ALERT: On our most recent visit to Saint Augustine, we walked the bridge of lions; but, the lions…read morehad been removed. I believe there is a large sea wall project that required the lions to be secured to prevent any potential damage. I was told that the lions will be restored back to their previous and prominent locations in 2028. So, the bridge is still worth the walk out (affording, nice views of the marina and city scape); but, don't expect to see the lions for the foreseeable future. For now, let's just call this 'the bridge of no lions.'

Very touristy of me, but I was mesmerized by this bridge! I'm in a landlocked state, so being near…read morewater with a bridge to cross was something I'm not used to and enjoyed greatly. Very scenic and obviously functional as well. Definitely worth taking a moment to look out the window if you can do so safely as you cross this bridge.

These gates were constructed of coquina stone pillars in 1808 as the sole entrance into the…read morehistoric district of St Augustine. Today, it still remains the main entrance into the area of St George Street. Vehicles are strictly prohibited and the entry is for pedestrian use only. The Castillo de San Marcos fort is directly across from the gates.

If you're heading to the Colonial Quarter, it is almost impossible to miss the City Gates…read more While no actual gate remains, you do get to see the pillars and stonework that were part of the wall back in the 1800's, and ponder what it was like to live inside a walled city prone to attacks by land and sea. It's a great (free) photo op and, incredibly, not that busy! 108/2025

Castillo de San Marcos is a national monument and the oldest masonry fort in the US. Built by the…read moreSpanish in 1672 it was never captured or taken by hostile forces. There's so much history here and plentiful exhibits to learn about it. The fort is remarkably well preserved and it's a joy to walk around regardless of whether you decide to dig into the history. The second floor is especially stunning with gorgeous views of the water beyond and an impressive display of the fort-protecting cannons. Any ship sailing in those waters would be vulnerable to the cannon fire. This was one of the highlights of our Saint Augustine trip.

Highly recommend coming to this fort only during the winter and never ever during the summer. The…read moreheat gets so intense that medics were taking older folks out in stretchers. I was almost one of them - really!!!. Visited here again in the winter months and was a much better experience. Aside from the heat, it was a really cool place and been inside twice on self guided tours. They have staff dressed up in colonial attire and they answer all our questions. The little stone walled rooms were extremely tiny but you then can understand how the Spanish military lived and fought to defend the fortress and the City of St. Augustine. There is a price per person but you can hear the cannons shoot for free outside. You can also get great free pictures with the stone walls of the outer fort and rusted cannons with the river.

Had an amazing time walking down St. George Street in St. Augustine. It's one of those places that…read moreinstantly pulls you in with its charm and history. The whole street is packed with character, from the old style buildings and brick walkways to all the unique shops, restaurants, and little hidden spots along the way. We spent a good amount of time just exploring and browsing, and every corner had something interesting. There are plenty of places to grab a snack, a drink, or just sit and people watch, and everything feels very walkable and relaxed since it's pedestrian only. The atmosphere is what really makes it special. There's a constant mix of music, laughter, and energy, but it still feels laid back and fun instead of overwhelming. You really get a sense of old St. Augustine history blended with a lively modern vibe. Overall, St. George Street is a must visit if you're in the area. Great for walking, shopping, eating, or just soaking in the scenery. Easy five stars and a place we'd happily come back to again.

This review has been sitting idle for a while but unknown why since this street is 90% why I love…read moreSt Augustine. Pure fun walking along the one mile long pedestrian only corridor with boutique shops, bars, restaurants and deep Florida history lining both sides. Recommend highly to stay at the boutique hotel St George Inn. The street is very busy during the day and most shops close early and at dark the area gets flooded with students from the Flagler College nearby. A few kiosks selling ghost tours through the haunted St Augustine area in a trolly or the walking tour through the old jail. Yes, we got sucked in on two different occassions and slightly boring but not pricey. Located at the North end of the street, take two hours out of your day to visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument but beware the excessive heat in summer time - really cool cannons though. Fun times always on St George Street in St Augustine.

This is one of my favorite parts of St. Augustine, this sea wall definitely has its flood…read moreprotections purpose but it also provides an opportunity for the public to explore the river front safely and presents some great photos of the Lion's Bridge and the Fort as well as the ancient city's beautiful water front. One of the things I love about St. Augustine is the abundance of parking throughout the city so you can always if you are patient find a parking spot close enough to all the sights around the city to explore it's beauty and the sea wall is no exception with the public parking lot just in front of the historic fort. It's also nice to see a number of safe pedestrian crossings along the sea wall walk to access the heart of the city. I rarely visit the city without walking the sea wall...

The Matanzas River lines a portion of the City of Saint Augustine. The Sea Wall helps to protect…read morethe city from countless hurricanes over the centuries. The major threat to St. Augustine has always been water from flooding, the tides or storm surge. The dangers of water were first addressed by the Spanish in 1696. They built a coquina and limestone seawall to protect the settlers and soldiers. The US Army rebuilt the wall from 1837-1846 with coquina and cement (Florida became a state in 1845). It held up well for 160 years. In 2012, with the help of a FEMA flood assistance grant, a new 1,200-foot reinforced concrete seawall was fabricated and finished in 2014. This past year on 7 Oct 16, the new and improved seawall got its first test when the Category 3 Hurricane Matthew hit the Florida coast with a seven-foot storm surge on St. Augustine. Water went over the top of the seawall and caused flooding. The wall was built to withstand a Category 1 hurricane. However, if the wall was not in place, the flooding and damage could have been worse. Like many other locals and tourist...we like to walk on these walls but we never really take into account their full purpose or history. Close to the Marina there are some historical markers and information. It is well worth it to walk down the sidewalk or wall to read this information and take it all in. On a side note, these walls are very pretty to include in your pictures at any time of the day. Enjoy!...It's Free! For more reading: https://www.visitstaugustine.com/history/glimpses/seawall.php http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2015-08-03/st-augustine-seawall-gets-national-recognition

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.

Aviles Street in St. Augustine is the oldest street in the United States. It dates back to the 16th…read morecentury, around the 1570's. It's also home to some of the city's oldest historical sites and continues to be a vibrant arts district. Galleries are open late during special days. We learned this information when we took an Old Town Trolley tour around St Augustine to learn more about this amazing city and its streets. Aviles Street was originally called Hospital Street because it was the location of the second Spanish Military Hospital Museum, which is open to tourists even now. There are local musicians who perform at the corner of Aviles Street and Artillery Lane. That would be fun to watch! Sidewalk cafes offer food and drinks while visitors enjoy the music. We want to return to this delightful street, which is more quiet than St George Street with less tourists. It is in the beart of historic St Augustine. Do not attempt to drive down this street because it gets very narrow and your vehicle will get scratched up. It is made up of cobblestones so wear comfortable shoes.

We visited Aviles Street in St. Augustine with my wife and kids and it ended up being a really nice…read morelittle break from the busier tourist areas. It's a short brick street, old buildings, small art galleries, and a quiet, relaxed vibe that made it easy to slow down and just walk. The kids liked exploring the little corners and looking into shop windows, and my wife and I enjoyed how peaceful it felt compared to nearby streets.

I had a fantastic visit to the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park in St. Augustine. This is one…read moreof those places where history, nature, and storytelling all come together in a really engaging way. The park is built around one of the most historically significant sites in the United States the location tied to the early Spanish settlement of St. Augustine in 1565, the oldest continuously occupied European founded city in the country. I especially enjoyed the peaceful waterfront views along the riverwalk and the chance to explore the shaded paths filled with peacocks roaming freely. The exhibits and demonstrations add a fun, educational layer without feeling overly formal.

It is so beautiful and amazing history and fun experience for all ages and I learn so much history…read moreand culture it is remarkable and fun and incredible i love it so much and absolutely amazing perfect for schools and community thank you so much for everything i appreciate it so much devotion to determination and education! Hugs From Lauren

We recently visited St. Augustine and had a great time exploring the city. The historic downtown is…read moreeasy to walk and full of character, with cobblestone streets, old Spanish architecture, and plenty of small shops and cafes to browse. We spent time at the Castillo de San Marcos, which was a highlight and gave a great sense of the city's history and coastal views. We also enjoyed just wandering around, stopping for food and checking out local spots along the way. Everything felt relaxed and welcoming, with a nice mix of history, It's the kind of place where you can stay busy or take it slow and still have a good experience. I recommend it for sure and would go back.

I've been to St. Augustine about 3 or 4 times and as a matter of fact I believe it was while I was…read morein St Augustine attending a friends wedding was when I first started Yelping and received my very first Elite Badge. A little brief history on St Augustine. It was founded in 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, and is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the contiguous United States. It's known as the "Ancient City," and serves as the county seat of St. Johns County and is famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and rich history. Some of the highlights to see and do are the Castillo de San Marcos a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress that defended the city for centuries and now serves as a major national monument. And if it's shopping you're looking for then the St. George Street area is for you. A pedestrian-only thoroughfare in the historic district featuring over 30 historic houses, shops, and restaurants. And your trip isn't complete until you do the "Nights of Lights" A world-renowned holiday display where the city is illuminated by millions of white lights. Note: this is only during the Christmas holiday season and a few weeks after. I didn't have enough time to see it but the famous St. Augustine light house is something to see. But those steps will test your physical fitness. lol And for all you photogs. Some of the most beautiful Spanish architecture I've seen. You'll wear that shutter button out. Very popular city but packed in the summer so plan accordingly.

What a fascinating look at the history of Florida's educational system haha!…read more It's the old original schoolhouse that was built in the 1700s. It's amazing to see! I'm impressed it's held up so long! The tour guide gave us a bit of history on the building and what a class would look like in that time period. It's honestly a must see! I love old buildings and architecture, so this definitely made me geek out!

We visited the oldest school house today on a class field trip. The employee told us about what…read morelife was like for kids who attended the school house years ago in the outside courtyard. We got an inside tour also. The kids got to write their names in ink and a feather quill on an attendance sheet. The kids also got to play with old timey toys and ring the outside school bell. It was a fun tour and the kids enjoyed it.