A Weekend Getaway in St. Augustine
How do I describe St Augustine?… It’s not just a place, it’s an experience! I had such an amazing time visiting this gem of a city in Florida and I wanted to write a blog post with my exact itinerary to help you plan your perfect getaway to St. Augustine.
You won’t get bored exploring St.Augustine since there is so much to see and do! From historical buildings to the oldest street in America and lots of beach fun, here’s the only guide you need to plan a perfect trip to St. Augustine.
A Complete Travel Guide to St.Augustine
Where to Stay in St. Augustine
We stayed at Bayfront Marin House B&B Inn, which was a dream both for its amenities as well as its location. My recommendation is to get your own cottage. No contact check-in, breakfast is delivered, and private exterior entrances. The entire experience was perfect! It’s the #1 Waterfront Hotel in Saint Augustine on TripAdvisor and was recently recognized as one of the Top 25 Hotels for Romance — in the United States!
We stayed in the Aviles St Cottage on historic Aviles Street, the oldest street in America. Our cottage was within walking distance to so many cool shops, bars, and restaurants. Despite being located on the oldest street in the US, the cottage was completely renovated.
Bayfront Marin Cottages are great for families. Everyone had a separate bedroom and bathroom. Plus, our cottage had a loft upstairs with two twin beds, its own bathroom, and living space. Being able to spread out comfortably is a must for our family.
You can choose from any of their 15 rooms or 8 beach cottages. I love that you have the option to choose a waterfront beach cottage! If you’re looking for a waterfront rental, check out The Beachcomber Cottages on Vilano Beach – four buildings located on a quiet street in St. Augustine’s shell-filled Vilano Beach. The Beachcomber Cottages on Vilano consist of two raised cottages and two Caribbean-style homes that are located just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean.
The four cottages offer eight separate suites—each with their own unique luxuries and first-class touches. Rented individually for romantic getaways, or as a group for a special family event, there is nothing else like them on Vilano Beach.
I would highly recommend a stay at Bayfront Marin House. The staff was incredible. They were friendly, communicated amazingly, accomodating, and wonderful hosts. Bonus, they have dog-friendly rooms available.
Things to do in St. Augustine
Head out on the water to cruise around Matanzas Bay
If you want to get a unique view of the city and to see the main historical landmarks from a different perspective, a cruise around Matanzas Bay is the ideal way to explore St. Augustine. I went with this company and could not recommend them enough!
Take a stroll on Aviles Street (the oldest street in America) to Plaza and along Bayfront
Aviles Street is the oldest street in the USA and the home to St. Augustine’s art district! It is filled with unique art, street performers, and quirky restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of historical sites where you can learn more about the stories Aviles St is home to.
Walk down St. George Street to enjoy the shops and old-world atmosphere
Walking through St. George Street was hands-down my favorite thing to do in St. Augustine. Think cobblestone streets, charming boutique shops and cafés, colonial buildings, and plenty of historical spots and you’ll get an idea of what this street is all about!
Tip: There’s a really cool eatery called Spanish Bakery & Café which is perfect for lunch.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
St. Augustine Alligator Farm is a zoological park, you can find all 24 species of alligators and it’s a lot of fun to spend a few hours here to learn more about Florida’s wildlife!
They don’t just have alligators. Expect to see tons of wildlife, including birds, and snakes. You can even see a gator feeding! There are tons of gators there you won’t be disappointed.
Pro tip: Make sure to bring in some quarters. You can buy some gator food and feed the alligators yourself!
Visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
This building is the oldest masonry fortification in the continental USA and boasts over four centuries of history! Originally built by the Spanish to defend Florida. Due to the engineering and strength behind its walls, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is considered to be “unbreakable”. If you’re a history buff and want to get up close and personal with the colonial background of St. Augustine (and how important of a city it was for trade), this is a must-see. The fort sits on a national park and you can step outside the walls of the fort, hear cannons fly, and be part of live reenactments.
Anastasia island
You’re so close to Anastasia island which is a dreamy beach town filled with delicious food (looking at you @sunsetgrille), a fun lighthouse, and miles of beautiful beaches! Such a great day trip!
I would highly recommend crossing the bridge to check out Anastasia Island. You can visit the Alligator Farm, the lighthouse, or head to the beach. It’s such a great beach town.
Where to Eat in St. Augustine
One of my favorite things to do in St. Augustine was eating all the food! Here are just a few of my recs for the best places to dine and grab a few drinks:
- The Floridian Restaurant – Their apps are everything!
- Spanish Bakery & Cafe – Loooved having lunch here and sitting under their oak tree
- Columbia Restaurant – Make sure to get the sangria pitcher!
- Catch 27 – Fresh, local seafood.
- Mayday – Hands-down best ice cream in town!
- Prohibition – A perfect place to grab cocktails and catch live entertainment in a retro-chic setting
- Burrito Works Taco Shop – Voted #1 burrito but checkout the Mexican UFO and grab a local beer
- Peace Pie – A unique ice cream sandwich shop
Ready for your next visit to Florida? Make sure to check out St.Augustine. It’s an indescribable experience. Make sure to tag me on Instagram @VerbalGoldBlog!
This post is sponsored by Visit Florida. All opinions are my own.
