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.

What a fascinating stop. The exhibits are interesting but just the chance to tour the building is…read moreworth the stop. Fans of the Gilded Age will appreciate the history and the grandeur of the old hotel. We hopped in on the "Swimming Pool" talk and it was very good. Lots of tidbits about the hotels history and usage through the year. Definitely worth the stop!

First time here and it was a nice thing ToDo that was inside. Unfortunately it started to rain a…read morelittle but we were headed there anyway. There was actual pirate treasure in there along with replicated pieces and the pirate stories that go along with the pirates. Blackbeard, Captain Morgan, etc, it was fun and I was able to add to my magnet collection.

This museum, though small, is quite well done. I wouldn't bring young kids under 7 or 8, though,…read morebecause the interactive activities require reading and writing, but my 12 year-old enjoyed it. There is a treasure hunt throughout the museum that requires writing down the hidden treasure found. At the end, kids can get "treasure" (a plastic gold coin) for completing the hunt. There are several exhibits that they claim are one of only a few in the world such as a genuine "Jolly Roger" flag and a treasure chest. The stories of about 20 pirates are shown throughout the museum. If you go through the museum, taking your time, it takes about an hour. For that, I think the price for kids ($9.99 if purchased from the website) is reasonable. However the adult price ($18.99 online) is too much. If you are in St. Augustine, especially on a hot or rainy day, it is worth an hour of your time.

Have been here multiple times and love the experience…read more Kind of a "not super popular" place so it's pretty relaxing to go on tours here without a huge crowd. Staff are always friendly and welcoming. The exhibits are AMAZING. Not only do they display torture devices- but they have wax figures to show how the devices would be used. Their tickets are very cheap too and always recommend coming here if you're walking around St. Augustine, especially on George St.

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 really fun museum tour. If you like home tours, you would love checking this out. I've…read moregone to St. Augustine many times but never knew you could what it held. I used the $5 GA ticket for North Florida residents. Its only for August '26...but I hope they do it again next year because this was an amazing $5 visit. There was an audio tour that was interesting and all the items that they display are really cool. My friends were asking if I was in Morocco. The person who building this was obsessed with Granada, Spain which had influences of the Moors. So many authentic beautiful items. I would pair this with brunch.

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.

Family went over memorial weekend. There were quite a few interactive exhibits that didn't work…read more The 3rd floor was closed down and the 2nd floor near the planetarium didn't make sense. You can tell the museum is closing down. The shows in the planetarium were great. They were very educational and entertaining. Other than that my other favorite part was the "Currents of Time." Seeing the evolution of the Jacksonville area. I definitely will check out the new location once it's done.

What a happy celebration day for the museum as they transition to a bigger and modern caliber for…read morethe city. I learned that the museum of science is expanding to a new home and it will take some years for the official move and space. Throughout my travels , looking for staples in the community that offer hands on learning, family friendly spaces, and a budgeted treat truly takes time to explore. Today I walked through showcases filled with history from the Victorian era; some relics were plants and photos from the 1970! I hadn't been inside a planetarium in a few years and you still appreciate the wonder when you hear children awe at the science and story telling in front of their eyes. All the staff were incredible , helping answer and questions they had- a major shout out to Vystar credit union as a volunteer partner making the day impactful for the masses. Go visit your museum- science centers- arts locations as we are continuously evolving in science and expanding our living history. Today was special!

Primarily an art museum with two excellent gardens - English and an Italian. Loved the gardens and…read morearchitecture of Mrs. Cummer' house turned into a museum. Service: All staff were polite and helpful. Food: there is a diner that offers both inside and outside areas for seating. It was a very impressive museum and gardens and I hope to return soon. In our opinion, one of fairly few reasons to visit Jacksonville.

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is a really nice museum experience and a stellar garden…read moreexperience. Inside is some really interesting art, a kids area and a cafe to enjoy. Different areas are themed and the kids area is really interactive. We did not try the cafe on this visit but I'm sure we will soon. The real star for me was the gardens outside. It was truly a transformative experience. Just beautiful trees and bushes and plants with the St John's River in the background. I highly recommend you see it. They have free days in the summer but it is also well worth the price of admission.

Wonderful experience. Use caution if medically compromised…read more Stairs Uneven Surface Heat The history is wonderful The set up and recreation is phenomenal Snacks - drinks- beers Welcoming friendly and professional A must visit.

219 steps up and 219 steps down. Truly a special place to get to visit! I've climbed the lighthouse…read moremany times over the years and no matter what it is always so special! Yes it can get warm and sweaty inside on a hot and humid summer day. No it is not a simple few steps either. It can be difficult if you don't pace yourself and drink water. St. Augustine has always been such a special place for family and I. Every time we climb to the top the views are always special. Every ticket helps to conserve the lighthouse and the area around it.

The Colonial Quarter is the heart of the downtown historic district of St Augustine…read more As a whole, there are a few attractions for the kiddies like live blacksmithing, cannon blasts and climbing a watchtower, but mostly adult activities. Kids will get bored within thirty minutes then feed their face with ice cream, pizza and popcorn to stop the tears. The live rock and roll music at the Colonial Oak Music Park thats hosts two bars was fantastic. Directly across from the oldest wooden school house in the USA. Fun times here if you are a history buff.

This place is so fun for concerts, I've been many times and I always enjoyed. The place have some…read morepicnic tables, you can buy food next door and they sell drinks there. The only thing is that you have to go to the public bathroom sometimes and it's disgusting to be honest. But if you eat next door you can use the bathroom there.

This is the oldest house in St Augustine It has held up very well for about 400 years with a few…read morerenovations and additions in the early 1700s in Spanish architecture. I was amazed at how well it looks. The garden is beautiful in ornamental style. The Oldest House Museum is located in St. Augustine, Florida in St. Johns County, Florida. It is operated by the St. Augustine Historical Society and includes the González-Alvarez House, the Manucy Museum of local history and the Edwards Gallery. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person for the guided tour and lasts about 1/2 hour.

Lynda was a wonderful tour guide! Such a great quick excursion to take on your way around town…read more It's half off if you are staying at the st Francis inn.

Excellent place and we enjoyed Carmen who greeted us. Fun place and lots to see! Lots of Titanic…read moremovie props and some actual artifacts from the ship itself. Plus some antique guns that were interesting. They also had a display of the SS Central America which I had read about in the Ship of Gold in the Deep Blue Sea book. Great stuff.

Really a surprise hit. Wasn't sure exactly what to expect but my expectations were definitely…read moreexceeded. Terri was a wonderful and passionate and knowledgable tour guide. Will be on my list of must-visits in St. Augustine going forward.