Staycation Spotlight

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is our nation’s oldest city, also known as the “Ancient City,” and also the “Most Charming” city in the U.S. From historic tours to haunted ghost walks, with plenty in between, you can certainly find many reasons to visit St. Augustine.

ST. AUGUSTINE by Amanda Vallone

From our beautiful home of DeLand, FL, St. Augustine is only a mere hour and a half drive—and worth every moment. I’d highly recommend staying a few nights in a hotel or one of the quaint B&B’s right in the heart of the city, but even if you’ll just be heading there for a day trip, you can enjoy a truly fantastic experience.

The Visitor’s Information Center is an important first stop for your maps (which we also have at Roseborough Travel if you pop in before your trip), restrooms, and the beginning of your history lessons. The exhibits within the center change, but you’ll always find The Face Fountain from Aviles, Spain, and the Old Spanish Trail Zero Milestone which marks one end of a trail that runs from St. Augustine to San Diego.

A short walk away is the Old Spanish Fort, Castillo de San Marco. Built in 1647 to protect and defend Spain’s claim to the New World, the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. was never captured in battle. Take time to roam through the interiors and

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imagine being a Spanish soldier for a day, and don’t miss their regularly scheduled cannon firing.

From there you can walk through the Gates of the City and take a stroll down St. George Street for some great shopping, food, and people watching. Take a step back in time with the historical architecture and smell the aromas of fried dough, fresh-made ice cream and waffle cones, and a world of amazing cuisines.

Right down the road from there is the Lightner Museum. Otto Lightner, “America’s King of Hobbies,” advocated (even through the Great Depression) that everyone should have a collection or a hobby. In 1947, he purchased Henry Flagler’s abandoned hotel, the Alcazar, for pennies on the dollar. After restoring it, he started exhibiting his sizable collections there. It has since been dubbed the “Smithsonian of the South.”

There’s also the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Fountain of Youth, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum… the list goes on and on!

If you follow this article’s itinerary, you’ve got more than enough to keep you busy for at least a day trip to St. Augustine. But I know firsthand that one or more of these sights might not be for everyone. I always recommend the hop-on hop-off trolley (especially for those with mobility issues), but is that right for your getaway? Is a horse drawn carriage better? Talking with a travel agent is important to get the most out of your trip, whether it be a local day trip or an adventure across the globe.

Don’t want to make the drive yourself or go on your own? Sign up to be on the list to go on our next Group Day Trip to St. Augustine. All the details will be taken care of for you!