St. Augustine is a small town located on the northeast coast of Florida. It is one of the most significant coastal towns in Florida, as well as the whole of America. Being the oldest city in Florida, it is blessed with numerous historic attractions including the Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas, Ripley's Believe it or Not, the Lightner Museum and so many more. It is also home to some of the best beaches in Florida, making it a popular tourist attraction.
There is a lot to see and do in and around the downtown historic district. Visitors from all over the world can find something fascinating to do in St. Augustine. Many people who visit the town find it a great opportunity to rediscover the history of America, as well as find links to the past. Having stood in the same place for the last 400 years, the town is proud to have maintained its past. Some people refer to the city as the ancient city, because it was founded years before pilgrims set foot in Plymouth and before Jamestown was colonized by the British.
St. Augustine has placed a lot of importance in preserving this particular American history. Most of the structures, including residential homes, have a historic feel to them. These beautiful buildings give St. Augustine it's uniqueness and creates a feeling of stepping back in time.
There is one tour you really should schedule when in town. Henry Flagler built the architecturally magnificent Ponce de Leon Hotel, and brought in Edison to create electricity for the building and Tiffany to design the stained glass windows. That building is now Flagler College and open for public tours.
Apart from the historic buildings, St. Augustine boasts trendy shops, exquisite restaurants and unique hotels. There are also gorgeous white sand beaches to enjoy.
Depending on your budget, you can tour the town in a horse-drawn carriage, site-seeing trains, or rent bicycles and motorcycles. The carriage and train tours are narrated so you will learn a lot about the history of the area. Many love to hear stories about the haunted Castillo de San Marcos.
