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.

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.

It is so beautiful and amazing history and fun experience for all ages and I learn so much history…read moreand culture it is remarkable and fun and incredible i love it so much and absolutely amazing perfect for schools and community thank you so much for everything i appreciate it so much devotion to determination and education! Hugs From Lauren

This was such a fascinating place to tour. You have to make a reservation to tour and the time is…read morevery limited. The history about how this castle came to be is a story worth hearing. I loved hearing about the engineering design.

Just about 10 minutes north outside of historic St. Augustine is a unique castle that sits back…read morefrom the main road among trees and hedges. Sadly, the owner and creator of Castle Otttis, Kendle Icke, passed away in July 2023. However, his son, who lives on the property does conduct tours for small groups of people who have reservations. His tours are very interesting with information on how the castle came to be. Apparently, Mr. Icke had a couple of dreams about a castle in great detail, which he shared with a builder friend of his. The friend encouraged him to build it and agreed to help him. They were able to get donated building materials to work with. Mr. Icke built the castle in the image of old castles in Ireland and dedicated it to his wife. Castle Ottis was built between 1984-1988. The Ickes also had a home on the property to the left of the castle. We took the tour with a small group of people, which worked out very well. There are 3 levels if you count the rooftop, where you will see gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean. This is a castle based on 1000 year old Irish castles. The tour is free but donations will be greatly appreciated. A must see if you are in St. Augustine. It is a magical experience. There are special events held at the castle, like weddings or anniversaries. It is also great for photography opportunities. This is a one of a kind opportunity. Please note that Castle Otttis does not have handicapped accessibility. Parking is available on the property for the guests. You are allowed to take pictures inside the castle.

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.

Came to the fountain of youth on a whim. It looked fun, and was on plenty of YouTube videos, so we…read moredecided to try it out for ourselves. The admission prices: 22.95 for adults, seniors 20.95, children 6-12 9.95, and children under 6 are free. They do offer military discounts which was nice. The parking looks like it could be hectic, but on a Friday afternoon we found a spot easily. We parked, and entered paying the admission. Once you walk in there is a great place to take a selfie, and possibly see peacock's. We walked in, to the building where the fountain is, and saw some cool replicas, and were able to cool off from the Sept heat. We decided to try the water, it was said to be safe to drink. There is cups next to the fountain, and we took turns. The water is heavy with sulfur odor, didn't taste the greatest but definitely cool to say you did. After that you walk around the park, going to see different things, monuments, and different buildings where employees dressed in period attire show different aspects of 16th century life. There is a blacksmith, cannon displays and a few other shows. You can climb one of the observation towers and look over the inlet. You can also walk along the water front, on a board walk. The peacocks roam freely, and were spotted all along the trail at different spots. The gift shop was pretty nice, with friendly staff. The BBQ joint on sight looked good, we ordered ice cream to cool down. Overall nice place to visit, and to check out.

Visited the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park this weekend and honestly found it pretty…read moreunderwhelming overall. I went in expecting something a bit more magical or historically immersive, but it felt very tourist-driven and a little overhyped--especially the fountain itself, which is basically a man-made setup that didn't really live up to expectations. That said, the park itself is actually beautiful from a nature standpoint. The grounds are peaceful, shaded, and really nice to walk through, and I enjoyed just exploring the outdoor areas more than the main attraction. We did the Old Town trolley in St. Augustine earlier in the day, which was a blast and honestly set the bar pretty high for the rest of the weekend. Compared to that, the Fountain of Youth just didn't feel worth the ticket price for what you get. If you're already in St. Augustine and love history or scenic walks, it might be worth a quick stop--but I wouldn't call it a must-see.

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.

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.

This is where I had my wedding reception, and I loved everything about it. This historic home is…read morelocated downtown St. Augustine, right across from the water. The owner renovated the inside so that it's got modern amenities and sleeps six people comfortably. The first time we visited the place, it was like an awakening. It was the PERFECT place for my husband and I to get have our wedding. Of course, we had 85 guests, so the ceremony had to be elsewhere, but this was perfect for the reception. It was the perfect size for everyone to move around freely and still have a small dance floor. Also the price is crazy good. You will NOT find a more reasonable deal in town. Bring in your own vendors and you can create a fabulous wedding on a modest budget. I'm not just saying that because I am the proud bride. I'm saying it because it's a recession and fabulous doesn't normally come cheap. And I don't throw the word FABULOUS around breezily. I'm deadly serious. Anyway, you get the place in all it's charm for three days and two nights. Then you can rent it for an extra day for a good price. And really, you just have to get rid of your trash because they clean and do laundry for you. How is that not perfect? Go there because it made my very special day amazing.

The Sanchez House is a romantic venue that we rented for our St. Augustine wedding this past…read moreJanuary. When originally searching for a wedding venue we had a few must-haves, which included a location with historical character, in driving distance from Orlando, and located in a town where out-of-state visitors could enjoy exploring. And so we focused in on St. Augustine. I had a good gut instinct about the Sanchez House from the moment I discovered them online, and I must shamelessly admit that I stalked the websites of every couple who had their wedding at the Sanchez House. We quickly booked a visit to the Sanchez House, because they are only able to hold 12 weddings a year due to being zoned in a residential area. We met with the owner, Blake, who shared with us the history of the home, gave tips from other weddings held on the premise, and shared some of his favorite vendors. When we experienced the venue in person, we fell even more in love with the charm that was evident around every corner of the house! The SH offers a brick courtyard, artificial turf front lawn, large gathering room, dining room, kitchen, office, two bedrooms, small one-car garage, and an attic. Not only can you hold your wedding events at the house, but you are able to stay there, as well. This allowed us and our bridal party, 6 in total, to stay at the house. So convenient! After booking the Sanchez House, we decided to extend our celebration into an entire weekend. Our events spanned from 50 to 90 guests, and SH accommodates them comfortably. The house is in an excellent location by the bay and walking distance to historic St. George Street. At the SH, we were able to select our own vendors. We held our ceremony in the courtyard which transformed to the dance floor. The front lawn was donned with a heated tent and tables on the coldest Florida winter day. It even snowed lightly! Guests had the chance to mingle throughout the house in the dining room, gathering room, and balcony. I would note that the parking around the SH can be challenging, but we gave plenty of parking options for guests through our wedding website and social media, and suggested our guests to stay at one of the nearby hotels or bed & breakfasts. I highly recommend the Sanchez House for any couple looking for an intimate St. Augustine venue!

Went for the 4th of July weekend and even though it was hot (bring a hat) the loading time was…read morequick and the ferry took less than 12 minutes to the destination. This is a must-visit after the San Marco Fort as how this is connected to the Spanish defense layout against the British. Also, don't forget to tip the guides at the end. There is a box before leaving the ferry.

This attraction is so cool in that it's completely free! My family and I were trying to find…read morefree/cheap things to do when we were visiting St. Augustine so when my brother found this fort with a free ferry ride, we couldn't pass it up. When we went, we had just missed the earliest time to when the ferry took off, so we had a wait for almost 2 hours for the first next time slot with room on the boat to take us across to the fort. The nearby beaches were a godsend in that aspect since we easily walked a few minutes to a beach down the road and killed time then. The actual tour itself was really nice. The ferry was nice and slow and there was plenty of room on board for the group we were with. The guy driving the boat and the actual tour guide himself were super friendly. The fort itself was really cool. We were impressed that we were able to go up to the very top for free! The ladder up to the third level was really cool. Definitely check this out if you're in the area.