Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, and native Floridian Mandy Mizell.
Top 5 Cant Miss
Tour Old Town by trolley.
You’ll hear historical tidbits about the 16th-century city as you go.
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Mizell even recommends it as a way to sip your way around town without worrying about a designated driver.
“Most of the local distilleries, wineries, and breweries offer free tastings,” she says.
Relax at the beach.
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Explore a 17th-century fortress.
Nowadays, you’re likely to spot dolphins and kayakers in the water.
There are usually National Park Service rangers and reenactors around telling stories about the fortress.
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Mizell recommends visiting after sundown, explaining that “the fort has a special energy at night.”
Although you could’t enter the monument after hours, you could walk around the grounds anytime for free.
“Youll also overhear haunted tales as ghost tours pass through the area.
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Sit on the wall during a full moon and watch boats cruise along the Matanzas River.
Climb to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
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For a bird’s-eye perspective, head to theSt.
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Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.
Stroll Magnolia Avenue.
Directly across the street, grab a freshly squeezed lemonade fromThe Fountain of Juiceto enjoy as you walk.
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Cool down with a gourmet popsicle.
Courtesy of Hyppo Ice Pops
Florida can get hot very hot so stop byThe Hyppofor a popsicle.
Get spooked on a ghost tour.
Courtesy of Hyppo Ice Pops
Its another touristy itinerary item, but ghost tours in St. Augustine are popular for a good reason.
Have a drink at the St. Augustine Distillery and Ice Plant Bar.
Courtesy of St. Augustine Distillery
With its upstairsIce Plant Bar, theSt.
Courtesy of St. Augustine Distillery
Augustine Distilleryis a two-for-one stop.
No visit to the oldest city is complete without embracing its true spirits, Mizell says.
The distillery, housed in an early-1900s ice factory, offers free tours and tastings daily.
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Dine at The Floridian Restaurant.
For full-fledged, Florida-style Southern food, chow down atThe Floridian Restauranton Spanish Street.
Dishes made with local ingredients “pay homage to all the flavors that influence St. Expect upscale Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken.
Courtesy of The Alligator Farm
Plan a wintertime visit to experience Nights of Lights.
Watch a show at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.
Located on Anastasia Island, the outdoorSt.
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Zip line over crocodiles.
Courtesy of The Alligator Farm
Alligators and Florida go together like beaches and sunshine, and theSt.
Its a workout and a fun way to see the parks inhabitants.
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Another favorite is the rookery, where hundreds of wading birds nest each year between February and August.
The sight is amazing, she adds.
Try local chocolate.
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If you have a sweet tooth, Golden recommends taking a tour ofthe Whetstone Chocolates factory.
Take a scenic drive.
Get out on the water.
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Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are great ways to get another perspective on St. Augustine.
She also recommends sailing charters for all the salty fun with none of the work.
One of my favorites isSt.
Augustine Sailingfor a sunset sail makes me feel like I am in a Christopher Cross song.”
Visit Ponte Vedra Beach.
Its also a great place to hunt for fossilized sharks teeth.
See glowing comb jellies on a nighttime kayaking tour.
Book a food tour.
You might notice Greek, Menorcan, and Latin influences intermingling with down-home Southern cooking.
Groove at Colonial Oak Music Park.
Visit Anastasia State Park.
Its a vacation within a vacation, just a short drive away.
