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Family Getaway To St. Augustine

The kids are out of school, the weather is great and it’s been a while since your family set out on an adventure together. But if traveling gives you nightmares of delayed flights, lost luggage and crowded airports, keep your vacation local. There are plenty of exciting places to visit right here in Florida.

So where do you go to satisfy everyone’s quest for fun? Mom wants to relax, Dad is ready for some excitement and the kids need steady stimulation. St. Augustine may be the place you’re looking for. Located approximately 190 miles from the Tampa Bay area, this amazing city offers a little bit of everything. From sandy beaches to historical forts, St. Augustine is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a weeklong vacation.

What to see?

Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States and has much to share with its visitors. Be part of history when you visit some of these places:

Castillo de san marcos

Probably one of the most famous sites is the Castillo de San Marcos. It is the oldest stone fort in North America. It took 23 years to build, and after its completion in 1695, was used to help defend St. Augustine from pirates and Englishmen who wanted to liberate the town from Spanish hands. Its thick walls (14 to 19 feet wide) were made of coquina, a stone comprised of sand and compressed remains of millions of shellfish whose shells have become petrified. It was these great structures that aided in holding off enemies for centuries. The monument and its surrounding land make up 25 acres in downtown St. Augustine. Visitors can spend the day exploring and learning about cannons, barracks, and battles that are part of this amazing historical landmark.

THE SPANISH QUARTER

Visit the restored homes and gardens in the small Spanish community where settlers and soldiers lived before the American Revolution. Enter the quarter at the Florencia House on St. George Street and watch the reenactment of daily life as it once was for the early residents of St. Augustine.

THE OLDEST HOUSE - THE GONZALEZ-ALVAREZ HOUSE

A National Historic Landmark at 14 St. Francis St., the site it's built on is believed to have been occupied since the early 1600s. The coquina house's walls date back to at least 1727; the house was expanded by British and American owners. Admission includes admittance to the house, two museums, a museum store, picnic area and gardens.

FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Ponce de Leon's search for eternal youth is believed to have ended here at 11 Magnolia Ave. in 1513. Take a drink from the fountain, walk through the excavations of the original colony and Christian burials, and see the landmark cross and the life-size exhibits.

THE OLDEST WOODEN SCHOOLHOUSE

At 14 St. George St., one block south of the City Gates, it was built over 200 years ago while Florida was under Spain's rule. The schoolmaster and his wife lived above the small classroom. In 1931, class survivors assembled to describe the schoolhouse for its revival. Copies of books students studied are exhibited by "mechanical students."

How do we see it all?

One of the cool things about visiting St. Augustine is that you can see and learn so much about this city by taking one of the local tours. Whether you chose to walk, ride or float, there is a tour for you:

Ancient City Tour - Walking tours of St. Augustine

St. Augustine Historical Trolley Tours - Narrated historical tour of the city in open air trolleys.

Colee's Sightseeing Carriages - Two & a half mile carriage ride around the city in horse drawn carriages.

Scenic Cruise of St. Augustine - Cruise on the "Victory III" and see many things, the narrated tour includes: St. Augustine Inlet, Atlantic Ocean, Matanzas Bay, North River, Bridge of Lions, Francis and Mary Usina Bridge, St. Augustine skyline, Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Lighthouse and sea/wild life such as dolphins and shore birds.

What about other activities?

St. Augustine has many things to do, day and night. There are beaches, boating, fishing and water sports. When you’re ready to take a break from history, check out some of these entertainment options:

St. John's County Beach Pier – Bait your hook and cast for some “reel” fun.

St. Augustine Speedway - Satisfy your need for speed with auto racing every Saturday.

St. John's County Golf Course – Ready for an afternoon “tee”?

Matanzas Kayak – Let a tranquil paddle trip bring you back to nature.

St. Augustine Sailing – With the sun on your face and the wind in your hair, your stress will simply float away.

Where can we go shopping?

If you’re ready to shop ‘til you drop, you’ve come to the right place. St. Augustine offers a wide variety of shopping opportunities; from tourist stores to art galleries. The majority of the specialty shops (handmade items, etc.) are located throughout the downtown area. Within the 144 block historic district you will find 20 art galleries and 35 antique shops. Visit Ponte Vedra Beach and Anastasia Island for many shops, galleries and boutiques. If all this isn’t enough, located a few minutes outside of the historic downtown are the modern malls, strip malls, and fast food establishments.

With so much to do and see so close to home, St. Augustine is sure to be a hit with the entire family. This trip, forget about buying plane tickets. Pack your bags, head for the East Coast and re-live history.

For additional information about St. Augustine, visit www.ego.net/us/fl/sta/

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