St. Augustine's rich history and cultural
diversity have helped shaped a dynamic city for both
residents and visitors alike. It’s unique mix
of both the Old and the New is what beckons visitors
to come explore and is what has always brought them
back.
The story of St. Augustine is the foundation of sightseeing
tours via tram, trolley, horse-drawn carriage, walking
tour or cruise boat. History comes to life here, where
on any given day, you will find guides dressed in old-world
costumes, weaving you through the sites of the town.
Some of St. Augustine's most popular landmarks include
the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a living
history museum which interprets life in colonial, St.
Augustine circa 1740; the Fountain of Youth Discovery
Park, where it is said Ponce de Leon sought everlasting
youth and the Mission of Nombre de Dios, where Pedro
Menendez de Aviles first set foot on Florida’s
shore in 1565. Still other landmarks include the Ponce
de Leon and Alcazar Hotels built by Standard Oil magnate,
Henry Flagler in the late 19th Century. Today those
grand Victorian structures house Flagler College, St.
Augustine City Hall and Lightner Museum. The original
1888 Casa Monica Hotel has been restored into a luxury
hotel and provides world-class accommodations in downtown
St. Augustine. The city has more than 50 attractions,
historic sites and points of interest.
Accommodations are plentiful and range from splendid
resorts to charming bed and breakfast inns. Dozens
of unique restaurants are sprinkled throughout St.
Augustine, ranging from quaint cafes to four-star rated
dining establishments, with many restaurants serving
as attractions themselves.
Shopping in St. Augustine is a buyer's delight with
boutiques, unique gift shops, antique stores and museums
waiting to be discovered on nearly every downtown street.
On the outskirts are shopping malls and retail centers,
including miles of outlet shopping at The St. Augustine
Premium Outlets and the Belz Factory Outlet World,
both at I-95 and S.R. 16. New to St. Augustine is the
Cobblestone Village located on S.R. 312. With its wide
array of restaurants and specialty shops, it is a shopping
experience not to be missed.
Strolling through the back roads of downtown St. Augustine
offers a glimpse of what life must have been like so
many years ago. Many homes are registered on the National
Register of Historic Places, while many other modern
homes adopt the Old Florida style of their neighbors.
Whether looking to buy or rent in St. Augustine, you
will most certainly find something to suit your taste. |