Beautiful place - two buildings full of Fun, Art, activities for kids.... We went to the…read moreplanetarium- Great presentation- on the ceiling makes you feel like you're in space! The two train coaches- with the scene set up to show you life on a luxurious train from decade ago. The race cars and luxury cars- light blue Lincoln Continental was awesome

I visited MOAS for a first date, and the value was absolutely on point. For everything included, I…read moreleft feeling impressed and genuinely satisfied. The woman at the entrance was kind and helpful, though she spoke so softly my ADHD brain had to lean in like a detective--but her directions were spot on. Inside the main building, the art from Cuba was the star for me--bold, vibrant, full of life. Some of my absolute favorites were in the Cuban art section--each piece felt like it was humming with its own frequency. The geometric painting (the one drenched in deep reds, burnt oranges, and that sharp black hourglass shape) hit me first. It's bold, mathematical, yet somehow spiritual--like a coded message meant for anyone perceptive enough to catch it. Very "guardian-spirit-meets-mid-century-modern." I stood there longer than I expected. The giant ancient sloth? Unreal. I wish they'd place a modern-day sloth beside it, just so my brain could process the scale without glitching. The bug/kids section was unexpectedly adorable. The kids were living their best lives, and honestly, I was right there with them--zero shame. I did drive over to the second building for the "It's a Ship Show" exhibit, and okay... I see what they did with the title. At first glance I read it as "It's a Sht* Show," and for a split second I thought MOAS got sassy. The artwork leaned heavily into still life, and to me it felt more like pieces you'd find in an upscale lounge, a refined boutique hotel, or a polished restaurant--visually pleasing but not as emotionally stirring as the main gallery. Just my personal taste. I could've spent more time wandering around, but I was on a first date with someone who kept making me laugh. I felt like the loud kid in class trying to stay quiet in a museum. Overall, great value, memorable art, and a surprisingly fun atmosphere. I'd definitely go again--preferably when I'm not giggling through every exhibit.

Add the Lightner Museum as a stop when visiting St. Augustine! The museum is located in the heart…read moreof the city in what use to be the Alcazar Hotel, a Gilded Age Resort. The building architecture and the gardens are beautiful. There were many collections to peruse, which were housed on 3 levels. It took us about two hours to make our way through, but you could easily spend 3 if you take your time and read everything. The floors all have a front and rear. The best suggestion we were given is to start on the 3rd floor an make our way down. The staff on hand were friendly and readily available to answer any of your questions. You can make a reservation for lunch at the Cafe, which is located on the lower level of what was once a pool.

Love coming here! The history of the museum is fascinating and the exhibits are amazing! If you…read morelove art this is a place you'll not want to miss! You might even want to continue to support them by becoming a member. TIP: You can become a member of the museum for as little as $50. per year. Membership supports everything they do at the museum, from exciting new exhibitions and engaging programs, to the preservation of their historic building and collections. According to their website, every membership to the Lightner Museum includes: * Unlimited free admission to the museum's permanent galleries and exhibitions for a full year * Invitations to Members-only previews of special exhibitions * Discounts on select events and programs There are many more perks and additional levels of membership. For additional information and to purchase memberships online, go to lightnermuseum.org Support your local arts.

The gardens were amazing and so was all the art work. Free admission, donations appreciated. It's…read morevery small but still a ton to see! Would recommend to anyone with an hour or two to stop by and enjoy.

This is a small garden that we happened upon while we were out walking. We didn't explore any…read morebuildings...just walked the paths. There's a pond close to the entrance with a lot of turtles. Fun to watch.

Cafe is managed by The Chef's Garden catering and they serve a variety of different dishes - in a…read morevery small kitchen. Reservations are important - especially with any groups. My go to is tomato bisque soup and the gourmet grilled cheese. The Cobb salads are delicious too -- and a signature dish is Shrimp & Grits. When we were there, a server had called in sick and Tracy was running in and out trying to keep up - she did a great job! The museum is outstanding - the staff very welcoming and friendly. The exhibits are excellent and the displays highlight the work. Self-guided tours are no problem - as many placards provide insights. The grounds - simply beautiful. Definitely recommend a visit!

The museum was having a plant market right in front of the museum a few weeks ago and that's what…read moredrew me into coming here. The vendor I bought from told me that it was free that day to go into the museum and Gardens so my family and I decided to look at the beautiful garden to welcome spring. Sadly, we didn't have time to explore the inside of the museum, but that will be for next time. The garden is absolutely stunning and breathtaking with a plethora of colors and the river in the back it's just so pretty. I loved how you could just walk around and see the different parts of the garden and then stand by the river as well. They had super unique flowers. I especially loved the ones that looked like little red lanterns and I loved all the beautiful trees. I was so happy to come here and I loved that they had a little plant market that drew you in to come and actually check out the garden. I can't wait to go back and explore the museum and make a whole day out of it. You definitely need to add this to your list if you haven't gone yet.

Free to enter. Small amount of cars, but ones that you rarely see. Free to enter and I spent about…read morean hour here. The girl at the entrance was very nice and polite. They do have a gift shop, but unfortunately didn't have any shirts my size. Next time I am in the area, I will stop by again.

Small but interesting…read more This is a classic case of trying to fit TOO MUCH into TOO LITTLE space. Displays are awesome, so much Racing heritage and history. While cramped together, they're all clean and organized by era and type of item. Not bad in my opinion, just wish it was more spread out. The caretakers of the museum are very friendly and have a plethora of information to share. It's a free museum, donations are how this place survives, do make use of the donations jar. Definitely worth a look-see if you're race fan.

This was the first time for both of us, and in our opinion, it was completely worth the time and…read moremoney. It is definitely graphic, so keep that in mind, but it's also very informative and well done. We learned a lot about historical torture methods and the context behind them. While it's intense, it's also fascinating in a "history is wild" kind of way. If you're into darker history or want something different to do in St. Augustine, this is a solid experience. It also wasn't very crowded, which made it easier to take everything in at our own pace.

This museum focuses on torture, punishment, and execution methods from medieval times and other…read moreeras. Displays include the rack, iron maiden, torture chair, Spanish boot, pillory, barrel for drunkards, scales for determining witch status, and more. The 100+ items are replicas or recreations, but they're life-size and historically accurate. The museum is part of a chain with locations in Chicago and LA, and admission includes an audio guide for your phone. It was interesting, but definitely dark and not for everyone. They also use wax figures to show how the devices worked, which makes it feel even more intense. Only complaint: Price is a bit high and less worth it IMO...

This was a fun tourist experience. Very old jail that alcatraz even stole their design idea. The…read moretour was very informative and when it was over they let us just roam and take it all in and take pics. Such a wild part of history. They even do night tours with ghost hunting and such with the electronic devices. Didnt do that but they told us about it and would love to do it when able to next time

This is a classic in St. Augustine. Our tour guide Benny was unforgettable! He had such a great…read morepersonality, very funny and interactive. He made the tour so much more fun and interactive than any others. The jail itself is a window into the past and shows how much things have changed. Enjoy your tour.

So much fun for all ages bring family and friends you learn so history come early beat the crowds…read moreit is magical fun amazing come on the weekdays so important the staff is very nice and friendly and helpful and knowledgeable sweet understanding so clean and organized fun joyful unbelievable remarkable wonderful inspiring awesome I love coming here! From Lauren

Cool and educational experience. I definitely think if you have kids they will highly enjoy it! I…read moredefinitely learned a ton and had so much fun.

This family owned museum has so many treasures inside and outside. If you are interested in Arabic…read moreand Asian architure and accessories, then you definitely need to visit this amazing 2 story museum. There are no elevators. I tried to pick the best photos that I could but there is so much there to photograph that you will just need to visit to see it all for yourself. The audio tours average between 45 and 60 minutes depending on the pace that you are comfortable with. Touring the Villa Zorayda Museum requires standing and walking for the length of your visit. Limited seating is available in certain areas. The tickets are $15 with a discount for seniors. The family members,are there to answer any questions. There is parking nearby. This place is located across from the Lightner Museum. Make this a priority if you love all things Arabic and Asian.

I was humbled by this beautiful museum as i enjoyed the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the…read morespectacular Villa Zorayda. This is a family owned and operated museum and there were members of the family working this evening. They are there to answer any questions and to help you have an enjoyable visit. This is a lovely Gilded Age museum filled with beautiful visions in antiques of the time. Superbly maintained, full of knowledge... just waiting for you to absorb! I will not go into a detailed review of this museum, but instead, will leave you with a collage of fantastic photos for your enjoyment. The pictures speak volumes. There is too much information to put in a single review. Instead, go online and purchase a ticket for the beautiful Christmas tree lighting ceremony each Christmas season! There is a video of the tree lighting itself included. It is a beautiful humbling experience that is perfect for the holiday season located in the gorgeous Christmas town of Saint Augustine beach downtown historic district. The museum is also open throughout the year for regular viewing. For more information, the website is below. Enjoy! villazorayda.com