St. Augustine, Florida: Why You Should Visit the Oldest City in the U.S.

Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, St. Augustine is a city on the northeastern coast of Florida. It is the oldest European settlement in the country and was named by Pedro Menéndez, the Spanish admiral who became Florida’s first colonial governor. The city has been a Spanish capital in Florida for over 200 years and now is referred to as the Ancient City. Today, St. Augustine is a luxurious, romantic vacation spot known for its rich history, beautiful Spanish architecture, and up-and-coming restaurant and bar scene.

Visitors can enjoy the old town charm by site-seeing on the town trolleys, exploring the Castillo de San Marcos, touring the picturesque Flagler College, taking a horse-drawn carriage ride along
the bayfront, and staying in one of the many boutique hotels or bed and breakfasts. The downtown area of St. Augustine is known for its many restaurants, museums, and shopping attractions along the popular St. George Street, a cobble-stone, pedestrian-only street. Much of the historic district is walkable, and it is what makes the old town hotels so attractive to visitors from around the world. Some of the more popular hotels in downtown St. Augustine, Florida are the St. George Inn, the Casa Monica Resort and Spa, the Bayfront Westcott House, and the Renaissance St. Augustine Historic Downtown Hotel.

Whether it’s your first time or one of many visits to the ancient city, there is plenty to do in St. Augustine. Children can dip their toes in the rich history or embark on an adventure with pirates at the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum. Couples on their honeymoon can take a romantic boat ride through the bay or dance away to live music all around the city. Food enthusiasts will find no shortage of great eats from steak to seafood to Spanish to barbeque. And let’s not forget the numerous outdoor adventures like kayaking, dolphin encounters, and biking along the St. Johns River to sea loop. St. Augustine has something for everyone. Stop in for a day trip or stay for a week, there is a lot to be discovered in the country’s oldest city.