25 Things to Do in St. Augustine for a Weekend Getaway
Your Complete Guide to a St. Augustine Weekend Trip
This guide breaks down the city’s history, beaches, food, and family-friendly attractions into an easy-to-follow list. Whether you have one day or three, you’ll find a practical plan below along with common mistakes to avoid and answers to the questions most first-time visitors ask.
History and Landmarks
1. Castillo de San Marcos
This is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, built by the Spanish starting in 1672 out of coquina, a local limestone made of compressed shells. Walk the ramparts for harbor views, and check the ranger schedule for cannon-firing demonstrations. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour if you want to read the exhibits inside the rooms along the walls.
Official site (National Park Service): nps.gov/casa
2. St. George Street
This pedestrian-only street runs through the heart of the historic district and mixes colonial-era buildings with shops, restaurants, and street performers. It connects directly to several other attractions on this list.
District overview and map: visitstaugustine.com
3. Flagler College
Originally built as the Hotel Ponce de Leon by Henry Flagler in 1888, this building is one of the best examples of Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture in the country. Guided tours take you into the dining hall, which has Tiffany stained glass windows still in their original spots. Booking ahead is worth it since tour times are limited.
Book a tour: legacy.flagler.edu/pages/tours
4. Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
This site marks where Juan Ponce de León is believed to have landed in 1513, and it includes a working archaeological dig along with recreated Timucua Native American structures.
Tickets and hours: fountainofyouthflorida.com
5. Lightner Museum
Housed in the former Hotel Alcazar, this museum holds a large collection of Gilded Age decorative arts, from Tiffany glass to Victorian-era furniture and mechanical musical instruments.
Tickets and hours: lightnermuseum.org
6. Colonial Quarter
A living history museum where costumed interpreters demonstrate 18th-century blacksmithing, musket firing, and shipbuilding, with hands-on activities throughout.
Tickets and hours: colonialquarter.com
Water and Views
7. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Climbing the 219 steps to the top gives you a full view of the barrier islands and the Atlantic. Evening or twilight climbs are sometimes available seasonally.
Tickets and hours: staugustinelighthouse.org
8. Bridge of Lions
This bascule bridge connects downtown to Anastasia Island and is worth walking across at sunset, with white marble lion statues at each end.
Area overview: visitstaugustine.com
9. Matanzas Bay Boat Tours
Several companies run sightseeing, dolphin-watching, and sunset cruises out of the downtown marina. Morning and early evening tours tend to report more dolphin sightings than midday ones.
Example operator (Dolphin & Wildlife Tour): St. Augustine Boat Tours
10. Kayaking or Paddleboarding on the Salt Marsh
The marshes around St. Augustine, particularly near the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve, offer calmer water than the open ocean and a good chance to see herons, egrets, and other coastal birds.
Reserve info: gtmnerr.org
Beaches
11. St. Augustine Beach
The most developed and family-friendly beach in the area, with lifeguards on duty during peak season and a fishing pier.
City beach info: staugbeach.com
12. Vilano Beach
Quieter than St. Augustine Beach, with a reputation among locals for good shell collecting and surf fishing.
Area guide: visitstaugustine.com
13. Anastasia State Park
This park combines beach access with maritime hammock trails and a salt marsh. Entry requires a small vehicle fee, and camping sites are available.
Official park page: floridastateparks.org/anastasia
14. Crescent Beach
South of the main tourist area, this stretch is less crowded and popular with people wanting a quieter alternative without driving far from downtown.
Area guide: visitstaugustine.com
Food and Drink
15. Try Datil Pepper Dishes
The datil pepper is a specific chili variety strongly associated with St. Augustine’s Minorcan heritage, brought by settlers in the 18th century. It shows up in hot sauces, chowders, and glazes at many local restaurants, and it has a fruitier heat than a typical jalapeño, closer to a habanero in intensity but with a different flavor profile.
Restaurant directory: visitstaugustine.com/restaurants
16. Minorcan Clam Chowder
This is a tomato-based chowder (different from New England’s cream base or Manhattan’s version) seasoned with datil pepper, and it’s considered a signature regional dish specific to this part of Florida. Several downtown restaurants serve their own version, and it’s worth comparing if you eat at more than one place.
Restaurant directory: visitstaugustine.com/restaurants
17. Downtown Rooftop and Waterfront Bars
A number of bars along the bayfront and near St. George Street offer rooftop or upper-floor seating with harbor or Castillo views, which makes for a good spot to end a day of walking. Prices and crowd levels shift a lot by season, so checking hours ahead during off-peak months is worth it since some cut back service outside of tourist high season.
Nightlife directory: visitstaugustine.com/nightlife
