ALERT: On our most recent visit to Saint Augustine, we walked the bridge of lions; but, the lions…read morehad been removed. I believe there is a large sea wall project that required the lions to be secured to prevent any potential damage. I was told that the lions will be restored back to their previous and prominent locations in 2028. So, the bridge is still worth the walk out (affording, nice views of the marina and city scape); but, don't expect to see the lions for the foreseeable future. For now, let's just call this 'the bridge of no lions.'

Very touristy of me, but I was mesmerized by this bridge! I'm in a landlocked state, so being near…read morewater with a bridge to cross was something I'm not used to and enjoyed greatly. Very scenic and obviously functional as well. Definitely worth taking a moment to look out the window if you can do so safely as you cross this bridge.

These gates were constructed of coquina stone pillars in 1808 as the sole entrance into the…read morehistoric district of St Augustine. Today, it still remains the main entrance into the area of St George Street. Vehicles are strictly prohibited and the entry is for pedestrian use only. The Castillo de San Marcos fort is directly across from the gates.

If you're heading to the Colonial Quarter, it is almost impossible to miss the City Gates…read more While no actual gate remains, you do get to see the pillars and stonework that were part of the wall back in the 1800's, and ponder what it was like to live inside a walled city prone to attacks by land and sea. It's a great (free) photo op and, incredibly, not that busy! 108/2025

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a must-see while in St. Augustine. Construction began…read morein 1672 and ended in 1695, making it the oldest masonry fortification in the United States. While there used to be nine other forts in the area, they were all destroyed during years of conflict. Six different flags have flown over this fort in the last 350 years: Spanish (twice), British, U.S. (twice), and Confederate. The fort itself is constructed from coquina--a unique type of sedimentary rock formed from microscopic shells of tiny marine animals--and you can still see the shells embedded in the walls as you walk around. Once inside, you can wander from room to room to view the soldiers' quarters, powder magazine, and original graffiti drawn on the walls by Spanish soldiers centuries ago. Outside, we climbed the steps to the top level to see the cannons and defensive positions along the walls, which offer great views over the town, inlet, and beaches. At night, the illuminated fort walls are a beautiful sight to see. Park rangers run educational classes throughout the day, including firearm demonstrations (though we missed those on our visit). Parking here can be a nightmare with limited spaces and paid meters, so we took the trolley and were dropped off right at the site. After our tour, we checked out the gift shop--it's small, but did the trick. Every staff member we encountered was knowledgeable, friendly, and polite. I would definitely recommend visiting this incredible landmark. Entry fees: $15 for adults; children 15 and under are free. National Park Service (NPS) passes are honored

So far the highlight of my St Augustine trip. It ended up being a free entry day due to the…read moreholiday. So it was a bit crowded; combining that with the heat of Florida summer was a bit uncomfortable. The band was there and it was nice to hear them play live while we walked the top of the Fort. We were able to spend about an hour or two exploring and learning about the Fort. We read the majority of the signs and informationals. Gorgeous view of the bay and very informative about the history of the fort and the city. There were a few rooms playing videos about the history and a specific space for "ranger kids". It seems very well preserved and taken care of. The gift shop has AC but is very small and could use an upgrade. The parking area is very limited and the bathrooms were locked there. We found a parking garage about a mile away and it was the perfect location for the other activities planned.

Had an amazing time walking down St. George Street in St. Augustine. It's one of those places that…read moreinstantly pulls you in with its charm and history. The whole street is packed with character, from the old style buildings and brick walkways to all the unique shops, restaurants, and little hidden spots along the way. We spent a good amount of time just exploring and browsing, and every corner had something interesting. There are plenty of places to grab a snack, a drink, or just sit and people watch, and everything feels very walkable and relaxed since it's pedestrian only. The atmosphere is what really makes it special. There's a constant mix of music, laughter, and energy, but it still feels laid back and fun instead of overwhelming. You really get a sense of old St. Augustine history blended with a lively modern vibe. Overall, St. George Street is a must visit if you're in the area. Great for walking, shopping, eating, or just soaking in the scenery. Easy five stars and a place we'd happily come back to again.

This review has been sitting idle for a while but unknown why since this street is 90% why I love…read moreSt Augustine. Pure fun walking along the one mile long pedestrian only corridor with boutique shops, bars, restaurants and deep Florida history lining both sides. Recommend highly to stay at the boutique hotel St George Inn. The street is very busy during the day and most shops close early and at dark the area gets flooded with students from the Flagler College nearby. A few kiosks selling ghost tours through the haunted St Augustine area in a trolly or the walking tour through the old jail. Yes, we got sucked in on two different occassions and slightly boring but not pricey. Located at the North end of the street, take two hours out of your day to visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument but beware the excessive heat in summer time - really cool cannons though. Fun times always on St George Street in St Augustine.

This is one of my favorite parts of St. Augustine, this sea wall definitely has its flood…read moreprotections purpose but it also provides an opportunity for the public to explore the river front safely and presents some great photos of the Lion's Bridge and the Fort as well as the ancient city's beautiful water front. One of the things I love about St. Augustine is the abundance of parking throughout the city so you can always if you are patient find a parking spot close enough to all the sights around the city to explore it's beauty and the sea wall is no exception with the public parking lot just in front of the historic fort. It's also nice to see a number of safe pedestrian crossings along the sea wall walk to access the heart of the city. I rarely visit the city without walking the sea wall...

The Matanzas River lines a portion of the City of Saint Augustine. The Sea Wall helps to protect…read morethe city from countless hurricanes over the centuries. The major threat to St. Augustine has always been water from flooding, the tides or storm surge. The dangers of water were first addressed by the Spanish in 1696. They built a coquina and limestone seawall to protect the settlers and soldiers. The US Army rebuilt the wall from 1837-1846 with coquina and cement (Florida became a state in 1845). It held up well for 160 years. In 2012, with the help of a FEMA flood assistance grant, a new 1,200-foot reinforced concrete seawall was fabricated and finished in 2014. This past year on 7 Oct 16, the new and improved seawall got its first test when the Category 3 Hurricane Matthew hit the Florida coast with a seven-foot storm surge on St. Augustine. Water went over the top of the seawall and caused flooding. The wall was built to withstand a Category 1 hurricane. However, if the wall was not in place, the flooding and damage could have been worse. Like many other locals and tourist...we like to walk on these walls but we never really take into account their full purpose or history. Close to the Marina there are some historical markers and information. It is well worth it to walk down the sidewalk or wall to read this information and take it all in. On a side note, these walls are very pretty to include in your pictures at any time of the day. Enjoy!...It's Free! For more reading: https://www.visitstaugustine.com/history/glimpses/seawall.php http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2015-08-03/st-augustine-seawall-gets-national-recognition

I'm glad I took the tour of this house except I took a giant fright , when I saw this mannequin…read morethat had this weird drape on . The tour guide said there were ghost in this home so my heart was racing , I'm glad I did not feel one or see one . About this oldest home González-Álvarez House Historic house in Florida, United States The González-Álvarez House, also known as The Oldest House, is a historic house museum at 14 St. Francis Street in St. Augustine, Florida. With a construction history dating to about 1723, it is believed to be the oldest surviving house in St. Augustine. It is also an important example of St. Augustine's Spanish colonial architectural style, with later modifications by English owners. It was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1970. The house is now owned by the St. Augustine Historical Society and is open for public tours as part of the Oldest House Museum Complex. Evidence can be seen of the Spanish, British, and American occupations of St. Augustine. The González-Álvarez House is located in a residential area south of downtown St. Augustine, on the north side of St. Francis Street between Charlotte and Marine Streets. It is a two-story structure, its first floor built of coquina and its upper level framed in wood with a clapboarded exterior. It is covered by a hip roof finished with wooden shingles. The building is reflective of multiple periods of alteration and enlargement, during different periods of colonial administration. The land on which this house stands has been occupied since the 17th century, when a building is documented to have been standing here. The present house's earliest period of construction dates to about 1723, when the first floor was built, and it was documented as being occupied by Tomás González y Hernández, an artilleryman at the Castillo de San Marcos, and his family.The design of this house is one that was adopted by Spanish colonial settlers to deal with local living conditions and available building materials. It was built of readily available coquina limestone, with its main thick walls oriented east-west, and has an open covered loggia on the east side. The latter allows prevailing southeasterly winds to cool the structure, while the thick walls provide insulation from hot weather. The interior floors are made of tabby concrete. After the British took over Florida in 1763, the González family left for Cuba. In 1774 the house was purchased by Major Joseph Peavett, an Englishman, who added the wood-frame second story, and put glass windows into openings previously only enclosed by wooden shutters. It was further enlarged by the third owner, Geronimo Alvarez, who added a two-story wing built of coquina. The house was taken over by the St. Augustine Historical Society in 1918, which undertook its restoration to a late 19th-century appearance in 1959-60, reversing a number of intervening alterations. List of families who lived in the oldest house First Spanish period 1625-1763, family of Tomas González y Hernández & María Francisco de Guevara British period and second Spanish period 1775-1790, Joseph Peavett & Maria Evans Second Spanish period and into statehood 1790-1882, Family of Gerónimo Álvarez & Antonia Vens 1882-1918, William B. Duke family (1882-1884), Mary Carver and Dr. Charles P. Carver (1884-1898), James W. Henderson family (1898-1911), George T. Reddington and the South Beach Alligator Farm 1911-1918 1918-present, St. Augustine Historical Society

This is the oldest house in St Augustine It has held up very well for about 400 years with a few…read morerenovations and additions in the early 1700s in Spanish architecture. I was amazed at how well it looks. The garden is beautiful in ornamental style. The Oldest House Museum is located in St. Augustine, Florida in St. Johns County, Florida. It is operated by the St. Augustine Historical Society and includes the González-Alvarez House, the Manucy Museum of local history and the Edwards Gallery. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person for the guided tour and lasts about 1/2 hour.

Aviles Street in St. Augustine is the oldest street in the United States. It dates back to the 16th…read morecentury, around the 1570's. It's also home to some of the city's oldest historical sites and continues to be a vibrant arts district. Galleries are open late during special days. We learned this information when we took an Old Town Trolley tour around St Augustine to learn more about this amazing city and its streets. Aviles Street was originally called Hospital Street because it was the location of the second Spanish Military Hospital Museum, which is open to tourists even now. There are local musicians who perform at the corner of Aviles Street and Artillery Lane. That would be fun to watch! Sidewalk cafes offer food and drinks while visitors enjoy the music. We want to return to this delightful street, which is more quiet than St George Street with less tourists. It is in the beart of historic St Augustine. Do not attempt to drive down this street because it gets very narrow and your vehicle will get scratched up. It is made up of cobblestones so wear comfortable shoes.

We visited Aviles Street in St. Augustine with my wife and kids and it ended up being a really nice…read morelittle break from the busier tourist areas. It's a short brick street, old buildings, small art galleries, and a quiet, relaxed vibe that made it easy to slow down and just walk. The kids liked exploring the little corners and looking into shop windows, and my wife and I enjoyed how peaceful it felt compared to nearby streets.

Some people might think of this venue as a tourist trap. I thought it was very nicely done and…read morequite low key. We were here during what would be off season yet they were running the trolley to the local parking and hotel down the street. Based on what I learned at the park, this is still owned by the same family who started it back in the 1800's.--the Frasers. The cost is up to $22.95 per person with discounts for AAA members and seniors. Childred 6-12 are also half price while children under 5 are free. You get a map with a schedule of events when pass the ticket collector. Once you enter, you're near the Fountain of Youth which drips out of a small pipe with paper cups for drinking. We all tried it and it tastes like typical Florida water. It's not Deer Park. The staff help to recreate what life may have been like back in the 16th and 17th centuries. There's a planetarium which explains the navigation of Ponce De Leon and his crew. There's also a Discovery Globe which is an interesting depiction of a "Disney-esque" version of a miniature earth as it would have been back in the 1500's. There are plenty of peacocks roaming the property and they even have a 25 cent peanut dispenser for feeding the peacocks only. There's a southern bbq restaurant on the premises but we were there too early for lunch. There's a lookout tower next to the cannon demostration which is next to the musket demo. The full experience requires some good walking, but nothing too excessive. There's plenty of parking and overflow lots. No EV charging. They have nice rest rooms and a gift shop with tons of merch.

I had a fantastic visit to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine. This is one…read moreof those places where history, nature, and storytelling all come together in a really engaging way. The park is built around one of the most historically significant sites in the United States the location tied to the early Spanish settlement of St. Augustine in 1565, the oldest continuously occupied European founded city in the country. I especially enjoyed the peaceful waterfront views along the riverwalk and the chance to explore the shaded paths filled with peacocks roaming freely. The exhibits and demonstrations add a fun, educational layer without feeling overly formal.

Hello history buffs...St George Street in the historic district was super busy for the holiday…read moreweekend but still had a fun time seeing all the landmarks in oldest city in America. This city is surely a Yelpers dream and loved finding historic gems to Yelp.

I've been to St. Augustine about 3 or 4 times and as a matter of fact I believe it was while I was…read morein St Augustine attending a friends wedding was when I first started Yelping and received my very first Elite Badge. A little brief history on St Augustine. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, and is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous United States. It's known as the "Ancient City," and serves as the county seat of St. Johns County and is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and rich history. Some of the highlights to see and do are the Castillo de San Marcos a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress that defended the city for centuries and now serves as a major national monument. And if it's shopping you're looking for then the St. George Street area is for you. A pedestrian-only thoroughfare in the historic district featuring over 30 historic houses, shops, and restaurants. And your trip isn't complete until you do the "Nights of Lights" A world-renowned holiday display where the city is illuminated by millions of white lights. Note: this is only during the Christmas holiday season and a few weeks after. I didn't have enough time to see it but the famous St. Augustine light house is something to see. But those steps will test your physical fitness. lol And for all you photogs. Some of the most beautiful Spanish architecture I've seen. You'll wear that shutter button out. Very popular city but packed in the summer so plan accordingly.

What a fascinating look at the history of Florida's educational system haha!…read more It's the old original schoolhouse that was built in the 1700s. It's amazing to see! I'm impressed it's held up so long! The tour guide gave us a bit of history on the building and what a class would look like in that time period. It's honestly a must see! I love old buildings and architecture, so this definitely made me geek out!

We visited the oldest school house today on a class field trip. The employee told us about what…read morelife was like for kids who attended the school house years ago in the outside courtyard. We got an inside tour also. The kids got to write their names in ink and a feather quill on an attendance sheet. The kids also got to play with old timey toys and ring the outside school bell. It was a fun tour and the kids enjoyed it.