St. Augustine Brings America's Spanish Heritage To Life - Florida
The history and growth of North America can be written from many different perspectives. One aspect of that history which is often forgotten is Spain's conquest and settlement of Florida which lasted almost 300 years and ended in 1821 when Spain ceded control of the entire Florida peninsula and the panhandle to the young United States of America. The modern city of St. Augustine along with Tallahassee were the most prominent centers of Spanish influence during these years.
Today, St. Augustine is a bustling community with much to offer to visitors seeking a three or four day trip to a place with historic sites, family attractions, shopping and dining opportunities, and miles of Atlantic Coast beaches nearby. It ranks with Charleston and Savannah as one of the more interesting places to visit in the Southeast drawing more than 5 million visitors annually. Most tourist attractions in the city are located in several historic districts of the old town, close to the Matanzas River. The layout of the city is conducive to walking to most places, but some visitors get oriented to the area by starting with an Old Town trolley tour, a horse-drawn carriage ride, or a scenic river cruise. All three of these tours run along the Avenida Menendez on the waterfront.
Once you have settled in, here are just some of the things to do during a visit to St. Augustine:
Spanish Heritage Sites- During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Spanish settlers of St. Augustine fought off incursions and attacks by a wide range of adversaries including French garrisons, hostile Indian tribes, English privateers like Sir Francis Drake, and Caribbean pirates. After several burnings of the town, the Spanish Crown decided that the best way to defend its Florida territories was to build a sturdy fort to protect the town and surrounding areas. The Castillo de San Marcos, a 20 acre fort constructed out of stone and local Shell Rock known as coquina on the harbor and surrounded by defensive earthworks, was completed in 1692. It's sturdy walls survive several bombardments and sieges by the British, and allowed the town to rebuild and prosper. Today, the fort is a popular destination for history buffs and families who enjoy hearing stories of past battles and taking in the views of the area from the high walls and canon in placements.
Another impressive place to visit is the Fountain of Youth Park and museum. This complex displays a variety of exhibits explaining the extensive exploration of Florida West Coast he conducted during the 1500s seeking treasure and the fountain of youth. It includes a spring house where both young and old can enjoy the Cool Waters in fantasize of eternal health. These aren't the only activities at the museum. There are exhibits showing a replica of the watchtower, church, blacksmith shop and military outposts of the early settlers as well as a recreation of the Timucua Indian village. A huge globe dating back to the 1960s is also presented as a backdrop for the presentation about the more than 100 settlements the Spanish established in North Central and South America prior to the arrival of the pilgrims. The location of the Ponce de Leon Park right along the bay make it a pleasant place to spend an afternoon.
Pirates and Ghosts - There are numerous attractions in museums located in St. Augustine which seat to entertain visitors based on pirate, ghost, or horror themes. These include places such as the pirates and treasure museum dedicated to the Golden age of piracy and its relics, the old jail, ghost tours of St Augustine, the black raven pirate ship cruise, a ghost and gravestones tour, and even a medieval torture museum. Teenagers may enjoy some of these activities more than the town's impressive history as America's first colony.
Heritage Buildings- St. Augustine also has impressive architecture dating back to the gilded age. Henry Flagler, a wealthy industrialist and investor, constructed several huge buildings in the downtown during the late 19th century with an unique Victorian, Moroccan and Spanish design. For several generations, the hotel Ponce de Leon, Hotel Alcazar, the Memorial Church, and the Bridge of Lions, and the surroundings attracted seasonal visitors from around the country to the city. Today, these structures continue to shine as part of Flagler colleges dormitories, the elegant Casa Monica hotel, and the Lightner Museum, which displays of 19th century art.
Dining and Shopping - The Old Town areas of St. Augustine along Avenida Menendez, Charlotte Street, St George Street and their crossroads are packed with restaurants, shops, clothing stores, and galleries. Most areas have cobblestone surface and are closed to vehicles or one way streets so visitors on foot is a pleasant way to relax or die. When it comes to food, there are wide range of choices ranging from Cuban fair or local seafood to wine bars or pizza or coffee shops and ice cream.
St. Augustine Beaches - Not far from the downtown and the harbor areas of the city along route A1A South and A1A North why seaside communities of Anastasia Island or Vilano beach. The St Augustine Beach is extend for miles in each direction and feature wide, hard pack sand fronting on the Atlantic Ocean. There are wide range of public beaches and a state park available for day trippers along with everything from brand name hotels to Beach motels and rental cottages for those seeking an extended visit. The usual amenities such as charter fishing, party boats, para sailing and miniature golf make this a relaxing combination along with the attractions offered in the nearby City.
When to Go - St. Augustine has a semi tropical climate with hot summers, ideal weather in the spring and late fall, and cool weather which sporadic rain during the winter. The city and beachfront rarely get a direct hit from hurricanes. We visited the city during early spring and found it to be quite comfortable for walking around town during the day or evening.
How to Get Here - Many airlines fly direct into Jacksonville including Jet Blue and Delta. Orlando's international airport is only a short 75 minute drive as well and has flights to destinations nationwide. Driving to St. Augustine is easy since it is located off Interstate 95 and Route 1.
Where to Stay - In selecting a place to stay in St. Augustine, a location near the Old Town is preferable. There are many locally owned motels and hotels there for any budget. One worth considering is the historic Casa Monica Hotel, a unique property with spa facilities and fine dining. Alternatively, the Hilton Waterfront Inn on Avenida Menendez provides moderately priced rooms in a central location with a pool, restaurant and business center. Finally, the Bayfront Inn and the Marion Motor Lodge are fine provide reasonable lodging.