# What to do in St. Augustine **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 11, 2021, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900 "2021-12-11T20:17:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/1 "2021-12-11T20:17:16Z")
We’re going to visit St. Augustine, Florida, for a few days later this month, and I’m curious what Dopers recommend. We’re especially interested in: - Wildlife (extra-specially birdwatching) - non-motorized boating, like kayaking or canoeing - Delicious outdoor seafood restaurants We don’t really want to travel further than about half an hour by car, although we could go up to an hour for something truly spectacular. What would y’all do with three days in St. Augustine? ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/2 "2021-12-11T20:40:33Z")
St. Augustine is one of my favorite places! Make sure to eat at The Floridian, and to visit Washington Oaks state park. Strolling around the town and visiting the old historical houses is lots of fun, and I’m sure you already plan on doing that. Other places to eat/drink: Sangrias (get an outdoor balcony table and people-watch over a pitcher of sangria) and The Columbia (Cuban restaurant). ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/3 "2021-12-11T20:44:49Z")
Go visit the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., which was built in the 1600s. > **[Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm)** ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/4 "2021-12-11T20:49:37Z")
The fort is really interesting. You should go to the Fountain of Youth for the touristy fun of it, too. It’s a beautiful city to just wander around. We did the hop on and off bus tour to get a good look around the city. It’s a little tourist trappy, but we really enjoyed it and the tour guides were knowledgeable. The old jail and school house are worth visiting once. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/5 "2021-12-11T20:59:42Z")
> [@Tarataratara](#): > > The fort is really interesting. As I recall, you have a chance to stand in the same jail cell that once housed Chief Osceola (I grew up in Florida. This may not resonate outside of the state, but it’s cool history nonetheless). > **[Imprisonment of Osceola - St. Augustine, Florida](https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/staugustineosceola.html)** > > Osceola was captured under a white flag in 1837 and imprisoned at the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. The Seminole leader died in captivity. His first prison, then called Fort Marion, still stands in St. Augustine. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/6 "2021-12-11T21:48:13Z")
Anastasia State Park for beaching. There’s a great little fish taco stand called Nalu’s on your way in (or out). ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2021, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/7 "2021-12-11T21:48:47Z")
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/8 "2021-12-12T02:12:05Z")
GTM NERR, a great place for wildlife appreciation, 10 miles N on A1A. I have volunteered there on occasion. If you like to drive, type in “Spuds” into your GPS program, 15 miles NW of downtown Take Florida 207 to SR 13 N, which will give you a virtual traffic-free drive along the St. John’s River for 15+ miles. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/9 "2021-12-12T02:31:22Z")
Look for she crab soup. I don’t remember the name but I had a couple bowls there and it was truly revelatory soup. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/10 "2021-12-12T02:47:00Z")
The Conch House has some unique outdoor seating overlooking the marina. The food is not bad either. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/11 "2021-12-12T03:43:47Z")
Was it Harry’s? ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2021, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/12 "2021-12-12T05:39:30Z")
We liked Castillo de San Marcos, mentioned above, and also Fort Matanzas, which will give you a chance to birdwatch: [Fort Matanzas National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm) [Things To Do - Fort Matanzas National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)](https://www.nps.gov/foma/planyourvisit/things2do.htm) #### Experience the Nature Trail From the main Visitor Center parking lot, access the boardwalk through the oldest and highest part of the barrier island covered with a forest called a hammock. This shaded trail is under a mile and gives you gorgeous views of a canopy of diverse trees and animal life in a maritime forest. #### Discover the Marsh Trail This unpaved sandy trail is north of the Visitor Center and takes you on walk under a mile through the park’s natural filtration system, the marsh. These wetlands help prevent inland areas from flooding and provide habitat for many of the park’s creatures. This trail is a favorite place for bird watchers and kayak launchers. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2021, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/13 "2021-12-13T11:36:46Z")
Thanks, all–this is very helpful! ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2021, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/14 "2021-12-13T12:15:12Z")
Find the casque from the image 6 verse 9 solution to “The Secret”. [http://thesecret.pbworks.com/w/page/120834408/Image%206%20Verse%209%20Solution](http://thesecret.pbworks.com/w/page/120834408/Image%206%20Verse%209%20Solution) It’s not too late! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/15 "2021-12-13T19:49:41Z")
St. Augustine is just a cool place to _be_, Touristy as hell, sure, but so historic and pretty. I enjoy ghost tours and try to do one any time I go to a new city. SA’s is particularly good(the one in Ripley’s is also fun but the walking tour is better). One thing we found kind of odd is that the town closes down fairly early. You might be sipping a cocktail and suddenly hear “closing time!” and you _will_ be shuffled out the door. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/16 "2021-12-13T22:47:23Z")
If you’re into art and architecture, [The Lightner Museum](https://lightnermuseum.org/), [Villa Zorayda](https://villazorayda.com/), [Flagler College](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Flagler_College%2C_Ponce_de_Leon_Hotel%2C_St._Augustine_FL%2C_South_courtyard_view_20160707_1.jpg) and [Memorial Presbyterian Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Presbyterian_Church#/media/File:St_Aug_Mem_Presby_Church02.jpg) are all within a few blocks of each other. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2021, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/17 "2021-12-13T23:47:30Z")
The Lightner Museum! That’s what we visited! I couldn’t remember its name. I enjoyed visiting it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/18 "2021-12-28T02:32:00Z")
We finally got down here, and I’m a little disappointed that none of you recommended that I use my new binoculars to watch a mother Northern Right Whale and her calf swim lazily up the coast, a couple hundred feet offshore, for a couple of hours. I mean, holy crap that was cool! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/19 "2021-12-28T02:51:32Z")
It was implied. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2021, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-in-st-augustine/955900/20 "2021-12-28T04:31:46Z")
If that was a different one than last year’s pair (which I saw in Flagler Beach) that is heartening.