So you’ve decided a Florida vacation is in the cards for your family this summer. Instead of vacationing with cartoon characters yet again or frittering away your days doing nothing but the beach, why not visit a city that blends fun with history?
Located on the Atlantic Coast near the state capitol of Jacksonville in the northeastern corner of the state, St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city. But this town has more to offer than just a long history – it’s also long on contemporary family fun. Getting to St. Augustine is relatively easy – you can drive there from much of the Eastern Seaboard, or find cheap flights online at websites like Travelocity.com.
Once you’ve booked your cheap airline tickets, it’s time to start planning what you’ll see and do in St. Augustine. Here are some must-see sights:
Start out with a riding tour that takes you to all the major attractions in the city. Two main companies provide tours via trolley or “train” – both allow you to hop on and off at every stop. A tour is a great way to get a bird’s-eye-view of the city and then zero in on the attractions you actually want to spend time at. If you’ll be in town for several days, a multi-day pass is a great value – and a great way to avoid parking woes, as available parking can be sparse in the city during high season.
The city traces its roots to 1565, when the Spanish admiral Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, under orders from Spain’s King Phillip II, fortified an existing Indian village and named it St. Augustine. In 1672, construction began on the Castillo de San Marcos, and today it is the oldest masonry fort – and the only existing 17th century fort – in North America. The Castillo is a popular destination for families; costumed performers act out examples of living history – including the firing of a period cannon.
Across the street from the Castillo are the ancient City Gates and the Spanish Quarter, where you will find the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, many historic buildings and great shopping in small boutique shops along St. George Street. Don’t miss the oldest house in Florida – a Spanish Colonial dwelling located on Charlotte Street. The site has been continuously occupied as a home since the 1600s.
The Old Jail is also a favorite historic spot for families. Built in 1891, the jail housed prisoners for more than 60 years. Today, you can take a tour, led by costumed guides, who give you a taste of what life was like for the inmates housed there. For a more peaceful interlude, pause for a moment beneath the venerable branches of the Old Senator, a live oak tree that is more than 600 years old. Today, the tree stands on the grounds of the Howard Johnson Express Inn.
Whether you drive to St. Augustine, or take advantage of the many cheap flights available to nearby Jacksonville Airport, a trip to the nation’s oldest city is sure to be history-making for your whole family.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
