20 Best Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida (2024)

From beach activities to shopping to exploring more than 450 years of history, there's no shortage of things to do in St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the U.S. This coastal city is one of Florida's most charming travel destinations, packed with beautiful architecture, splendid nature, and a robust restaurant and bar scene.

If there’s anyone who knows St. Augustine, it’s Barbara Golden, the communications manager for the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, and native Floridian Mandy Mizell. “I first visited St. Augustine on my fourth-grade field trip — a Floridian rite of passage — and fell in love,” Mizell says. She later attended Flagler College and started the Florida travel blog The Flohemian, where she chronicles her travels around St. Augustine and beyond. Serving as your unofficial tour guides, here's what Golden and Mizell point to as the best things to do in the nation's oldest city.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

Tour Old Town by trolley.

It may be touristy, but taking a ride on the Old Town Trolley is an easy way to tick off the sights of St. Augustine. You'll hear historical tidbits about the 16th-century city as you go. 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. "There’s also a connection to the Beach Bus, so you can easily navigate the area without a car.”

Relax at the beach.

While the main appeal of St. Augustine is certainly its winding cobblestone streets and centuries-old Spanish colonial architecture, its beaches are also worth a visit. Nearby St. Augustine Beach is a popular choice, but the white sands of tranquil Crescent Beach and breezy Butler Beach are perfect places to unwind and get away from the crowds.

Explore a 17th-century fortress.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a Spanish stone fortress that was built in 1695 and offers unbeatable views of St. Augustine Inlet from its ramparts. “I love to imagine what it was like living here in the 1600s, being on watch for approaching pirates or British invaders," Golden says. 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.

Mizell recommends visiting after sundown, explaining that "the fort has a special energy at night." Although you can't enter the monument after hours, you can walk around the grounds anytime for free. "The entire fort is illuminated, making for some fun night photos with palm tree shadows in the background," Mizell says. "You’ll also overhear haunted tales as ghost tours pass through the area. 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.

For a bird's-eye perspective, head to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. The 219-step climb to the observation deck will reward you with an expansive view of the city and ocean from a height of 165 feet. “I also like touring the grounds to see the wooden boatworks and the local volunteers working to build authentic replica vessels," Golden says. "My favorite part is entering the archaeology lab to observe maritime archeologists working to identify and restore some of the treasures they find on wrecks off our coast — most hundreds of years old.”

Stroll Magnolia Avenue.

Contrary to what its name suggests, Magnolia Avenue is lined not with blooming magnolias but with the second-most Southern of trees. “This scenic street is shaded by live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and it's one of the most photographed streets in America,” Mizell says. “It also has a great photo opportunity in front of the Fountain of Youth sign.” The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park on Magnolia Avenue is where the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León discovered the spring he thought would bring eternal youth. Directly across the street, grab a freshly squeezed lemonade from The Fountain of Juice to enjoy as you walk.

Cool down with a gourmet popsicle.

Florida can get hot — very hot — so stop by The Hyppo for a popsicle. These aren't your average ice pops; they're inspired by Mexican paletas and made with local, in-season produce and herbs. Flavor combinations include cucumber lemon mint, blackberry jasmine, pineapple ginger, and (this writer’s favorite) mango mojito. The company is named for the patron saint of Saint Augustine — the city was discovered on the day of the Feast of Saint Augustine of Hippo — and it has two downtown locations on Charlotte Street and Saint George Street.

Get spooked on a ghost tour.

It’s another touristy itinerary item, but ghost tours in St. Augustine are popular for a good reason. From the Ghosts & Gravestones excursion aboard Old Town Trolley Tours’ signature ghoulish streetcar to lantern-lit walking tours with Ghost Tours of St. Augustine, there are many to choose from, some spookier than others. Expect to end the night fully freaked out after hearing tales of St. Augustine’s dark past and the hauntings that continue today.

Have a drink at the St. Augustine Distillery and Ice Plant Bar.

With its upstairs Ice Plant Bar, the St. Augustine Distillery is 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. In the bar, the co*cktails are served with different types of ice, an homage to the building's history. There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase booze and non-alcoholic treats that are often created in collaboration with other local businesses.

Dine at The Floridian Restaurant.

For full-fledged, Florida-style Southern food, chow down at The Floridian Restaurant on Spanish Street. "This farm-to-table restaurant is adorned with quirky Florida decor, such as vintage rattan, alligator heads, and Florida kitsch,” Mizell says. Dishes made with local ingredients "pay homage to all the flavors that influence St. Augustine." Expect upscale Southern classics like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken.

Plan a wintertime visit to experience Nights of Lights.

There’s no bad time of year to visit St. Augustine, but some visitors make annual pilgrimages from mid-November to the end of January to witness Nights of Lights, one of the top holiday light displays in the world. Decked in millions of tiny white lights, the city glows with a warm and festive atmosphere that’s breathtaking to see, and the spectacle is completely free to enjoy.

Watch a show at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.

Located on Anastasia Island, the outdoor St. Augustine Amphitheatre, which seats more than 4,000 people, is a great place to catch some of your favorite acts. Mizell also recommends going on a Saturday morning, when you can browse a farmers market full of local vendors selling produce, art, and prepared foods. “There’s always live music, and it gives you a real glimpse of the local life and flavors of St. Augustine,” Mizell says. “Oftentimes there’s a featured local artist or author that you can chat with and learn lore about the oldest city.”

Zip line over crocodiles.

Alligators and Florida go together like beaches and sunshine, and the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park is a great place for an up-close (but safe) encounter, plus educational programming. “My favorite experience is the Crocodile Crossing, a zip line and ropes course over the crocs and gators,” Golden says. “It’s a workout and a fun way to see the park’s inhabitants.” Another favorite is the rookery, where hundreds of wading birds nest each year between February and August. “The sight is amazing,” she adds. “If you love birding, this is the spot — roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons of all kinds, and more can be seen here.”

Try local chocolate.

If you have a sweet tooth, Golden recommends taking a tour of the Whetstone Chocolates factory. “Free samples come with this tour that tells the story of chocolate (one of my favorite things in life), including the Spaniards introducing it to the rest of the world, how artisan chocolates are made, and the right way to eat fine chocolate."

Take a scenic drive.

Hit the road for a 72-mile coastal drive along the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway from Ponte Vedra Beach to Flagler Beach. “I like to pack a picnic and head down to the spectacular beaches at Matanzas Inlet, then take the ferry over to our other fort, Fort Matanzas,” Golden says. “Paddle the inland waters with Ripple Effect EcoTours to see dolphins and other native animals in their natural habitat, followed by a visit to Marineland Dolphin Adventure to take a deeper dive into the aquatic life here.”

Get out on the water.

Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing are great ways to get another perspective on St. Augustine. “I feel safest with minimal boat traffic, paddling in front of the Castillo de San Marcos, on Salt Run, or at Matanzas Inlet,” Golden says. She also recommends sailing charters for all the salty fun with none of the work. “One of my favorites is St. Augustine Sailing for a sunset sail — makes me feel like I am in a Christopher Cross song." You can opt for brunch on the water or a dinner cruise with a private chef.

Visit Ponte Vedra Beach.

Between St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra is the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, better known as the GTM Reserve. It's where Ponce de León reached the mainland U.S. on April 2, 1513, then claimed all of Florida for Spain. "There’s even a statue of Ponce de León at the north beach parking area," according to Golden. "The sand dunes here tower over the coquina beaches; in fact, they are 40 feet high in some places — the highest dunes in Florida. It’s also a great place to hunt for fossilized shark’s teeth.”

See glowing comb jellies on a nighttime kayaking tour.

One of Golden's favorite activities at the GTM Reserve is admiring the bioluminescent comb jellies on a Geo Trippin night paddle. "It’s like magic to see the sparkles that light up around your paddle in the water, and your guide will explain the existence of this natural phenomenon since the beginning of man and its importance to our environment. Unlike other places where biolumes are a seasonal occurrence, they are present year-round on Guana Lake," she says.

Book a food tour.

The food scene in St. Augustine is wonderfully diverse, with eateries dedicated not only to the latest food trends but also to showcasing locals’ culinary heritage. You might notice Greek, Menorcan, and Latin influences intermingling with down-home Southern cooking. “It’s hard to eat at all the great restaurants here, so I like to taste a few at a time on one of our city’s food tours,” Golden says. “They change featured restaurants (usually three to four on each tour) and the chef or a manager comes to the table to talk about what’s so special at their restaurant.”

Groove at Colonial Oak Music Park.

According to Mizell, one of the hidden treasures of historic St. George Street is Colonial Oak Music Park, where you can “listen to live local music under a 300-year-old oak tree streamed with lantern lights.” The one-of-a-kind venue also has improv comedy nights, where you can sit back and enjoy a laugh or become part of the show as an audience volunteer. “In September, the Colonial Oak hosts artists during St. Augustine’s annual Sing Out Loud Festival and features national music acts,” she says. “The best news is that most events have free admission, so you can pop in for a song or hang out for the whole evening.”

Visit Anastasia State Park.

Located less than 10 minutes by car from historic downtown St. Augustine, the serene Anastasia State Park offers 1,600 acres of dune-dotted beaches where visitors can swim, fish, canoe, kayak, hike, and even camp. The park also has a full calendar of events, which includes guided paddle adventures, bird walks, hikes and coffee sessions with park rangers. It’s a vacation within a vacation, just a short drive away.