Location: St. Augustine
Top Things to do in St. Augustine
Countries
The 10 Best Free Things to do in St. Augustine, Florida (FL)
Saint Augustine is a luxurious, romantic vacation spot—you’ll find classic hotels and intimate restaurants. Those can be a dime a dozen, though. What sets Saint Augustine apart is its history—it’s the oldest European settlement in the U.S. And nowhere else in the world can you taste the waters of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park (where Ponce de Leon may have landed). Who knows, if you vacation here, maybe you won’t need that Botox!
Restaurants in St. Augustine
1. St. Augustine Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8,108 reviews
St. Augustine Distillery is a locally owned and operated, artisanal spirits distillery in historic, downtown St. Augustine. Located within a beautifully restored ice plant from the turn-of-the-century, our mission is simple: Educate and inspire our guests about our handcrafted, award-winning rum, bourbon whiskey, gin, and vodka. All of our spirits are made from local and regional agricultural products. The result is undeniable; world-class spirits that create the best local cocktails imaginable. Come taste for yourself. St. Augustine Distillery offers free tours and tastings seven days a week.
Reviewed By kristincW3725BV - Sarasota, United States
The St. Augustine Distillery tour is a must-do! It’s a free tour and Nick is a great tour guide/bartender.The samples are excellent, especially the Florida Mule and Rum Tiki. You won’t regret this off-the-beaten path stop.
2. Spanish Main Antiques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Largest retail shipwreck treasure shop in the United States. Featuring authentic coins from known and unidentified shipwrecks along with nautical salvage and antiques.
Reviewed By JonK916 - DeFuniak Springs, United States
This is the real deal. If you are into ship wrecks and Spanish treasure this is like a museum you can by the displays. Its educational and a lot of fun. The owner is a treasure hunter and he and his wife are really nice people.
3. Shrine Our Lady of La Leche
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By BarbM357 - Leicester, United States
This stop is on the Trolley Tour! It is beautiful and worth a visit. The grounds are beautiful with statues, beautiful views and even peacocks running around! Lots of history here also....with the very first Catholic Mass celebrated on these very grounds. There is a replica of the first altar also. After walking around stop into the small museum and gift shop. Don’t forget the Shrine itself....the most beautiful statue of our Blessed Mother I’ve ever seen! Check it out for yourself. Great way to end the day as this stop is near the end of the Trolley Tour.
4. St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmers Market
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Join us every Saturday morning at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre for a gathering of St. Augustine's finest growers, artisans and artists. For twenty years this community event has brought together the region's finest fresh food, prepared goods and fine art. Come get your groceries and gifts, grab a bite to eat or drink, and stay for a while to enjoy some old-time music from the Free Rangers.
Reviewed By Cosmicroadsidemystic - Nashville, United States
I have been to this place for ice skating, the day market, a surfer film event, and the night market. Yesterday, I went to the night market and was very impressed. I had read this info about it: On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, come check out the Night Market at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Hosting over 70 vendors specializing in handmade crafts and goods, the Night Market meets the demand for locally-made goods and gifts and also offers dining options, full bar and live entertainment! The Night Market will be free to enter and open to all ages. They had live country music, food trucks, and vendors everywhere. There were so many talented artists and cooks. I bought a ketogenic chocolate and peanut butter cake pop - wrapped up. The food trucks were spectacular. I read their menus and wanted to sample each food truck. Lately, I have been into poke bowls of fish and rice. They had some fresh and big ones at Big Island Bowls food truck there but I was too full to eat one. Very tempting. I will definitely get a poke bowl there next time. It was fun wandering around at night with no hot sun beating down on you.
5. Fort Matanzas National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,076 reviews
This fort is on Rattlesnake Island and can be reached via ferry.
Reviewed By Whyme512 - Streetsboro, United States
Even though the dock had been washed away and we couldn’t get to the fort, the Park Ranger was very talkative and explained everything about the fort. He then explained about the critters and the plants in the area.
6. St. George Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,589 reviews
Reviewed By tedlong29 - Gulf Breeze, United States
St. George Street is the absolute heart of the city. I love walking down here at any time of the day. One can just feel the history all around them. It's also packed full of unique shops, great dining, pubs, museums, cool sites and talented street musicians at every turn. It feels like you are in some seaside village in Spain. It's just a timeless place and I cant ever get enough of it. Definitely come here while visiting St. Augustine. I would suggest early evening as it's not so hot especially during the summer months. It's best to park at the Visitor Center Parking Garage and start from the City Gates.
7. Old City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,566 reviews
Reviewed By 266JosephG - Montreal, Canada
This was our first visit to historic St. Augustine. We parked at the Castillo and toured the fort and then strolled along the river, on St. George Street and in-between and beyond admiring the historic architecture of the basilica, former luxury hotels (now FlaglerCollege), the Governor House and the beautiful park Plaza de la Constitucion. We browsed in the many shops and halted in one of its landmark bars and enjoyed a nice seafood dinner in the colonial quarters. It was a magnificent sunny day, in a laid back atmosphere devoid of any overcrowding; truly a great outing and a promise to return.
8. St. Augustine Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,573 reviews
Reviewed By 89vanessao
Soft white sand, the ocean looks and smells lovely, and there are areas where you can drive you car to the spot of your choice instead of having to lug all your gear from a public parking lot a quarter mile away.
9. Old St. Augustine Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 641 reviews
A city block of St. Augustine's history, with historic houses spanning the period from 1790-1910.
Reviewed By susangs2020 - Emmaus, United States
We had so much fun visiting the village. Frank, the jailbird, was great. He gave us a great tour of the jail (and was really funny). Over at the store, Abigail and Minnie explained how things were done back in the day. The pace of the tour was perfect!
10. Vilano Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 887 reviews
Reviewed By MB2thesea - St. Augustine, United States
The beaches near Vilano and up to Ponte Vedra are great for shelling and hunting for shark teeth. There aren't any lifeguards on duty, you'll need to be responsible for yourself and your family. If you go, please pick up your own trash - always leave it better than you found it.
