St. Augustine lighthouse
WHAT TO EXPECT
The last time I was in St. Augustine I was 8 years old and on a vacation that spanned the 1,267 miles from Pennsylvania to Florida. My Aunt Peg, Uncle Pete, sister, two cousins and I were crammed into the huge boat of a Buick that my uncle drove precisely 350 miles each day. We arrived in St. Augustine late on the third day of driving, checked into a motel outside of town and spent the evening jumping on the beds of our adjoining rooms. I have a vague memory of a quick drive through St. Augustine and a visit to the Fountain of Youth before we set off for our final destination of Miami. Ah, the road trips of my childhood!
Fast forward to 2013 and I’m back in St. Augustine. I’ve heard so much about it since moving to Florida and have looked forward to visiting for years. This time I have three days to enjoy the area and won’t have to share a bed with a cousin who steals the blanket!
St. Augustine is part of Florida’s Historic Coast and includes St. Augustine, Ponte Verde and The Beaches. The area boasts 42 miles of pristine beach and offers guests 10,000 units in 171 hotels and motels. Forbes Magazine named St. Augustine one of the “10 Prettiest Towns in America” in 2012 and National Geographic Traveler named the city one of “The World’s 20 Must See Places” in 2013.
Most people know that St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States (founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers) but you may not know that it offers more than 60 historic sites and attractions. It’s the perfect place to combine education with fun for a truly memorable vacation for your family.
This year, historic cities like St. Augustine are participating in a statewide initiative called “Viva 500” celebrating the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida. It’s a great time to visit the Historic Coast. A variety of special events are planned throughout the year and on into 2015 when St. Augustine will be celebrating the 450th anniversary of its founding as a city.
St. Augustine has retained much of its Spanish past in the homes and larger architecture. It’s a lovely city for strolling with cobblestone streets and small alleys that beg you to explore. Outdoor cafes and small boutiques line Old Town St. Augustine.
GETTING AROUND
Several tour operators offer “off and on” tours that make getting to know the area easy. The tours are a great way to get the layout of the city and learn about its history. But do be aware that it isn’t hard to park at almost any of the major attractions. I took the tour on the first day for a quick overview and then drove back on my second day to the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park and Crocodile Crossing, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.
I wouldn’t advise cramming quite as much into each day as I did, but my goal was to see as much of the city as possible (plus I was traveling without children!) so I tried to get to all of the major attractions and some of the smaller. I think picking a few that really appeal to your family is a better strategy and much easier when traveling with children.
WHERE TO STAY
I stayed downtown at the Casa Monica http://www.casamonica.com–a beautiful and elegant hotel in close proximity to many of St. Augustine’s attractions, cafes and restaurants. It’s a stunning piece of architecture built in 1888 and completely renovated in 1999. If your children are older, I’d recommend it for your vacation. Rooms are beautiful, large and the pool area is particularly pretty. If you have kids who are a little more rambunctious, it might be best to save Casa Monica for a romantic weekend or a girls’ trip.
St. Augustine boasts a variety of hotels that will meet the needs of families including several chain motels ideally located on the waterfront and in walking distance to attractions and restaurants.
DON'T MISS
• Castillo de San Marcos. This 17th century structure was built by the Spanish to defend “La Florida” and it is the country’s oldest fort. Located on 20.5 acres in Old Town, the reconstructed section of the walled defense line surrounds what was the original city gate. Schedules for ranger talks, historical reenactments and other events can be found on the website. A stop at San Marcos at sunrise will yield beautiful photos and the opportunity for a quiet, contemplative walk along the water.
11 South Castillo Drive, St Augustine, Florida 32084 • (904) 829-6506 • www.nps.gov/casa/
• Colonial Quarter. The newest addition to St. Augustine attractions, the Colonial Quarter opened in March 2013 and is a two-acre living museum with exhibits, shows, taverns and restaurants. You’ll find a working blacksmith and gunsmith as well as a 35-foot watchtower to climb.
33 St. George Street, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 • (904) 342-2857 8 www. colonialquarter.com
• Flagler College. Princeton Review has Flagler on its “most beautiful college campus” list and it’s easy to see why. Housed in the former Hotel Ponce de Leon, Flagler is a National Historic Landmark. Students lead tours of the campus but if you don’t have time for a tour, be sure to take a quick walk around the campus–it really is beautiful.
74 King Street, St Augustine, Florida 32084 • (904) 829-6481 • www.flagler.edu
• Fountain of Youth Archeological Park. This historical site is situated on 15 acres of waterfront a short drive from Old Town. The park was once the site of a Timucuan Indian Village as well as the original site of the settlement of St. Augustine. Children especially will enjoy the Spanish colonial military cannon firings, an authentic 16th-century boat works and a replicated Timucuan village. Plus, you get to drink from the Fountain of Youth!
11 Magnolia Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 • (904) 829-3168 • www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
• Pirate and Treasure Museum. The museum boasts the largest collection of authentic pirate artifacts including an actual pirate flag and treasure chest. There is also an exhibit devoted to Hollywood pirates.
12 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, Florida 32084 • (877) 467-5863 • www.piratesoul.com
• St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum. Completed in 1874, the Lighthouse is the oldest surviving brick structure in the St. Augustine area. To reach the 365-degree view, you climb 219 steps on a metal spiral staircase. Children taller than 44 inches can make the climb. Once you reach the top, a volunteer docent is available to answer questions. The walk is a bit strenuous but doable for anyone in decent physical shape. Guided tours of the property are offered, including “Dark of the Moon” tours that are very popular. A Children’s Shipyard is on the property and offers fun for children who aren’t tall enough to make the climb.
81 Lighthouse Ave., St Augustine, Florida 32080 • (904) 829-0745 • www.staugustinelighthouse.com