Itineraries for Your Trip to St Augustine
3 Days in St Augustine for First Timers
St. Augustine was founded in 1565, but this historic city, ironically, never gets old. I’ve visited countless times over the last decade. One of things I like most about St. Augustine is that the city is a four-season destination. Ghost tours and the Nights of Lights fill the colder months with chilly fun. Bar-hopping, shopping further brighten days spent under the sun. And, uncovering city secrets—both old and new—enriches a visit no matter what time of year.
If this is your first time visiting the “first city” in the United States, all you’ll need to fall in love with St. Augustine is this 3-day itinerary.
The sun is hot, but the coastal breeze may warrant a jacket, especially in the colder months.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
See St. Augustine from the eyes of the pirates who plundered the Spanish settlement. The Ancient City is exceptionally walkable, so lace up your shoes and join a sightseeing tour to explore more than 300 years of history at key sites, from the Huguenot Cemetery to the Lightner Museum.
If you blaze your own trail, use St. George Street as your starting point. This pedestrian throughway keeps sites like the Pirate and Treasure Museum and Oldest Wooden School House within reach. The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley also offers easy access and can be a treat for sore feet.
Cross the Bridge of Lions and take a tour of the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. This striped structure is an excellent selfie backdrop, and the top of this 150-year-old lighthouse boasts views of the Florida coast. Consider taking a scenic boat ride tour to get a different view of the lighthouse, as well as the city’s other popular landmarks.
No one will fault you for spending the rest of the day on the beach or kayaking along the Matanzas River. However, those desiring a wilder experience should meet the residents of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.
With a solid understanding of just how much St. Augustine has to offer in such a compact space, use the Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley to check out attractions like diving into Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park or touring the Old Jail Museum.
Of course, no visit to St. Augustine is complete without learning about its haunted history. A Ghostly Encounter is a family-friendly tour that is as educational as it is spooky. Stroll through soul-filled sites then end your visit with a bite or brew at White Lion (genuinely one of my favorite pubs on the planet).
