With one day in St. Augustine, park once downtown and walk: start at the City Gates and Castillo de San Marcos in the morning, stroll St. George Street to lunch, see Flagler College and the Lightner Museum in the afternoon, and finish on the Bridge of Lions at sunset. Most of it is free.
Morning: the gates and the fort
Park at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility and walk a short way to the Old City Gates, whose coquina pillars date to 1808. Cross to the Castillo de San Marcos, the 17th-century Spanish fort built of seashell stone. Walking the grounds and seawall is free; going inside has a National Park Service fee.
With kids? Play our free Three Keys walk here. It takes 20 to 35 minutes and runs from the gates to the fort. Read the Castillo's story before you go.
Late morning: St. George Street
Walk south down St. George Street, the pedestrian heart of the old town, past colonial houses, balconies and garden walls. It's lined with shops and places to eat, so it's an easy lunch stop. What you're looking at.
Afternoon: the Gilded Age
At the south end of St. George Street, turn onto King Street. Henry Flagler's 1888 Hotel Ponce de León is now Flagler College; admire it from the street, or book a guided tour inside. Across the street, his Hotel Alcazar is now the Lightner Museum and City Hall. The story behind the towers.
Want a mission? The Gilded Age Conspiracy is played on these sidewalks.
Late afternoon: the Plaza
Head east to the Plaza de la Constitución, one of the oldest public squares in the country, with the Cathedral Basilica on its north side. Read the Plaza's history, including the 1812 Constitution monument and the 1964 civil rights marches.
Sunset: the Bridge of Lions
Walk to the bayfront and out onto the Bridge of Lions, guarded by two marble lions, for the best view of the skyline as the sun goes down. Then wander back for dinner downtown.
Have more time?
- Take the free NPS ferry to Fort Matanzas (check the day's schedule), about 30 minutes south.
- Visit Fort Mose Historic State Park, site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. Read the Mystery File.
- Pick a full scavenger hunt adventure for the family, or see what's on this week.
- Stay the night: where to stay downtown.
Questions people ask
Is one day enough for St. Augustine?
One day is enough to see the historic district on foot: the City Gates, Castillo grounds, St. George Street, Flagler College, the Plaza and the Bridge of Lions. Add a second day for Fort Matanzas, the beaches or museums.
Is St. Augustine walkable?
Yes. The historic district is compact. Park once near the Visitor Information Center and you can walk to the main sights in a few minutes each.
What is free to do in St. Augustine?
Walking St. George Street, the Castillo grounds and seawall, the Plaza de la Constitución, the Bridge of Lions and the outside of Flagler College are all free.
Hours, fees and schedules change. Confirm with each organizer or site before you go. ← More from the blog