Florida may be a haven for retirees but they aren’t responsible for Saint Augustin’s nicknames of “old town” or “ancient town”. Locals affectionately refer to their small town like so because this quaint site of historical importance is the oldest, continuously inhabited community established by Europeans in North America.

Some things just keep getting better with age and Saint Augustine is one of them. More than two hundred years older than the United States of America, Saint Augustine has retained its small town feel and is a wonderful, welcoming little place to visit and explore.

Attractions in Saint Augustine, Florida

A must on everyone’s list of things to do in Saint Augustine should be a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos. These seventeenth century fortifications protected the town until 1924 when they were give national monument status. Built by the Spanish and used by the British and the United Sates of America, the fort has been maintained over the centuries and is in excellent shape. It’s open to the public and visitors to the fort can tour the grounds, view various artifacts, and witness historical reenactments and weapons demonstrations.

In keeping with the degree to which history places a role in Saint Augustine, there are several museums that can be visited. For folks who can’t make it to the Castillo de San Marcs or who just can’t get enough of colonial history, the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum will fit the bill. Instead of dusty cases filled with old, interesting objects, this is a living museum where actors in eighteenth century dress demonstrate and explain what it was like to live in an outpost of the Spanish Empire.

Two other museums in Saint Augustine that showcase a far more eccentric array of items are the Lightner Museum and the Ripley’s Museum. Both display eclectic collections and holdings but the Lightner wins the “bizarre and unique award with its shrunken head, mummy, stained glass, cigars, and stuffed lion.

Outdoor Activities

Golfers will enjoy the more than 50 courses in and around town and even non-golfers will have fun taking lessons at the Saint John’s golf course. After quality time on the greens, the World Golf Village can be visited to learn about and aspire to be like esteemed members of the golf hall of fame.

Boat enthusiasts will also have plenty to do in and around Saint Augustine and one doesn’t need to sail into town to enjoy the marinas and waterways in the area. Kayaks and boats can be rented to view dolphins and spend a relaxing day on the water, or cruises and boat tours can be taken for a romantic end to a fun-filled day.

Ponce de Leon came to Saint Augustine looking for the fountain of youth and although he never found it, modern day visitors to Saint Augustine can see it on the northeastern edge of town. Although they won’t become younger (and won’t even see a fountain), they will learn about the first mission to Saint Augustine and see artifacts of this and Native Americans at this archeological park located off the beaten path.

Hotels in Saint Augustine, Florida

Saint Augustine, Florida has around one hundred choices for lodging. The fact that so many hotels are found in this small town with a population of only 12,000 reflects the popularity of this destination. The budget-minded traveler to Saint Augustine could stay at the Quality Inn ($64-$87), visitors with moderate budgets may enjoy the Fairfield Inn and Suites ($76-$110), and tourists in search of more luxurious settings could stay at the BayFront Inn ($140-$220).

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Saint Augustine, Florida.

(Photo:iStockPhoto/roc8jas)