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St. Augustine, Florida is the nation’s oldest city. It is a small, beautiful, ocean-side town that is not only perfect for raising a family, but also to visit. As it is oldest city in the United States there are many tourist attractions and interesting things to see and do when you come here. I have lived here for just over 2 years and am still learning about fun, exciting, frugal things to do in this historic town. Here are just a few:

The Beach

Saint Augustine has many beaches. Travel down A1A and you’ll pass numerous spots to pull up your car, take a short trek to the sandy shores and enjoy an afternoon of fun in the sun. Vilano Beach offers a beautiful view, coquina sand, and is only a few minutes from Historic Downtown. Saint Augustine Beach is more heavily visited beach and boasts beautiful white sandy expanse of ocean front, restaurants, and shops.

Historic Sites

• Castillo De San Marcos - at historic downtown, the fort is “The oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, this fort was built by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695 and served primarily as an outpost of the Spanish Empire who guarded St. Augustine. Museum exhibits are maintained within the rooms of the Castillo and ranger programs are available.” - You can tour around the grounds of the site for free! To go inside the fort and see the bedrooms and watch the cannons being fired, the cost is $6 for people over the age of 15 and is valid for 7 days. “The Golden Access and Age Passports; the Castillo Annual Pass; and the Interagency Access, Annual, and Senior Passes are honored for free admission in accordance with the terms specified on the card.”
  My daughter last fall visiting the fort enjoying the firing of the cannons
• Lighthouse and Museum - Climbing to the tower of the lighthouse is a fantastic way to spend an hour while visiting St. Augustine Beach. Costs: Museum and Tower: Adults $8.00, Seniors ages 60+ $7.50, Children ages 6-11 $6.00.  Museum & Grounds: Adults $6.00, Seniors ages 60+ $5.50, Children ages 6-11 $4.00
• Flagler College - I recommend visiting the campus of this small, liberal arts college if for nothing else than to see the amazing architecture of the buildings. Located right downtown, “Formerly the Hotel Ponce de Leon, a famous luxury resort built by Henry Flagler in 1887″, the architecture is worth seeing. - cost for walking the campus - Free!
• San Sebastian Winery - “Complimentary Tours and Wine tasting last approximately 45 minutes in length and are offered seven days a week Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.”
• Anastasia State Recreation Area - part of the Florida State Park system, this park “has everything for the active park visitor. Coastal camping, fishing, sun bathing, surfing, sail boarding, swimming, nature trails and picnicking provide endless hours of enjoyment.” For Florida State Parks parking and entrance fees, visit this page.
• Fountain of Youth - “Over the last 100 years, many thousands of guests have visited in order to sip the world famous waters and hear the history behind its legendary benefits. Of course while here, you may also visit our Discovery Globe, Navigator’s Planetarium, Indian Burial Grounds, and Shipwreck Exhibit.” Cost: Adult - $7.50, Seniors (over 60) - $6.50, Child (6-12) - $4.50, Child (under 6) - Free
  (Price includes all exhibits and parking is free)

These are just a few highlights of the many tourist attractions and spaces to enjoy while visiting St. Augustine. For a more comprehensive list, visit this site.

Transportation Around Town

• The most popular way to get around town and visit the sites and see downtown is to take one of the Trolley Tours. With a guide to share information about what you are seeing and stops along the way, you can get on and off the trolley with your pass and visit the sites.  For $18.50 for adults and $7.20 for kids aged 6-12, you get a 3 Day Pass, Unlimited use of the Old Town Trolley and St Augustine Beach Bus, Free admission to the Florida Heritage Museum, and “On and Off*” privileges at all conveniently located stops.
• You can also get around town via Carriage Tour. Nothing says old fashioned and simple like taking a horse and eligy ride around town, along the water’s edge and seeing the sites. Adults $15.00, Children (5-11) $5.00, Minimum $50.00, (3 Adults or Less)
• Sunshine Bus Company - the bus routes go all around town and out to the beaches.  $1.00 Each Way (Under 6 or over 60? Just .50). Unlimited Use Monthly Bus Passes $25.00 (Under 6 or Over 60 - $12.50)
• You can also do the really old fashioned way and walk almost everywhere. It’s a small downtown area and a lot to be seen, much of which is best seen on foot through the small old streets while you visit the little old houses and walk the pedestrian mall of local shops.

Where To Stay

The list of hotels goes on and on. For a comprehensive list of options from downtown hotels to beach front bed and breakfast inns, visit this page.

A few from the list:

• Casa Del Mar, Oceanside in Vilano Beach.
• St. George Inn Downtown St. Augustine
• Casa Monica Hotel Downtown St. Augustine

Where To Eat

Here is a complete recommended dining guide for the St. Augustine area.

A few from the list are:

• A1A Ale Works - this is one of my favorite spots to eat when we head downtown for an evening. Right on the water and in the heart of the shops, nothing beats an inexpensive, family friendly meal while looking out at the Intercoastal Waterway.
• The Conch House - famous for their Conch Fritters, this is a must when visiting.
• Cortesses - fine delicious dining.