate factory operations and learn about the history of this local institution.

Visitors will have the chance to sample a variety of items crafted on the premise and learn how cocoa nibs are transformed from bitter cocoa to decadent truffles and treats. There’s even a well stocked shop to pick up times to take home once the tour ends.

St Augustine has grown up and around the González-Alvarez House, and so the home stands as an architectural time capsule of the city’s evolution. The two-story coquina stone house, built in the years after the English burned the city in 1702, is now a registered National Landmark with elements that typify the city’s varied occupants. Early Spanish colonial elements such as the house’s orientation to take advantage of winds and tabby floors—blend with later changes. A second story was added during the British colonial period, and a framed second floor porch and glass windows were included during the second Spanish period prior to statehood.

Though archaeological evidence suggests the site has been occupied since the 1600s, the current home dates to the early 1700s. Its “oldest house in America” title has been contested and has since reverted to the “oldest surviving Spanish colonial house in Florida.” Regardless, visitors to the Gonzalez-Alvarez House will find plenty of unique historical elements here including some of its resident’s possessions: chipped Romanesque statues, simple wooden furniture, clothing, an ornately carved four-poster bed and a British tea setting. Outside, a replica coquina colonial kitchen features a brick hearth and period cooking implements. The larger Oldest House Museum Complex includes an ornamental garden and two separate museum buildings: the Mauncy Museum detailing the history of the country’s oldest city, and the Page L. Edwards Gallery’s rotating exhibits.

Learn all about the game of golf, its history, and its top players at the World Golf Hall of Fame. Located near historic St. Augustine at the World Golf Village resort, the museum celebrates the game and its greatest contributors through historical and interactive storytelling and exhibits that include memorabilia, artifacts, artwork, photos, audio, and videos.

Enjoy IMAX movies from educational documentaries to the latest Hollywood blockbusters on the largest IMAX 3D screen in the Southeast at the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater. Featuring the latest digital projection system and state-of-the-art sound system, the theater delivers an incredible immersive movie experience.

Built in 1691, the Father Miguel O'Reilly House is not only the second oldest structure in St. Augustine (the Castillo de San Marcos being the first), but also one of the oldest buildings in the United States. While recognized now as a symbol of Florida's long connection to Catholicism, the house did not take on that status until 1785. In that year, the Irish priest Father Miguel O'Reilly purchased the house and converted it into a Catholic parish rectory and made sure that it would continue to serve as a center of education and religion for years to come.

Today, the house O'Reilly House Museum focuses on three main themes. The first is the story of the house, the second is St. Augustine's Catholic tradition (which began when the area was first settled by the Spanish in 1565), and third are the Sisters of St. Joseph who have been the guardians of the O’Reilly House and educators in St. Augustine since their arrival in 1866. A visit to the O'Reilly House Museum allows you to admire its beautiful architecture, and immerse yourself in St. Augustine's proud and antiquated history.

Founded in 1565 by Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés of Spain, St. Augustine is America’s oldest continuously inhabited city settled first by Europeans. In the historic downtown, the Spanish Quarter, the Castillo de San Marcos, and the old schoolhouse and jail offer a glimpse into the past.

When you're in a city known for being one of the oldest in the country, you'll naturally be curious to know what it was like to live there when it all began. Now you can find out for yourself when you visit the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, St. Augustine's only living history museum. Stroll along the streets of this recreated 1740s town and meet the local townspeople (all costumed actors).

Watch a blacksmith welding, see a carpenter at work on his latest craft, or converse with a solider and his wife. The museum is the ideal place to discover what life might have actually been like for people living in St. Augustine in the 1740s. All of the houses and landscaping have been fashioned to transport you back to the era. When you're done with your walk through the town, be sure to stop by the Taberna del Gallo, a 1740s Spanish tavern located down the street. With no electricity, candles provide the only light source, making it a truly authentic drinking and dining experience.