Europe in America: Saint Augustine, Florida

The Oldest Continuously Inhabited European Settlement in the USA

St. Augustine, Florida, was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers. The historic district, which lies in the heart of the city, includes buildings that date back to the 1700s. A few of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial architecture are the Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine, the Prince Murat House, and the Father Miguel O’Reilly House. St. Augustine is a history lover’s paradise— founded by Spain, ceded to Great Britain, and finally acquired by the United States in 1821. In the late 1800’s Henry Flagler added train service to the city and built the 450-room Hotel Ponce de Leon Hotel and the 250-room Hotel Alcazar to attract wealthy tourists to the area. There are few places in the United States that have luxury hotels, outdoor recreation, world class museums, a great culinary scene, galleries, and boutiques without losing its cultural heritage and roots— St. Augustine is one of them!!

Outdoor Attractions

– Explore two National Monuments operated by the National Park Service: Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Mantanzas. Self-guided tours with historical demonstrations and interpretive opportunities are available throughout the day. Castillo de San Marcos, built by the Spanish Empire, is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Fort Mantanzas, which requires a ferry ride to visit, dates to 1742 and is a preserved fortified coquina watchtower that defended the Spanish settlement of St. Augustine.

– Colonial Quarter is a living history museum that brings guests through three centuries of history, starting with the initial Spanish military settlement of the nation’s oldest city. Take the popular Historic Adventure Tour with a resident of Colonial Quarter St. Augustine and journey through interactive exhibits with your local guide.

– The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park offers a chance to learn about the first Spanish Settlers and visit an active archeological site at the same time. While visiting the 15-acre waterfront attraction, have a drink from the fountain of youth and experience the sights and sounds of a real cannon demonstration.

Historic Attractions

– The old city district contains preserved and restored buildings that are now museums with significant collections and artifacts. A few of the historically important and must-see museums are the Oldest House Museum Complex, Father Miguel O’Reilly House Museum, and Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. The museums offer guided tours and showcase life in St. Augustine while it was occupied by the Spanish, British and Americans.

– The Villa Zorayda Museum has a Victorian-era collection from around the world. Tours are available and cover both the building’s architecture, modeled after the Alhambra Palace in Granada Spain, as well as the extensive collection of artifacts. One of the rarest pieces is a 2,400-year-old “Sacred Cat Rug” made from the hairs of ancient cats that roamed the Nile River.

– A visit to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum brings you back to Ponce de Leon’s first sighting of Florida in 1513 through exhibits and live demonstrations. Climb up the 219 steps for a view from atop the Lighthouse.

The Historic District

– A walk down St. George Street will evoke the Spanish culture and is also where you will find many of the attractions, restaurants, shops, and hotels. Enter Aviles Street by walking under the stone archway to see the oldest street in America. It’s easy to explore the area at your own pace, going between historic museums and unique shops and stopping for meals. Choose a hotel in the historic area, allowing for some after-hours sightseeing and great photo opportunities without having to worry about parking meters and garages.

– A historic walking tour or ghost tour is a good way to familiarize yourself with someplace new before exploring on your own. We recommend the Conquistatour of St. Augustine historic walking tour, but there are also pub crawls, food tours, and evening light tours. Ghost tours are always entertaining with great stories from the past, stopping at dark corners and cemeteries that you might just walk past on your own.

– Take a tour of Henry Flagler’s Ponce de Leon Hotel, one of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Built in 1888, the former hotel is now owned by Flagler College. A few of the tour highlights include the grand lobby with a 68-foot domed ceiling supported by eight ornate oak caryatids, and the student dining room where 79 Louis Comfort Tiffany Stained Glass windows and hand-painted murals adorn the walls and ceiling.

Outdoor Recreation

– St. Augustine Beach, located on Anastasia Island, is just five miles away across the Bridge of Lions. Spend a day enjoying the white sand beaches, and when you need a break, stroll along Beach Boulevard for a wide variety of restaurants and local shops.

– Just two miles from downtown is the protected bird sanctuary, Anastasia State Recreation Park. The park contains over 1,600 acres and miles of nature trails and sandy beaches. Explore the Ancient Dunes Nature Trail or rent a canoe or kayak to view the local wildlife while paddling.